Sleep problems...

Of the suggestions here the exercise sounds the best, at least two hours before bedtime tho. Its actually a nice time to be out if you exercise outdoors. A good walk is a wonderful thing! [Bunny]The ambien puts some people in a state where they do wierd things and cant remember. Its popular amonst women for sex. The "z-bars" are the standard benzo nowadays. Benzos keep me awake so does alcohol but im wierd that way. I would avoid both but some use with no problems. Valerian doesnt do shit for me. Somtimes i cant sleep and if its been a hour I take a generic benadryl(dihdramine?) they are like $3 for 100 at walmart. They work well for me 8 times out of ten. And theres always the support groups.[OLA]

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Originally Posted by Ronin13

Wow, I take one phone call and this filled right up! Thanks, and Monky, I've heard of valerian root, where can I get that? I like where your head's at, drugs being a not-so-great way to go, I'm thinking about getting some of that herbal decaf tea that is supposed to help you sleep and I've heard mixing it with honey is great (because honey is natural sugars that don't give you the jitters like glucose when they break down).

Sniper, I'll keep that in mind- I usually put on a movie or netflix on my computer (I have an external monitor connected) before bed and usually plan it so that it is over about the same time I go to sleep. And I don't know about doing 55 in the fast lane... I may drive a beemer, but I don't go crazy, I just right lane pass ya if you're going slow :D

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Yeah I know, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to be a smartass after your rant about speed limits and left lane is for passing etc! [ROFL1]

someone mentions BJs and they work wonders. Or help yourself out a little bit...talk dirty to the beemer[ROFL1]

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Originally Posted by Tinelement

Zannybars. (Alprazolam)

I have super high anxiety, when it kicks in I don't sleep for an hour a night. 2 Zbars and its nighty night! If its really bad and I can predict it, 2 Zbars and 2 shots of JD........

But then again.....



I can do that cause I was born in the 70's! [ROFL1][ROFL1]

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I took xanex for week it sent me into a spiral downhill into severe depression. So bad the wife had the sense to remove all firearms to the house and send me to the ER. I take Cymbalta now and that keeps me feeling good. Oh yeah 1mg of xanex and I was sleeping no matter where I was.

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Originally Posted by xring

Of the suggestions here the exercise sounds the best, at least two hours before bedtime tho.[OLA]

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no way in hell can I work out for 2 hours![Tooth]

exercise. also try to eat healthy. you don't necessarily have to work out at night, the mornings are fine too. as mentioned, swimming is awesome for sleep. if you work out in the evening the best thing is to lightly swim or even chill in the hot tub for 20 min afterwards. water has a weird way of making people tired. get a 24 hour membership or something similar if you don't have one, most have pools. id still work out in the morning if i was you, that coupled with work will make you tired, then try a pool or hot tub in the evening but if timing is a problem you can do both in the evening.

i wouldn't even consider drugs until you have exhausted everything or the doctor has diagnosed you specifically with a sleeping problem or worse. even otc, "natural" remedies are drugs and can have unwanted effects. benzos should be avoided at all costs. even if you get a script for ambien it shouldn't be a crutch you rely on for a long period of time.

eat healthy, avoid chocolate, sugar and caffeinated drinks, and exercise. 90% of the time that will fix it right up. also no tv while in bed.

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Originally Posted by tmckay2

exercise. also try to eat healthy. you don't necessarily have to work out at night, the mornings are fine too. as mentioned, swimming is awesome for sleep. if you work out in the evening the best thing is to lightly swim or even chill in the hot tub for 20 min afterwards. water has a weird way of making people tired. get a 24 hour membership or something similar if you don't have one, most have pools. id still work out in the morning if i was you, that coupled with work will make you tired, then try a pool or hot tub in the evening but if timing is a problem you can do both in the evening.

i wouldn't even consider drugs until you have exhausted everything or the doctor has diagnosed you specifically with a sleeping problem or worse. even otc, "natural" remedies are drugs and can have unwanted effects. benzos should be avoided at all costs. even if you get a script for ambien it shouldn't be a crutch you rely on for a long period of time.

eat healthy, avoid chocolate, sugar and caffeinated drinks, and exercise. 90% of the time that will fix it right up. also no tv while in bed.

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^^^this^^^

Don't jump straight to prescriptions. There's more problems associated than most folks know. We (as a society) have become too reliant on looking for a quick fix or an easy out instead of working hard for something worthwhile. Suck it up, change your habits, and you'll almost certainly see drastic improvement.

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Originally Posted by Ronin13

And where does one get these? My doc is putting me on a mild anti-depressant with anti-anxiety as the main use for it as my PTSD and anxiety has been getting worse (it always does this in the summer). No, it's not ambien or other "sleep aids"- I stay the hell away from that crap!

Sellersm, thanks, I'll give that a shot since now it seems two people saying Melatonin is the way to go and say no more I'm convinced! [Coffee]

Pdr240- indeed... I totally forgot about breathing and stretching, maybe that could be what might help the most... it's not gay to get into yoga is it?

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Heh, I practice Qi Gong to keep from thinking too much.
I've had the alaprazolam too - heck of a time in the morning though, feel groggy till noon.
Oh yeah ... I'm not gay, you can ask my wife.

I've had trouble sleeping my entire adult life. I think it's a result of all the weird shift-work I did in the military and LE jobs.

The recipe that works for me is: about 1/2 hour to 45 mins before I go to bed I brew a cup of Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Extra (with 25mg Valerian) and I take 2 Benadryl. BAM! Out like a dead man. I do the tea thing almost every night. I only resort to the Benadryl if I don't feel like sleep will come easily.

I like the tea...kinda like the coffee ritual in the morning. And the Benadryl (aka: Uncle Ben...my wife, the nurse, says they use it a lot in the hospital) is about as benign as you can get...though again, it's not an every night thing.

Probably helps that I get up at 0400 and my job kicks my ass as it's very physically demanding, too.

Along the lines of tea. Not that i sleep for more than 1-2hrs tops, however.
White sage, not the cooking kind, a few leaves in some hot water, let them sit for what ever your taste buds decide. I usually drop 1-2 teaspoons of raw honey in for an even taste. I can send you some if you like, have a nice section growing in the yard. You can also put 1 -2 leaves in your mouth prior to laying down, which also helps take the edge off the day.

Interesting and nice to see some non-narcotic natural options offered up.