29 Sep 2023 Any sleep suggestions

[RoyceNewton]

G'Day family. Has anybody got any good sleep suggestions. I think I have done most of the usual stuff, now I need some pharma ideas. So if YOU have a suggestion please send it along. As always thank you very much.

Royce

[kdali]

Oh boy, I think I've tried it all. Ambien didn't work for me and I never tried Lunesta. Benzos or muscle relaxants can work short term, but there's a groggy or foggy trade off. 1/2 dose of NyQuil works, but causes morning grogginess so I take it at 7pm (I don't take it anymore since avoiding antihistamine). There's a blue generic Tylenol PM (I don't like benadryl) and has the same sleep aid as NyQuil without the other cold medicine. Benadryl, most people like it. I'm only taking a low dose muscle relaxant now because dental work caused a TMJ flare, but since giving up my pharma usuals, I have more of a sleep issue (but also feel better in the early morning, so 🤷‍♀️). Here's what I have left to use:

Sublingual melatonin, I like Quicksilver brand. Stop caffeine before 2pm. Early morning sunlight. Late evening firelight or candlelight (good for books with real pages). Blue blockers, no screens after sundown, no food after sundown. A mat that is similar to acupuncture, I have a shakti. Meditation. Hot bath with Epsom salts, and Target has a nice one in a purple bag for sleep. Noise blocking ear buds or noise machine. Leaving the bed if I can't sleep and try again later. Colder room with a fan and no socks. Faith that I'll be just fine tomorrow and will sleep eventually 😵‍💫

[ahrogers]

I tried Trazodone but didn't help, neither did melatonin. Lunesta helped but after using it for a few months I had a less common side effect of agitation, anxiety and thoughts of self harm so had to stop. Tylenol PM works pretty good for me, like kdali I take it at 7pm, partly because it takes a while to make me really sleepy and I don't want to sleep too late. My neurologist did warn the Benadryl can affect the bladder so I try not to take it more than 1-2 times/week. I try to follow the rule of getting up within an hour of the same time everyday, even on my days off. I have pretty much given up caffeine (yes I had a headache for the first 3-4 days) so now drink tea or half caff only 1-2 times per week. The benefit of that is the caffeine actually gives me energy on the days I have it. When I drink it daily my body seems to expect it to just be normal.

I take 400mg of Gabapentin at 7pm also to prevent vertigo which helps with sleep. I also drink sleepy time tea an hour before bed. I have had trouble sleeping for years and these things do seem to help, along with the usual sleep hygiene items well laid out by kdali.

Good luck! Good sleep does make a difference!!

[Wtfisup]

It can be so challenging. I exhausted (no pun intended) all non pharmaceutical efforts. Then tried hydroxyzine. It definitely put me to sleep but caused the most absolutely gruesome nightmares that felt so real I would startle awake with b/p of 200/115. I’ve tried a myriad of things and well meaning people are continuously saying “Have you tried …?”. My position has always been, if it’s not going to hurt me, I’ll give it a chance. Usually give something 6wks to 6 months time to see if I’m having a positive response. Years and years of trying to get even 4hrs of good sleep.

I sleep at night now. Medical marijuana is what works for me.

I’m sending positive vibes your way and hope you find what works for you. 🫧

[Mark1499]

Structure and consistency work for me. Monday through Friday I go to bed by 8.30 no later than 9. I get up at 5 AM. Saturday and Sunday I go to bed 10 and get up at six. I began doing this shortly after my diagnosis. Waking up is hard on people with MS so I have my meds ready and coffee then after 30 to 45 minutes stretch out and start moving

[Mark1499]

Sorry I accidentally hit reply to soon. As far as sleep aid I take 2 of the 3 muscle relaxers a 1mg kolonipin and 10 milligrams of melatonin. With schedule and medication I fall asleep fast wake easily and sleep like a baby! Hoping for the best for you!

[mrsmike9]

I take 1 1/2 Trazodone every night. I tries cutting back to 1 pill and it didn't work.

[Neworleanslady]

Magnesium

[kycmary]

1 5mg. melatonin & about 30min. later 1 10mg. baclofen Lay down in a dark bedroom with a fan for noise reduction from the rest of the house. Once I am comfortable it takes about 30 min & I'm asleep, Praying for you to get some sleep.

[Szs3eb]

Loved reading all these responses because it helps me feel like I am not crazy. I have been having sleep issues for years....

[RoyceNewton in reply to Szs3eb]

ha ha you are not crazy, stop thinking you are. YOU my dear friend have ms. It is not ever an excuse, It is a reason why all sorts of strange things can happen to you, me. all of us. You are never crazy, just broken.