how long does it take to find the right combination?
i am struggling with sleep Ambien worked but left me hung over for days trying Restoril and half ativan tonight but not working obviously
i cannot go on with nonsleep it is miserable
Posted by Shosty (Member # 12232) on :
Are you on other meds that are causing this insomnia? Are you on antibiotics? Do you think this is a side effect, a herx, or the Lyme itself?
Do you exercise? Do you avoid caffeine, eating, and stimulating tv before bed?
Sorry for these questions, because I know what absolute insomnia is like, but those come first before or in addition to meds.
Have you tried L-theanine, 5 HTP, or melanonin? Benadryl? Hypnosis?
My daughter just used alternating Ambien and Restoril to get through 2 weeks of exams, because her anticonvulsant dose caused extreme insomnia. The insomnia made her physically ill, gaunt, it was horrible. Insomnia also caused migraines and seizures to increase. Insomnia is serious.
So sympathies to you.
Our pharmacist said some people use these meds for months or even years, but we also read that Ambien should not be used for more than 7-10 days, and that Restoril tolerance builds fast, so that you need more and more to get sleep.
I realize how desperate you might be, but if possible, avoiding long term use of these drugs seems better. But first, get some sleep!
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
What has worked wonder for me is the herb corydalis root which you can buy online by itself or from Zhang in his Herbsom. I buy Herbal Extracts Plus and it is much cheaper than Zhang.
Posted by Snailhead (Member # 18091) on :
I use Xanax. Usually only .75, but sometimes I need 1mg. Also, I have noticed that some abx make it harder for me to go to sleep, and they also can cause wierd dreams.
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
I have been plagued for years with severe insomnia. Occasionally for no explicable reason I will get a few hours of good sleep.
A few weeks ago after reading some posts on LymeNet I decided to make a concentrated effort to really boost my immune system by taking more and different supplements as it was suggested that would help. I already take Trazodone as rx'd by my therapist.
As my cortisol level is extremely elevated all day and night, I suspect that is also a huge culprit. I take Cortisol Manager to help with that problem.
I have read too that adequate magnesium can help improve sleep, so I make sure to take enough.
Posted by laceyj (Member # 13862) on :
i am reacting badly to antibiotics so i am not on them currently am looking to try herbals
i dont drink caffiene i have no energy to exercise and try not to watch tv at night i am exhausted but night time comes and my mind is wide awake my mouth hurts from tmj too
i have tried l-theanine, do yo mean by itself? valerian, melatonin, htp have the opposite effect so do many herbs ive tried all the natural herbs or so i thought
i have not tried Zhangs herb so maybe that would work
Posted by laceyj (Member # 13862) on :
i am reacting badly to antibiotics so i am not on them currently am looking to try herbals
i dont drink caffiene i have no energy to exercise and try not to watch tv at night i am exhausted but night time comes and my mind is wide awake my mouth hurts from tmj too
i have tried l-theanine, do yo mean by itself? valerian, melatonin, htp have the opposite effect so do many herbs ive tried all the natural herbs or so i thought
i have not tried Zhangs herb so maybe that would work
Posted by springshowers (Member # 19863) on :
honestly.. i have had this problem forever and nothing has ever helped that is a drug or herb or supplement.
I have had to do a lot of Meditation and deep breathing exercises and that is the ONLY thing that has ever helped me get SOME sleep.
Its a rough one..And no easy answers.....
The other thing is a nice warm bath before bed and some tea and just kind get your mind and body the "message" it is time.
Its taken me years to pick away at the hours I lay awake. I wish I had some help for you. I really do.
For some the drugs work. For me I sleep walk and feel so horrible from them and eat or do weird things that it is not worth those hours I "supposidly" am sleeping. i think it is not even sleeping. i think it puts you in an alterted state to make you think you slept but it does not work in my opinion..
If it works for some.. great...
If I have to sleep in the day I do it.. And sometimes that is the only way to get some.. even if that is not the right way to help correct your sleep pattern issues.
Like you said. You have to have some..
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- nefferdun - thanks for that link. I love the detail in their articles. I love reading this stuff. The page on one of my favorites, BUPLEURUM ROOT, is one of the best articles that I've seen.
============
Mentioned above, magnesium is a key helper for so many reasons.
As long as our adrenal system is overtaxed, sleep can be challenging. Adrenal support during the day helps so very much at night for our body to be able to settle down.
Cordyceps is a good start for adrenal support that is not stimulating so as to interfer with sleep.
As long as the liver is overwhelmed, sleep will be hard. Liver support is the first line of support and then, checking all medicines to see what effect they have on the liver . . .
While herbs are generally kinder to the liver or have less of a "hang-over" effect, one herb often used for sleep can really knock some people for a loop. That is valarian. So, if it works, great. If not, don't try to make it work for you. Chances are your body type is not meant for it.
I have tried on various occasions to make that work for me. I finally realized that it never will. But there are many other wonderful choices.
Since I've been taking andrographis, I need no sleep help at all.
===============
If you do use the Hepapro Herbsom, be sure your body is free of other sleeping pills as it can interact with the herb, corydalis.
Some great articles on Sleep - and what can help in a safe manner.
-
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Ambien was mentioned somewhere above. Many years ago I had some harrowing experiences when taking that. Last year I stumbled upon some articles that helped to explain a lot.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for AMBIEN and AMBIEN CR
-
Posted by pab (Member # 904) on :
My son (19) was not slept well since birth. We have tried a lot of options for him, but nothing so far gives him quality sleep. He has been taking Phenibut for the past couple of months along with a mix of other sleep meds.
Alprazolam (Xanax) helps but his doctors (LLMD & functional medicine) do not want him to take it.
He tried Lunesta for 2 days last week and he fell asleep right away but woke up in 30 minutes and every hour after that until morning.
He isn't on antibiotics. His life would be so much better with quality sleep.