tutty

Thanks everyone ! Most sounded positive, have tried the honey /vinegar but did nothing for me, cannot use valerian it lowers my blood pressure dangerously, but tried the melatonin last night and was ok to good. We'll see how the day goes, could actually take a nap today ?! Well at least I'm able to go do some errands and maybe some more quilting. Yea. Last 2 days sat in a daze stupor , too tired to do anything and to exhausted to sleep ! ugh. Will take again tonite. Had a very dry mouth this am so will take a tad earlier with more water.

jaly3162

I tried Tylenol PM (which works). But my doctor told me to take just Benadryl, because it isn't as bad on the kidney.

kit'smamma

A sleep test is an excellant idea. I, too, suffer from apnea and the CPAP made a huge difference. Sometimes I go through a bad patch and have tried melatonin, and although it worked it also resulted in serious diarrhia so quit that. I take a prescribed medication that has my restless legs under control and on a bad night there is good old benadryl. I also take valerian (it really stinks) with the restless leg stuff and do quite well. BUT see a sleep specialist first.

Exercise every day even if it's just a walk. Restrict napping to no more than 30 minutes a day and try a warm bath or shower just before going to bed. That always makes me a bit dopey.

j

Try a glass of milk. - J

bonnyh

I take one tablet every night - otherwise I quilt all night - can't get projects out of my head.

katykwilt

Melatonin didn't work for me. When I have a bad night (can't get to sleep after an hour in bed), I get up, heat some milk up in the microwave, add honey and cinnamon. After about a half hour of reading a (not-too-exciting) novel, I usually relax enough to sleep. I think our problems are not getting our brains to slow down enough, they just keep going and going and going.

jbj137

Drink some milk at bedtime.
It has a natural sedative just
like the tryptefan in turkey.
J J

patski

I finally gave in and take 1 tylenol pm at night. I finally sleep again.

serenitybygrace

If anyone takes an antidepressant, do not take melatonin. Melatonin increases the seratonin in your brain and too much is bad.
Try writing down everything you are anxious about. When it is written down, it is there and you won't forget it. Then your brain can shut off. Read a book, knit, do whatever will help you calm down. Make sure to have a set routine at bedtime and go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
Some of the natural things here, like warm milk or something like that are probably harmless. If that is not working, get your family doctor to send you to a sleep specialist. They don't always do a sleep study and can help you change your lifestyle to help you sleep better. Lack of sleep is definitely a health problem.
Most people who have depression have sleep problems. Scientists are finding out that depression is quite often genetic. It can also be situational. If you have chronic pain, the pain has a tendency to eat the seratonin in your brain. An antidepressant may help that.
I have had trouble sleeping for years. I have tried quite a few things. At this point, I take an anti-anxiety medication prescribed by my doctor. It usually works fine unless I am stressed out, then I need a little more. My doctor has given me limits. I feel very safe with this, I like it much better than a sleeping med. and it works.
If your family doctor can't/won't help you with this, ask for a referral to a sleep specialist, or (I hate to say the dreaded word) a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists can work with sleep problems, also. You don't have to be crazy to see one.

IdahoSandy

I have tried it and it gives me dreams, too many. Valerian is a (herbal)drug, so don't want that. What helps me is taking a hot shower or bath, just before bed. Stay away from coffee and chocolate at night or eating late at night.
IdahoSandy