<p>Please try to stay away from the sleeping pills, it is sad to need a pill to sleep every night. I’ve just seem too many people get dependent on sleeping pills. Potential for too many problems. Nyquil is great knock out because it is full of alcohol. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) it is a no-no for seniors because of the cns and anticholinergic side effects. Try all the other non med interventions. The problem I have with herbals is that the manufacturers don’t have to follow any standards. Bottles from different lots could possibly be very different in the potency and product.</p>
<p>I am very happy with our foam top from Costco-I think it really helped lots for about a $100. I bought it after I got one for the son to take to college.</p>
<p>For years I was a lousy sleeper, tired all day, now I sleep great.</p>
<p>Don’t forget the pillow. You may need to splurge and try a few possibilities. I realize everyone’s head shape is different but for me an all-foam pillow was the trick. It’s irresistable. There aren’t many out there (which I can’t understand) but mine is from JCPenney, about $30-40.</p>
<p>I always sleep with a small electric fan, like ldmom. The fan and a smaller foam pillow travel with me.</p>
<p>Melatonin sometimes. Only side effect, for me, is I remember my (generally unhappy) dreams. Ambien once in a great while, if I’m lying awake an hour after going to bed which is rare. Always works. Benedryl works too but causes residual effects of tiredness the next day, while ambien and melatonin don’t.</p>
<p>Some foods induce sleepiness, like a spoonful of honey. Almonds, bananas have tryptophan (sp?) in significant amount (the ingredient in turkey that makes you tired)…according to GMA today or yesterday.</p>
<p>I wrote a reply, and then didn’t post, but here goes.</p>
<p>First, anyone who is so bothered by night time wakefulness and daytime tiredness that s/he would consider long time use of OTC sleep aids, should see a sleep physician. Some sleep disorders are associated with potentially serious medical problems, and need prof evaluation, ie sleep apnea for example, but there are other things. </p>
<p>While you are waiting to see the sleep doc - I use these strategies - no caffeine after about 2pm, light exercise if at all possible, hot bath before bedtime, bedtime routine including a book. I have 2am wakefulness that is partly hormonal (maybe early hot flashes), and is accompanied by reflux/heartburn, I take OTC Prilosec for a few days, and that helps my sleep because it is the reflux that is waking me up.</p>
<p>I do keep some Ambien for rare use and overseas flights, but I have had amnesia from Ambien, and I don’t like to take it. It can leave you groggy if you have to wake up before the recommended time (?6-8 hours), but not as bad as Benadryl. One Tylenol PM is plenty for me, and two often will cause me to have weird extrapyramidal symptoms - take only as directed! Another strategy I use is to buy children’s cold medicine, like children’s Benadryl or Dimetapp, and take a very small antihistamine dose - this is often enough to cause me to drift off to sleep.</p>
<p>I stress again, chronic wakefulness/daytime sleepiness that does not respond to caffeine removal and mild exercise, a glass of wine and a hot bath, should be evaluated by a physician.</p>
<p>I go the gym and exercise about 5 nights a week, getting home at 10 pm or so ( I am up at 6) the exercise actually helps me go to sleep- ( I also shower there and sometimes sauna which doesn’t hurt either! ) if your body hasn’t gotten used enough during the day- it might not be * ready* to go to sleep!</p>
<p>I do wake up at little noises and when the dog goes in and out of my room-( and off the bed) but I go back to sleep.</p>
<p>I don’t take naps during the day ever unless I am ill.
no food close to bed- ditto alcohol.</p>
<p>I do have to read- always- ( well most always- something in bed anyway- sometimes I watch a whole season of 24 on my laptop but I wouldn’t recommend it if you want to go to sleep-)</p>
<p>Some things that have helped my son, myself or friends are: the small fan at bedside, a white noise machine, no caffeine at all, regular exercise, going to bed a little later at night. One friend went to a dr. to talk about her “sleep” problem–she was waking up between 3 and 4 each night. When he questioned her, she admitted that she went to bed at 9pm–he told her that at age 50 many people don’t need more than 6 or 7 hours a night–she was trying to sleep too much. Now she stays up until 11 or 12 and can sleep until morning.</p>
