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Original poster

OK , what s the best stuff to get me to sleep please?

34 replies

JinglyJangly · 05/12/2007 17:39

I have tried Kalms (the night ones)

Tescos sleep aid which did seem to work at first but not anymore. The pharmacist said it was similar to night nurse so not worth me trying that.

Tried the hot milky drinks before bed, a warm bath, breathing exercises to try and relax more but to no avial.

Any recommendations?

OP posts:
Flier · 05/12/2007 17:42

not meaning to be nosy, but might help if you said what problesm you were having sleeping or why.

eg, you keep waking up, or you can;t get to sleep.

I have some tips from a stress management course I did, I'll see if I can find them and post them.

southeastastra · 05/12/2007 17:42

alcohol

HarkTheHassledAngelsSing · 05/12/2007 17:47

Benylin for Chesty Coughs (drowsy version) knocks me unconscious.

lou33 · 05/12/2007 17:48

i''ve just been prescribed zopiclone, which i am hoping does the trick

Original poster
JinglyJangly · 05/12/2007 18:12

Thanks for your replies.

Flier - General anxiety. I find it hard to get to sleep & when I finally do (say 2 hours later) my 2 yo wakes up crying and I can't seem to get back. I think I am anxious about 'knowing' the baby will wake up iukwim.

I also find myself waking up at a silly hour, say 3 or 4 am, and find it difficult to get back.

Can't take AD's (I was on them for anxiety) because they give me awful acid reflux.

OP posts:
lou33 · 05/12/2007 18:16

mine arent ad's they are sleeping pills

Original poster
JinglyJangly · 05/12/2007 18:21

Lou - did you have to go to your GP for sleeping pills?

Out of interest, does anyone know if my GP would/could prescribe Diazipam for anxiety? My anxiety is worse around a week before my period (suffer terrible pmt). I have heard GP's are reluctant to prescribe them as they are addictive.

OP posts:
OverRated · 05/12/2007 18:27

Different ADs (or other meds for anxiety) won't necessarily give you reflux.

I have the same problem so do empathise. In desparation, last week, I had some scotch (which I never ever drink and don't really like) and it worked wonders Don't really want to get into relying on that though.

Original poster
JinglyJangly · 05/12/2007 18:32

OverRated - I did resort to drinking a whole bottle of wine most nights in a desperate attempt to get some sleep then came to my senses that its not ideal .
Could never drink whisky.

Maybe I will go back to the GP and see what she says.

OP posts:
Flier · 05/12/2007 18:34

I'll try and post those tips later on.

lou33 · 05/12/2007 18:34

yes i did, these are similar to diazepam, he said i must only take them a few days in a row or i will get hooked

am picking up ad's tomorrow

like you i have been unable to take them before, for some reason, but he has asked me to try these ones

CoteDAzur · 05/12/2007 18:50

Get some over the counter allergy pills. Anti-histamine is a great sleeping aid! [Ask before you buy if it is the sleep-inducing kind, though, as some of the newer generation pills are not]

CoteDAzur · 05/12/2007 18:51

And you don't get addicted to anti-histamine pills like you do to anti-depressants.

FrayedKnot · 05/12/2007 18:56

My DH has taken zopiclone in the past, and it is very effective, the only problem he says is he feels quite lethargic and drowsy in the morning.

We have also both taken stugeron which is available otc for travel sickness. I sometimes get dizziness with migraines which make it really hard to sleep and it helps.

DH also takes it occasionally to break a cycle of insomnia because he is not taking any prescription sleeping pills atm.

He has had chronic insomnia for years and years, and also has acid reflux, and his insomnia is always worse when he has had a heavy meal. I think sometimes maybe the reflux keeps him awake without him realizing.

Just some thoughts, HTH.

BadKittenInAPearTree · 05/12/2007 19:02

i'm having the same problem atm can't get to sleep and can't stay asleep. I've heard lettuce sandwhiches are good but haven't really helped in past.

Things I know that help me are making sure my feet are warm enough (but that I'm not too hot)herbally tea with hops in or a nice hoppy german alcohol and a bizarrely a piece of cheddar. Another thing I have found is seeing time that I can't sleep as 'me' time. A time where it is all quiet and no-one is making demands of me.

But as I cant be arsed with all that tonight I think a beer a whiskey nightcap will do me thankyou very much.

Hope you get a better nights sleep tonight.

BadKittenInAPearTree · 05/12/2007 19:03

oops nice hoppy german alcohol free beer that was meant to say!

lou33 · 05/12/2007 19:15

FK, how long before bed did he take them? i need to be able to do the school run int he mornings

FrayedKnot · 05/12/2007 19:30

Lou I think he took them shortly before bed which would be about 10.30pm on a work night, and usually got up aorund 6.45am. He was always OK to drive to work and so on, just said he felt it difficult to get going, and rather drowsy.

He also usually used to only take 1/2 a tablet when he had to get up for work the next day.

ggirlsbells · 05/12/2007 19:33

I quite often have trouble falling asleep and I take melatonin.I got some from Canada when I was visiting family,you may beable to get it on prescription here.

FioFio · 05/12/2007 19:33

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liath · 05/12/2007 19:34

Passiflora isn't bad if you want to try the herbal route.

I find white noise helps, like a radio on very low but at its worst have needed zopiclone, which put me out like a light.

FioFio · 05/12/2007 19:34

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Original poster
JinglyJangly · 05/12/2007 19:52

Thanks for replies. I am going to have another read through and decide what to do tomorrow. I really am desperate for a good nights sleep.

OP posts:
lou33 · 05/12/2007 20:04

thanks fk

doc has told me to take them for no more than 3 nights in a row, then to have a break, or else i will get to love them too much lol

Flier · 06/12/2007 10:13

JinglyJangly Imanaged to find my course notes online, so here is a link to the one relating to sleep, hope its of some help.

glasgowsteps.quietscience.com/_media/documents/sleep.pdf