Herbals and Sleeping

[Norm]

Having trouble sleeping with my Afib I am trying herbal sleeping aids.

Being in UK where melatonin is only on prescription I have tried Valerian with hops and other herbals. I have tried Melissa Dream. All with some success at times.

I have now got three different lots from USA. Somulin, Natural Balance, Herbal Slumber and Dr. Whitaker Restful Night Essentials.

I tried Somulin for three nights but did not have any success so went back to Valerian etc. I also got my GP to prescribe Melatonin 2mg Circadin prolonged release tablets for me to try. I have tried these with the valerian etc. and am not sure if it made any difference.

Just wondered what if any success if any other had with using herbal sleeping aids or what others did to be able to get a good nights sleep with Afib pounding away.

Has anyone tried any of the above including the items from USA

Norm

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Norm

Years ago I tried every natural sleeping pill available and to be honest none of them worked for me. Nytol, not the herbal one, was the best over the counter buy.

My doctor now prescribes a very low dose tablet called Zopiclone, which has been a sanity saver when my heart starts hammering away at night. I rarely need to take them now, but when needed just take half of one.

Jean

[NooNoo14]

Hi Norm

I posted on Friday on the very same subject. Just a note of caution - Melatonin can affect anticoagulants so if you are on Warfarin or one of the NOACS I would speak to your local pharmacist before taking Melatonin and any of the other supplements you have purchased over the Internet.

Hope you find some relief soon; I know how hard it is to function when you are exhausted,

Netty

[Boombiddy in reply to NooNoo14]

Hello I am very new to this so I hope you will forgive if this is not v helpful.

You mentioned melatonin, and that it can interfere with anticoagulant meds. That is very useful information Thankyou!

It is now possible to take tiny-dose melatonin for the same effect you would have got from a full dose of oral melatonin. This is due to a sprayable delivery method recently developed.

There is now a company in USA making sprayable melatonin.

The spray contains melatonin, tyrosine and distilled water. The company do not advise it if you have asthma or are allergic to any of the ingredients.

My own big proviso is, I have not used it since my (very recent) AF diagnosis. For me, this is because I am getting used to bisoprolol and its side-effects (bradycardia) before trying the melatonin again.

If you decide to try it:

The company is called Sprayable, the product is backed by research, and I have no affiliation to them. (I heard of them from an Indiegogo crowdfunding email). You can read their literature on their website. You could take a copy of it your doctor if you do decide to try it.

They have offers on so that you can get it monthly at a reduced rate. I think you can still try it for 1 month for $1 plus $5 p&p. to UK.

How it feels to use it: when I remember to use it, it helps me 'let go' and relax, so it is possible to drift off to sleep, and sleep is more refreshing. You are still able to get up and function in an emergency, it's not like taking a powerful sedative or sleeping tablet.

I am sorry you are feeling so wretched. I hope this might help you if you don't find another way.

[NooNoo14]

Hello Boombiddy

Thank you so much for responding - very interesting.

I am in the UK so I doubt it would be available be through our health service but, as you say, it can be purchased via the Internet. I will definitely look into it.

Netty

[Sebhel]

Thanks for sharing, you have helped me maybe understand my symptoms!

3 years ago (before knowing about AF), I had serious problems getting to sleep! Sometimes staying awake all night! Sometimes I was aware of my heart but did not associate it as a problem! I was exhausted during the day at work, this continued until one day I passed out and woke up in an ambulance. They told me I had AF, of which I beforehand knew nothing, but which I now share with everyone here!

Interesting thing is that I always thought that my sleep problems might have been the cause of my AF... Putting stress etc on my heart?

Now I wonder if the reverse might be true? Could it be that my heart problem (of which I was unaware) - ie AF - dated from before and caused my sleep problems and day time exhaustion?

Further thoughts... 50 years ago I remember every doctor and nurse, on seeing you, would always pop a thermometer in your mouth and take your pulse. Then, maybe because of time and possibly a thermometer / mercury / hygiene issues, I don't think my pulse was taken for many years? I recently asked my doctor to take my pulse by hand and she said: "Yes! AF"

Anyway now, with new electronic blood pressure monitors I see AF flagged up instantly.

It is said that lots of people were unaware that their symptoms were because of AF and diagnosis is delayed for years - with consequences?