sleeping pills

sweetbeet · Jun 18, 2007

I had the similar issues - family, school, work, medical isues - wasn't sleeping more than 4 or 5 hours a night. I finally took my doc's suggestion and got a script. It was the best thing to finally get a full night's sleep. I took my meds when I knew I didn't need to be anywhere the next day until after lunchtime. Was a little groggy in the morning at first, but felt better than I had in a LONG time. I tried Ambien and had no real problems or issues.

Good luck to you.

amy · Jun 18, 2007

Just make sure you devote 7-8 hrs (at least!) to sleep. When I was having problems, and first starting taking them, helped for about 4 hrs, added an antidepressant, and it took some time, but all turned around. I joke to my doc that I volunteer to be the lexapro poster-child...

Halinja, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2007

I'd probably try the antidepressant before the sleep aid. You don't want to have to use the sleep aid on a regular basis. And a lot of times not sleeping can be a clinical sign of depression. Sounds like you're having a rough time, a few months of an antidepressant wouldn't hurt anything, and might help. I'm just going by what works for me, though. I hate the groggy, even the sleep meds that say they don't make you groggy make me feel dopey for way past the 8 hours I'd be sleeping.

justme1972 · Jun 18, 2007

Hi all,
I've been under tons of stress the past 6 months. Problems with hubby, kids, ex...and more. Been seeing a counselor who is gently prodding me to consider meds, specifically sleepers. I don't sleep well at all, maybe an hour or two, then I'm up and tossing and turning, might sleep another hour or two. I can't remember the last time I slept all night. Anyway, I'm reluctant to ask my doc for anything, don't know how it would affect me the following day. Anyone with any experience or suggestions?

What I have done from time to time, and this also will prevent you from any risk of dependency.

Everyone is different, but with me, at least ONE night of the week, I have to get a full, 10 hour, undisturbed night's sleep, or it affects my functioning for the rest of the week.

Sometimes, I get so stressed, I can't get this. Then I walk around like a zombie for weeks until I finally pass out.

Here is my trick: I get some type of medication over the counter that isn't really a sleeping pill, but helps you sleep, like Dimetapp, etc. I take it about 2 hours before I want to go to bed, and that does the trick. I am very medication sensitive and if the bottle says "May cause drowsiness" it's going to knock me out like a light.

That way you don't have to take something every day, and then have to worry about stopping it...alot of those meds have "may become somewhat dependent" after only 3 or 4 nights.

Rizpah · Jun 18, 2007

Prayer sometimes helps me, but if I still can't get to sleep, reruns of Gilligan's Island does it for me. My mind focuses on what's on the TV, no thinking (like trying to follow the plot of a movie or something). I think some call it brain popcorn...I set the sleep timer on the TV and DVD player so the sounds don't wake me up later. Most of the time it helps shut off the events of the day or the upcoming day and I sleep well. If I do have a sleepless night, I just start the DVD again - usually the second time does it. Good luck.

fultzymom · Jun 18, 2007

I took Ambien for about a month after my dad died. I would be so tired but when the house got quiet, my mind went about 100 MPH. It worked for me. I did not feel groggy or dopey when I woke up in the morning. I was on Ambien 5mg. The doc told me that I could take 5-10 mg depending on what worked for me but I never did take the 10mg, just the 5mg each night. After about a month, things were going better for me et I did not have to get a refill.

miss arron · Jun 18, 2007

i find benadryl helps me good a good night's sleep when i can't fall asleep on my own and i don't feel groggy the next day like i do with OTC sleep aids

ERRNTraveler, RN · Jun 18, 2007

I take 50mg of Benadryl about an hour before I go to bed- helps me sleep, & I don't wake up all stuffed up from allergies! :)

confused101 · Jun 18, 2007

i find benadryl helps me good a good night's sleep when i can't fall asleep on my own and i don't feel groggy the next day like i do with OTC sleep aids

Yeah on the benadryl. I use it when I have to go in the next night and can't sleep. I have the clearest sinuses on the unit and some good sleep. Never am groogy at work either. Can take it up to noon and get some sleep till 1730. Can't sleep on my days off. Go to sleep at 0400 then up at 1400. Good luck.

scattycarrot, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2007

I am a bit of an insomniac...always have been. No history of depression, I think its a family thing! Anyhoo, when I really need to sleep I take Melatonin. It knocks me out and does not give me a hangover. Its also great for jet lag, by the way! Nothing else 'natural' worked for me. Good luck, I do understand how disabling it can be not to get sleep. For me, a few hours in a row is a good night.

linzz · Jun 19, 2007

Me too, I am also an insomniac. I wasn't before I started nursing school, now after working shifts, I just don't feel my best during the day. I find this frustrating and I too am sensitive to medications like the poster above who finds that meds that claim to cause drowsiness, tend to knock them out.