Insomnia remedies???

St. Johns Wart is good. Its used for depresion and mellowing out moods but it also helps with insomnia. When I was going through some VERY stressfull moments last year I started taking it. Not only did it help with the stress it calmed me down enough to sleep. I take it every day now. I also found the breathing techniques used in yoga helped.
Like others have said insomnia is a side effect of something else. He needs to get to the root of the problem.. Most of the time we don't know what it is but talking about things can help bring it out. Have him go to a sleep specialist. They usually try to get to tje root of things more than a doctors. Doctors believe in drugs. Its better to mask the problem than solve it.

I forgot to add, a lot of times it can be a lack of vitamin D. The only way to get the daily recomended amout is sun exposure. Doctors recomend no more and no less than 15 minutes a day with no sun block. There are over the counter versions but they don't work as well. That is why people who live in places like alaska expieriance insomnia and depression. The lack of sun for 6 months is no good.

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

I don't think Gravol is readily available in the U.S., though.

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Interesting. I read somewhere if you take something like 25 of them you can hallucinate. Obviously not something the average naseau sufferer would do, or insomniac for that matter. But, maybe that's why you can't get them in the US. I hope they don't take Gravol off the market here for that reason. They totally help me with long flights and nights when I'm desperate for sleep. The sleeping effects are still quite mild.

I've written these thoughts down and will give to him tonite while at hospital.
The insomnia I'm sure is do to the worry of what has happened to his wife and how their life is going to be different now.
Thanks for the ideas.

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.

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More like feet that walked barefoot in a cow pasture to me...

My favorite cure is to move. If you stay in bed staring at the ceiling or clock, you stay away longer. I get up, have a glass of water, go sit on the couch and turn on the tv. I'll snuggle into my quilt and concentrate on the tv. Within a few moments, you'll be asleep.

Originally Posted by Fred&Nermal

Interesting. I read somewhere if you take something like 25 of them you can hallucinate. Obviously not something the average naseau sufferer would do, or insomniac for that matter. But, maybe that's why you can't get them in the US. I hope they don't take Gravol off the market here for that reason. They totally help me with long flights and nights when I'm desperate for sleep. The sleeping effects are still quite mild.

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They better not take gravol off the market. I love that stuff. It makes me feel sooo much better when I'm sick.

There is a lot of misinformation about sleeping disorders so I just want to chime in here. If you are having sleep problems, please talk to your doctor. Poor sleep can lead to a host of other problems.

It's almost 5am here and i'm STILL awake. I feel his pain I have to be at work by 1:30... i think i'll attempt to lay in bed and relax. I don't wanna take a sleeping pill at this point.

Originally Posted by catlover19

They better not take gravol off the market. I love that stuff. It makes me feel sooo much better when I'm sick.

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Seems it's been around Canada for a long time, and I've never seen it in the U.S. so I wouldn't worry too much.

But I thought it was for nausea and diarrhea?

It is used for those things but there is a side effect of drowsiness. Like most cold medications.

I just wanted to add that if he's under care of a doctor, he should run any herbal supplements by him/her before taking them. They can interact with any other medications your BIL is on.

I've had bouts of insomnia since I was about 13. It sucks. I'm better now than I was. I have a prescription for pills which are addictive, but I'm not worried about that because I now only get the occasional night or two in a row where I have to medicate, usually every couple of months or so. There was a point, in university, where I would go to bed at 11:30 every night and still be awake at 6am. That was rough!

My BIL had a doc's appt yesterday so he wasn't at hospital when I was there.
I bet his doc prescribed him something though. Almost 3 weeks without good nites sleep is a long time.