What do YOU do about insomnia??? - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

pearl · 07-26-2005, 02:17 PM

I've talked to several folks over the last few weeks about not being able to sleep...I know I, like others, have started drinking a "nightcap" to make me drowsy enough to get sleepy, and I, like others, have let that habit develope into an addiction (that was always present but lurking).

What do YOU do to get a quality nights sleep and tame the restless emotional/intellectual beast within you when it's time to close your eyes and get a good nights rest???

eddie z. · 07-26-2005, 09:11 PM

(((((pearl))))),
Have you tried chamomile tea with lots of warm milk? That's what I did in treatment and it seemed to help. Trazodone is also useful but you have to get that prescribed by a doctor. Hope this helps!

Love and hugs,
Eddie

hja1407 · 07-26-2005, 09:17 PM

I read a good book. Sometimes it causes insomnia because I have to know the ending that night. Play classical music. It is very relaxing. In fact my 4 month old will not go to sleep with out it on the radio.Also try taking a walk like 2-3 hours BEFORE you want to go to sleep. These are the natural ways that I have found that work.
Heather

**51anna** · 07-26-2005, 09:19 PM

Hi Pearl,

I have yet to find a way to fall asleep and stay asleep that works for me. Insomnia contributed to my drinking too, which started with a drink at night to help me sleep or during the night if I woke up. What a mistake! I've tried everything - exercise, following the same routine, quiet time before bed, eating something at bedtime, melatonin, herbs - all of them work sometimes, but lots of times nothing works for me. If you find the answer, let me know!

Love, Anna

angelgirl · 07-26-2005, 09:21 PM

Hey Eddie, is Trazadone an anti-depressant? Ithought it was a sleeping pill? So it is not addictive then?? Thanks, Becky

babeekj · 07-26-2005, 09:22 PM

Since I have trouble sleeping I was told not to exercise right before going to bed it makes you wide awake.. Just alittle input

pearl · 07-26-2005, 09:33 PM

I usually take 2 Tylenol PMs...the benadryl component makes me a little drowsy and the tylenol helps my sore hips (lol...I feel like a pedigreed dog, sore hips and all) I also drink warm milk (I think warming it helps release the tryptophan) I used to fight that drowsy feeling, but now I just snuggle down and make the most of it.

And I absolutely DON'T read or watch the news before bedtime...there's too many traumatic articles

babeekj · 07-26-2005, 09:41 PM

I found this really cool sight...when you get to the site just double click like where it says sleep with your head to th north...it goes into further explanation...maybe something on here can help us !!

http://www.well.com/user/mick/insomnia/

eddie z. · 07-26-2005, 09:42 PM

pearl,
Just don't take the TylenolPM for more than a few days at a time because it loses its effectiveness, OK?

Becky,
Trazodone is an antidepressant that is more often used for sleep than for depression these days. And it is not addictive.

Love and hugs,
Eddie

pearl · 07-26-2005, 09:46 PM

Eddie, does the body develope a degree of tolerance to the diphenhydramine over time?

Have you heard any positive feedback on melatonin?

Thanks
Love Pearl

07-26-2005, 09:49 PM

I discovered a good rexall; Melatonin 3mg, Kava Kava herb, Passion Flower herb, and Hops (strictly capsule form LoL). *grumble* [damnit] My rehab counselor would be screaming at the top of her lungs right about now YOU"RE SELF MEDICATING!!! Bah. And sometimes I need to take a benadryl on top of the herbs.

*Note to Self: No herbal remedy for three weeks & haven't slept worth a damn*

Thanks Self, I'll make a note of that.

07-26-2005, 09:52 PM

As with any drug, prolonged use can result in physiological tolerance. Yes.

Regarding Melatonin: I was hesitant at first to try it. DO NOT take it with a full capsule of Valerian. You'll sleep for days.

However, some herbal preparations do contain a portion of Camomile and Valerian in small amounts.

babeekj · 07-26-2005, 10:01 PM

:Lmao @ Midas hey did you guys see my post about the site ?

07-26-2005, 10:11 PM

Oh you mean this? http://www.well.com/user/mick/insomnia/

babeekj · 07-26-2005, 10:19 PM

yep...hey did you read the one about sleeping to the North?? I thought that was odd

eddie z. · 07-26-2005, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pearl

Eddie, does the body develope a degree of tolerance to the diphenhydramine over time?

Have you heard any positive feedback on melatonin?

Yes, one quickly becomes tolerant to the sedating effects of diphenhydramine.

My opinion is that, as addicts/alcoholics, we are particularly susceptible to abusing anything taken for sleep and I would personally avoid Kava kava, Valerian, and actually diphenhydramine, too. Chamomile and melatonin are the only over-the-counter remedies I might be inclined to use. Hops have a soporific fragrance but I don't know about taking them internally.

I once started a poll here on the use of melatonin but I couldn't find it just now. The feedback was positive, though.

Love and hugs,
Eddie

sickk&tired · 07-26-2005, 11:02 PM

Hi Pearl!

I just went to my medicine cabinet to see what I've been taking for about a year thinking it was something different I could wow you with.........turns out its trazodone :-). I've been sober about 11 months and am taking the same dosage now that I started with. From that I conclude that its not addictive, but what do I know :-P.

07-26-2005, 11:20 PM

Sleeping with your head pointed to magnetic North...must be a Phang Schwa (Feng Sui) thing. I'm not moving furniture to be a Zen snooze master. LOL.

pearl · 07-26-2005, 11:33 PM

Thanks all and there you have it!!!!

I was sleeping with my head pointed to the southeast

wolflet · 07-26-2005, 11:37 PM

melatonin is effective if you take it just before you lay down & then REALY lay down...mostly any way...head in the north is about self.....so it could help...south is fire....east is air .....west is wind....north is earth(grounding)... north could help if you don't pace too much in your head (wich i guess we all do or we wouldn't be here...just a guess no offense ment)...but i have found it does help to ground me out & i have interesting dreams.

on exercise ...seems to help if i do it before 5 pm or so. lots of physical work does help, but late at nite it just jazzes me up.
also an herb called skullcap used to kick my butt...took it during the day & stopped because it hindered me too much...for anxiety...but i think if taken in evening would maybe help...esp. when i did skullcap & vallerian(read ...how did we find valium)
PS herbs are the root for all the pharmesydicals.....but they are not drugs in the same respect.

babeekj · 07-26-2005, 11:39 PM

:Lmao pearl OMG I am laughing at the PC screen like an idiot .
There are GOOD tips on that site too...and besides who knows the sleeping to the north thing might work LOL

snog · 07-26-2005, 11:58 PM

Meditation is very useful for many areas of life and it can help mellow you right to sleep.

2tough2die · 07-27-2005, 01:02 AM

Nothing will zonk me out like a good crossword. Anything with brainwork to either tire me out or take my brain off what's eating at me.

On especially bad cases (and this is funny, sad and true all at the same time) I've been known to pull out the ol' Micro Economics text books from college. Cerebus a paribus, it's easier to understand not all hungover, I wonder if ten years is too late to turn in my homework

eddie z. · 07-27-2005, 08:18 AM

LOL. I somehow find all these folks writing tips on insomnia in the middle of the night highly amusing!

Love and hugs,
Eddie

2tough2die · 07-27-2005, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddie z.

LOL. I somehow find all these folks writing tips on insomnia in the middle of the night highly amusing!

Im' on shiftwork, so I dont get up before 10am. Now if you see me posting at 6am, then THAT'S insomnia LOL :faint

07-26-2005, 02:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
pearl Card Carrying Optimist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Great Pacific Northwest Posts: 136	What do YOU do about insomnia??? I've talked to several folks over the last few weeks about not being able to sleep...I know I, like others, have started drinking a "nightcap" to make me drowsy enough to get sleepy, and I, like others, have let that habit develope into an addiction (that was always present but lurking). What do YOU do to get a quality nights sleep and tame the restless emotional/intellectual beast within you when it's time to close your eyes and get a good nights rest??? __________________ Class of 2005

07-26-2005, 09:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,606	(((((pearl))))), Have you tried chamomile tea with lots of warm milk? That's what I did in treatment and it seemed to help. Trazodone is also useful but you have to get that prescribed by a doctor. Hope this helps! Love and hugs, Eddie __________________

07-26-2005, 09:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
hja1407 All in God's Hands Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 75	I read a good book. Sometimes it causes insomnia because I have to know the ending that night. Play classical music. It is very relaxing. In fact my 4 month old will not go to sleep with out it on the radio.Also try taking a walk like 2-3 hours BEFORE you want to go to sleep. These are the natural ways that I have found that work. Heather __________________ You do not get to chose how you are going to die or when. You can only decide how you are going to live. Joan Baez Where there is great love there are always miracles. Sarah Knowles Bolton

07-26-2005, 09:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
51anna Forum Leader Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dancing in the Light Posts: 11,165	Hi Pearl, I have yet to find a way to fall asleep and stay asleep that works for me. Insomnia contributed to my drinking too, which started with a drink at night to help me sleep or during the night if I woke up. What a mistake! I've tried everything - exercise, following the same routine, quiet time before bed, eating something at bedtime, melatonin, herbs - all of them work sometimes, but lots of times nothing works for me. If you find the answer, let me know! Love, Anna __________________ Anna "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou

07-26-2005, 09:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
angelgirl You're never alone!! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,195	Hey Eddie, is Trazadone an anti-depressant? Ithought it was a sleeping pill? So it is not addictive then?? Thanks, Becky __________________ ™ Don't tell God how BIG your addiction is, tell your addiction, how BIG our GOD is!! Jesus is our teacher and he is our Savior, who takes our prayers and makes them his own.

07-26-2005, 09:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
babeekj Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 1,030	Since I have trouble sleeping I was told not to exercise right before going to bed it makes you wide awake.. Just alittle input

07-26-2005, 09:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
pearl Card Carrying Optimist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Great Pacific Northwest Posts: 136	I usually take 2 Tylenol PMs...the benadryl component makes me a little drowsy and the tylenol helps my sore hips (lol...I feel like a pedigreed dog, sore hips and all) I also drink warm milk (I think warming it helps release the tryptophan) I used to fight that drowsy feeling, but now I just snuggle down and make the most of it. And I absolutely DON'T read or watch the news before bedtime...there's too many traumatic articles __________________ Class of 2005

07-26-2005, 09:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
babeekj Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 1,030	I found this really cool sight...when you get to the site just double click like where it says sleep with your head to th north...it goes into further explanation...maybe something on here can help us !! http://www.well.com/user/mick/insomnia/

07-26-2005, 09:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,606	pearl, Just don't take the TylenolPM for more than a few days at a time because it loses its effectiveness, OK? Becky, Trazodone is an antidepressant that is more often used for sleep than for depression these days. And it is not addictive. Love and hugs, Eddie

07-26-2005, 09:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
pearl Card Carrying Optimist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Great Pacific Northwest Posts: 136	Eddie, does the body develope a degree of tolerance to the diphenhydramine over time? Have you heard any positive feedback on melatonin? Thanks Love Pearl __________________ Class of 2005

07-26-2005, 09:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
Midas Guest Posts: n/a	I discovered a good rexall; Melatonin 3mg, Kava Kava herb, Passion Flower herb, and Hops (strictly capsule form LoL). grumble [damnit] My rehab counselor would be screaming at the top of her lungs right about now YOU"RE SELF MEDICATING!!! Bah. And sometimes I need to take a benadryl on top of the herbs. Note to Self: No herbal remedy for three weeks & haven't slept worth a damn Thanks Self, I'll make a note of that.

07-26-2005, 09:52 PM	#12 (permalink)
Midas Guest Posts: n/a	As with any drug, prolonged use can result in physiological tolerance. Yes. Regarding Melatonin: I was hesitant at first to try it. DO NOT take it with a full capsule of Valerian. You'll sleep for days. However, some herbal preparations do contain a portion of Camomile and Valerian in small amounts.

07-26-2005, 10:01 PM	#13 (permalink)
babeekj Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 1,030	:Lmao @ Midas hey did you guys see my post about the site ?

07-26-2005, 10:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
Midas Guest Posts: n/a	Oh you mean this? http://www.well.com/user/mick/insomnia/

07-26-2005, 10:19 PM	#15 (permalink)
babeekj Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 1,030	yep...hey did you read the one about sleeping to the North?? I thought that was odd

07-26-2005, 11:02 PM	#17 (permalink)
sickk&tired Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 131	Hi Pearl! I just went to my medicine cabinet to see what I've been taking for about a year thinking it was something different I could wow you with.........turns out its trazodone :-). I've been sober about 11 months and am taking the same dosage now that I started with. From that I conclude that its not addictive, but what do I know :-P.

07-26-2005, 11:20 PM	#18 (permalink)
Midas Guest Posts: n/a	Sleeping with your head pointed to magnetic North...must be a Phang Schwa (Feng Sui) thing. I'm not moving furniture to be a Zen snooze master. LOL.

07-26-2005, 11:33 PM	#19 (permalink)
pearl Card Carrying Optimist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Great Pacific Northwest Posts: 136	Thanks all and there you have it!!!! I was sleeping with my head pointed to the southeast __________________ Class of 2005

07-26-2005, 11:37 PM	#20 (permalink)
wolflet fire dancer Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: no matter where u go there u are...co Posts: 483	melatonin is effective if you take it just before you lay down & then REALY lay down...mostly any way...head in the north is about self.....so it could help...south is fire....east is air .....west is wind....north is earth(grounding)... north could help if you don't pace too much in your head (wich i guess we all do or we wouldn't be here...just a guess no offense ment)...but i have found it does help to ground me out & i have interesting dreams. on exercise ...seems to help if i do it before 5 pm or so. lots of physical work does help, but late at nite it just jazzes me up. also an herb called skullcap used to kick my butt...took it during the day & stopped because it hindered me too much...for anxiety...but i think if taken in evening would maybe help...esp. when i did skullcap & vallerian(read ...how did we find valium) PS herbs are the root for all the pharmesydicals.....but they are not drugs in the same respect.

07-26-2005, 11:39 PM	#21 (permalink)
babeekj Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 1,030	:Lmao pearl OMG I am laughing at the PC screen like an idiot . There are GOOD tips on that site too...and besides who knows the sleeping to the north thing might work LOL

07-26-2005, 11:58 PM	#22 (permalink)
snog Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boston MA Posts: 5	Meditation is very useful for many areas of life and it can help mellow you right to sleep.

07-27-2005, 01:02 AM	#23 (permalink)
2tough2die Future Philanthropist Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 233	Nothing will zonk me out like a good crossword. Anything with brainwork to either tire me out or take my brain off what's eating at me. On especially bad cases (and this is funny, sad and true all at the same time) I've been known to pull out the ol' Micro Economics text books from college. Cerebus a paribus, it's easier to understand not all hungover, I wonder if ten years is too late to turn in my homework __________________ But the house is haunted and the ride gets rough And you've got to learn to live with what you can't rise above

07-27-2005, 08:18 AM	#24 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,606	LOL. I somehow find all these folks writing tips on insomnia in the middle of the night highly amusing! Love and hugs, Eddie __________________

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