Not sleeping well

[sophiesmummy13]

Hi

I have asthma and depression. I have trouble sleeping because of my depression and I was wondering if something like nytol or kalms is safe to take with me having asthma.

[Asthma-girl]

It might be best to discuss this with your GP

[Beth_19]

I would be wary about taking anything like that without discussing it with your GP or asthma nurse first.

[Hidden]

Hello Sophie go to see your GP, they have a whole list of meds they can give you and don't affect your asthma so you can have a good rest and get back on your feet. Take carexx

[Samsgran]

I think depression meds would be the problem with taking Nytol, but your pharmacist would be able to help with this. I can't recommend because I only got it yesterday but I am trying magnesium oil spray for help with sleeping, and it is also said to be good for Restless Leg Syndrome so I'm hoping to kill two birds with one stone.

[Foxy79]

Hi answer to ur ? Is nattaurall sleep 😴 if not then zopiclone 3.5mg minimum dose to help u sleep as u might be getting mitazipione it's a sleepers musle realaxer etc cause u got dipperesion DR might not agree for u to take but every other day it's ok to take but ask ur spcialilst mainly plz

[WHOA]

Sort out your depression and it may improve your asthma. Go back to GP

[sophiesmummy13]

I've had my asthma since before I had my depression.

[Jandm]

If I have trouble sleeping or re-adjusting my sleep pattern after a course of steroids then I take sominex (over the counter medication). Works well for me. I've found it to be much more effective than kalms and nytol.

[ChrissieMons]

I don't think medication is going to help the sleeping problem. Provided your asthma is under control, your waking at night is very probably because of your depression. You might be better off looking for a talking therapy, as long as you are prepared to be brutally honest with your therapist about your issues. You don't want to rely on more medication if you can help it - you have to do this for the asthma as it is. Talk to your GP or pick up a leaflet about accessing talking help in the surgery. You can self-refer.

Be brave.

[O-T-]

Hi Sophiesmummy13, as a fellow sufferer here are some thoughts: I would suggest magnesium glycinate / bisglycinate tablets before bed at a dose that you find doesn't leave you groggy in the morning. There is research to show multiple benefits to magnesium supplementation as well as the many types out there, some better for one thing than another, and indeed some forms are said to worsen depression, others cause gastric problems (avoid mag. oxide in particular). The American eccentric George Eby has a website devoted to magnesium specifically to help depressives.

The milk protein Casein, as Sonatogen Powder or Casilan 90, is the main reason milky drinks aid sleep because the protein is a slow-digested kind that provides nourishment at sleep. There are nighttime protein drinks also that contain this and other things that help such as zinc and vitamin B6, but I sometimes have bad dreams from them.

The blue-light radiation from screens interferes with sleep-cycle hormones and ought to be avoided a couple hours before bed.

I haven't tried nytol or calms as I'm personally wary of sleeping meds of conventional or herbal kinds because I once tried valerian and it worsened my eczema but didn't help me sleep, also, I was on Zopiclone in the 90s but I felt rubbish in the mornings (metallic taste all through me and not refreshed).

The best measure of any sleep remedy is how one feels in the morning.

It is often the case that things that are too sedating pose a risk for asthmatics because of the need sometimes to wake up to deal with asthma symptoms.

Some people are allergic to relaxing herbs such as chamomile.

Reading a book can help.

'talking therapies' are beneficial for many people, as are drugs, but drugs are a little over-prescribed for non-severe cases and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy somewhat under-prescribed.

I would recommend Steve Illardi's book 'The Depression cure' too, he looks at sleep and daylight and fish-oils and other things and has some online videos too I think.

Best wishes, Ollie.