Effective sleeping pills

[LMT737]

I gotta add, even after years of Benz use (moderate), I still have trouble falling/staying asleep no matter when the last dose is/was.

I still have a hard time believing something as cheap and non-habit forming as 1 5mg melatonin and occasionally 3 caps of ZMA have worked so well.  Every time.

I fall asleep within 10 minutes, deep sleep, rarely waking up until my internal alarm at 5am.  Always very strange and vivid dreams though.  But always well-rested.

Yes I remember when you recommended this to me when I was having a hard time. I have ZMA now and may try that again this week. I forget so fast that other things work well and ZMA worked wonders for myself as well after you told me about it. Something to thing about people as well, ZMA is an amazing substance.

Thanks for this. I am going to give it a try. Hopefully there will be some success.

[Richardg8092]

I gotta add, even after years of Benz use (moderate), I still have trouble falling/staying asleep no matter when the last dose is/was.

I still have a hard time believing something as cheap and non-habit forming as 1 5mg melatonin and occasionally 3 caps of ZMA have worked so well.  Every time.

I fall asleep within 10 minutes, deep sleep, rarely waking up until my internal alarm at 5am.  Always very strange and vivid dreams though.  But always well-rested.

I have great repeact for thepianist and his advice - but would like some clarifrication, please.
Unsure whether he meant 1.5mg, or 1 to 5 mg, or 15mg melatonin.
(15mg seems to be a ricdiculously high dose

Melatonin - shmelatonin as far as my body is concerned, anyway .
I've got a bottle of about 170 x 3mg Melatonin left  - only bothered taking them for a week or so, because they just didn't work for me.
Maybe I should try swapping out one of my evening b3nzos with 2x3mg Melatonin to seei what happens.....

ZMA - Zinc, Magnesium & a pinch of B6 - not quite sure how that combination would induce sleep.
But what the heck, I just purchased ON (Optimum Nutrition) brand 90caps ZMA for $17 inc postage - so I'll give it a shot for a month and will report back.
I could even throw in some Melatonin too, for good measure
R

[Charon]

yes'm, u r correct.

Use of sleep-promoting medications in nursing home residents : risks versus benefits.
Conn DK1, Madan R.
Author information
Abstract
This paper reviews the use of sleep-promoting medications in nursing home residents with reference to risks versus benefits. Up to two-thirds of elderly people living in institutions experience sleep disturbance. The aetiology of sleep disturbance includes poor sleep hygiene, medical and psychiatric disorders, sleep apnoea, periodic limb movements and restless leg syndrome. One key factor in the development of sleep disturbance in the nursing home is the environment, particularly with respect to high levels of night-time noise and light, low levels of daytime light, and care routines that do not promote sleep. Clinical assessment should include a comprehensive medical, psychiatric and sleep history including a review of prescribed medications. Nonpharmacological interventions for insomnia are underutilised in many clinical settings despite evidence that they are often highly effective. International studies suggest that 50-80% of nursing home residents have at least one prescription for psychotropic medication. Utilisation rates vary dramatically from country to country and from institution to institution. The most commonly prescribed medications for sleep are benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics (Z-drugs). The vast majority of studies of these medications are short-term, i.e. < or =2 weeks, although some longer extension trials have recently been carried out. Clinicians are advised to avoid long-acting benzodiazepines and to use hypnotics for as brief a period as possible, in most cases not exceeding 2-3 weeks of treatment. Patients receiving benzodiazepines are at increased risk of daytime sedation, falls, and cognitive and psychomotor impairment. Zaleplon, zolpidem, zopiclone and eszopiclone may have some advantages over the benzodiazepines, particularly with respect to the development of tolerance and dependence. Ramelteon, a novel agent with high selectivity for melatonin receptors, has recently been approved in the US. Use of the antidepressant trazodone for sleep in nondepressed patients is somewhat controversial. Atypical antipsychotics should not be used to treat insomnia unless there is also evidence of severe behavioural symptoms or psychosis.

[Instantec]

Melatonin for natural feeling sleep although for many people it's not enough.

Diphenhydramine IMO is very effective but does have lingering effects next day.

Kava is great. It doesn't really seem to make you tired but it relaxes your body so much that it's really great for sleep. There are a lot of barriers with it though, reverse tolerance and for some people they just can't feel anything from it for whatever reason.

Valerian Root is also good if it works for you. It can also give you very vivid dreams.

[Otim07]

Melatonin for natural feeling sleep although for many people it's not enough.

Diphenhydramine IMO is very effective but does have lingering effects next day.

Kava is great.  It doesn't really seem to make you tired but it relaxes your body so much that it's really great for sleep.  There are a lot of barriers with it though, reverse tolerance and for some people they just can't feel anything from it for whatever reason. 

Valerian Root is also good if it works for you. It can also give you very vivid dreams.

Us with chronic insomnia have to just mix it up and cycle.

[L1V3M0UZ]

I dont know if it exists outside of research chemical vendors at this point (although I have seen a trade name mentioned before) but cinazepam is a benzodiazepine derivative that doesn't violate your natural sleep architecture i.e. once it knocks you out, it's almost like you went to sleep on your own

[Otim07]

I’ve never heard of it. Will ask my pcp

[killingstress]

Tried Trazadone once and it was a terrible experience. I never actually slept, just went into some strange twilight zone state. If I'm not mistaken, this is a drug used a lot in nursing homes to keep patients quiet and manageable. Anyone know for sure? It's been a while since I tried it so just not sure. Also, all the sedating anti-depressants docs like to prescribe can be dangerous for heart patients. Just something to check out.

Wish there was an effective alternative to benzos but haven't found it. With the huge number of insomniacs in this country, you would think this would be a priority. Anything in the pipeline? Used to follow this but stopped a few years ago. Will check it out again.

How long before bed you took it ?  thanks

[MoJim]

Melatonin works for me, but only in very small doses of .5 or .25mg. Anything higher gives very very strange dreams. Benydral (Diphenhydramine) works well, but I will only rotate it into my sleep routine once or twice a week. My RX for amitriptyline works too well as it will knock me out for 12 hrs, so again only once a week maybe. It is mostly used for depression and anxiety disorders and less so for insomnia. Never take it with alcohol!

ZMA sounds like a good option especially being OTC.

[Wannabenormal18]

Melatonin works for me, but only in very small doses of .5 or .25mg. Anything higher gives very very strange dreams. Benydral (Diphenhydramine) works well, but I will only rotate it into my sleep routine once or twice a week. My RX for amitriptyline works too well as it will knock me out for 12 hrs, so again only once a week maybe. It is mostly used for depression and anxiety disorders and less so for insomnia. Never take it with alcohol!

ZMA sounds like a good option especially being OTC.

I wish amitriptyline worked for me. I was hopeful it would give me some rest but it failed. It’s so sad, insomnia is destroying me.