Relying on OTC sleeping tablets. What stopped your insomnia without using meds.

[TellySavalashairbrush]

Have had a few very difficult years and experienced a breakdown last year. I’m slowly improving, taking anti d’s and HRT and exercising a lot more. However, I’m still really struggling with sleep. Unless I take sleeping pills (bought over the counter) I wake around 2/3 am and can’t get back to sleep. I work full time and therefore need a good nights sleep, know I can’t take tablets forever , tried the bath, cool room, no tv or phone routine but to no avail. Anyone had similar issues and solved the problem without meds?

@Taddda I found that 3mg helped me to go to sleep. I've got a review at the drs on Friday next week to see how I've got on. Am seriously considering stopping the Sertraline as it's that, that has given me the insomnia.
The Sertraline does calm down my anxiety which was caused by my mum's cancer diagnosis (she's now receiving treatment).
Sertraline worked for me when I had PND (only had three nights of no sleep then fine). This time can't seem to kick the insomnia side effect and worried it'll never go.

@Taddda well done for coming off the Zopiclone

@SeaShell33 Tbh they just stopped working so well, I built up a tolerance to them over that amount of time and there was no way I'd have wanted to increase the dose, very thankful for that now!
I'm sorry to hear about your mum- I hope her treatment goes well and you get all the support you need x
I think different struggles in our lives call for different methods of help- the Sertraline helped with your PND (I hope alls well now), this is a new emotional time for you, so perhaps a new approach? Its weird how our minds work that way-
Have you tried the YouTube meditation? Honestly, I can't rate it highly enough!

Thank you @Taddda
I recovered really well from PND and the Sertraline certainly contributed to that.
But you might be right that a different approach is needed this time for a different situation.
I've bookmarked these from you tube to try tonight.
Our minds are such a difficult thing to understand

@Taddda

I’m in a terrible state this morning. Went to bed at 10:30 and read until I nodded off. Put book down turned light off. Couldn’t sleep. Tried Paul McKenna sleep hypnosis, no good.
Went downstairs and had half a sleeping tablet and used my gravity blanket and Paul McKenna again, felt like I was close to sleep but couldn’t get there. Took the other half of the tablet and again felt close to sleep but couldn’t.
Went back upstairs at 3 and told DH how upset I am, he just told me I will eventually sleep again. He just doesn’t understand how much mental agony I’m in right now.
Seriously considering staying at my parents house.
I feel so desperate right now

300mg 5htp and no booze

It's very upsetting when you can't sleep. One problem is thinking only you have that problem, especially when your OH is sleeping easily for 8+ hours.
Just googled and apparently 16 million adults in the UK have sleep problems. So you are definitely not alone.
One thing I have noticed if you look up a medication reviews (as I regularly google sleep info/ medication having had sleep problems for years) that any one type will be described as the magical cure for one person's insommia, a terrible addictive poison that they spent months getting off, for another person, the lifesaving drug that they have been on for 10 years by another person. What makes those differences I don't know. Nor do the medics imv.
So try not to fret too much about your medication and do what is the best for you at that time.
I have taken zopiclone for years, I wish I didn't as i feel it can't be good long term. I don't take it continuously as then it loses its effect I also sometime take sominex (which is over the counter) which weirdly can give me a great night sometimes and hardly work others.
I have also been prescribed mirtazapine which gave me good sleep but made me very hungry and lethargic in the morning but it also seemed to lose effect if taken continuously but other people swear by them.
Lots of exercise in the fresh air improves my sleep but finding the time to do that isn't easy at all for some.

The Calm App and their sleep stories.

These revolutionised my night times!

£36 a year, but worth every penny and gave cured my insomnia.

Even if I wake, I play another. Earphone in one ear, other ear on the pillow and I fall asleep. It does not affect my husband either so discreet to your bed sharer!

Hi. Will a multi vitamin with magnesium in be enough or do you need to take a separate dose?

Magnesium is best absorbed through the skin, not in tablet form.

So get the spray from Holland and Barratt (they do one for sleep too) and put one squirt on each sole of the foot (as it can be a bit irritating when you start to use it and the skin is thicker here) and let it absorb.

Thank you everyone! Tried the calm sleep stories and meditation but it didn't help.
Have been trying magnesium supplements for two weeks too.
Will try the spray.
Seriously considering dropping the Sertraline as this is what has caused my insomnia.
I slept really well before taking it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Effortless-Sleep-Method-Incredible-Insomnia/dp/1456492543/ref=mpssa111?keywords=sasha+stephens+the+effortless+sleep+method&qid=1579421248&sprefix=sasha+st&sr=8-1

Someone recommended this on here about 5 years ago, I've never looked back. I've loaned it to people who have said the same.

Melatonin, get it online from the states... absolute godsend