posted
(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.
Posts: 702 | From North Eastern USA | Registered: Dec 2009
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
I take 10 my of elavil. It does cause dry mouth sugar cravings
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
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!
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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-------------------- One day at a time Posts: 409 | From TX | Registered: Mar 2004
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Bluemoon
Unregistered
posted
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.
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posted
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.
-------------------- Down on her knees, she wept on the floor. This hopeless life, she wanted no more. Dead in the mind and cold to the bone, She opened her eyes and saw she was alone. ~Seether Posts: 427 | From Rhode Island | Registered: May 2011
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mojo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9309
posted
"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.
Posts: 1761 | From USA | Registered: May 2006
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scorpiogirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31907
posted
Acupuncture
-------------------- Posts: 1391 | From Lyme Land | Registered: May 2011
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posted
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.
-------------------- IgM- 31,34,39,83-93 IND IgM- 41+
IgG- 31,34,39,83-93 IND IgG- 41++ Posts: 610 | From Lymeville | Registered: Nov 2010
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Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
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.
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
25mg benadryl usually does it for me, and sometimes I have to up it to 50mg.
Posts: 13117 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
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
-------------------- Persistence, persistence, persistence!!! "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence... Persistence and determination are omnipotent." attributed to Calvin Coolidge Posts: 599 | From USA | Registered: Jun 2011
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posted
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?
Posts: 702 | From North Eastern USA | Registered: Dec 2009
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Ambien helped me and I had no side effects while using it.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
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.
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
A milder RX than Ambien is Lunesta. It does not have the sleep walking and sleep eating reputation.
Posts: 47 | From Pacific Northwest | Registered: Jul 2011
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posted
A milder RX than Ambien is Lunesta. It does not have the sleep walking and sleep eating reputation.
Posts: 47 | From Pacific Northwest | Registered: Jul 2011
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posted
A milder RX than Ambien is Lunesta. It does not have the sleep walking and sleep eating reputation.
Posts: 47 | From Pacific Northwest | Registered: Jul 2011
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posted
I didn't know there was a Tylenol PM product without the acetametaphin(sp). I will have to try that. Thanks.
-------------------- Down on her knees, she wept on the floor. This hopeless life, she wanted no more. Dead in the mind and cold to the bone, She opened her eyes and saw she was alone. ~Seether Posts: 427 | From Rhode Island | Registered: May 2011
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posted
When I was struggling with insomnia sleeping on the Biomat helped me sleep. It induces deep delta states of relaxation.
Posts: 925 | From California | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
What's a biomat?
Posts: 702 | From North Eastern USA | Registered: Dec 2009
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pamoisondelune
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11846
posted
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
Posts: 1226 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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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?"
Posts: 925 | From California | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
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.
Posts: 702 | From North Eastern USA | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
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.
Posts: 20 | From Maryland | Registered: Nov 2004
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