Insomnia --- Over-The-Counter or Herbal Remedy Suggestions??? - Sleep Disorders Message Board

MMMarie · 03-13-2001, 05:02 PM

Hi. I was hoping that if anyone had any suggestions of herbal or over-the-counter medications that helped "put them to sleep", that they might list them under this thread. I think it could be very helpful for those of us who have a hard time getting to sleep. Any suggestions???

I am often still awake at 4 or 5:00 in the morning, with my mind going a million miles an hour. I am not thinking about "stressful" things.....I just have difficulty shutting my mind down and totally relaxing so that sleep can take over.

Any suggestions, anyone?

Thank you!!!

dylon8000 · 03-14-2001, 12:56 PM

you might try Melatonin or Valerian Root, both have no side effects as far as I know. Over the counter sleeping pill pretty much make you groggy the next day, but a doctor can prescribe some stuff that will let you sleep without making you tired the next day.

MMMarie · 03-15-2001, 05:30 PM

Thanks Dylan. I would still consider an OTC med., even if it made me feel groggy the next day. It would be well worth it, if it actually helped me to fall asleep in less than a couple hours!!!

I will look into the Melatonin. Re the OTC meds, did you find any that actually helped? Thanks.

Marie

Binkie · 03-31-2001, 06:46 PM

Ambien was prescribed to me by an osteopath for sleep
problems. It's the worst , most addictive substance
I can imagine. I sympathize. I removed myself from
it, no help from anyone. How? I bought an over the
counter sleep medication from a drugstore and a
bottle of melatonin that melts under the tongue.
An hour before I went to sleep I took the otc meds.
Then 20 min. before sleep I took the melatonin. Get
the lowest dose you can find of this; lower doses
for some reason work better than higher of melatonin.
Resign yourself that this may not work the first
2 nights. It will get better; it'll be fine. In 3
days I was off Ambien. Good luck.

MMMarie · 04-02-2001, 11:41 PM

Thanks for your reply, Binkie. Mind if I ask what dosage of sublingual melatonin you take? Also, do you know what the active ingredient is in the OTC medication that you take? (I am presently taking 25 mg. diphenhydramine......"generic Benadryl" and finding it doesn't do much, so I'm considering trying a higher dosage.) Also, what dosage of the OTC that you take would you recommend?

I'm starting to stress about going to bed each night, and I certainly know that doesn't help the situation. It seems that often my body is very tired, but my mind just kicks into high gear....

Thanks again.

Marie