Insomnia remedies???

gailc

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
May 18, 2004
Messages
11,567
Purraise
13
Location
Wisconsin
While talking with my BIL at the hospital today he mentioned that he still isn't sleeping at night. He has a script for alazopram (spelling?)-hasn't helped, his wife's doc said take a couple of Benedryl-he said it "wound him up"
He tried Melatonin last night it didnt do anything he's going to try it again tonite.
I said a glass of warm milk-he made a face and I said hot chocolate made with milk or a warm bath (he has tried warm showers too)
Does any one have any other suggestions short of actually getting a sleeping pill prescription that actually works?? Its been almost 2 weeks now w/o a good nights sleep.
 

catlover19

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 20, 2006
Messages
6,517
Purraise
172
Location
Ontario, Canada
When I can't sleep I take sleep eez or nytol. Nytol is the better buy (you get twice as many for the same price as sleep eez). I don't know if either of those are available there. They both work really well to put me to sleep. Nyquil also works, but thats cold medicine.
 

laureen227

Darksome Duo!
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 3, 2003
Messages
19,260
Purraise
387
Location
Denton TX
Originally Posted by GailC

He tried Melatonin last night it didnt do anything he's going to try it again tonite.
i take a capsule [3mg] of melatonin each night & 100 mg of 5-L-HTP in order to fall asleep, which is what i have trouble with. Kava-kava works well for some to cause drowsiness, also.
 

yosemite

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 26, 2001
Messages
23,313
Purraise
81
Location
Ingersoll, ON
I could arrange for one of my co-workers to visit with him. If that doesn't put him to sleep nothing will.


Sorry, couldn't resist. Does reading make him sleepy? That always works for me.
 

gailuvscats

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 30, 2006
Messages
2,283
Purraise
34
Location
philadelphia
Calmsforte is a homeopathic formula that relaxes and helps sleep. You can get it at the health food store. Along with this chamomille tea helps, but it doesn't sound like he will take that since he made a face at your suggestion. If I couldn't sleep I would try anything. This works for me. also, reading in bed, puts me right out.
 

godiva

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 10, 2006
Messages
2,219
Purraise
14
Location
Indianapolis, IN
He should tell his doc the all the stuff he's tried that hasn't worked. He could try a higher dose of melatonin, a higher dose of the alprazolam (I would suggest temazopam [Restoril] or Ambien instead though), or some homeopathic remedy if you can find one.

I hope he gets some rest soon!
 

neetanddave

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 6, 2006
Messages
8,707
Purraise
1
Location
Tarheel State
Valerian works well for me. The pills smell WFUL, but one a night before bedtime does the trick. No morning droopies either....
 

halfpint

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 6, 2004
Messages
8,565
Purraise
3
Location
Somewhere over the Rainbow
Reading always helps me fall asleep.. But Insomnia basically is more that you don't feel rested and like you slept enough Is it that he is having a hard time going to sleep or not feeling like he did the next day. The Ambien works good but after awhile of using it you feel crappy the next day, but it will put you to sleep right now
 

salemwitchchild

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 11, 2006
Messages
1,440
Purraise
1
Location
Kentucky
I put on the most boring documentary I can find on tv and wait it out. However Insomnia is a symptom of many other serious problems. So please tell him if it continues to get checked out by a doctor. Don't let them just give him a sleeping pill. They need to check to see what is causing it.
 

lunasmom

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 7, 2005
Messages
8,801
Purraise
12
Location
Jersey Shore
Do you want to borrow my copy of "Computer Networks: The Complete Reference"?

That puts me out within 5 minutes. I need to have coffee in hand each time I read it AND its for a class!
 

arlyn

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 9, 2005
Messages
9,306
Purraise
50
Location
Needles, CA
My two insomnia remedies that I use are valerian root capsules (tea if you can handle the smell/taste) and C-Span or the Weather channel.
 

lsulover

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
5,057
Purraise
1
Location
Columbia, Ms.
Originally Posted by GailC

While talking with my BIL at the hospital today he mentioned that he still isn't sleeping at night. He has a script for alazopram (spelling?)-hasn't helped, his wife's doc said take a couple of Benedryl-he said it "wound him up"
He tried Melatonin last night it didnt do anything he's going to try it again tonite.
I said a glass of warm milk-he made a face and I said hot chocolate made with milk or a warm bath (he has tried warm showers too)
Does any one have any other suggestions short of actually getting a sleeping pill prescription that actually works?? Its been almost 2 weeks now w/o a good nights sleep.
He could try liquid Benedryl, I can take the benedryl pills and they don't bother me, but if I take the liquid I am asleep in no time.
 

tamme

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 2, 2002
Messages
2,201
Purraise
1
Location
Calgary, Alberta. Canada
I play Cribbage or Solitaire on my cell phone while I'm lying in bed and usually that does it for me.

Or if I'm having a particularily bad time getting to sleep I meditate. I'll say to myself "My toes, my toes and all the bones and muscles and tendons are heavy *breath in, and relaxed" Then I mention every body part going up my body until I fall asleep. Usually I get to my shoulders on these nights.

Lately I've tried saying the Lord's prayer over and over and it's got a continuos mellow hum to it that sets your worries aside - kinda like counting sheep or saying the word "the" over and over again.

Best of luck, sometimes it is a mental disturbance that is coming out and showing itself as sleeplessness. Perhaps ask him if there is something that is particularily bothering him that he knows he can't fix. That really bothers men. (not to be sexist)
 

pat locani

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2006
Messages
726
Purraise
1
Location
Frisco, TX
The amino acid L-tryptophan does it for me, gentle sleepw with good dreams and refreshed on awakening.
 

salemwitchchild

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 11, 2006
Messages
1,440
Purraise
1
Location
Kentucky
Ya know it's ironic I gave advice about Insomnia in this thread and now I can't sleep...lol. But it could have something to do with that 4 hr nap I had.
Plus I have one of Sierra's kids shows in my head.
 

lionessrampant

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 14, 2005
Messages
4,161
Purraise
6
Location
Windy City Kitty :)
Take Valerian, which is an herbal supplement. That'll knock him right out. I have to warm you though, Valerian root smells like FEET! But it works.

This coming from a fellow insomniac.
 

arlyn

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 9, 2005
Messages
9,306
Purraise
50
Location
Needles, CA
Originally Posted by lionessrampant

Take Valerian, which is an herbal supplement. That'll knock him right out. I have to warm you though, Valerian root smells like FEET! But it works.

This coming from a fellow insomniac.
Exactly as I suggested above lol
Though I thought it smelled more like bad locker room
 

swampwitch

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 30, 2006
Messages
7,753
Purraise
158
Location
Tall Trees & Cold Seas Vancouver Island
The jaw muscle is the strongest in the body (and can hold tension), so tell him to make sure his jaw and tongue are relaxed.

Another thing he can add is relaxing from head to toe... Imagine the top of your head relaxed, then your eyebrows, then nose, mouth, etc., take your time, down to your toes. You get the idea. I never make it down to the toes.
 

fred&nermal

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Jan 11, 2007
Messages
1,167
Purraise
6
Location
Ontario, Canada
I've had insomnia since I was a kid. I have asked my doctor for sleeping pills but she has always refused, for a good reason as I later have learned from others that they are addictive. She recommended Gravol, as it's much gentler. It seems to work. When desperate take 2. When really desperate combine 2 with 1 glass of wine (my own theory). Any pill shouldn't be taken regularly unless prescribed, so don't go crazy and take them every night for an extended period. Same goes for the wine!
I hate long flights. I always take 2 gravols for the 8hour+ ones and it usually puts me out for at least 5 hours with no ill effects.
 
Top