OT: sleep aids

[Gators]

Since getting sober, i've not slept good at all. Tried OTC route, the natural stuff doesn't work for me, and benadryl gives me a terrible groggy hangover. Was taking 1 ativan at bedtime, but then 1 quit working, went to 2, then decided i need not play w/ fire, benzos are VERY addictive. MD prescribed Elavil, and OMG, that stuff kicked my arse, terribly terribly hung over the next day, in a fog all day...

Anyone had experiences like this, and found something that helped get ya to sleep but not make you sooo groggy in the am? I guess my next try is Lunesta, ambien is very addictive so little scared of it. Any info would be good, thanks

 

[bboveri]

ALRI Lean Dreams, love that stuff!

 

[Designbuilt]

I like Unisom, Walsom is the same thing but much cheaper. They work great! I like the 50mg. gel caps. I started taking them when I quit drinking as well. The secret is to take it a good hour or more before bedtime and let them really hit you, then dose off.

 

[Eureka]

Ativan is what they give you to detox from alchol. They effects may stay with you for a while. I'd say if you just stopped drinking just give it a bit more time and it will pass a little while after detox. Ask your doctor about Trazadone.

 

[olded]

tylenol pm works well, deep muscle relaxation tape/cd helps also.

 

[maximis17]

i would suggeat advil liquid gels PM or unisom

 

[Gators]

advil pm and unisom use benadryl, or diphenhydramine, which puts me in a am fog to the point i don't want to get up and lift... Someone pm'd me that True Proteins sleep aid works great, think i'll try that before i go forward w/ another scrip... I even had 2 doses of naked hotty before bedtime and i still could not fall asleep

 

[willylee]

Melatonin works wonders!!!

 

[thebrick]

I just got a bottle in of trueprotein's sleep aid. I have heard good things about it. I'll let you know how that goes after tonight. I am a terrible sleeper now that I am older.

That OTC stuff leaves me foggy the next day. Hate that.

 

[HawaiiMuscle]

Melatonin works wonders!!!

3-5mgs...30 minutes later, lights out

 

[overman]

depends...

Clean from what? Drug-of-choice? How many days clean? Any other diagnoses? Depression, Anxiety? Sleep Apnea? Tobacco use? Daytime sleepiness?

Did your Doctor ask you these questions?

Difficulty initiating sleep? Maintaining sleep? Early morning awakenings? Total non-restorative sleep? Insomnia related to discontinuation of substance(s)?

Behavioral Sleep Medicine (BSM) is always an option; however, it requires committment and persistence. The gains achieved are superior to medication and maintained for much longer. BSM includes several components: Cognitive Restructuring, Sleep Scheduling, Stimulus Control, Relaxation Response, and Sleep Hygiene. BSM is an ALL-encompassing approach with overwhelming evidence supporting its efficacy.

I know achieving sobriety (not just peeing clean) is very difficult and I really respect your decision.

Always consult a physician- there are many available sleep aids (including off-label use) that may be appropriate (i.e., Seroquel, Remeron, Elavil, Neurontin, etc). I would NOT recommend a sedative-hypnotic at this time as it may increase your potential for relapse (just facts, not against you).

Something to consider: if sleep and sobriety is very important to you, consider a combination of sleep medication and BSM. There are ways to taper-off sleep medication while developing good sleep habits and a sound sleep schedule. I can recommend some literature and additional information if you so desire. Good luck!

 

[subby]

when i was under a lot of stress and could not sleep, i seen my doctor. she didnt want to put me on sleeping meds and recomended me taking 2 benadryl before sleep.. worked very well for me..

 

[Styles]

Melatonin right to sleep and you wake up the next morning but without the hangover feeling. 3-5 mgs is perfect for me.

 

[vadim_b1]

he cant fall asleep from 1 ativan and youre suggesting melatonin.

uh huh

 

[Snuka]

I just got a bottle in of trueprotein's sleep aid. I have heard good things about it. I'll let you know how that goes after tonight. I am a terrible sleeper now that I am older.

That OTC stuff leaves me foggy the next day. Hate that.

Im on that stuff right now its pretty good. NO lethargy the next day. Its been hit or miss with me sometimes I cant fall asleep, but I stay asleep. Other times its if I wake up to take a piss, Im not tired enough to go to bed it will take me another 2 hours to get back to sleep.

 

[Gators]

I think i'll try the TP sleep aid before i try another scrip, i really don't want to continue meds, much rather go otc if possible, until my life normalizes and i get back to my normal sleep rhythms. thanks for all the feedback

 

[tpd01883]

Since getting sober, i've not slept good at all. Tried OTC route, the natural stuff doesn't work for me, and benadryl gives me a terrible groggy hangover. Was taking 1 ativan at bedtime, but then 1 quit working, went to 2, then decided i need not play w/ fire, benzos are VERY addictive. MD prescribed Elavil, and OMG, that stuff kicked my arse, terribly terribly hung over the next day, in a fog all day...

Anyone had experiences like this, and found something that helped get ya to sleep but not make you sooo groggy in the am? I guess my next try is Lunesta, ambien is very addictive so little scared of it. Any info would be good, thanks

Trazodone works well...Start with 50mg ed. It will kind of leave you feeling groggy the next day for the first week but after that you get used to it and it works very well. I've been on it for the past 3 weeks for opiate detox. I take 75mg every night and feel great the next day. I'm now only taking it once every 3 nights or so now when I REALLY need the sleep. I'm finally getting back to the point where I can sleep on my own, but I only sleep for 4-5 hours so I take it after a few days to catch myself back up.

 

[xxsuprman22xx]

I think i'll try the TP sleep aid before i try another scrip, i really don't want to continue meds, much rather go otc if possible, until my life normalizes and i get back to my normal sleep rhythms. thanks for all the feedback

let us know how that works out for you

i need something as well but dont want to approach my doc for fear of being pulled off test or the accutane.

 

[PharmGrown]

I think i'll try the TP sleep aid before i try another scrip, i really don't want to continue meds, much rather go otc if possible, until my life normalizes and i get back to my normal sleep rhythms. thanks for all the feedback

I heard this was good as well. Let us know your feedback on it

 

[Gators]

I will, i'll order some tomorrow

Trazadone is very similar to Elavil, which totally kicked my arse, like wiped me out all day. Evidently i'm sensitive to that kind of 'stuff', even benadryl makes me feel groggy all am.... I've done Ambien before, no hangover, but the addictive qualities scare me, to say i have an addictive personality is a understatement...