http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=317x3378Oh my.
OhioChick (1000+ posts) Fri Mar-27-09 11:09 PM
Original message
Insomnia....Help.
Does anyone have any non-medicinal ideas for dealing with insomnia? With all of the stress of life lately, as well as other issues, I just can't sleep much. Getting about 4 hrs/night for months and months just isn't cutting it. I feel like a walking zombie.
I've tried relaxation CD's to no avail, usually just watch the television until I fall asleep. If I don't have the television on....my mind wanders to all the stressors in life and sleep never comes.
Any ideas?
murielm99 (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-28-09 04:15 AM
Response to Original message
1. You might try another forum.
The astrology spirituality and alternative healing group has some good ideas for things like stress and insomnia. If you are a skeptic, try to put your skepticism aside for a little while.
I know how awful insomnia can be. Good luck.
As usual, the warped primitive, a registered nurse down in New Mexico but originally from Massachusetts, circa 58 or 59 years old, single, dairyphobic, not especially attractive but a good man to have around in a barroom brawl, offers the best advice.
The warped primitive doesn't know excresence about politics and Hates all that is good and decent and civilized in humanity, but other than that, she's okay. I'd have a beer or a few with her.
Warpy (1000+ posts) Tue Mar-31-09 11:58 PM
Response to Original message
3. You're good to think of non drug means first but insomnia that long standing isn't good for you.
Once you've exhausted the warm bath, soothing music, and simple meditation, all of which can center you and push the stress away, and you're still having trouble, consider a couple of medicines.
First is melatonin, a naturally occurring substance in your own body. Most drug stores and health food stores sell it, usually in 3 mg. tablets. Since the normal levels are in micrograms rather than milligrams, I tend to break those tablets into at least 4 pieces, taking only a quarter at a time. Melatonin is especially helpful for shift workers and people with jet lag.
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine that is in several OTC sleep medications. Often 25 mg. every third night or so will get you into a more normal sleeping pattern. Do NOT drink alcohol on the nights you take this. In fact, drinking alcohol on any nights will completely wreck your sleep.
I only suggest Benadryl because it's been used for decades and never been found to cause problems with addiction, although some people who are more afraid of the occasional sleepless night than they are of dependency have become dependent on it. The worst side effect for most people is a little carryover drowsiness early the next morning and no withdrawal has ever been noted for people who use it as a sleep aid.
Good luck. Nothing is more distressing than chronic sleeplessness. As somebody who worked nights for 20 years, I know all about it.
