do any sleep aids work?

[rosalind]

I have a terrible insomnia problem and unless I take something I get no sleep at all. I am having CBT but so far don't think it is much use.
Valerian doesn't work nor lavender.
I have found Somnatrol on the Internet and wondered whether to try it.
But I'm scared as it has 5-HTP in it.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Ros

[nomorepanic]

Have you tried Night nurse (occasional use only), Nytol or Nytol Herbal?

Nicola

[rosalind]

Hi Nicola
I've been using Nytol for the last 5 weeks and it does help me to sleep but leaves me feeling quite wobbly the next day and sometimes makes my heart beat irregularly.
I shall try taking it every other day which my consultant said would be OK.
Herbal Nytol doesn't work for me and I haven't tried Night Nurse - is it the same anti-histamine as Nytol?
I just wish there was a more natural remedy that would work.
Thanks for your reply.
Ros

[henri]

Hi Ros,
I've had bouts of insomnia too, and hate taking medication (taking nytol totally freaked me out even though it's herbal). So I do all the obvious stuff like drink herbal tea before going to bed, breathing exercises etc. My boyfriend bought me this amazing milk bath stuff called "Float Away: Sleep-Inspiring Milk Bath", from Origins. I think it must have been quite expensive, but honestly, it really really helps to send me to sleep. It contains Roman Chamomile, Tangerine and Lemon Leaves. It's fab, honestly.
I also try to make sure i don't eat in the couple of hours before going to bed. Oh, and reading a really boring book in bed helps too!
Henri x

[rosalind]

Thanks Henri,
I am going to John Lewis tomorrow so I shall buy some of the Origins Milk Bath and let you know how it works!
Thanks
Ros

[Dusty]

Hi Ros

How's the insomnia? As a long term on-and-off insomniac myself I can totally sympathise with the war we wage with our sleep.

Did you find anything that works?


Dusty xx

PMT - Proof that God must be a man.

[rosalind]

Hi Dusty,
Thanks for the reply. The only thing that woks is Nytol. I only take half the normal dose and I get about 5 hours which is OK. Sometimes I even get more!!!
I often try not to take anything but I end up awake all night again.
It's as though my body has forgotten how to sleep.
What do you take?
Ros

[Dusty]

Hi Ros

I try not to take anything, because at the moment I am doing OKish.

But the only things that have worked for me are Diazepam taken before a warm bath. resuce remedy and Vertiver Essential oil. But none of them are fool proof.

I found the main thing to do is to be +ve: It is more important to rest and relax. I can enjoy myself when tired. There is nothing HAVE to do tomorrow but even that isn't always guaranteed to work.

Have had a couple of dodgy nights recently when it has taken me a long while to drop off - have woken my hubby up switching on the light to read twice in the last 3 nights! This morning I had an anxiety attack with floods of tears because I was frustrated I was getting worse again. I suspect my recent insomnia has been caused by PMT, hubby going away for 1/2 term (how will I cope?) and kids going to a Playscheme for the first time ever (fear of the unknown).

On the bright side I had a very good day and had hardly any anxiety after initial start. And kids loved the playscheme!!

Just shows I shouldn't judge how I'll be on how I THINK I slept.

Dusty xx

PMT - Proof that God must be a man.

[trevor]

red wine works for me ,

better to fight for something than to live for nothing

[rosalind]

Hi Dusty and Trevor,
Unfortunately can't drink alchohol - due to autoimmune condition which is now in remission but I had steroids for 6 years which wrecked my system. Before that, red wine was great!
Had an awful night last night - feel terrible today - totally jet lagged.
I had started taking HRT which was working so well - it helped sleep and had eliminated the panic attacks and palpitations. My doctor wants me off it for 6 weeks to do some other hormone tests. I've another 5 weeks to go!
Help!
Ros