anyone here regular users of Nytol / other otc sleeping pills?

[Jenkeywoo]

I have suffered bouts of insomnia at various times in my life- the worst being whilst I was pregnant so no idea why I'm going through this now as I'm not pregnant. Basically about a month ago I started having one bad night a week - where I would drift off to sleep but then wake every 15 mins or so throughout the night. It was so exhausting. In the last couple of weeks I started having more and more bad nights and just couldn't function looking after my children. I bought some melatonin which helps me to drop off to sleep but doesn't keep me asleep - also nytol (diphenhydramine) - it works so well and if I take 50mg I sleep deeply until the morning. The problem is that now I can't sleep without it - as soon as it gets to bedtime I start getting very anxious and if I try to sleep on my own I'm just lying there getting more and more anxious for an hour or so until I take a tablet. I do not want to take regular drugs but don't know how to stop it now and I need sleep to be able to look after my two dd's (aged 2 and 3). I have read that if you use Nytol for more than 2 weeks without a break you become resistant and need to take higher and higher doses. God this a nightmare - I just want it go away but I don't know how. I'm seeing the GP on Friday so I will discuss it then but until then I have 4 more nights of hell.

i use Nytol and also Kalms. you can take them through the day but I just take some in eevening andnthen 3 before bed. Herbal. They really do work and I haven't actually had a Nytol for ages! Give them a go. Proper sleeping tablets work so well that I avoid them as they are very addictive for me (but nice to have as my emergency back ups)See, i'm addicted to them so don't start if at all poss!
Try to meditate/unwind for good half hour before bed and exercise really does help me when I can be arsed. Sorry if patronising! Hope you get some quality sleep soon.

sleep disturbance can be an indicator of depression

I always have trouble sleeping. I did use nytol and kalms and then stopped buying them as they didn't work after a while. I use valarium root now, which usually helps me drift off and stay drifted.
I know what you mean about stressing about not sleeping and that means you can't sleep because you're stressed about sleeping... it's a vicious cycle.
Things that help are a bedtime routine- what ever you find works (I need to read until I litertally fall asleep, otherwise my mind wanders!), and get some exercise during the day so your body is tired too. I have found I can drift off easier since I started cycling often, and stopped drinking coffee in the evening too!

bbbee's right, but it can also be stress, diet, caffine...jenkywoo you need to look at your lifestyle as a whole to see what you can do. Be proactive!

BTW I heard that it should take about 15 minutes to fall asleep. Less means your too tired, more means your not tired enough.

valerian root capsules from the health food shop, stink like manure but really knock you out.
maybe you could try breaking the nytol dependancy by using the valerian for a night or two?

tho tbh, i think this is all indicative of slightly deeper probs and stresses - are you doing anything to help with those?

I see you posted at 22.44.
I'm an insomniac and have a friend who is also insomniac to the point where he spent thousands at a sleep clinic. They told him to to turn off computer by 9pm and get himself a bedtime routine. You need to unwind before you sleep.
Posting this at midnight, I'm hardly one to preach. You're not alone.

thanks for the replies - yes, the sleep problems are of course due to other stresses - at the moment I am being consumed by my dd's special needs - she has cerebral palsy affecting her legs and I found it really hard yesterday at her 2nd birthday party when her all friends were running around the house and she can ony try to crawl after them. I'm seeing a doctor on Friday about the possibility of anti-depressants and have also arranged some counselling through a special needs charity - that starts next week. I'm determined not to let this beat me. After I posted earlier tonight I found myself getting really really anxious and nearly went into full blown panic mode so I put on my trainers and went for a quick run (wobble) down the street! It really helped and I do feel calmer now but I think I'm still going to take a tablet to keep me in this calm frame of mind. Thank you for the advice - I think I'll give
valerian a go.

aw jenky, no wonder youre having trouble with anxiety. thinking of you. hope you got some rest last night.

Thanks, last night wasn't too bad. I drifted off by about 1am and wasn't woken by dd until 6am - but I did have to take half a nytol to do it. It's crap isn't it? in the day time I just feel a bit stressed but can function but as soon as night falls it all goes haywire.

hey i know the feeling. its a classic symptom of anxiety, so dont beat yourself up.