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Sleeping Pills?

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Feb 24, 2009 5:43 AM GMT

So, not sure if this is really where this should go, but whatever.

I haven't yet, but am seriously considering going in and seeing if I can get a prescription for sleeping pills. That said, it seems wrong to go in and ask for it, but I don't know what else to do.

I don't have any caffiene after 10am. I'm not cutting out the one cup of coffee I have in the morning damnit. I don't eat late. I don't work out late. I've tried it all, but still I just don't get a restful nights sleep.

I didn't think anything of it until I stayed at my parents house over Christmas break and realized how soundly I sleep there. And how much more energy I had during the day.

So, the question is, anyone else take prescription sleeping pills? What's been your experience? Or better yet, any other random ideas to help me sleep better? Right now I'm taking melatonin and Tylenol PM just to get to sleep and help me sleep through the night, but I still wake up three or four times a night.

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Feb 24, 2009 6:03 AM GMT

Vitamin Shoppe
Snooze-In With Melatonin

Melatonin

"In humans, melatonin is produced by the pineal gland, a gland about the size of a pea, located in the center of the brain but outside of the blood-brain barrier. The melatonin signal forms part of the system that regulates the circadian cycle by chemically causing drowsiness and lowering the body temperature, ..."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin

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Feb 24, 2009 6:07 AM GMT

5-Hydroxytryptophan or 5-HTP is a naturally occurring amino acid, a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin and an intermediate in tryptophan metabolism. It is marketed in the United States and other countries as a dietary supplement for use as an antidepressant, appetite suppressant, and sleep aid,...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-htp

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Feb 24, 2009 6:14 AM GMT

Otherwise, for sleeping pills, Lunestra works well.

I heartily recommend staying away from Ambien. ...You do stuff "in your sleep" with no recollection in the morning. ...I ate a huge mixing bowl of tapicoa pudding in the night and have no memory of it. ....I only know I didt it cuz the bowl and spoon were in the sink in the morning. ...I was a large mixing bowl of pudding too. ...I had to be up for some time eating to eat all of that pudding, but no remember a thing. I could have just as easily gotten in the car and run someone over and had no recollection of it in the morning. ...I stopped Ambien immediately. I now hear on the Ambien commercials warnings that nighttime activity can occur with no memory.

My GP gave me Lunestra, which I find works well with no side effects.

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vindog

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Feb 24, 2009 11:21 AM GMT

I think I need to do more 5-HTP. Melatonin keeps me awake a lot of times, which I talked to a sleep researcher and he said this was not uncommon. I have insomnia right now and have since ingested 1.5mg Klonopin and am drinking Kava tea, as I have a test I should be getting up for in 5 hours

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Feb 24, 2009 2:16 PM GMT

Melatonin has been found to shrink your balls. At least if you're a hamster.
also has been linked to decreased sex drive.

Story here

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Bunjamon

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Feb 24, 2009 2:41 PM GMT

I'm a chronic insomniac. I was on Ambien when I was younger to help me sleep, and then I decided that I wanted a non-chemical method. There are a lot of things you can do to help you sleep, but it took me months of doing these things before I started having a predictable sleep pattern. And I still wake up 3-5 times a night, but I can get back to sleep without a problem.

Don't drink anything too soon to bedtime, otherwise you'll be up peeing all night long.

Always go to bed and wake up at the same time. I am always in bed by midnight and up by 7.

Learn to clear your mind and "meditate" while lying in bed to keep your mind from racing. This is the hardest part. Counting your breaths, clearing your mind and letting yourself drift off. It still takes me 20 minutes to fall asleep, and it still takes a conscious effort to relax before bed so that I can fall asleep.

If you're not sleepy, don't get into bed. Don't watch TV in bed. Try an herbal supplement. Make drugs your last resort.

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Feb 24, 2009 3:46 PM GMT

Before you run off to your physician and get a sleeping aid, read this article from the Mayo Clinic. There is a self help section.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/insomnia/DS00187

Lunesta is one of the most commonly prescribed sleeping meds. It has a long half life and can keep you asleep all night. Ambien is short acting and you will be up in a few hours. Sleeping pills are habit forming and should only be taken for a short time. Some are more habit forming than others.
Read this article from Wikipedia to learn more about the side effects from Lunesta . The problems are significant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunesta

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Feb 24, 2009 3:49 PM GMT

It's going to sound crazy but it truly does help, try eating a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese about 30 - 45 minutes before bed. Yes, it is said that one should stay away from eating before bed, however the chemicals in cottage cheese help relax the body.

Unlike Caslon, the only side effect I have had on Ambien is talking in my sleep and feeling a bit fatigued the next day. Though unlike some, I don't take it every night. My MD prescribed 30 pills in the beginning of November and I have like 10 left.

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Feb 24, 2009 3:58 PM GMT

I have very similar experiences with sleeplessness and it seems to be getting much worse the older I get. Strange or what?
Thanks for the great input guys......it's all much appreciated!

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Feb 24, 2009 4:08 PM GMT

How old is the mattress you're sleeping on? If you sleep well at your parents home but not yours it could be what you are sleeping on that's the problem. If your mattress is more than 10 years old, it's time for a new one. Especially if you never "turn" the one you have so it wears evenly. I know a new mattress isn't cheap but vs. having to take a pill everynight, it's a much healthier solution. All the other suggestions probably won't help if you body isn't supported properly while you sleep.

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Feb 24, 2009 4:15 PM GMT

That is a great point Shortnsexy!
I've never really given that very much thought......

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Feb 24, 2009 4:16 PM GMT

Cas: Out of curiosity, what dose of Ambien were you taking?

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got2get2it

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Feb 24, 2009 4:24 PM GMT

Being an insomniac myself I have had a lot of experiences with various sleep remedies.

First, I agree with Bunjamon that drugs should be used only after trying more natural techniques to fall asleep.

That said, if non-drug methods do not work, there is a great arsenal of drugs available now that are non-addictive, have minimal side effects and actually work.

Benzodiazepines, e.g., Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, etc. - work, but potentially addictive.

Ambien - This is definitely the gold standard. It knocks you out. One unpleasant side effect, noted above, is you may wake up in the middle of the night and engage in some kind of activity. For me, it was pigging out in the kitchen.

Lunesta - did absolutely nothing for me. However, it seems to work for other folks, so it must be my biochemistry.

Rozerem - same as Lunesta.

Trazadone - I currently take this. It's an older anti-depressant that also has sleep inducing qualities. Works great for me. No side effects I am aware of. Plus it's generic so it doesn't cost a lot.

Hope this helps.

The bottom line is you should not have to accept sleepless nights.

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Feb 24, 2009 4:29 PM GMT

ObsceneWish saidCas: Out of curiosity, what dose of Ambien were you taking?

Sorry. I dont remember and I dont have any old bottles hanging around. I will have to ask my pharmacist when I go to the gym today....they are in the same shopping center.

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Feb 24, 2009 4:35 PM GMT

I have taken Ambien SR and Lunesta. I sleep eat with Ambien - Lunesta worked better for me, but still left me with a groggy hangover feel.

There are several things that Matterych may try to improve his sleep efficiency. Many of the posts are right on the money. Establishing a consistent sleep/wake cycle by waking and retiring every night at the same time is key. This has to happen seven days a week (ever hear of Sunday Night Syndrome & Monday Morning Blues?) - this is what happens when we stay up later and also wake later on the weekend. Come Sunday night your body is out of synch. It is true that as we age, our sleep efficency decreases. The older we get, we have less stage 3/4 - slow wave sleep. This is also referred to as restorative sleep. Our awake time also increases as we age, and our sleep becomes more fragmented.

Not exercising late in the day, avoiding heavy / hot and spicy foods in the evening also helps. Eating a small amount of carbohydrates and protein prior to going to sleep may help induce sleep. Taking a hot bath or shower about 90-120 minutes before going to bed may also help. This raises the core body temperature. The Core temp will gradually decrease, helping to induce sleep. White noise, a cooler sleeping environment =- light blocking shades may also help.

If you tend to sleep better "out of your own bed".. at your parents, in a hotel - it may be stress related. Shortnsexystud is right - maybe you need a new mattress/pillows? Do you have an underlying condition such as restless leg syndrome or back pain that exacerbates when lying in one position? Do you snore? Do you have sleep apnea?

www.aasmnet.org (American Academy of Sleep Medicine) is an awesome site. I am a sleep specialist, and also have Sleep Apnea. I am treated with a variation of CPAP - called A-Flex (www.respironics.com) - It changed my life. Another good site is www.talkaboutsleep.com

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Feb 24, 2009 4:46 PM GMT

What do you guys consider insomnia? It's funny this thread comes up now, I haven't gotten over 5 hours a sleep a night for the last month. Last night I got four. The strange thing, though, is that I have no problem falling asleep, I just wake up ridiculously early. I can't tell you how many times I've seen the sun rise lately. What are some of the reasons a GP won't prescribe sleeping pills, btw?

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Feb 24, 2009 5:56 PM GMT

vindog saidI think I need to do more 5-HTP. Melatonin keeps me awake a lot of times, which I talked to a sleep researcher and he said this was not uncommon. I have insomnia right now and have since ingested 1.5mg Klonopin and am drinking Kava tea, as I have a test I should be getting up for in 5 hours

If it is an overall possible anxiety problem that you are aware or not aware of..Klonopin is a very good alernative with also possible cognitive therapy (short term) Klonopin is a long acting sedative that is prescribed and works wonders for general anxiety ..it just makes you feel at ease and at night you will sleep...but this should be done with the guidance of a Psych. who also gets you with someone who does short term cognitive therapy ...this is a wonderful combo as the klonopin gives your nervous system a break so you can apply the cognitive therapy and then stop the klonopin when you are ready...it worked incredibly well for me when I was starting my job at the Network and the anxiety before starting (I had a two month waiting period) was causing all the classic symptoms..insomnia...unease... I am not an an addicitve personality...so it worked as I wanted to be abvle to apply the cognitive therapy as soon as possible
good luck

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Feb 24, 2009 6:10 PM GMT

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Feb 24, 2009 6:13 PM GMT

I used to travel 500k+ miles per year - mainly between the US, Europe and Asia.

As others have posted, different things work for different people.

My two favorites are Rozerem if you have trouble getting to sleep and Ambien CR if you have trouble staying asleep.

They are both expensive as generics aren't yet available. You can get zolpidem (generic Ambien) but the CR is a sustained release form that does wonders for keeping you asleep.

There have been some reports of morning after 'hangover" with Ambien and some people on Ambien seem to do things (like walk, eat or drive) without knowing or remembering what they do. But I think those are pretty rare.

Best of luck.

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Feb 24, 2009 6:29 PM GMT

As others have said, everyone's biochemistry is different. For me, neither melatonin or Ambien worked, but Lunesta does. The side effects have been minor and it's worth it. Ambien made me sleep for 1-2 hours and then I couldn't get to sleep again. Melatonin - even in small doses - would make me a total zombie in the morning. It was actually too powerful. Weird, I know.

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Feb 24, 2009 6:33 PM GMT

My boyfriend says he needs to take a sleeping pill because he can't sleep with me around. Maybe it’s because I keep him awake by continually humping him like a dog.

Hmmm....

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vindog

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Feb 24, 2009 6:42 PM GMT

westporthunk said
vindog saidI think I need to do more 5-HTP. Melatonin keeps me awake a lot of times, which I talked to a sleep researcher and he said this was not uncommon. I have insomnia right now and have since ingested 1.5mg Klonopin and am drinking Kava tea, as I have a test I should be getting up for in 5 hours

If it is an overall possible anxiety problem that you are aware or not aware of..Klonopin is a very good alernative with also possible cognitive therapy (short term) Klonopin is a long acting sedative that is prescribed and works wonders for general anxiety ..it just makes you feel at ease and at night you will sleep...but this should be done with the guidance of a Psych. who also gets you with someone who does short term cognitive therapy ...this is a wonderful combo as the klonopin gives your nervous system a break so you can apply the cognitive therapy and then stop the klonopin when you are ready...it worked incredibly well for me when I was starting my job at the Network and the anxiety before starting (I had a two month waiting period) was causing all the classic symptoms..insomnia...unease... I am not an an addicitve personality...so it worked as I wanted to be abvle to apply the cognitive therapy as soon as possible
good luck

My friend gave a few to me. they are only .5mg pills. I like them as they wear off in 5 hours and when I wake up after 7 I feel totally refreshed. he uses they due to anxiety/ADD....I just use them to sleep.

Sometimes when I have a test the next day I get anxiety that I won't be able to sleep and I'll be tired and do poorly. The anxiety of NOT sleeping keeps me awake.

silly

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Feb 24, 2009 6:48 PM GMT

I've heard that Melatonin works for some, and keeps others up. Responses to this confirm that to be the case.

Tylenol PM is a blend of Tylenol and a sleep agent (it may be Benadryl but I'm not sure). Taken over time, Tylenol can be very damaging to your Liver. So, take a look at the box and get the generic version of whatever the sleep agent is. You may be able to double the over the counter dose, without doing any harm. You might consider taking it with warm milk, also known to calm the body down.

I've also found that the sustained release version of Ambien works well.

ALSO, proponents of Feng Shui say that having a TV in the bedroom can interrupt your sleep.

So, there you go.

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Feb 24, 2009 6:59 PM GMT

Matterych said

I didn't think anything of it until I stayed at my parents house over Christmas break and realized how soundly I sleep there. And how much more energy I had during the day.

It seems very interesting that you still manage to sleep very soundly at your parents house.

Have you checked the conditions in the room you sleep at when you stay with your parents and compared those to the conditions of your room at home?

For example, I was getting a horrible sleep when I went home to my parents house for Christmas, and after a few nights I realized it was because there was too much light entering the room in the morning. I covered the window, and the problem went away.

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Sleeping Pills?