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nomorepanic
05-08-03, 13:35
Does anyone know of any good HERBAL/HOMEOPATHIC remedies to help me sleep?

I find it hard to fall asleep and then I wake up all night.

I have tried some with Valerian in but wondered if anyone has any others that work well. :D

Cheers

Nicola

Meg
05-08-03, 16:06
Hi Nic,

Valariun tincture is better than the tablets
Passiflora tincture is also good.

Melatonin is superb but not available freely in the UK - but if you've got friends in the USA it's used widely for jet lag.

Lavender oil near pillow, warm milk , white noise etc

If you wake up - relaxation tape, then go through your usual bedtime routine again..

It's so hot recently that I think most of us are having fitful sleep at present. I guess it depends on whether you're waking anxious and panicy or just waking .

Good luck and Sweet Dreams.

nomorepanic
05-08-03, 21:23
Thanks radar - will look into them.

I have never slept well to be honest - the doc put me on anti-depressants for it 2 years ago and they made me feel 10 times worse so i came off them.

My mum told me about melatonin - is it natural/herbal? I can probably buy it from some dodgy web site - lol

I have so much lavender in the room - doesn't seem to work for me though.

I am just waking up and the slightest noise wakes me - like the cats or Alex breathing - lol.

I will try some of the above.

Cheers for the reply

Nic
x

Meg
05-08-03, 23:54
If all else fails and it's noise related - bikers ear plugs do wonders !!

Shelley
06-08-03, 10:20
Nic

I had another session with my hynotherapist last night and she actually specialises in insomnia (asked on behalf of a friend) - a session of hypnotherapy might help - if all else fails I actually videoed the golf coz it made me nod off one day and I put it on if I cant sleep, it's that boring I cant help but nod off, I'm being serious here an all

x

Shell

nomorepanic
06-08-03, 13:34
Hi Shell.

I think the last time I went to Hypnotherapy for several sessions (over 2 years ago) she did a bit to help me sleep but I can't honestly remember whether it worked or not. Perhaps I could try again.

I have tried watching TV to make me sleep but I just get involved with it and the noise keeps me awake anyway.

Nic

alexiussooty
06-08-03, 14:46
Hi Nic:

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by an Endocrine gland in the brain called the Pineal gland. Most Melatonin sold is artificially produced or comes from animals (YUK)! That said it is known to promote better sleep. Scientists have been unable to define exactly what Melatonin actually does but it is produced in large quantities before and during sleep. During the day the amount of Melatonin produced by the body is very small. So small in fact that it is virtually undetectable. In America Melatonin is sold as a food supplement but you would have to check its status here. I am fairly sure that it can be brought in the UK though. Many Americans swear by it although some scientists have their doubts about it. I know in this country there has been some controversy over its use but that is about all I know.

Regards:

Nick.

Joanne
11-08-03, 12:28
Nic,

Valerian didn't work atall for me. In fact- it gave me quite visual dreams. I think I drift off better after being very active in the day- i.e...done alot of walking/ exercised. I also avoid caffiene, even tea. I try not to eat after 7 pm, but I usually end up grabbing a snack.:-s
I still rely on a night cap to help me sleep- but I know this isn't good. I actually felt a bit calmer with a fan on recently. The whirr broke the silence a bit. My friend has kava kava before bedtime- she swears by it.
Good luck, Nic. My only other recommendation is co-op's Argentine Malbec(red). 13.5%. ( works for me) :-/

Shelley
13-08-03, 14:39
Joanne,

Please dont take this the wrong way, but drinking to go to sleep is probably making you feel worse and more susceptible to anxiety the next day :-(, not to sound a know it all but I did it for few (quite a few) months - I find a good relaxation tape and good workout at the gym really helps - also I have cut out coffee & tea with caffeen in them and to be honest I havent missed them one bit in fact I would say my health has improved since I have not been having 100's of cups of coffee loaded with nasty caffeen

Shell

Shell

Joanne
13-08-03, 14:54
quote:Originally posted by Shelley

Joanne,

Please dont take this the wrong way, but drinking to go to sleep is probably making you feel worse and more susceptible to anxiety the next day :-(, not to sound a know it all but I did it for few (quite a few) months - I find a good relaxation tape and good workout at the gym really
Don't worry, Shell,it's ok.
unfortunately I know what I should be doing - but alas It's finding the motivation and determination to do it.
I feel tired and irritable during the day- and I do feel more anxious. But then night comes and the cycle starts again. I have spoken to a few people- and I am going to tackle this.
I move into my new house in 2 weeks- so I am going to get my room done out to help me get a good night sleep. My problem is quite severe anxiety at bedtimes- I am actually scared to go up to bed! I'm going to try a tv and night lights.... maybe the radio too.
Any suggestions?

Joanne x

Shelley
13-08-03, 15:28
I know this sounds sad but I've started having a hot chocolate done with all milk - also my hynotherapist did me a tape, I turn it off before she does the wake me up thing - it has been incredible, been going to bed at about 23:00 and sleeping right through to 06:30 my main problem at the moment is not at night it's in the day I'm finding it really hard to catch my breath - but Im sure it's something that will pass.

Get yourself down the gym if you cant go alone, get a friend to go with you

Shell

bishop
29-08-03, 15:53
hi nic
try swimming in the evenings,that should help, the gyms alot more money
swimming is a lot better exersice,good for the heart and lungs,better for back problems,can be very relaxing .
bish

nomorepanic
29-08-03, 18:04
Hi Bish

I swim about 3 times a week anyway so it is not tiring me out enough obviously but thanks for the advice.

Nicola

bishop
31-08-03, 19:49
you must be superwoman nic,or very fit,swimming once a week does me in and then i sleep well.
bish

Roxy
17-10-03, 00:02
I used to use home grown sage(but that's only cause I'm a baby hippy!) baths just before bed. I also used to take sage tea (again home grown but obviously that's optional!)

Warm milk contains *stretches brain* well it releases sleep endusing agents, so that would be worth a try.

After years of sleep dep, I guess I suggest taking time to get ready for sleep, making it a ritual can often help. Keep your bed an area only for sleep and nothing else, and allow at least half an hour to wind down with a book or music.

Best of luck.. I know it's a b*tch! OH! and try ear plugs and eye masks, a lot of sleep problems are caused by light disturbances.

Roxy x

nomorepanic
20-10-03, 21:29
Just to let you know that I NEVER sleep well on Sunday nights (cos of work the next day) so last night I took 2 x "Valerian Sleep Well" tablets. They are from Lloyds Pharamacy (UK only I expect) - their own brand.

I played a relaxation tape and I had a lovely night's sleep and some lovely dreams.

Nicola

twister
01-11-03, 14:29
You can also buy milk that is milked from cows at night (poor sleep deprived cows?)and contains high levels of melatonin, it is meant to help you sleep better. You can buy it at any supermarket.

nomorepanic
01-11-03, 20:54
I have heard about Melatonin, never heard about the milk though. I love milk so this would suit me to the ground - I will look at the milk next time I am there - does it say anything on it?

Nicola

twister
02-11-03, 20:46
Here's what I found out from http://www.redkitefarms.com/Slumber-Bedtime-Milk/ - it's apparently available at Waitrose

Many people who have problems getting to sleep take a milky drink before they go to bed because it has long been regarded as an aid to nodding off.
Organic Slumber Bedtime Milk may give you even more of a helping hand… how?
The Theory…
During the night, all mammals (including humans) produce a substance called melatonin which helps them to fall asleep by regulating their body clock. In cows, this melatonin is transferred into the milk. Slumber Bedtime Milk is unique in the UK because it contains higher levels of melatonin than regular milk. These levels are completely natural and are achieved by only using milk produced by cows during the night. So, by drinking Slumber Bedtime Milk, your own levels of melatonin are boosted, which may help you to drift off to sleep more easily.

Sleepy when you need to be…
Slumber Bedtime Milk's natural ingredients complement the pattern of your body clock so, if you drink it at bedtime, it won't make you feel sluggish when you wake the next morning because your own melatonin levels will be low anyway. Similarly, if you drink it during the daytime, you won't automatically fall asleep - you won't even feel drowsy!

Any way you like it…
Slumber Bedtime Milk is just as nutritious as ordinary milk and can be enjoyed hot, cold, on its own or flavoured. Why not try using it to make hot chocolate or drink it ice cold straight from the fridge?

Natural and healthy…
As a completely natural and organic drink, Slumber Bedtime Milk is perfect for the health conscious. Produced at Red Kite Farms in Oxfordshire, nothing is added to the milk or taken out, and the only processing is pasteurisation.

nomorepanic
02-11-03, 21:45
Hi Twister

Many thanks for finding that for me. I do not have a waitrose near me but I shall check out Asda and Tesco to see if they sell it.

Will let you know how it goes

Nicola

Nicola

Meg
08-12-03, 12:18
Hi Nic,

As you mentioned it yesterday .....

Your Waitrose in Cambridge is on the list for stocking it so perhaps Alex could pick you some up !

According to Emilys link , it's just Waitrose that stocks it.

Mum reports the Waitrose in Chichester gets through loads- she asked the check out girl about it.


Meg

Watch your thoughts, they become your words...
Watch your words, they become your actions... Watch your actions, they become your habits... Watch your habits, they become your character... Watch your character, it becomes your destiny...

nomorepanic
08-12-03, 14:43
Thanks Meg - will get Alex to take a detour one day just to get me some :-)

Nicola

pauline
19-12-03, 11:02
Hi

I have tried that milk but have to say it did not do anything for me.
I'm a dreadfull sleeper i suppose i was hoping for a mircule.
Still there's no harm in trying it. That was my idea anyway. Its alot more expensive than the usual milk too. I also had to put up with my fella laughing at me as we do not usual shop at Waitrose its to expensive he thought i'd lost it:D nothing new there then i lost it years ago.

Take care
Pauline

pjpriest

nomorepanic
26-01-04, 22:53
I am resurrecting this post cos I had some Valerian sleep tablets last night and they gave me horrid dreams.

I have been taking them for about 2 weeks and I took them all last week (when I was away) and had some lovely ones but last night I had dreams of being stalked and it was really scary.

Does anyone know why a herbal drug can be so different one week from the other?

I am not going to stop taking them but there must be a reason why the dreams change so suddenly.

Any ideas anyone?

Nicola

vengababe2003
27-01-04, 18:57
hi Nicola,
I tried herbal tablets from the chemist they were green and smelled awful,(can't remember the name).
What I find helps me sleep sometimes!!!!!!!
Eating cheese while drinking warm milk, I know cheese is meant to give you nightmares, but it works for me and it works for my Auntie who suffers from pa's as well.
Worth a try:D
Hugs
Donna

nomorepanic
27-01-04, 20:53
Hi Donna

Thanks for the reply and the advice.

I do love milk and I usually drink some before going to bed. As for the cheese - not good for my diet - lol.

I will stick with them but I need to read up on Valerian to see what it does


Nicola

nomorepanic
18-02-04, 23:22
Ok I have the cure for no sleep.

I am really really busy at work at the moment and a little stressed and guess what I am now feeling more tired at night and sleeping through till 6am!! I am also falling asleep whereas before I needed to play the relaxation tape many times. Not had to use it for weeks now cos I go to bed and I am asleep. Apparently I am snoring quite a lot as well - lol.

So, my theory is this. When I was stress-free at work and bored, my mind wasn't very active and the job was a bit boring. Now I have loads to do and a bit of stress, my mind is very active but unusually it is helping me sleep better. What a strange result eh?

Nicola

blossom
18-02-04, 23:51
from Blossom. I was taking Citalopram for 5 months, but they did not work for me, so went to see the new doctor last friday as I was bad, and he prescribed me Escitalopram, Can radar tell me or anyone on the site tell me if they are the same tablet, as I read the patent for citalopram ran out, and they have brought this one in its place, I am wondering if it is the same drug, have phoned different Pharmacies and they say they are a newer version of the Citalopram, and that they are a purer drug, the side effects are the same, but I have only been on them a week. The new doctor started me on a 10mg which is equiviant to 20mgs of the Citalopram, cant sleep at night, as I take them in the morning as instructed, but find its hard to wake in the mornings after taking the pill, I phoned the new sugery, and the doctor on duty not my own told me to cut them to 5mgs for a week and then step up to 10mgs, is anyone on them, another name they have is Cipralex. Thankyou
from Blossom

Meg
18-02-04, 23:59
Blossom

I've answered this on a previous post . Think it was under meds - do they work .

Meg

Rennie1989
19-02-04, 22:08
if ya go to boots there are some remedies for snoring etc there is one that helps ya sleep

jade

Samantha
20-02-04, 16:28
Hi everyone

Nic-i find that if i snore or sleep walk its normally when im at my most tiredest. Also i believe dreams aree determined as to what you have on your mind at the time, what you have been thinking about fairly recently or something that is troubling you.

At the moment i have been having a lot of trouble sleeping, it seems that when i go to bed my mind begins to race-brilliant if you need an essay writing but not so good if in need of sleep-the other night i wrote a speech on Evolution in my head!!! I also get a strange sensation come over part of my body like my arms, i feel as though i am wading through water when i have my eyes closed, i can 'see' some one on a bank with a big smile on their face i am trying to get further out in this water but all the time the bank and this sincere smile are getting closer within arms distance. My whole body feels really heavy as though it is being pulled down in the water, has anyone else experienced anything similar?

I am trying to overcome my sleep probs without taking any meds, and have thought about vit B but have heard that it isnt a good idea, also i have thought about sleeping pills but really dont want to do this. At the moment i have a lamp that i find helps relax me as i find the dark intimadting, if you get what i mean, im not scared OF it just what COULD be in it

However i find that warm milk does help but recently i have also found that lying on my side with my hands out in fromt of me on the pillow helkps. I lie down close my eyes with my fingertips touching each other, when i feel my pulse in one pair of fingertips i concentrate on the other ones that i cant feel it in. Afeter a minute i can feel it in all of them and try and keep it there, by counting in my head how many times i feel it. When i get to about 30 i find that i stop counting and i begin to drift off to sleep.

Not sure if it will work for anyone else but it has worked consecutively for me, we all have are own rituals...lol

Sam[8D]

Positive thinking is the key to success!

Meg
20-02-04, 18:09
Dear Sam,

Vitamin B is great for supporting your nervous system but taken at night it can cause excess energy leading to insomnia !

Your routine sounds great. Routines are very calming and are the start of the wind down to sleep.


Meg

Watch your thoughts, they become your words...
Watch your words, they become your actions... Watch your actions, they become your habits... Watch your habits, they become your character... Watch your character, it becomes your destiny...

Rennie1989
21-02-04, 14:14
meg: where do ya get vitB from

jade

Samantha
22-02-04, 19:32
Hi Meg, thanks i wondered what vit B was for, i agree about routines

Sam

Positive thinking is the key to success!