Casa Insomnia

[Back2Good]

Well, here it is again, 4:23AM and I'm trying to force myself back to sleep.  If I can't do so I'll be lingering here...I invite my fellow insomniacs to visit this thread when you're suffering a bout of the dreaded affliction, perhaps we can help one another with recommendations on getting to sleep (or getting back to sleep, in my case)...If not, at least we'll have someone to chat with in the wee hours.

All the best,

- b2g

[Charon]

Really good idea, Back2good. Good luck, all our insomniacs.

[Back2Good]

Really good idea, Back2good.  Good luck, all our insomniacs.

Thank you, Charon.  I suspect I'll be the most frequent visitor to this thread, as writing sometimes helps me get back to sleep, but again, all Insomiacs, regardless of the severity of your condition are welcome here in the wee hours.  I'd expect it would be best to post during daylight hours in the main forums, you'll likely get more responses there...But when it's past midnight and you can't get to sleep, or if you wake up in the wee hours and can't get back to sleep, check in here - Mi casa es tu casa.

- b2g

[iNsom]

Great idea B2G!

I must admit, personally I tend to avoid my phone when I cannot sleep as apparently the blue light affects the melatonin (the sleep/ wake cycle, in short) in ones brain.
Nevertheless I may pay the odd visit in the early hours.
.......THAT being said, im currently going through a VERY good spell due to Doxylamine.

Sorry, I have written about Doxylamine & Melatonin a lot recently so apologies if you have read me write this before! - I forget my exact audience and there are a LOT of new members.

Anyway, I remember the 3am's, the 4am's, the 5am's VERY well and without 'help' (Doxy) id still be there.

So, you have 'sleep maintenance' issues? 
I have (or had) sleep onset issues.

I shall follow this thread

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Now following (subscribed)

[Back2Good]

Great idea Back2Good.
I have my own personal Insomnia Theatre at home. Lol. It will be fun having someone to talk to besides myself.

Audrey - It's not often I tell someone I've come to like and respect that I hope I don't see them often at my Casa, but I'd rather you be sleeping soundly than logged in here in the middle of the night as I so often am.  On those nights you are afflicted, though, I hope to see you here - I'm sure our Zolpidem and Temazepam fueled discussions will be enormously funny for the rest of the membership to read the following morning

---

Great idea B2G!

I must admit, personally I tend to avoid my phone when I cannot sleep as apparently the blue light affects the melatonin (the sleep/ wake cycle, in short) in ones brain.
Nevertheless I may pay the odd visit in the early hours.
.......THAT being said, im currently going through a VERY good spell due to Doxylamine.

Sorry, I have written about Doxylamine & Melatonin a lot recently so apologies if you have read me write this before! - I forget my exact audience and there are a LOT of new members.

Anyway, I remember the 3am's, the 4am's, the 5am's VERY well and without 'help' (Doxy) id still be there.

So, you have 'sleep maintenance' issues? 
I have (or had) sleep onset issues.

I shall follow this thread

---

Now following (subscribed)

What a great handle you have, my friend!  Yes, my primary issue is sleep maintenance...I'm usually tired enough at bedtime to get to sleep with the aid of a couple of prescribed Temazepam, but I inevitable wake up between 2:30 and 4:00 AM, and have a devil of a time getting back to sleep.  I've been through every test imaginable, sleep studies, you name it - And while I do have obstructive sleep apnea, the $2000 C/PAP machine I use doesn't do a bit of good keeping me asleep.

Welcome to the house of Insomnia!  Melatonin has never helped me at all, but I don't know anything about Doxylamine, would love to hear more about that.

[Rumor]

I am one, also. I have been taking 3mg melatonin and just found out that some people are prescribed 10mg. Has any one ever taken more than 3 mg? What was it's effect on you? Did it help? 3mg. doesn't really do anything for me. I never knew you could take more. I am going to google, before I try more. Still interested in everyone else's experience. Thank you, R.

[Back2Good]

I've had the same experience with Melatonin - It's never been prescribed to me by a Doc (it's OTC anyhow, isn't it?), but like anyone who is afflicted with this curse, I've tried just about everything, and Melatonin was one of the first recommendations I got from my GP years ago when I first started having serious sleep maintenance issues.  I tried several brands, from the expensive GNC version to the "Nature's Best" brand that most grocery stores have, at dosages up to 10mg, and it did absolutely nothing for me.  My youngest daughter, though, who will be graduating from college this year and removing an immense financial burden from our retirement plan budgeting, swears by it - She only takes 2mg per night, and has been doing so since her freshman year (when her problems with insomnia manifested), and she's never had to increase the dose - Says she sleeps a solid 7-8 hours using Melatonin alone, but if she goes a night without it she has the same sleep maintenance problems I have.

I guess it's just one of those things that works for some people, but not others.

[iNsom]

Great idea Back2Good.
I have my own personal Insomnia Theatre at home. Lol. It will be fun having someone to talk to besides myself.

Audrey - It's not often I tell someone I've come to like and respect that I hope I don't see them often at my Casa, but I'd rather you be sleeping soundly than logged in here in the middle of the night as I so often am.  On those nights you are afflicted, though, I hope to see you here - I'm sure our Zolpidem and Temazepam fueled discussions will be enormously funny for the rest of the membership to read the following morning

---

Great idea B2G!

I must admit, personally I tend to avoid my phone when I cannot sleep as apparently the blue light affects the melatonin (the sleep/ wake cycle, in short) in ones brain.
Nevertheless I may pay the odd visit in the early hours.
.......THAT being said, im currently going through a VERY good spell due to Doxylamine.

Sorry, I have written about Doxylamine & Melatonin a lot recently so apologies if you have read me write this before! - I forget my exact audience and there are a LOT of new members.

Anyway, I remember the 3am's, the 4am's, the 5am's VERY well and without 'help' (Doxy) id still be there.

So, you have 'sleep maintenance' issues? 
I have (or had) sleep onset issues.

I shall follow this thread

---

Now following (subscribed)

What a great handle you have, my friend!  Yes, my primary issue is sleep maintenance...I'm usually tired enough at bedtime to get to sleep with the aid of a couple of prescribed Temazepam, but I inevitable wake up between 2:30 and 4:00 AM, and have a devil of a time getting back to sleep.  I've been through every test imaginable, sleep studies, you name it - And while I do have obstructive sleep apnea, the $2000 C/PAP machine I use doesn't do a bit of good keeping me asleep.

Welcome to the house of Insomnia!  Melatonin has never helped me at all, but I don't know anything about Doxylamine, would love to hear more about that.

Hi B2G.

Doxylamine succinate (Kirkland sleep aid [UK]/ Unisom [US]) is a first generation anti-histamine, like Diphenhydramine (Nytol [UK]/ Benadryl [US]/ Tylenol PM [US]) and Promethazine (Sominex [UK]/ unsure if sominex is sold in US as a sleeping tab)
However in my opinion, and MANY others, including studies, it is MUCH stronger.

Here is an extract from wikipedia:

Doxylamine succinate the most effective over-the-counter sedative available in the United States and is more sedating than some prescription hypnotics.  One study found that doxylamine succinate was more effective than the barbiturate phenobarbital for use as a sedative.  The dosage required to induce sleep can be as low as 6.25 mg, but is usually effective in dosages of up to 25 mg. Higher doses are not recommended by the United States Food and Drug Administration, although single dosage recommendations of up to 50 mg are common in some countries, including Australia (where it is marketed under the names Restavit and Dozile), Russia (Valocordin-Doxylamine) and India (Vomentin).

I take 50mg per night, dissolved in a glass of luke warm water and im currently sleeping circa 7 hours solid per night.
I do sometimes wake up for a pee (I have a weak bladder) but im back to sleep within seconds. 

[Back2Good]

Thank you kindly, Insomnia_Sucks!  Diphenhydramine does work well for me, I keep a box of ZZZQuil in the drawer of my nightstand for emergencies, but it really has to be an emergency, as it leaves me groggy until noon the next day, even if I take it at 9:30PM.

I' going to have to scour the local super retailers (Target and Walmart), as well as the local pharmacies to see if any of them carry the Unisom - I've seen a lot of recommendations for the Kirkland here, but apparently that's a UK only product, I can't seem to find it anywhere.

Thanks again,

- b2g

[Back2Good]

Hey B2G,
I don't know if it is the same, but Costco's brand items are Kirkland.

Ah, thank you Audrey.  Now if I only had a Costco membership :-) (We're Sam's Warehouse folks).