Does anyone know of anything to help me sleep?

I use a product called Alteril. It's over the counter, causes no "hangover" and it's not outrageously expensive. I take two every now and again when I just can't sleep. I give one to my mom too, when she gets agitated.

Have you tried meditation, you can learn to get all thoughts out of your mind and it will help you relax. there are classes in it and cd's and dvd's that might help. my wife has a yoga tape she watches and at the end they have her light down under a blanket some time she responds to the tape after that and sometimes she awakens to the end of the tape.

I have trouble sleeping also, and tend to wake up very early - and then go back to sleep if I'm lucky. The things that have helped me are Rescue Remedy ( they have a sleep formula that you spray on your tongue) and Valerian, also I take allergy meds like Tavist D which I break in half, unless I want to sleep until 11 am. Warm milk does help some also.

I would not presume to offer advice on sleep medication, that is a job for your doctor. you seem to have many other problems that should be addressed by medical professionals. My only advice would be to avoid a heavy meal in the evening or stimulants such as coffee or alcohol. you are correct that too much Tylenol can cause kidney failure. Do not exceed the total dose on the label. Too much Advil may cause bleeding and again don't exceed the recommended dose and avoid completely if taking Warfarin.

Benadryl is often used. I take 2 but my mother (95) was told to take 1.

So last night I got 1 hr. of sleep. The tea I drank and the cold pills well helped the cold but nothing helped the sleep. My mom who I take care of who can drive will have to drive today since she wants some junk food. which I do not buy or recommend. Got to go for now.

I can tell you what works for me:

- Drinking chamomille tea (helps relaxes you)
- Reading while laying down (always puts me to sleep)
- Listening to relaxation music (search for one on youtube or Pandora)
- Prayer (giving your problems to your higher source)
- Writing your problems/worries/concerns on a sheet of paper right before bed. It actually takes your mind off of things.

Make your doctor check your Thyroid T3 and reverse T3 levels not just your T4 TSH levels. If they are low, go for Armour Thyroid, not Synthroid. Insist on it. Since I have been managing my thyroid and I gave up my coffee and switched to herbal tea, I am sleeping so much better. In addition, I take BoneStruct (calcium, mag. potassium, etc.) right before I go to bed and that really helps too. There is also an herbal tea called sweet dreams that seems to help.

2 Advil PM works like a charm, next in line Alteril, last but not least Valium when all else fails.

Thanks so much drsuze . I will stop at Whole Food or another place I go to and see if I can get my hand on this. Have a nice day and thanks again.

L-theanine is an amino acid, made from protein, available from health food stores. The body uses this amino acid to make inhibitory neurotransmitters to quiet and calm the brain and nervous system. It is non-addictive, as body needs and uses it normally. When under stress, or poor diet, there may not be enough of this nutrient available. It can be taken throughout the day for anxiety, and in evening for sleep.

L-theanine is an amino acid, made from protein, available from health food stores. The body uses this amino acid to make inhibitory neurotransmitters to quiet and calm the brain and nervous system. It is non-addictive, as body needs and uses it normally. When under stress, or poor diet, there may not be enough of this nutrient available. It can be taken throughout the day for anxiety, and in evening for sleep.

L-theanine is an amino acid, made from protein, available from health food stores. The body uses this amino acid to make inhibitory neurotransmitters to quiet and calm the brain and nervous system. It is non-addictive, as body needs and uses it normally. When under stress, or poor diet, there may not be enough of this nutrient available. It can be taken throughout the day for anxiety, and in evening for sleep.

I just read somewhere , I table spoon each of Apple cider Vinegar and honey. I take Xanax 2 mg each night sometimes sadly another half if I wake up. Ativan makes me ill. They use to have Tylenol PM's for years until I can no longer find them. I know they have had recalls in the past years and all. Also to much Acetaminophen is deadly on the kidneys and liver they are finding. I have taken way too much in my life I know that , just hope not to much.

My neighbor takes 2 benedryl at 10pm each evening....sleeps from midnight to 6am.

I have fasted last month and they checked it. But I'm going to get all my blood test results to make sure they even did it. I know about the thyroid can really mess u up depression, suicide and lack of sleep. Been thru the ringer with this thyroid.

tonight I have a cold and will be taking Nyquil and sleepy time tea. I'm hoping it gets me more then 2 hrs. Thanks everyone

BB have you had your thyroid level checked? If it is off, it will cause insomnia.

Thanks emjo your right about the Ativan and thoughts it does help when your trying so hard to sleep. Elavil has an awful metal taste and makes me sick. You just don't want to eat nothing. And jinx4740 I will try that answer about the time thing and will get back to you if something helps. I do take a thyroid pill that I think makes me hyper. and yes when someone says this will make me sleep it makes me wide awake. And heres something I believe is true " Insomnia sharpens your math skills because you spend all night calculating how much sleep you'll get if you're able to fall asleep right now.

I have a girlfriend with your problem. She sleeps from 4 am til 11 if at all. She walks 5 miles a day and still can't sleep, sometimes for days.

The reading will never work unless you are reading about theology in the 1300's or business trends in hog bellies or (in my case) sports. It has to be something BORING to work. The latest Tom Clancy or Nora Roberts won't do it.

Sometimes a sugary treat an hour or two before bedtime will kick up my insulin and make me sleepy.

Try restricting your sleep to 4 hours a day and see what happens.

Have you heard of resetting your circadian rhythms by staying up 2 or 3 hours extra every night until you are going to bed at noon and getting up at 8 PM, and continuing until you reach your desired bedtime?

Try an expert in sleep medicine. If you find a treatment, please let us know!

BB - sounds like you need to go to a sleep centre if you can stay awake that long. Like Wyndie, I use 1/2 an Ativan once in a while - it stops the incessant thoughts. Some of the older antidepressants will help sleep and they are not addictive e.g. Elavil, I find the newer ones have the opposite effect, I prefer non prescription drug remedies too. .

I have tried it all but not the cherry juice. And I thought reading anywhere made u tired. But I am in my bed reading some books and its not working. And I do know about Ambien and Ativan never tried 5mg. always took 2mg. I do get exercise before 3pm. Maybe I should do it later? I can't get any pills until the 17th. But its been this way for yrs. I can stay awake for 3 days. I can't drive and make any important decisions. But I'm pretty clear headed. Benadrly, Tylenol, Ibuprofin and melatonin and valarin do not work. Maybe I am hyper. I do breathing exercises and yoga from u-tube. But I'm going to ask for ambien cr and Ativan 2mg. I also take Topamax for migraines it says it makes u tired it does the opposite on me. I'm going to get accupunture and try the natural way until next Monday. Thanks everyone. 2 of my grown children are against prescription pills so Im trying the natural way. I'm just tired. I look like a zombie.

I will look for the tea

I have tried it all but not the cherry juice. And I thought reading anywhere made u tired. But I am in my bed reading some books and its not working. And I do know about Ambien and Ativan never tried 5mg. always took 2mg. I do get exercise before 3pm. Maybe I should do it later? I can't get any pills until the 17th. But its been this way for yrs. I can stay awake for 3 days. I can't drive and make any important decisions. But I'm pretty clear headed. Benadrly, Tylenol, Ibuprofin and melatonin and valarin do not work. Maybe I am hyper. I do breathing exercises and yoga from u-tube. But I'm going to ask for ambien cr and Ativan 2mg. I also take Topamax for migraines it says it makes u tired it does the opposite on me. I'm going to get accupunture and try the natural way until next Monday. Thanks everyone. 2 of my grown children are against prescription pills so Im trying the natural way. I'm just tired. I look like a zombie.

If you like herbal tea, Celestial Seasonings makes one called 'Sleepytime'. It's very relaxing before bedtime. Check the ingredients of course, to make sure it does not contain anything you can't tolerate.

Exercise is SO important! Again, do as I say, not as I do. On the days I don't get exercise, I get restless legs and my brain spins.

I use 2 extra strength Tylenol. I only use that once a week, because it can be toxic. Sometimes I use 3 or 4 200 mg ibuprofen. I use Ativan, too, the whole 5mg. I do get a little hangover sleepiness, but not too bad, and I sleep long and well.

I have used Ativan and it works great. You do need a prescription. I break a .5mg pill in half and it works fine.

I have heard that cherry juice is good for sleeping-the 100% natural no sugar added kind -in the health food aisle. It is thick and not sweet but not horrible tasting.

Some people say to take a benedryl. It does work but I would only use it when absolutely necessary. And it made my stomach ache after I used it a few days in a row( I had an alergic reaction to something with my eyes so I took it and it helped and it zonked me out and I have bad insomnia )

Other things I have heard -
No tv or computer in your bedroom.
An iPad screen without a background light on can mess up your sleep.
Get a few minutes of sunshine a day.
No reading in bed

I do all of the things I am not supposed to do :0(. Do as I write not as I do. ;0) --well, I do have a light on as I type on my iPad in bed.

Good luck and sweet dreams

Thank you everyone for all the helpful ideas. I will try them.

The issue with Ambien is that is is addicting.. and you need more and more because you build up resistance.