Still Not Sleeping

[Traviesa 0]

I had posted a few weeks ago about my insomnia problem...well I'm still having problems with it. I went on Ambien for 20 days and then ran out so last night I was on my own...and I didn't sleep not a single minute. I'm so exhausted today I can barely keep my eyes open. I have a new prescription for Ambien which I can fill and it will last 30 days, but I would REALLY like to get back to natural sleep, if possible. I'm wondering if anyone has had experience "coming off" or whatever you call it, these sleep medications and if it gets better after that first night. Any information or advice would be terrific. Thanks!

[Lou Lou 1]

Go get some natural melatonin from GNC or a store like it. I guarantee you'll sleep like a baby.

[govols 1]

Melatonin is worth a try. I have tried it and it just tends to relax you so you can sleep.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Melatonin helps and so does 5HTP which you can get in most pharmacies. A cup of warm cocoa made with milk before bed also helps. Good luck. If these fail, try taking an antihistamine - that is what most over the counter sleep medication is.

[Traviesa 0]

I will definitely give the melatonin a try. Strange thing about my insomnia is it's not restless...I can lay perfectly still for 2 hours with my eyes closed and be so tired and still not sleep. It's like something's blocking me from sleep-that's what happened last night. I went to bed at 10:30 and laid there completely still, comfortable, and tired for 2 straight hours but sleep never came...then I started getting restless.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I had posted a few weeks ago about my insomnia problem...well I'm still having problems with it. I went on Ambien for 20 days and then ran out so last night I was on my own...and I didn't sleep not a single minute. I'm so exhausted today I can barely keep my eyes open. I have a new prescription for Ambien which I can fill and it will last 30 days, but I would REALLY like to get back to natural sleep, if possible. I'm wondering if anyone has had experience "coming off" or whatever you call it, these sleep medications and if it gets better after that first night. Any information or advice would be terrific. Thanks!

I never used it more than 2 days in a row. You should sleep tonight since you didn't last night.

[onwa 6]

I had insomnia for 2 years. Nothing helped. SOmetimes I would take sleep meds. Most imes I wouldn't. I tried various herbs and excercises to no avail. My insomnia stopped when my now husband arrived. Its only in his arms I can really sleep. I just learned how to live with no sleep during those 2 years. Hopefully you will find something that works for you. Otherwise just take the meds.

[Ban Hammer 14,573]

I had posted a few weeks ago about my insomnia problem...well I'm still having problems with it. I went on Ambien for 20 days and then ran out so last night I was on my own...and I didn't sleep not a single minute. I'm so exhausted today I can barely keep my eyes open. I have a new prescription for Ambien which I can fill and it will last 30 days, but I would REALLY like to get back to natural sleep, if possible. I'm wondering if anyone has had experience "coming off" or whatever you call it, these sleep medications and if it gets better after that first night. Any information or advice would be terrific. Thanks!

i've always found several shots of alcohol help

[JenT 0]

I had insomnia for 2 years. Nothing helped. SOmetimes I would take sleep meds. Most imes I wouldn't. I tried various herbs and excercises to no avail. My insomnia stopped when my now husband arrived. Its only in his arms I can really sleep. I just learned how to live with no sleep during those 2 years. Hopefully you will find something that works for you. Otherwise just take the meds.

I sleep much better when David is with me.... I didn't sleep a wink last night either, but I'm recovering from an injury and have had a lot of bed rest... I think my body has had too much rest over the last week... I'm used to 5-6 hrs per night.

Antihistimines (and alcohol) can have the opposite affect, so be careful. Do what the doctor prescribes, and try not to obsess about it... that will only make things worse.

Jen

[camifree 2]

I've suffered insomnia since I was 5 years old. What haven't I tried??? Last year I stopped taking auto-prescribed medication and went to a doctor (psychiatric); after checking some of my hormones and talking a little bit, she prescribed me a serotonin treatment, in a dose that fits my condition. Besides, she told me to take walks after dinner (walking my dog, for example), a warm bath, face cleansing routine, new pajamas... the point is to make bed time a pleasing one, so you complement the medication. Also, no tele in the bedroom or too serious literature.

Friends will always want the best thing for you, but doctors know more sometimes.

Good luck!

[Traviesa 0]

I've suffered insomnia since I was 5 years old. What haven't I tried??? Last year I stopped taking auto-prescribed medication and went to a doctor (psychiatric); after checking some of my hormones and talking a little bit, she prescribed me a serotonin treatment, in a dose that fits my condition. Besides, she told me to take walks after dinner (walking my dog, for example), a warm bath, face cleansing routine, new pajamas... the point is to make bed time a pleasing one, so you complement the medication. Also, no tele in the bedroom or too serious literature.

Friends will always want the best thing for you, but doctors know more sometimes.

Good luck!

The Ambien was actually prescribed by my psychiatrist, when the insomnia started. At the time, I had suspected the medicine I was on (Celexa) was causing the insomnia so I stopped taking it. I have not been taking it the whole time I've been on Ambien and I refuse to start taking the new medicine he prescribed for me (something called Cymbalta). I can't imagine this insomnia being so long-term like it has been for you-since you were 5 WOW! I don't know how you can deal-I used to be able to fall asleep in 10 minutes and sleep for 10 hours if I wanted and this not sleeping is so stressful for me. I feel so sick right now and all I want to do is go home. I'm actually surprised that my psych didn't do what yours did-try to understand better what's causing it and find an appropriate treatment. I think he was hoping, like I am, that the insomnia is temporary or was caused by the medicine. Good grief I type a lot when I'm tired....

[ChristinaM 0]

Something else that might help is getting up half an hour earlier in the morning and sitting yourself in front of a really bright light. Like melatonin, it resets your circadian rhythm. You can actually buy lightboxes for this purpose, but they are a little scary.

[camifree 2]

It has been horrible, you are right. That led me to a very very irritated mood that made me gain a grumpy reputation in my family. Thanks God this doctor I went to was open to listen (I actually went for therapy, coz all the K-1 visa process almost drove me crazy... and more sleepless!!) and told me that I was not crazy nor bipolar whatsoever... that I just needed to sleep! Poor me! The funniest thing is that the medication I'm taking are not sleeping pills (I can actually buy them without prescription in my country, where ALL sleeping pills strictly require prescription). I have been taking that since October 2005 and last month she decrease the dose, and I'm sleeping fine! So it doesn't create addiction or anything like that

[Traviesa 0]

It has been horrible, you are right. That led me to a very very irritated mood that made me gain a grumpy reputation in my family. Thanks God this doctor I went to was open to listen (I actually went for therapy, coz all the K-1 visa process almost drove me crazy... and more sleepless!!) and told me that I was not crazy nor bipolar whatsoever... that I just needed to sleep! Poor me! The funniest thing is that the medication I'm taking are not sleeping pills (I can actually buy them without prescription in my country, where ALL sleeping pills strictly require prescription). I have been taking that since October 2005 and last month she decrease the dose, and I'm sleeping fine! So it doesn't create addiction or anything like that

Interestingly enough, I had my very first low-grade manic episode 2 weeks ago, right in the middle of this whole not sleeping thing. I'm not looking forward to the next one.

[Isabel 0]

hi,

I have this insomnia problem very often and i get back to my normal sleep behavior by reducing the hours I spend in bed.

Some advice on that:

- pick a time when you go to bed (for here it is midnight)

- For the first week try sleeping or staying in bed for no more then 6-7 hours

- Get up on always the same time

- dont spend any time during the day takin a nap or in bed at all

- Even if you are very tired before midnight, dont go to bed

- Try reading, or something relaxing before you go to bed and let it become a behaviour

- After a couple days you should come back to normal sleep

- drink lots of water!

At least it worked in my case. It is always bad to take sleeping medication. Try to drink tea or something instead. It is hard to get off those medication again.

Good luck

Isabel

Besides, my sleeplessness is usually caused by the drugs I take for my depression.