Any unconventional insomnia remedies

[Nyboy]

Yes Cat 3 pills every night before bed.

 

[Nyboy]

Triva the 1983 vampire movie The hunger with Catherine Deneuve and David Bowie was all about how vampires don't age because of their deep sleep. When a vampire no longer sleeps in the day they start aging. David Bowie after starting to age turns to a sleep clinic in NYC for help.

 

[Smart Red]

All of our good friends here have tried to help you find a reason for your inability to get a good night's sleep. They are all caring and concerned so be sure you've done everything to get yourself straightened out.

You asked if anyone had a method for insomnia. I do have my personal go-to-sleep method. It has always worked well especially in places like the hospital where they wake you every hour to ask if you're having trouble sleeping.

I say the rosary. Never manage to get through it without falling asleep over and over.

 

[journey11]

Another vote for Valerian here. My DH and I both use it when needed. It doesn't leave you groggy the next day either. I find it's especially helpful if your sleeplessness is due to anxiety or worry. I will take two when I go to the dentist too. Make sure you get a good quality brand. I've tried a couple and found the GNC brand to be the best. You can also buy it as a tincture or make your own and add a couple drops to a cup of herbal tea.

Melatonin can help, but shouldn't be used more than two weeks at a time. Overuse can inhibit your body's ability to produce its own melatonin naturally. I wouldn't use it unless you are making a good effort toward regular sleeping habits and take it at the same time each night, trying to get your body back into a pattern.

Are you very busy in the evening hours, trying to cram a lot into your day? That has been one of my biggest problems. I get to buzzing around here working on things and I can't shut it off when it is time for bed. I log a lot of late hours on here too, obviously. I've got one last canner batch of green beans going right now.

One of the worst things you can do for your body's circadian rhythm is being exposed to too much artificial light late in the day. Decide a couple of hours before bed to stay away from the TV, computer or smartphone. Turn down all of the lighting in your home until it is dim and cozy. Curl up with a good book instead. Or better yet, spend the evening out on the porch watching the sun go down or beside a small bonfire and stay out long after listening to the cicadas and other night sounds. I've heard it said that a week of rustic camping will set a person's clock right and I'm certain it would. Our busy, modern lifestyle and all the artificial lighting is wreaking havoc on most people's ability to get a good night sleep. You think about chickens and how the day-length affects their laying. It affects us too.

Now to take my own advice...

 

[catjac1975]

You take all of that at once? 2 Benedryl. I have had Benedryl keep me up ALL NIGHT.

 

[digitS']

I have had that response from an antihistamine. It was a result of trying to deal with these seasonal allergies that are troubling me now - but, was years ago.

Take these antihistamines during the day and be drowsy, I was thinking they would be okay at night. After a couple of weeks, I was having sleep trouble.

Usually, I have no trouble falling asleep. It's staying in any one position very long that awakens me. For a long while, I have not bothered with an alarm clock. I'm just awake so often at night and get up after a few hours.

If pain meds are a possibility, don't overdose, drug-induced sleep isn't likely to do you much good through the daytime. Still, losing the aches and pains for 8hrs may do the job. That, and some really boring but impossible crossword puzzles. I concentrate on my breathing. Can't get much more boring than that ...

Steve

 

[curly_kate]

Wow! As much as I hate to hear others have the same sleep troubles, it does feel better to know I'm not alone! @catjac1975 - you are so right about it being lonely to be up all night! Last night I tried a mix of valerian, passionflower & this hormone called GABA that my naturopath recommended. Nothing! The only good thing was that DH didn't set the alarm, so I slept from about 3-9:30 this morning. 6.5 hours feels pretty good compared to 3! @Carol Dee - I've been to see a sleep specialist. Since I don't have apnea, they don't know what else to do for me. I've never found melatonin to do a whole lot for me, but maybe if I try @lesa 's cocktail, I'll have better results! Feeling like a zombie is bad enough, but I also hate feeling like I'm wasting so much time! I'm too tired to get anything done during those late hours, but I just can't do anything more than doze until about 3ish. I'm hoping that if I just keep powering through, and try to keep myself from stressing too much that it will help this pass.

 

[lesa]

I have never heard that about Melatonin, Journey... I have been taking it every night for years. Better look into that. I know some people are really hyper using benedryl- during the day or night. It has never worked that way with me. My poor daughter is fast asleep, anytime she takes benedryl. Slept through my brother's wedding, when we didn't know that would be her reaction! We are all different... Good night!

 

[catjac1975]

I always found it quite amazing that i could be up from 2-5:30. But then sleep just fine till 6 when the alarm work me for work. 6-9 would have bee perfect.

 

[AMKuska]

Last year there was a study showing that a week of camping can cure insomnia. I suppose if you get desperate you could try that! Here are some sources if you want to read more:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/08/02/insomnia-cure-camping-sleep_n_3694208.html
http://www.insomnialand.com/blog/cure-your-insomnia-by-going-camping-for-a-week/