For students with insomnia, what have you found that works for you?

[J-Swish]

I started having insomnia at the beginning of this year. I have tried everything - white noise machine, Benadryl, Melatonin, even Ambien. I'm a little hesitant on the latter because of its withdrawal effects. So what works for you?

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

Nclex questions :)

[Music in My Heart]

I use Ambien, 5 mg PRN and I find it to be effective without "narcing" me.

I preferred Lunesta but it's still on-patent and therefore prohibitively expensive.

Melatonin supposedly works for some folks but not for me.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

More exercise.

[Mom/Nurse2b]

I also use Ambien, but I've had insomnia for about 2 years. I tried Melatonin-didn't work at all. I tried Lunesta but I didn't like it-I can't remember why. I am on Ambien now, 5 mg and I usually take one about 2-3 times per week. I don't feel out of it and am fully cognitive. I haven't heard of any withdrawal effects. I've gone off of it several times for about a month each time that I've been able to fall asleep on my own.

[Music in My Heart]

The thing I like about Ambien is that it does work reliably for me. The simple knowledge that I *can* take it and fall asleep if I *have* to (that is, I have a test in the morning for example) often lowers the stress and lets me fall asleep naturally.

[KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN]

9 mg of Melatonin & Chamomille tea :)

[sweetiepeas]

Reading before bed. If that doesn't work I take a half a trazadone :)

[strawberryluv, BSN, RN]

I set my alarm clock to whatever time I need to get up every single day for classes. And then when I get up I go through whole day without one nap, yes, that means you have to stay awake the whole day. Usually, after the whole day of no napping my body will naturally want to fall asleep earlier than usual.

If you wake up at the same time and don't go back to sleep every day then your body will naturally adjust the time you feel tired to accomodate the time you need to get up. Its like saying to your body, "Okay no matter how much crap-sleep I had last night I will not wake up at any other time but -- AM." Your body will go, "Fine. Okay then I'll just knock you out a little earlier each day so that you get enough sleep for the whole day since you're depriving me of a nap and not letting me sleep-in."

Your body wll get used to your sleeping cycle and thus you will not have insomnia ever again because your body will naturally make you fall asleep so that you get enough hours for whatever hour you want to wake up in.

[kr924]

I had that problem before I had my thyroid under control. Try gettin that checked. Also, there is some stuff called Calms Forte, you can get it in the vitamin area at walmart. It's a natural sleep aid. Melatonin never worked for me either. You can also use the Calms Forte for anxiety. If you take 2 about an hour before bed it seems to really work. Oh it's also only 4 bucks! If that doesn't work try unisom! Good luck to ya!

[Maladroit, BSN, RN]

My insomnia isn't as bad as most people's but I use regular (drowsy) Dramamine then read a book until I finally go to bed. Also, I can't within 3 hours of going to bed.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

reading (especially nursing material!) helps put me to sleep :) I also use Benadryl, even though I know you said that didn't work for you. Have you tried Unisom? It's an OTC sleep aide...that stuff knocks me out! But you need to make sure you dedicate enough sleep when using it, because you might feel extremely groggy upon wakening. I usually take 1/2 tab.