Crippling insomnia - what natural remedies?

[AgathaChristieFan]

I am currently taking sleeping pills to manage this problem which has arisen in last 3 years, but would be very keen to hear any natural remedies that others have. I have instigated all of the usual sleep hygiene techniques, no phone, warm bath, exercise etc. I suffer from depression so am on antidepressants and in therapy. Adding this in case anyone says wonders what are the underlying issues

I started a thread about this...try eating a salad before bed with large amounts of lettuce especially Romaine. If you google there is reaearch into the effects- lettuce makes you sleepy. I was having big salads for lunch and so drowsy!

Hi I use the herbal nytol or kalms. They usually help me drift off. I also use calm app on phone or try to think of a scenario where I’m happy eeg skiing down a hill, horse riding, a walk with the dog. They do recommend getting up doing something until you feel ready to sleep again! I go through phases but try to relax if I only get a couple of hours sleep

How old are you? Could it be the menopause (in which case you need HRT rather than antidepressants and that might also sort out your insomnia).

@SuperMoonIsKeepingMeUpToo

How old are you? Could it be the menopause (in which case you need HRT rather than antidepressants and that might also sort out your insomnia).

I was also going to ask if you’re peri/menopausal. That (with hindsight) was one of my first symptoms. I put up with it for about 8 years before more symptoms came along and I connected the dots.

Started HRT and 3 days later, could sleep for 6-7 hours straight. Complete bliss after 3-4 hours a night max.
Not every night is the same, if I’m stressed, I go back to square one, but for the majority of nights.

You could try magnesium supplements or as a spray. There are different forms
corpina.com/best-form-magnesium-sleep/

I have had this with perimenopause and menopause.

Follow good sleep hygiene, quit caffeine and alcohol and when you wake up, remember you're mainly asleep. Use 4-7-8 breathing to get you back : in for 4, hold for 7, breathe out for 8.

I have recently read a book called Hormone Intelligence which gives excellent advice too (not just about insomnia, but women's health generally).

Cherry supplements are helping me usually have some magnesium as well

Try lemon balm - either extract from health food shop in tablet form or pick, soak in boiling water, strain and drink before bed!

Magnesium is good,also Camomile tea.I use both and sleep well.

@Lemonteanomilk

I have had this with perimenopause and menopause.

Follow good sleep hygiene, quit caffeine and alcohol and when you wake up, remember you're mainly asleep. Use 4-7-8 breathing to get you back : in for 4, hold for 7, breathe out for 8.

I have recently read a book called Hormone Intelligence which gives excellent advice too (not just about insomnia, but women's health generally).

@Lemonteanomilk thanks for the book recommendation,bought it and read it in 1 day! I already have some B6 and Zinc so I'm going to take these more and look into Taurine. Not sure about Iodine, I think I'll have more seafood though.

Oops it wasnt that book I ended up buying, it was Hormone Repair Manual- guide to hormones after 40. Very good though.

Phenergan works well, although can make you a bit groggy the next morning.

Only one caffeineated cup of tea first thing in the morning.
Cup of some kind of ‘sleepy tea’ with valerian about 30 mins before bed
Getting up and going to bed at a similar time each day.
Magnesium supplement before bed.
Sometimes I also take melatonin (I know some people don’t like it, but it works for me)
I listen to a podcast as I fall asleep (earplug in one ear, one headphone in the other, set it to go off after 30 mins and the headphones usually fall out of the other ear in the night.
I’ve also found my sleep much better since starting HRT - have hardly used the melatonin at all.

CBD gummies. They just relax you enough to nod off.

I have taken magnesium supplements for a long time and it has never made any difference to my sleep. However having a bath in magnesium flakes gives me a few nights of blissful sleep.

Have you tried any of the essential oil sprays for the room or pillow? Or an essential oil diffuser?

I found my husband leaving me and getting a new dp cured it

Melatonin is great if you can get hold of it (Canadian/ USA pharmacies sell over the counter)

Years ago I had it badly and acupuncture cured me. It was quite amazing

Now I am definitely reaping the benefit from
Magnesium tablets s

CBD oil is good for getting to sleep.

Magnesium works for a lot of people, but watch out because it gives some people stomach problems (it did for me, so I had to stop taking it although it definitely made me sleep better ).

Melatonin. Works like a miracle. And it’s natural.

Have tried all the above with no result . Had prescribed medication only lasted a couple of hours. Pharmacy recommended panadol night
Only take it every 2nd night but it worked a treat

Tylenol PM also works. I think you can only buy it in the US though.

OP, the Melatonin you took. Was it prescribed? There is a big difference between that which is prescribed by the doctor and that which you buy over the counter.