Insomnia

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Usually I feel like I can lay down on a slab of concrete and sleep for days. But lately it is hard to go to sleep at all or I wake in the middle of the night without hope of going back to sleep. (such as tonite, last night rather). I know Im stressed. Or more stressed than usual, lets say. Could this be the reason? Is there anyway to "cure" this without meds. Ive tried relaxation, food and milk.

And tylenol PM.

by the way for anyone who doesn't know, 90% of the OTC sleep aides including tylenol PM are nothing but diphenhydramine (benedryl) read the labels! Don't buy the expensive stuff! I had used benedryl off and on for a while, and finally asked my doctor for ambien, ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE STUFF, I get the 10mg, but most of the time i only need 5, i take it about 1-2 times a week, and get MUCH needed, UNINTERRUPTED, RESTFUL sleep.

If you take the ambien and still aren't asleep then you aren't tired!

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Ditto on the Melatonin.

I have a formula that has Melatonin, hops, and griffiona but it doesn't work if my mental status overides it. find a relaxation technique even if it's telling yourself that you will not allow anything from work into your thoughts as you visualize anything but work related events.

Melatonin supplementation will help you if your suffering because of lack of production of that hormone. The Pineal gland produces it to regulate sleep cycles. You can find it in most natural sleep aids. You won't become dependent on it, and you won't need to wait for a script or give up a co-pay.

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Specializes in cardiac, diabetes, OB/GYN.

Ambien is supposed to be dispensed on a temporary basis...I find it works well too, but most docs won't give you more than one prescription, as tolerance can become an issue...Peri menopausal/stress levels and nursing in general I think, are some main contributors to my insomnia....Night night, hopefully...For me it is also the night shift

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Specializes in ICU.

For night duty can I recommend the sunglasses trick. Wear sunglasses when you drive home in the morning. Go to be straight away - it has been proven to be the best time ot sleep for ND people. Don't drink coffee after 1 am - eat apples instead. Apples have a wake up effect not as "high" as coffee but lasting longer and they don't keep you awake.

Oh! And strangle noisy neighbours!:zzzzz :zzzzz :zzzzz

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I also use Melatonin when I can't sleep. Doesn't make me groggy when I wake up. I also have great luck with a relaxing bath after exercise, listening to jazz with candles aglow. But...what does keep me up is "fooling" around to close to bed-time. Sex can often act as a stimulant for some people.

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I know this sounds silly, but try the Johnson's Baby Bedtime Bath soap. It really works. I started using it when it first came out to see if it worked and it does help calm you down and helps you sleep.

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The Melatonin works wonders! Slept for 12 hours last night!

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!;)

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Specializes in Peds, Pre and post op.

I take benadryl before bed every night. Knocks me out. I atarted doing this once in awhile,but right now with nursing school and my crazy family situation I'm very stressed and find this is theonly way for me to get some ZZZZs. I took ambien one time (It was my friends she gave me one, I know this is BAD!) and it made me sick. I threw up ten minutes later (after being extremely dizzy) and threw up all the next morning. I'm the biggest lightweight ever!

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I have had insomnia for years, I have really not found found anything to work for me, I can deal with being tired, but I have a hard waking up once I am asleep. I sleep right through the alarm! If anyone has found agood way to sleep and wake up let me know! Also I don't know if it is connected or not but I do have hypothyroidism, and another nurse I work with also does, she also has insomnia. If I take my thyroid meds too late then I am really in for it.

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Posted by Nurse2002

The Melatonin works wonders! Slept for 12 hours last night!

Excellent!

Did you use a formula with other supplements or just Melatonin?

How long did it take to induce?

I use both a formula and Melatonin by itself depending on the situation.

I take it 2 hours before I need to be asleep in either sublingual or oral form.

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I wonder if the world is just have a waive of insomnia right now because I am having that same problem right now too. On that melatonin, what the side effects on it? Also what precautions should be taken if a person wishes to try it?

Thanks.

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careful with the melatonin....read up on it

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