BEST PRESCRIPTION SLEED AID

[UncleFester]

I stopped taking Diphenhydramine as a sleep aid after reading all the negative effects it has on rls. Wondering what most people have been prescribed by their Doctor for better sleep. I currently take Gabapentin and use medical marijuana but it requires high amount of thc to give me a decent night sleep (maybe 4-5 hours) which has its typical side effects (getting super baked).

Going to see my Dr this morning to get his suggestion. I just keep reading on here. how most Doctors simply do not understand rls. Pretty un nerving. Hence the post for suggestions. Thanks in advance.

[Joolsg]

What dose of Gabapentin are you taking and fo you take it only at night?

Most people with severe RLS struggle with sleep and 4-5 hours is about average. Some get more.

Zolpidem is safe for RLS but can become ineffective if used more than once or twice a week.

I use medical cannabis oil with 20%THC and that gives me 4 hours of sleep and I can usually get another 2-3 hours after a cup of coffee and a stretch.

[UncleFester in reply to Joolsg]

I take about 3 capsules per night @ 300 MG each. I'm also a big guy. My Neurologist told me that the Gabapentin should help with the sleep but it does nothing for me (sleep wise). I told him my current nightly regiment-He wants to check back in a month. If no sleep improvement, he would consider prescribing me something. I forgot to mention that i am also trying out Meatonin (10 mg each and i take 3). He said that should help but I do not see the difference what so ever.

[Joolsg in reply to UncleFester]

Melatonin is supposed to worsen RLS so be wary- but we’re all different.

Is the RLS keeping you awake or is it insomnia? If RLS then try

splitting the Gabapentin into 2 doses. 300mg at around 8-9 pm and 600mg just before bed.

Alternatively you could try switching to pregabalin which is a similar drug but more easily absorbed. The equivalent dose is about 150mg.

If you’re still struggling- maybe a low dose opioid might work better.

[UncleFester in reply to Joolsg]

Dang, seems like everything triggers rls. I will try your suggestion on the gabapentin tonight and report back. I will ask him about the Pregabalin. I've heard the same about quick absorbsion. So far I have been able to better control the symptons as i prepare for bed, so im thinking its more for the insomnia.

[DicCarlson in reply to UncleFester]

That's a huge amount of melatonin 10mg X 3. I have taken a 3mg time release for awhile, but mostly I have used a sublingual 1mg - but I cut it into 1/4, so it's 0.25mg. It's really all you need to initiate sleep. Many teas that contain melatonin have 0.5mg. You also might try a magnesium supplement. I'm using Magtein (Magnesium L-Threonate) - 3 X day. Also Ashwagandha at bedtime.

[UncleFester in reply to DicCarlson]

I stopped the Melatonin as well now since I'm reading how bad it is for rls too. I'm suffering from withdrawls from the Diphenhydramine that i went cold turkey over a week ago. I also did not drink coffee this morning (1st time in my adult life-not easy).I took one of my wife's Tramadol's last night and was able to get some sleep. Not sure if that makes rls worst though?

[Hidden]

I am writing this to you as I am suffering from a terrible bout of RLS tonight and I do not know why.

Here are some non-medical things to try for better sleep. I have found that some of these interfere with sleep and also augment my RLS.

Having any caffeine anytime (stop totally if you can as even a little bit can be quite disruptive). It is being put into more and more foods so read the labels. I recently found that a cream soda that I drank for years started bothering me. I looked at the can one day and the company put on the label like they were so proud of it: Now with caffeine and a little smiley face icon.

Alcohol actually interferes with sleep and it can be quite disruptive.

Having a big meal, especially high carbs, late in the evening.

Exercising later in the day.

Watching an exciting movie, etc.

Sleeping in a hot room - a cool room with some blankets does help me sleep better.

I have hearing like a dog and hear every little noise. I run a fan as a white noise maker and that helps a lot.

I find that getting on my PC in the evening, keeps me up due to the light of the screen . Certainly, playing on-line video games will keep me up for hours even after I am done playing. (I probably should not be writing this article tonight)

Not using your bed for anything but sleep and sex. Don't get in it at other times. Read in the recliner, not in bed.

If you find that you cannot go to sleep. Don't toss and turn - get up. I read, work on my model trains, or do needlepoint until I get sleepy. Don't watch the "Final Destination Trilogy" or something overstimulating

Some people find that these things help them sleep.

Some people find that marijuana helps. My understanding is that it needs to be smoked or va[ed - it does not work if consumed by mouth. Unfortunately, I am in recovery and sober is sober so using it without a prescription is not an option for me. My physician does not prescribe it although he told me he would refer me to a physician that does.

However, I live in Florida and, even though we passed overwhelmingly passed the bill by a super majority, the state has made it so onerous to get it that it is not worth even trying. Even though this was not in the referendum, you have to get a medical marijuana card from the state. The state charges an ungodly price for this, it is difficult to get, friends that have gotten one said they were treated like a malingerer and a drug addict, and you have to get a new card every year. The nine scariest words in the American English dictionary are: "I'm from the government and I'm here to help".

Taking time to wind down after the day - listen to some light classical music (not the William Tell Overture), read a book, or cuddle with your pet or your spouse..

Have a sleep study to make sure you do not have sleep apnea. Not going into the correct type of sleep is not restful.

We are adults here so here is the last one: Masturbate before you go to sleep. Having said that, having a round or two of "wild, freaky circus" sex with a partner may actually interfere with going to sleep. Many people find an having orgasm relaxes them and makes them sleepy (just ask any guy). However, there is a small subset of people that having any orgasm before going to sleep may interfere with sleep,. For me, I find that it will trigger my RLS immediately post-orgasm and it lasts for an hour or so, so I have to avoid that.

I know that some of these suggestions may be trite, but I have found them from personal experience. Hope this helps,

For what it is worth. . .

Jerold in Citrus Park, FL USA

[SlickNC]

I use Trazadone started on 50mg long ago now went up to 300 now I'm back at 200 seems to work.

[Whiskers16]

Can I please ask how long g you were taking Diphenhydramine and how much as I have started taking it to sleep to try and wean off diazepam as suffer with anxiety

[UncleFester in reply to Whiskers16]

Several years I was taking Diphenhydramine. I went cold turkey off of it which gave me some ugly side effects (like itching). If you have rls-I would NOT start taking it. This group is where I learned how it actually makes your rls symptons even worst. I am currently looking for another sleep alternative. Would be nice to get a couple of more hours of sleep.

[Whiskers16 in reply to UncleFester]

I do not suffer with rls but because of my anxiety I don’t sleep, I’m lucky if I get 2/3 hours a night and because I am so agitated I can’t sleep during the day.I have been on diazepam for 7 months To help me sleep but I need to wean off it so I have been told I could take the diphenhydramine but shouldn’t take it for too long.

I really dont know what to do for the best, I don’t want to replace one addition by another one but I need to get some sleep.

I have a friend who suffers from rla and her doctor advised her drink neat vinegar before bed and now she swears by it. Have you ever heard of this before.

[Bruxelles]

Hi Unclefester,

I’ve given up on Dr.s I think we learn more on this site from each other.

Good luck with your Dr.