Sleep

[Geodog]

I know how important sleep is, but more often than not, I only sleep 2-3 hours. My Doc is reluctant to give me a prescription for Ambien. I already take Zoloft and Buspar. I have tried melatonin but it does not help. Does anyone have suggestions for an over the counter drug I can try?

[NeuronerdDoaty]

You can try the name brand Alteril or just tryptophan. I’ve been in neuroscience 30 years. Try to take time to rest. Some guided meditation counts. You have to calm the brain down. Rest and quiet zen moments count right now. At this point don’t worry about 8 straight hours. Go for 4 hours and then some rest/zen time.

I can understand not trying Ambien now.

Best of luck to you.

Doaty

[Geodog in reply to NeuronerdDoaty]

I have a very difficult time resting, my mind uses that time to go through all the things I need to worry about. Also, I was raised in the atmosphere of resting is being lazy. Thanks for the advice and suggestion, I’ll give it a try.

[NeuronerdDoaty in reply to Geodog]

We were raised together! Fishing can be zen. Reading can be zen. I like to call it cell regeneration. I’m a workaholic. I find these times help me be a better workaholic. Odd but true. Our brains chemically must shut down. It’s like skipping the stairs building the second story of a house. You have to do it. But, don’t get anxious about 8 straight no-waking hours. Most of history adults have not slept that way.

[hypercat54]

Well your doctor would be more likely to give you something like mirtazapine which is an ad which can make your sleepy instead of sleeping pills.

I take a very low doze of mirtazapine which really helps me sleep. x

[NeuronerdDoaty in reply to hypercat54]

Trazodone works well too. Ambien isn’t first choice for A/D (us).

[JEG325]

I suggest you try several non drug related things. First, try 125mg of Magnesium Citrate + 3mg of melatonin 1 hour before bed. (tryptophan works well with these two things too). Also a light snack of fruit or juice will help.

Here's some atypical things to try. First try getting some sun as early in your day as possible. About 15 minutes of sun on your face in the morning helps reset your biological clock. When you sleep, keep your room as dark as possible. A black eye cover over your eyes is helpful too. White noise, like a box fan or rain sounds can help relax your mind.

Stay away from the TV, cell phone and computer within the last couple hours before bedtime. The light produced from them interferes with serotonin/melatonin production by your body.

Here's an unusual suggestion: Recent research suggests that if you are very low in Potassium, you will not sleep no matter what else you do. A good way to test this is drink about 6oz of OJ or eat 1 oz of kettle potatoes chips. This provides you with 300 to 450 mgs of potassium. If you get really sleepy within an hour after that it's a fair sign that you are low on potassium. You can then try taking potassium as a part of your bedtime routine too.

I've also read that a vitamin D deficiency will make it hard to sleep. Dairy product are usually fortified with D. Fish has it too. If you buy vit D supplements, don't take them at night. They will keep you awake then.

Lastly, if you're taking any meds check the side effects on them. Many of them interfere with sleep. If 1 or more is, talk it over with your doctor and see if you can take something different.

Only try these things 1 or 2 at a time. You may find a special combo of things that works really well for you....Wishing you good health GD.

[Geodog in reply to JEG325]

Wow, lots of things to try. I certainly appreciate your suggestions. The folks on this site have really been helpful.

[JEG325 in reply to Geodog]

My sleep has righted itself pretty much now as long as I stick to the routine that works best for me. My doctor told me to go to bed at the same time every night, no matter what. He said establishing a sleeping patter was important. I sleep okay for the most part now. Better sleep makes everything else better. Have a blessed day, GD!

[JEG325]

I've had trouble with sleep for years. Most of these things I do everyday. I didn't even mention to try a short, peaceful walk in the dark. I used to do that when I was younger. Sometimes the peaceful, quiet of the out doors would relax me, then I would be able to go back in and get some sleep. The key is to find what works for you the best. We're all pulling for you here!

[NWGal]

Trazodone works well for me although it's not an over the counter drug. Taking a fast acting antianxiety med before going to bed might help too. If your anxiety is chronic and acute over the counter meds may not help you.

[Want2BHappy3]

I sleep ZERO hours at night, I usually fall asleep about 8am. Then I only sleep like 3 though out the day. I try to No sleep so much in the day hoping I'd sleep at night? Doesn't work, I'm SO EXHAUSTED that sometimes I sleep too much. My doctor also was hesitant to give me anything to help. But gave me only 20 pills, forgot the name. Doesn't matter cause they didn't work anyway. Have you tried doing a sleep study? I've done one before and I have sleep apnea. I'm going to get another one done this coming December. Vyou should look into it?

[Need2feelbetter2]

You can try L-theanine.

It has relaxing qualities. For many calms anxiety just enough. It is a supplement made from green tree extracts. Theanine. It has virtually no side effects and can be taken with many, if not all antidepressant. If you go to drugs . Com you can enter the info in the page to see drug interactions. You can and should talk to.your doctor before adding anything though to be on the safe side. I hope you find sine peace. I slept for 6 hours straight last night. First time in I dont know how long. This illness - anxiety and depression is hell to deal with.

[Hidden]

I’ve had insomnia for a long time. Be careful with the strong antidepressants like trazodone. They have some mad side effects.

[Geodog in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for info

[Dolphin14 in reply to Hidden]

Trazadone knocked me out for days. I struggled to stay awake during the day. I had to stop it.

Interesting though, I was put on it a few times in the past and it never worked. I think something else I am on now may have enhanced the effect. Just a guess. But it was awful.

[Hidden in reply to Dolphin14]

Yeah I had a horrendous zombiefied 5 days In trazodone recently. Never again lol

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Also had bad reaction to mirtizipne ( can’t recall the spelling). Think I’m going to avoid the ones that are supposed to help with sleep. I’d rather not sleep if the drugs make you unable to function.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Hidden]

Yes it was awful!