Aside from Ambien, I need advice on getting sleep!?!
Question:
Aside from Ambien, I need advice on getting sleep!?
Whatever the reason is for my recurrent insomnia, I need help. Does anyone have some real cures? Melatonin does not work for me. Benadryl, or anything like that has the complete opposite effect on me too. My restless legs will shake the house if I take a non-prescription sleep aid. However, Ambien works great, but I don't want to have to take a prescription pill each night. HELP!
Answers:
Establishing and sticking to an invariable sleep routine, (part of good "Sleep Hygiene"), is probably the best way to encourage a good night's sleep. (I imagine the ambien website would have good suggestions such as:
Avoiding caffeinated or alcoholic beverages
after lunch and,
Not working in your bedroom; save that for the office or at least the kitchen table!
You mentioned your "restless legs." Have you told your doctor about this and tried treatment for "Restless Leg Syndrome". This disorder is very real and pretty common. Luckily there are now drugs to treat it. It really interferes with sleep, as my mother would have told you.
You didn't mention your age. Unfortunately, if you are near or in menopause insomnia is part of the package. There's not too much you can do about that (other than become "well read."
As far as Ambien goes, be happy it works and don't get so guilty that you are taking medication frequently, that you don't take it when you need it. There really is no "medal" given if you manage without it, just more sleep loss.
Nadine