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No there is not an obvious recipe. That is an ignorant statement. I have had insomnia off and on for years now. I am healthy and physically active. I am not stressed at all about anything.
Sometimes there is a reason for insomnia and it can be helped. But for many it's an ongoing frustration with no reason for it and no real help except with medication.
Agree. I can tell you that lack of estrogen causes it. We cancer survivors take hormone blockers and I call it my anti-sleep pill. He may have to choose between ED and insomnia but others are choosing between death and insomnia. I am guessing possibly as men age, their reduced testosterone causes it as well.
At low doses, I'm not aware of any information (note, I did not say "studies" because who pays for studies is almost never considered when quoting them as "factual, peer-reviewed god-inspired reports) - I'm not aware of any info that indicates CBD/THC edibles (mints) in small doses have any adverse side effects.
I was on trazodone for about 10 years but had to quit due to side effects. It worked well for several years, and I was so pleased to be able to sleep like a normal person. But then I developed dizzy spells. I'd be sitting at the dinner table and out of nowhere, I'd feel a weird spinning sensation inside my head. Or I'd be lying in bed and suddenly felt as if I were spinning on a giant revolving turntable. These episodes were brief but scary. My sense of balance was so off that I took several nasty falls.
I gradually withdrew from the drug, tapering the dosage over a period of about two weeks. But the withdrawal symptoms were unpleasant. I felt uneasy, restless and ill, as if I were coming down with the flu. It took a few days before I started feeling normal again. In place of trazodone, I started using over the counter remedies containing dipenhydramine (Benadryl) or doxylamine succinate (Unisom), which worked well. But I have concerns about long-term use of these antihistamine-based remedies. Using antihistamines regularly as a sleep aid has been correlated with increased risk of dementia in seniors (I'm 70).
Now I use a combination of medical cannabis, CBD and melatonin. Like Luckyd609, I don't enjoy the fuzzy-headed feeling of being stoned. But at bedtime that woozy feeling does help me drop off. If all else fails - as it did last night when I'd had too much caffeine - I will take the occasional Benadryl, and that does the trick.
For those who have tried antihistamines without success, you might try cutting the dose in half. Some people are sensitive to these substances, and too much can cause nervousness. A smaller dose might actually work better for you.
I hate antihistamines. Never take them. They also don't make me sleep. They give you a great big dose when you first have some types of chemo because some people have horrible allergic reactions. They said some people sleep all day and I was barely even out at all.
I am 47 and have been prescribed Ambien since I was 22 years old. I take 20 mg during one week of the month and 15 mg the rest of the month. I have tried everything else and just go with this regimen now. I get about 6-7 hours of sleep per night nd function much better than I do without it. I tired Trazodone and couldn't believe the hangover effect it had...besides it was not intended for sleep disorders and I had a problem with that. I did try medical marijuana, but just ended up high and then taking the Ambien. I did not care for the high feeling at all. I do have to put an apple next to the bed so I don't stumble around looking for food though! I have done that once or twice but solved it with the apple/fruit near the nightstand (which is weird but, hey....).
Thanks for mentioning a sleep mask - that is an important aid - I went back and added it to my post.
I am HUGE believer in them. They MUST be black, IMO. I buy a fancy one at Bloomingdales that is made out of silk when I can get it on sale. It's very nice.
No it isn't ignorance and fear. I have been observing this is real life and on health forums for a long time. MDs have a tendency to push drugs. This is widely acknowledged, it isn't just me.
From my perspective, ignorance is accepting everything MDs tell you. They learn a certain way of looking at things, and it is not always the best way.
Your perspective is your opinion. And since you have listed no credentials that could bolster that opinion it will stay as such.
You assume a lot. You have no idea what people go through before they take medications. You have no idea how much they believe their doctor or not. It is not a zero sum game.
Look my only beef with you is that you insult people. You may not realize you are doing it, but you are.
I am all for natural approaches and I have done many. I would much rather take a natural approach to my health which I value. But that is not to be for me. And it is not to be for others as well.
Insomnia is such a frustrating condition the las thing people here want is to be made to feel they are doing something wrong by taking doctor prescribed meds after they have tried everything else.
To the OP you can order CBD oil online. Look at reviews since supplements are not regulated and you could get a load of crap.
I have ordered some and I am hoping it will help with my insomnia.
To the OP you can order CBD oil online. Look at reviews since supplements are not regulated and you could get a load of crap.
I have ordered some and I am hoping it will help with my insomnia.
He is taking medical marijuana so he has legal access to products. I believe that medically dispersed CBD is regulated so he should have access to quality items.
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He is taking medical marijuana so he has legal access to products. I believe that medically dispersed CBD is regulated so he should have access to quality items.
That is good. I am really hoping that the CBD works for me. If not I will continue with my low dose of Ambien.
Back on topic.... let's assume the OP has tried non-medical treatment.
Thank you Mikala43. Yes let's get back on topic. I practice good sleep hygiene and have for years. We have a fan going at night, the bedroom is kept at 55 to 60 F. I don't have sleep Apnea, so that is not an issue. My wife and I put a twin and queen bed together so we have a large area to sleep in. I can roll over constantly and it doesn't bother her. We also have a spare bedroom that I can go to if need be.
I've been working with a sleep specialist since the early 90's.
I start working on my sleep medication at about 9:30 pm, so by 10 to 10:30 I'm ready for bed. I generally fall asleep quickly. The problem is I usually wake up between 1:00 to 2:00 am. In the past, I would take some Tryptophan, Valerian root and Melotonin. That did the trick to get another 2 to 3 hours of sleep. I try to get off the computer by 9 pm. I pretty much wind down for an hour or so and am pretty sleepy by 10. This regimen usually works pretty well.
When I read the side effects of Trazodone, the bells went off. My problem is rare, but is listed as a side effect of Trazodone. The problem I'm having now is a rebound effect from stopping Trazodone to soon. I should have tapered and will start that now.
I've also tried meditation with no positive results. Understand this: I've had sleep issues since I was 9 years old. I take after my mother, who had sleep issues all her life. I was diagnosed as a Primary insomniac in the mid 80's. The mistake was going cold turkey. Not a good idea.
Thanks for all the input! I'll keep you posted on the results.
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