Sleep Aids?

[SjoGirl]

Hi all, I connected with my PCP about my profound fatigue -- she's asking if I want to take something to help me sleep.

I'm leery of sleeping pills such as Ambien having read posts about it on this Forum and hearing other stories.

I would try an app, but my husband might not appreciate it.

Anyone finding success with either a medication or other method for staying asleep (which is more my issue than falling asleep)?

[eija]

So sorry you're struggling with sleeping. That sucks, I know!

I had the same - I used to fall asleep just fine (almost before I could put my ear on the pillow), but then wake up. If not properly, at least enough to know I wasn't sleeping as I should. Usually it was the pain that woke me up. The doctors didn't hear me in that at all. They only offered me Melatonin which did zit - except give me an upset stomach and diarrhea I just couldn't get through to them that I had NO problem falling asleep but EVERY problem sto STAY asleep. And that it was because of PAIN. Grrrr...

These days it's a bit more difficult for me to fall asleep (usually because of anxiousness) but when I do, I sleep as if I was dead. Horrible to wake up from that! Especially since heavy sleep doesn't seem to get me any better rested Plus I've started having nightmares or at least a bit disturbing dreams, when earlier my dreams were exhaustingly busy but very funny.

Anyways, it helps me a bit to stay asleep if I take a medicine that makes me tired. Like Oxamin or Sirdalud (muscle relaxant) or a strong antihistamine. Any of those (especially Oxamine which is a sedative given to me for my dentist visits) I only use when I'm absolutely shattered and really need better sleep than normally. I'm very careful not to overuse any sleeping aids.

Hoping you find some relief soon!

[Joe S.]

I use meditation. It works well as long is my mind is not too active.

[Head2Toe]

I shamelessly use Zopiclone every single night - and have for about 10 years.  I started with 1/4 of a 7.5 mg tablet, and over the years have increased to a full tablet.  They help me to fall asleep (I have suffered from insomnia since I was a child) but they no longer help me to stay asleep (for a variety of reasons).  Still - I'm over-the-moon grateful that I no longer have to lay awake for hours before I fall asleep every night

[Carebear]

I use meditation as well, and find it has really helped with falling asleep.  I use one of a few apps I have on my phone.

Good luck with what ever method you chose.  I have never used a sleep aid so unfortunately I can't offer any feedback about that.

[SjoDry]

I use 1/2  Trazadone as needed.

[Maria3667]

Evening primrose oil seems to help me sleep deeper & longer. Also helps against anxiety & depression. I take 3 capsules of 1300 mg each day.

[finallyadx]

I actually take a magnesium supplement for leg cramps and heart palpitations and it really helps me to get to sleep and stay asleep.  I feel like the cevelimine (evoxac) helps me to sleep as well - although I take it for dry mouth at night.

I hope you can find something to help you - not sleeping only exaggerates our issues I think.

Keep us posted.

Sending positive thoughts your way.

Kim

[Ashewoman]

I have a full on sleep disorder on top of sjs. But I find that it's the sjs symptoms that push me over the top into insomniac land. It is NOT easy to rest when fifty parts of your body are uncomfortable.

Obviously, everyone has their own recipe for a good night's sleep.  I know people who rave about the wonders of prescription sleep aids. Others are equally sold on natural remedies.  I suppose it's a matter of hit or miss. I personally cannot take the prescription meds because I already sleep walk/fight/run/act like a total fool so if you add in a prescription that can do that to people who never did it before it's a disaster. However, try getting some actual restful sleep with the ability to act out your dreams while appearing to be asleep to others... not going to happen without assistance.

I hear a lot of good things about melatonin. You can get it naturally with hot milk or if you can't stand the taste, they have pills in many various increments. One thing I hear a lot of is that if you use melatonin all the time you have to keep increasing the dose and if you have any condition that is causing female hormonal shifts in any direction you may find that increases with melatonin. I couldn't use it for that reason.

Over all reduction of stress through meditation, yoga, etc... always beneficial to most human beings... but if you have a genuine problem it may not be power packed enough to do the trick. I use meditation when I can to reduce stress all around but that was never going to climb the sleep disorder mountain alone. I ended up choosing a otc non-addictive sleep aid. People tell me it is so most definitely addictive regardless of what the package says... I just smile and think "so is a good night's sleep. Almost everyone likes to get that every night when possible."

What I can say without being too snarky is that I've been using this method for a long time and haven't had to increase the dose so the word "addictive" may be correct, but there are various levels of that word. If I had to keep upping the dose to dangerous levels that would be a red flag. And one that anyone should watch out with even with the supposedly natural methods of sleep aid medication.

I do take a higher dose than recommended. But shoot... my brain is sorta fried so I do what it takes. I highly doubt I'll end up in a back alley trading my dvd player for sleep aids this way and to me that is what addictive means. LOL But if taking this every night for the rest of my life allows me to sleep I can deal with that prospect better than I can deal with not sleeping until I start hallucinating from sleep deprivation which I have done. Because that is far more problematic than being hooked on an otc med. Especially since this is a 20+ year problem and it's very possible that "this is as good as it gets."

All in all, use your best judgment, try more than one option, and keep your eyes peeled for red flags that the solution is worse than the problem. Good luck, and may you be curled up on a cloud in sleep land before long, GG

[Sleepy In Seattle]

The best sleep aid I have used is a memory foam mattress and having good "sleep hygiene" (you can search that term and get lots of good info). I still struggle sometimes but those two things have helped more than any medication ever did.

It's awful to have bad-quality sleep - I hope you can make some progress on it!

[SjoGirl]

Thanks all, I will try meditation and hope it helps.

[grammad97]

I practice the good sleep hygiene and I do all of the stuff they say to do also like getting exercise, stopping caffeine etc. and I have a great bed but I still need help with sleep.
Had sleep walking issues on lunesta and ambien and had a bad reaction to melatonin.
My doctor prescribed flexaril ( muscle relaxer) and it works well. I wake up fine with no lingering groggy feeling.