(I already searched old posts on this topic.) Since I have paradoxical reactions to things like melatonin and 5HTP, I'm wondering what other people have had success with. I prefer OTC or herbal/natural type solutions.
Thanks in advance for your ideas.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
I take 10 my of elavil. It does cause dry mouth sugar cravings
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
The only thing that has helped me is Progessence Plus - but this is a natural progesterone supplement applied topically and is for women only...sorry guys!
Posted by twicebitten (Member # 5412) on :
not natural/herbal, but I use ambien
Posted by Bluemoon (Member # 25255) on :
5HTP used to work well for me before lyme, now it does not.
The best natural aid for me has been glycine (3 grams, and I weigh 170lbs). But it still does not get me to deep sleep...for that, Ambien.
Posted by mom2kids (Member # 31972) on :
I tried every prescription sleep med known to man. Ambien, well I could've been a "Dateline" special when taking that stuff. Hubby was going to handcuff me to bed to keep me from wandering in the night while "asleep".
It took awhile but I started meditating, deep breathing excercises and Tylenol PM. I meditate in bed with relaxing music and the lights off.
I still have a night every now and then that this does not work, but my sleep has improved greatly.
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
"Simply Sleep" by Tylenol (but with no acetemetophen) works well. I also use Ativan 1 mg and have been on the same dose for many years.
Timed released Melatonen is good, too. I take one 3 mg tablet.
At this point I'm so stressed I'm using all three. When I'm not stressed I only use the Ativan.
This combo is working for me (even long term) and right now I'm dealing with the worst stress in my entire life.
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
Acupuncture
Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
I also have reactions to Htp5, melatonin...??
Wonder why?
I got my adrenals in order and sleep got better. I have been having issues lately, but nothing like before adrenals were weak.
Posted by Haley (Member # 22008) on :
Valerian root tincture.
I have also started meditating while I'm in bed. I have a CD that is excellent, teaches you how to meditate with breathing and keeping your mind clear.
Razzle... I'm going to try the Progessence Plus. My doc recently gave me progesterone and I notice it really helps me sleep.
I also notice when I am intensively exercising it really knocks me out.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
25mg benadryl usually does it for me, and sometimes I have to up it to 50mg.
Posted by Harmony (Member # 32424) on :
I know many of you cannot work out but for those who can:
waht works for me is rigorous exercise, to the point were I sweat for 1 hour and then stretch a every muscle
then, like mom2kids said, deep breathing while laying on my back, no pillow, thinking of every body part and breathing with belly and chest into toes, balls of feet, arches of feet, heels, ankles, ...going up to my hair folicles on my scalp
two deep, slow breaths for each area of my body, often fall asleep before I get to my knees
I think of "flusing out" each body part with air while I am breathing
It is easy to do and relaxing even if I don't go to sleep, but most often it works
I try ot relax my shoulders, face, arms etc. on each breath out
I also use calming music to do this
no meds for sleeping - I am afraid of that - messed up enough in the brain already, is how I feel
Posted by sickpuppy (Member # 23846) on :
I have some bio identical progesterone but I thought you could take too much of that. My period is all messed up too so I don't know. When I ovulate then I use the cream for 14 days. I only did it once and that was to get rid of severe PMS symptoms. It worked for that but I don't remember if my sleep happened to be better while using it.
Is there any brand of Valerian that's particularly good? I might give that a try.
What a pickle this sleeping thing is. One day I'm up all night, then I'm asleep at 3am and up at noon, and last night I went to sleep at 3am and up at 7:30am.
Are there side effects you're experiencing with the Ambien?
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
Ambien helped me and I had no side effects while using it.
Posted by Haley (Member # 22008) on :
I just use Valerian tincture from my local health food store. I still use prescription sleep aids but the plan is to eventually do without.
I also saw a sleep expert that told me if you don't feel like sleeping get up and do boring stuff, don't lie in bed and try to get to sleep. If you ended up sleep deprived a couple of days, the idea is that you will eventually catch up.
Posted by BP-Ladybug (Member # 32880) on :
A milder RX than Ambien is Lunesta. It does not have the sleep walking and sleep eating reputation.
Posted by BP-Ladybug (Member # 32880) on :
A milder RX than Ambien is Lunesta. It does not have the sleep walking and sleep eating reputation.
Posted by BP-Ladybug (Member # 32880) on :
A milder RX than Ambien is Lunesta. It does not have the sleep walking and sleep eating reputation.
Posted by mom2kids (Member # 31972) on :
I didn't know there was a Tylenol PM product without the acetametaphin(sp). I will have to try that. Thanks.
Posted by DolphinLady (Member # 6275) on :
When I was struggling with insomnia sleeping on the Biomat helped me sleep. It induces deep delta states of relaxation.
Posted by joysie (Member # 11063) on :
Lunesta!
Posted by sickpuppy (Member # 23846) on :
What's a biomat?
Posted by pamoisondelune (Member # 11846) on :
Treating the gut Candida! That's what's causing insomnia for me.
I run the GB4000 rife machine holding the electrodes on my abdomen (while wearing rubber gloves). I run 20 minutes of Candida frequencies which are on page 457 of Nenah Sylver's book, the rife handbook.
Polly Polygonum
Posted by DolphinLady (Member # 6275) on :
sickpuppy,
The Biomat is a medical device that helps produce a deep delta state of relaxation when you lie down on it. It uses infrared technology and can be heated if desired.
You might be interested in a recent thread about it. I'll bring it up for you, look for "Biomat Experiences?"
Posted by sickpuppy (Member # 23846) on :
Ok DL, thanks, I'd never heard of it before.
Polly, you really think candida can cause insomnia and it's not just the bugs? I took a week of Candida Clear, 2 pills per day for 7 days, and man did I herx!!! My lyme is so out of control though--CD 57 at 12--that I kinna have to focus on that and Bart, as far as rife goes.
Posted by sickpuppy (Member # 23846) on :
^
Posted by samsy (Member # 6518) on :
100 mg of Trazodone does it for me. It is an old antidepressant that doesn't work as well for depression, but it is a sedative. I fall asleep about a 1/2 hour after taking it. If I don't take it, I can go the whole night without sleeping. Some people say they feel groggy in the AM but I have never had that problem.
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