Opinions - Slight insomnia... can't quiet my brain, looking for sleep aid

[wespawloski]

As the title implies, SWIM is looking into possible temporary sleep-aid pills... something SWIM could use to help get his sleeping regular.

He has used ambien and xanx in the past, ambien worked well for a couple of weeks... but ambien and xanax both led to SWIM abusing them, and on some nights, he would get a shot of benzodiazepine energy... waking up and writing horrible poetry and such (as if being extremely drunk)

SWIM is surprised that benzodiazepines are used over sedatives, are the latter less effective at coaxing sleep? What are SWIM's options outside of barbituates and benzodiazipines, preferribly a chemical not of social-recreational nature.

He has only tried promethazine, in example, with codeine (10:6) and an unknown dose (I assume 40mg). But that was not in a sleep-desired situation.

[SmokeRings]

SWIM says why hasn't OP considered going OTC. SWIM has used OTC sleep aid for well over 10 years. She uses it at least 4 days a week. Prescribed dose is generally 50mg (2, 25mg pills) but SWIM may take 3, sometimes 4, depending on situation.
SWIM has gotten her liver and kidneys checked each year, as her doc is well aware, he won't put her on script sleeping pills, says OTC are just as good and a LOT less likely for addiction.
Be sure to use the sleep aide, NOT w/pain reliever, as that is what will cause all the havoc to your internal organs.
SWIM is in the south, and we have Walgreen's Pharmacy. SWIM has found that their generic version is the strongest by far. Could be all in her head, but she purposely will go out of her way to hit a Walgreen's when needed!

[wespawloski]

Oh! thank you for that information. What is the name of that medication, or an example of? Yea, I am determined to stay away from Tylenol, ibuprofen, etc containing products :P

[Horiz]

Probably Diphenhydramine.

If OTC stuff doesn't work out for you, ask your doctor about Mirtazapine, Trazadone or Amitryptaline (sorry my spelling may be a little off). These are all anti-depressants but help with insomnia as a side-effect.

SWIM can personally vouch for Mirtazapine, it knocked him right out for the first couple of days but then stopped working. He didn't try and up the dose though because he doesn't trust anti-depressants in general.

Trazadone just gave him a headache and very slight yawning, but no real help with sleep.

Amitryptaline did nothing for him, even at doses over 150mg.

The good thing about them being anti-depressants is that they are completely useless from a recreational point of view.

Try the Diphenhydramine first though.

[pinksox]

50mg of generic Benedryl(diphenhydramine) works well for many people.

[OsCarwild]

Wespawloski, is SWIY having trouble falling asleep to begin with or having trouble staying asleep, waking up in the middle of the night a lot after falling asleep. Different medicines are better depending on which type sleep problem it is.

[wespawloski]

purely falling asleep, he never has problems staying asleep

[OsCarwild]

SWIM has had the same problem with chronic insomnia falling asleep. It is his opinions that tranquilizing sleep medicine is the most efficient for falling asleep. SWIM found that the perfect medicine for helping him fall asleep is Zyprexa (olanzapine). And he had pretty sever sleeping problems so if it worked for him is should help for SWIY... good luck

[Stimulants]

Originally Posted by wespawloski

purely falling asleep, he never has problems staying asleep

Then, he should avoid long acting stuff, including diphenhydramine, because they will cause an unnecessary hangover in the morning.

Cut caffeine intake during the day and try to sleep in a comfortable place. Play with pillow, bedding,etc. Make sure the room is as dark as possible. Do something boring that makes you want to fall asleep.

But if you just want a fast acting sleep induction, zolpidem, triazolam and Sonata are about the only options.

[twitehell messenger]

joe has had the same problem in the past. the question is do you feel you must have drugs to fall asleep? joe is in no way saying it is a bad thing because he has required it plenty of times, it is just nessasary. you must ask yourself tho, do you really want your brain to become reliant on a drug to get you to sleep EVERY night? these sorts of things are great for temporary help but as swiy knows they are very addictive.

joe would suggest looking to natural brain training (meditation of sorts) as swiy has mentioned that once he/she is asleep he/she stays asleep. joe had a more menacing problem, he could get to sleep but would often wake up in 2-3 hour intervals after dreams and experiencing what has later been diagnosed as panic attacks (plastered to his bed, burning body, absolute terror).

many doctors prescribed him diferent benzos/sleeping pills to stay asleep and get a good nights rest. it was great! the next days got worse and worse tho, hard to get up and stay positive. soon enough he came accross a different doc. this doc suggested natural brain training for him and joe laughed and shrugged it off as he loves benzos. when it really became hard to get more benzos he went back to the doc and took in what he had to teach, he was very kind. joe took all the good ideas out of what the doc said and flushed the rest down the toilet. it really helped tho and curved him away from drug requirments.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Great post, it needs emphasisng that drugs are only a temporary solution

[enquirewithin]

SWIM has had problems sleeping for most of his life. For him, the idea of using any physically addictive pill to help (unless in special circumstances) is not an option either. Benzos, for example leave him groggy and confused in the morning as well. He's tried many things. A few that work as a sleep aid include Valerian root (preferably supplemented like skullcap and other herbs), melatonin, cannabis and exercise.

[Horiz]

SWIM has come to accept that insomnia is part of his life. A few days a week he will simply be unable to fall into a natural sleep and has been known to just lay in bed all night, eyes closed but fully awake and aware until it's time to get up. However, it's not all bad.

On nights where he is unable to sleep, he takes the time to meditate, think about life and his current problems and general situation. He thinks of it as almost a blessing (but also obviously sometimes a curse) as he's been given 8 hours of peaceful solitude to think and come up with solutions to problems he may be facing. Usually around 6 am he decides to get a few hours rest, so he can be functional the next day. A nice couple of bongs or joints, indica preferred obviously will gently ease a tired soul at 6 am to bed, but he'll set an alarm for 10 am so not to screw up his sleeping pattern too much.

If he really needs to guarantee a good night's rest, he'll mix some codeine, diazepam and plenty of weed about an hour before he plans on getting to sleep. Obviously mixing two downers (benzo and opiate) isn't the safest thing in the world and he doesn't recommend the combo to inexperienced people.

It's been pointed out though, never rely fully on drugs to help you sleep, moderation is the key or it will just get worse in the long-term.

[wespawloski]

SWIM isnt looking for a permanent solution. He has noticed in his past, if he can get a schedule going he has very few problems sleeping. Its his sporadic nature, it takes hold, and he ruins his circadian rhythm.

SWIM was asking because finals at his college are coming up, and SWIM can't sleep before 1am at the moment :/

SWIM gets tired, he feels his brain starting to slow down, but as soon as he closes his eyes, he gets washed into random and pointless thoughts... SWIM has never been very cognisant.

SWIM will try the OTC, he would like to have a tool to help him fall asleep when he needs to.

** SWIM has been undergoing biofeedback training for the past three months... He has trouble remembering to try, and at the moment he wants something that will help him through the end of school

** thank you for bringing up valerian root and melatonin! Wow, swim has both of these... he is silly for forgetting about them :P Problem with valarian for SWIM, if it doesnt work, he ends up lying in bed at the brink of almost-sleep for a good hour :/

** sigh, no valarian :*( Silly university health clinic won't see "non-urgent"... SWIM is going to have to sneeky

[SmokeRings]

OP - SWIM is speaking of over the counter (OTC) sleep aide at your local pharmacy. The generic brand. Where SWIM lives, it's Walgreen's version of Sleep Aid. SWIM read the bottle:

Walgreen's Nighttime Sleep Aid
Diphenhydramine HCI
100 mini-caplets, 25mg each
Directions are for 2, so 50mg total

SWIM does not get the "hangover" they speak of, but everyone's different. SWIM also is SURE to take it by 8pm, no later, when having to be up and out the door by 8am, so she gives herself a good 12 hours. SWIM has found this a VERY important step to avoid that hangover.
Again, SWIMs been taking these for a very long time, and still manages to sleep, she has not built up some insane tolerance. At most, she's been known to take 4, but that's even crossing the line for her. 3 on a bad day max.

[wespawloski]

Thats benedryl :P SWIM gets distracting visual distortions with 25mgs (1 pill)... doesn't seem to be viable for him.