Real36 Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Commenting on another tread made me think that you all may have some insight/advice on my sleep problems. I am pretty sure I have some kind of crazy sleep disorder! I cycle between not being able to go to sleep, then stay asleep, then stay awake. These cycles usually last for about 3-6 months each with some periods of normal sleep cycles and have been affecting me for around 10 years. I also call myself an "avid" sleeper because when I do sleep well I move all over my king sized bed throwing covers and pillows around and waking up in very strange positions. Sleep paralysis happens to me once or twice a month, I have learned how minimize it by putting a pillow at my back when I sleep to discourage me from lying on my back. I have tried melatonin, OTC sleep aids and relaxation techniques with little to no help for extended periods of time. My dad has similar sleep problems which includes sleep walking and night terrors. I don't have those. Any ideas/advice? Link to post Share on other sites
Keenly Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Ask your Dr about ambien aka zolpidem tartrate. I've.had insomnia for ten years, and I've been on that for three . No more sleep problems. God help you if you run out though. Link to post Share on other sites
mea_M Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Ever try melatonin? Its something the body already makes but sometimes lacks. Very natural. Ask your doc about it first. Works like a charm for many I know. Mea:) Link to post Share on other sites
amaysngrace Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 My daughter has poor sleep patterns. She has been taking 10mg of melatonin that her pediatrician recommended for months now and her sleep is still pretty whack. Today her head doc told us to try Benadryl 25mg. It's OTC and we picked some up today. She said it's not addictive and can even be used in conjunction with the melatonin. Maybe you could try that? Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 You've taken melatonin but what dose? I take 3mg. How much caffeine do you ingest daily and how late? Link to post Share on other sites
skydiveaddict Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Any ideas/advice? Ambien........ Link to post Share on other sites
Els Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 I've struggled with sleep problems most of my life. One thing I've realized when searching for solutions, is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Different people have different reasons for their insomnia, there are several related but very different syndromes that contribute to it, and a remedy that works for someone else might not necessarily work for you. So, that being said, going down the list... 1) Zolpidem/ambien/etc - these are similar to benzodiazepines and have high tolerance and withdrawal. What that means is that if you take them over the long term, you will not only be unable to sleep without them, but their effect also tends to weaken over time. The side effects are often fairly pronounced - I notice significant dulling of the mind and slower reaction times when I was on zolpidem. Use cautiously, preferably for the short term. 2) Sleep hygiene - there are whole sites dedicated to them. You know, the whole drill: Don't take caffeine close to bedtime, only use your bed for sex/sleep, etc etc. I'm not going to repeat all of them here for fear of putting you to sleep, even if that may be the intended effect of those lists. That's certainly the only thing it has ever done for me. Aside from that, much more information is needed, namely the hours you go to bed, the hours you fall asleep, whether you are on any other medications, whether you suffer from other illnesses or mental health issues, etc. Can't give you more specific help without knowing all that. I assume you have spoken to a physician, but can you afford a sleep specialist? Link to post Share on other sites
Els Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Today her head doc told us to try Benadryl 25mg. It's OTC and we picked some up today. She said it's not addictive and can even be used in conjunction with the melatonin. Amaysn, this advice is worrisome. Benadryl is an antihistamine and their sleep-inducing effects wear off the quickest (usually after a week of consistent use or even less), and there is significant rebound insomnia when withdrawn. I would not rely on that for sleep for the long term, or at least get a second opinion. Link to post Share on other sites
D-Lish Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 You know what? During/After my divorce, I didn't sleep. My anxiety was so bad, my brain ran constantly. Sleep is so important- and if you're jostling around at night, you aren't getting any rest. Get a prescription, from a Doctor. I can't tell you how life-changing it was to go from not sleeping at all, to getting in 8 hours with a prescription. I really don't give a crap about people judging other people for seeking a prescription. There is nothing worse than not sleeping- and I will always remember that first night I slept after going to see my Dr. Talk to your Doc. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
amaysngrace Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Amaysn, this advice is worrisome. Benadryl is an antihistamine and their sleep-inducing effects wear off the quickest (usually after a week of consistent use or even less), and there is significant rebound insomnia when withdrawn. I would not rely on that for sleep for the long term, or at least get a second opinion. Too late. She already took it. The person who recommended it is a child psychiatrist. She's fairly young too. She said we'd give that a shot before she would write a script. She didn't contradict the pediatrician either and said she could take both the melatonin and the Benadryl. I trust her to know more about it than me...for now... But thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
skydiveaddict Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 I really don't give a crap about people judging other people for seeking a prescription. There is nothing worse than not sleeping- and I will always remember that first night I slept after going to see my Dr. Talk to your Doc. That's word. chronic insomnia is the worst Link to post Share on other sites
Els Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Too late. She already took it. The person who recommended it is a child psychiatrist. She's fairly young too. She said we'd give that a shot before she would write a script. She didn't contradict the pediatrician either and said she could take both the melatonin and the Benadryl. I trust her to know more about it than me...for now... But thanks. Oh, taking it once or a few times is definitely fine. I thought that she had suggested taking it every night, indefinitely. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
D-Lish Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 That's word. chronic insomnia is the worst It's terrible. People that haven't experienced it will never understand how horrible and damaging to your life it is. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Els Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 It's terrible. People that haven't experienced it will never understand how horrible and damaging to your life it is. Nobody should be judging anyone for seeking medical help for a medical issue. And trust me, I have absolutely experienced chronic insomnia. That being said, there are many facets to insomnia treatment and ambien is not the only one. Ambien is good situationally when someone is going through a crisis and needs short-term help with sleep. The OP's sleeping issue is a very persistent, long-term one (10 years as opposed to a few months), that is usually best dealt with in other ways. Link to post Share on other sites
skydiveaddict Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 It's terrible. People that haven't experienced it will never understand how horrible and damaging to your life it is. That's no lie. High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, heart problems, exhaustion, depression, all caused by sleep deprivation. Link to post Share on other sites
KungFuJoe Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 It's already been mentioned twice, but I'm going to third it. AMBIEN AMBIEN AMBIEN It's been a LIFE saver for me. I have suffered from some form of insomnia my entire life. I just have an over active mind with some OCD and it's not linked to depression or lifestyle...just how I'm built. I take 5mg when I feel I'm going to have trouble sleeping and it works 95% of the time. On very rare occasion, I might need 10mg (which is still a conservative dosage) to get me to sleep. I wake up feeling refreshed as ever. Link to post Share on other sites
almond Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 If you have not done so already, I strongly recommend that you exhaust absolutely all other options re: correcting your sleep before resorting to medication. Treating the underlying causes if possible in order to permanently resolve the issue is far more beneficial. Speak to your doctor, and get a referral to a specialist. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
dichotomy Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 FYI OP. I am going to have a sleep study performed soon due to ongoing issues. I have to sleep at special center overnight while they put electrodes all over me and watch me me (sounds fun ). My insurance is covering it. Doctor and I have a pretty good idea what my issue is - but it is best to run the test. Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Please tell us what that is like. I've always wanted to do something like that but I don't think I could fall asleep in a laboratory with someone staring at me. Seems to me you could set up a camera in your own bedroom. Link to post Share on other sites
J2911 Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 Insomnia is almost always secondary to a primary diagnosis of anxiety , depression, OCD , etc.. however in your case , by reading it sounds as if you should ask to have a sleep study done and go from there . As an RN , I am not a huge fan of ambien due to its not the safest med , a lot of folks sleep walk on it and have loss of recolation of hours prior to going to bed An example of that is " my spouse and I had sex last night but I don't remember it " Also a lot of people will sleep walk to the kitchen , arouse to the point of getting food out and eating it , yet they are not fully aware they are doing that . In our hospital we don't give that med bc of being unsafe . If your issue is you can't sleep bc of anxiety , racing thoughts , etc. Try asking for klonipan . Ithelps with that a lot so I'm told. I as well have issues with sleep and its not fun to not have peaceful uninterrupted sleep . Link to post Share on other sites
J2911 Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 Oops I just read where you're having a sleep study done !!! Link to post Share on other sites
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