Insomnia: What works for you?

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Hi Everyone,

I've suffered from insomnia my entire life, and lately nothing seems to be effective. I'll have long stretches of broken sleep, sometimes 2-3 week periods. Yesterday I finally had a good sleep.

I work permanent nights, which I prefer. I've noticed that I sleep much worse on days, so it isn't the nights messing me up.

My standard sleep aid is benadryl and a gravol tablet. I've also tried melatonin, but it does nothing for me. In fact, the research is inconclusive that melatonin tablets are actually effective. I also exercise and eat balanced meals. Valerian root does not work for me either.

Last week, I was working on 3-4 hours sleep, and still not tired enough to sleep well when I got home. So frustrating!

Just wondering what works for some of you? Thanks!

[MilliePieRN]

I have the same problem. Hope you get some good advice that will help both of us. Very frustrating, I know.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

You would think I would be tired and able to sleep after one or two sleepless days. But no. I would arrive at work tired the first hour, then wide awake the rest of my shift.

I'd come home as I usually do and eat and unwind for 1.5 hours. In bed tired and asleep, but only for 3-4 hours, then awake.

I don't want to ask the Dr for a sedative, either.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

A good quick to absorb calcium/magnesium supplement at bedtime. The combo is good, especially the mag.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Thanks Netglow. I'll give that a try.

[Kunzieo]

10mg Flexeril and 4 oz white wine?

I have always had very inconsistent sleep. I worked nights for years, now am rotating day/night. Once in a while I sleep hard core, most of the time I eventually fall asleep but don't sleep that well, and some nights, sleep cannot be had at any cost. Those nights are the worst.

I have soft ear buds and a few good sleep sound apps on my phone.

Benedryl doesn't really help, the leftover Vicodin from my wisdom teeth removal helps in a pinch but I only sleep for 4 hours then wake up sweaty and itching.

Melatonin does NOTHING unless I take 8-9 mg, but then I can't wake up the next day.

Sleeping on the guest room sometimes helps- no husband snoring, different mattress.

Counting my breaths (slow, deep) can help, but if I make it past about 60 I know it's not going to help this time.

I also turn the alarm clock around so I can't see what time it is- that way I don't freak out about how much time I'm NOT sleeping...

All this- and I get maybe 1 GOOD, SOLID sleep per week. Sigh.

[SuzieVN]

Flexeril is amazing- a deep sleep with loads of REM. Benadryl make me dopy the whole next day, and dry.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

We want to be helpful but we are straying into medical advice.

Please do not mix flexeril and ETOH. OP you might want to ask your doc for advice.