Are there any GOOD sleep aids and anti-anxiety remedies that I can try? I have tried melatonin for sleep, it gave me a massive headache. Thanks! ********************************************************* 12-27-03, 07:42 PM samantha Ambien is good for sleeping. My brother has used it and he said it does NOT leave you feeling drowsy like alot of them do. Though you have to have a prescription for it too.
12-27-03, 11:23 PM Elexina I have heard unfavorable things about Ambien, and about many other prescription and over-the-counter sleep aids. They won’t all work for everyone the same way, and they can be very addictive. I had a pretty bad experience with a CVS-brand sleep aid where it got so I couldn't sleep at all without twice or thrice the recommended dose. Not pretty. Nor was I when I made myself stop taking it. A few summers ago, I was having an awful bout of insomnia. I could not sleep, and if perchance I did, I was up every hour so my sleep was not restful at all. I did not want a prescription and did not want to go back to an over-the-counter addiction (especially since I was popping Vivarin just to stay awake during the day!). So, I called around to the natural/ herbal supplement shops in the area and one of them recommended " Herbal Sleep " by Nature's Sunshine . This company makes a whole line of herbal supplements (I've used a few and they are quite good, in my opinion). I tried the Herbal Sleep and, though it stinks something awful (it's made of valerian, passion flower and hops), it works! It actually works! I fell asleep quickly, I slept through the night, and I did not wake up all out of sorts! I didn’t even need the Vivarin any longer because I was so well rested. I know I sound like an info-mercial, but it really really works. And, for me at least, it reminded my body that sleep is a good thing and after a while I didn’t even need it anymore! And I’d had insomnia for about ten years, and all of a sudden I was sleeping. Oh, that was cool. Now, every so often, I’ll need it again, but for the most part I can sleep on my own. But when I can't, Herbal Sleep can make it happen. It's like magick.
12-28-03, 12:00 AM DvdGStwrt Catnip is good, so too is chamomile.
Here is my favorite 'calming tea' recipe:
in Ratios:
1 Catnip 1 Chamomile 1/4 rose hip (crushed)
a couple three leaves of mint, crushed
sweet-n-low, Nutra sweet or no sweetener at all.
Seep the herbs in a cup of hot water, about a teaspoon of mixed herbs, for about 5 minutes, drain the tea through a strainer. Drink warm.
The taste is rather good, catnip is of the mint family, the addition of mint makes the flavor come out a bit more.
The rose hip provides vitamin C which, in my understanding, is very helpful for many other things which tend to cause anxiety and insomnia.
Chamomile flower is the most potent part of the plant.
You can get Cat nip at wall mart, it comes in a bag and is organic - yes the same thing you give to cats to play with. Though it has a stimulating effect on cats, it has the opposite effect on humans.
Chamomile can be found in sleepy time tea, or sweet dreams at any grocers.
I find this to be an alternative which has been very effective with me. That and a change in diet which includes reducing my refined sugars intake, reducing my intake of caffeine to three cups of coffee in the morning. All of this should be tried before going for the stronger kinds of stuff.
Cheers
David
12-28-03, 02:11 AM puppyblues I would definately go for the herbal suggestions or the OTC drugs first, before trying things like Xanax. I know from experience that they are so easy to get hooked on, then you can't sleep without them...at all. Just be careful and us only as prescribed if you do get something to help you from your doctor.
I could sing you to sleep Big Grin
12-28-03, 02:15 AM samantha I never usually have problmes sleeping just staying awake Wink
12-30-03, 07:31 AM Katanya2000 I'd like to state for those trying the herbal route that valerian can be addictive over time, much like any other OTC sleep aids. If you try it, do so with caution if you feel you may need it more than a few weeks.
12-30-03, 06:48 PM kittypal Thanks guys, I have had Ativan, it made me feel like a zombie though. I also occasionally use Tylanol PM, which works, but only once in a while. I will try the one elexina suggested and I do have a huge bag of catnip!! I am really afriad of getting addicted though, that behavior seems to be in my personality Roll Eyes Smile
12-31-03, 11:03 AM Elexina
quote:Originally posted by DvdGStwrt: Catnip is good, so too is chamomile.
I agree, just make sure you're not allergic to it! My mother is, so I don't touch the stuff (chamomile, that is, not catnip). ...Just a word of caution: always be careful when taking an unknown supplement, and check with your doctor. As Kat said, Valerian can be addictive so you do want to be cautious with anything you take, even if it is herbal. But, in my experience, the Herbal Sleep was not something I needed every night, as I said. I only had to take it for a little while before my body remembered that sleep is good, and I had no troubles coming off it. I do need it again every so often, but not with any regularity. Hopefully, this remains true for others. Something else to try: lavendar. Try a lavendar bath/body wash, or burn a lavendar candle or incense while you are getting ready for bed (not when you sleep, though!), or get a sachet of lavendar and rub it on your pillow and nightclothes, and keep it under your pillow. The aroma will relax you.
01-01-04, 05:13 PM kittypal Thanks agian everyone, I bought some valerian and took it last night, it seemed to make me fall asleep, but I was wide awake after about two hours, at least it's a start. I will be very careful about taking any of this stuff, like I said I am one of those types. I will probably take it like twice a week which is what I did with the ativan and tylenol pm. I think I might look into relaxation tapes too. Smile
01-02-04, 07:41 AM samantha Do you like to read Kitty? Try reading and not watching tv and all too. It usually helps people that way to calm down to fall asleep.
01-02-04, 05:35 PM puppyblues Make sure you aren't trying too hard, kitty. It could be that you are trying so hard to fall asleep, that your body won't relax enough for you to do so.
My grandma used to have me tense up from my head to my toes and gradually, from the toes up...relax. Do that a few times and your body will be totally relaxed. Make sure your head is clear of problems of daily life and all and think about something very soothing.
I'LL OFFER ONCE MORE TO SING YOU TO SLEEP! Big Grin
01-03-04, 01:59 PM kittypal mmmmmmm, gee puppy, I think I'll try your grandmas way first! Razz Big Grin
01-03-04, 02:43 PM samantha OMG she will never sleep if you sing Eek And neither will the rest of us then! Razz
01-05-04, 08:06 PM Sandy I wouldn't suggest this for anyone with an addictive personality Roll Eyes , but for me a glass of wine and a book to read do wonders! Big Grin
01-06-04, 08:13 AM twinhearts My doctor told me that for occasional insomnia, I should take Benadryl. He said to take one to two times the dosage. He said it was not addicting in the least and that it would make me sleepy enough to actually go to sleep. Once, I had to use it for almost 2 weeks before I was able to sleep again with out it. I had no problem stopping it. And when I took it, I never felt tired or disoriented in the morning.
Twinhearts
01-06-04, 08:55 PM Sherasi Benadryl has never helped me.. but that is just me.. some people have it work very well for them! Smile
01-07-04, 04:18 PM kittypal Benydryl is the main ingredient in drugs like Tylenol PM and the other PM drugs. It does work very well, but I find if I take it more than a couple of times a week it stops working and actually has the opposite effect on me.
01-31-07, 02:05 AM Miamin hi,kittypal . For a long time I suffer from Insomnia a lot,too.Somebody Suggest me the way below,maybe you can have a try.
The following nutritional components may be beneficial. Valerian acts like a sedative on the brain and nervous system, it is best taken 30 minutes before bedtime. Skullcap has been used historically as a sedative for people with nervous tension and insomnia. The chemicals in Hops may act as a sedative and help to cause sleep and lessen anxiety and tenseness. St John’s Wort Extract helps to promote a positive mood and good emotional balance. Calcium, Inositol and Vitamin B Complex 50 are all essential nutrients required for nervous system health. Magnesium is needed to balance with calcium and helps relax muscles.
If you are concerned or unsure about your symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider for professional medical advice.
Hoping you well soon~
02-01-07, 07:44 AM Elexina
quote: St John’s Wort Extract helps to promote a positive mood and good emotional balance.
But don't take St. John's if you are on birth control. I believe the two do not interact well.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
