Suggest a sleeping pill?

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No matter how hard I work in the daytime, I can't stop my head from racing at night so I get bad sleep. The last thing I was prescribed was benadryl and thats what I take noe. Its pretty good for giving me some of the good sleep back that I need but I still take a couple hours of kicking around to fall asleep and still wake up too early, tired.

Can anyone suggest an OTC sleeping pill that works for them? I know there are a lot that do not work. I don't have insurance so I dont want to go ask for a prescription for $$$ reasons but will do if nothing OTC works.

I'm looking for a real magic pill. Maybe I need valium?

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
No matter how hard I work in the daytime, I can't stop my head from racing at night so I get bad sleep. The last thing I was prescribed was benadryl and thats what I take noe. Its pretty good for giving me some of the good sleep back that I need but I still take a couple hours of kicking around to fall asleep and still wake up too early, tired.

Can anyone suggest an OTC sleeping pill that works for them? I know there are a lot that do not work. I don't have insurance so I dont want to go ask for a prescription for $$$ reasons but will do if nothing OTC works.

I'm looking for a real magic pill. Maybe I need valium?

You might try valerian tincture. It's a lot more gentle than OTC sleep aids, with few/none of the icky side effects, like morning after hangover.

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

I've never taken OTC sleep aids, so I can't comment there ...

However, I don't think Valium is the answer. 1) It's not indicated as a sleep aid (though it can produce drowsiness) 2) it's a controlled substance (Schedule IV) which, as long as you're taking it, will show up on any future drugs screens you may have to go through for school or employment and that's probably not a good thing.

Wishing you some rest ... :zzzzz

It works for me! Helps with the headaches I get from studying to long or just the stress of the day. Works pretty fast too. I started by taking the recommended dosage of 2 but I felt tired (drugged)in the morning. But it doesn't take much for me to get loopy! :p So I take one about an hour or so before bed and off to dream land I go, and awake well rested. No prescription needed! Give it a try, you can start with the recommended dosage and see how it affects you. :)

Have you tried to limit ur caffeine intake at night? I use to have a horrible time sleeping at night....heart racing as well. starting drinking sprite or non caff soda towards early evening

I use Ambien...yes it's an Rx..but I have the 10mg..take half. It's worth the money. I never stay in bed for 8 hours so that is why I only take half...unless I know I have at least 8 free hours to sleep. You fall asleep FAST and sleep hard, wake with not a single bit of sluggishness or dragging feeling (unless you don't allow yourself to sleep long enough) - I rarely need to use it anymore now that I've learned how to go to sleep again.

As long as you aren't using it every single day, it shouldn't cause a problem.

I've heard valarian root is good too, but never tried it.

Good Luck

~T

Specializes in Psych, Psych and more Psych.
No matter how hard I work in the daytime, I can't stop my head from racing at night so I get bad sleep. The last thing I was prescribed was benadryl and thats what I take noe. Its pretty good for giving me some of the good sleep back that I need but I still take a couple hours of kicking around to fall asleep and still wake up too early, tired.

Can anyone suggest an OTC sleeping pill that works for them? I know there are a lot that do not work. I don't have insurance so I dont want to go ask for a prescription for $$$ reasons but will do if nothing OTC works.

I'm looking for a real magic pill. Maybe I need valium?

Please don't take offense, but have you considered the possibility that you may be suffering from a depressive disorder...racing thoughts, delayed sleep, early AM waking...?

I don't know of anything OTC for sleep other than the aforementioned diphenhydramine or herbal preparations.

I wish you luck and rest.

I've used ambien before...just 5 mg an dthat helped also.

Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.
No matter how hard I work in the daytime, I can't stop my head from racing at night so I get bad sleep.

Sounds to me more like you need some relaxation time before bed. Are you bringing work home with you (mentally, that is?) I would be inclined to suggest a yoga tape (check out your local library for no cost to you :)) before meds. Yoga has great stuff on relaxing and shutting down your brain to allow you to rest.

The idea of avoiding evening caffeine is also excellent. Meals sooner than 2 hours before bedtime are also a no-no - makes your body work too hard. Try a nice soothing herbal tea or some warm milk. Make sure you are not tossing and turning in bed for long periods. If so, get up and do something until you are ready to try again.

Your bedroom should be for sleep and sex :). Nothing else. If you have a TV in there, move it out. Reading and other activities make your body associate bed with things that aren't sleep and makes it harder for you to go to sleep.

Finally, I might suggest a white noise machine. I got one at Target for $20 that's a clock-radio combo, too. Worked wonders :).

Edited to add: exercise is great to help you rest better, but not right before bed - gets your metabolism up and then you can't sleep.

Benadryl knocks me out like a light - I only need to take one quarter of the recommended dose.....it's a good job I don't suffer from allergies, or I'd be asleep 95% of the time LOL! I use it, maybe 3 or 4 times a week when I've been studying, as, like you, my head races at night otherwise and I can't sleep.

I would keep up with the Benadryl if it helps somewhat, but try to increase it's effectiveness by using it in conjunction with these tips:

*Try to go to bed at the same time each night.

*Try to 'save' at least 30 minutes for relaxation time after studying and before sleep (read a book, journal, or meditate in bed - have a candle lit for extra relaxation).

*Try a warm milky drink before bed.

*Try a single drop of lavender oil on your pillow.

*Try meditating (always sends me to sleep!).

*Check that your room is conducive to good sleep: Buy light-blocking blinds for the windows, make sure that the temperature is not too hot or too cold, remove clutter and make it a calm, quiet place.

Another thing to consider is to try to get more organised, i.e. using a planner. Often our heads keep spinning at night because we're trying to remember so many things that we've got to get done the next day. Writing EVERYTHING out on a 'to do' list or dated page in a planner releases us from trying to remember it. I update my planner every night, checking off things I've done and re-scheduling things I haven't done, while I'm sitting in bed, and I sleep much better knowing that everything is under 'control' and not weighing on my mind or worrying me.

Best wishes, Paint.

If you can have the same night-time routine that would help I'm sure..as others mentioned cut the caffeine, take a nice hot bath, warm milk...I've taken Benadryl before it helps some...Dramamine works better for me that's otc too ...wishing you a good nights rest :)

p.s.- try taking your sleep med an hour or so before your bedtime..not right when you are ready for bed.

Your bedroom should be for sleep and sex :). Nothing else. If you have a TV in there, move it out. Reading and other activities make your body associate bed with things that aren't sleep and makes it harder for you to go to sleep.
Wish I could afford to get a place of my own so that I could have my own study room and then bedroom. But its okay, i dont think having my work actually there in the same room while i sleep affects me any more than usual. In fact, i think its a comfort. I feel everythings close by.

Thanks for the Rxes guys. Sorry, I know you guys all come here to talk about nursing, not to nurse and doctor other people off the job. I really appreciate it.

I've made a plan to sleep better and here's what I'm planning to try in this order:

1) tylenol pm (cheapest and easiest to find)

2) valerian root(two people attested to it and its otc)

3) dig into emergency money to go to the doctor and ask for a generic brand sleeping drug (the ambien or dramamine)

No, marypush, I dont mind suspecting myself being depressed or ocd. Its a helpful thought. I think finding the right pill to help me sleep better will help these symptomes the best. Ive gotten antidepressants when I had good insurance. Like a lot of people, antidepressants made me feel cooky. Thanks for your concern.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Ill write back and tell u guys what works best if ure interested in knowing.

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