Insomnia: What works for you?

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Specializes in geriatrics.

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!

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

Specializes in geriatrics.

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.

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

Specializes in geriatrics.

Thanks Netglow. I'll give that a try.

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.

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

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

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.

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