DESPERATELY want to go back to bed
September 27, 2010 10:13 PM Subscribe
Short-term insomnia not responding to melatonin. HELP.
My work hours switched to being JUUUUST a bit earlier than I'm used to back in March, and it took me a few months to adjust, but I did. Then, stress from taking care of a sick pet threw my sleep cycle out of wack again (that happens when I'm under a lot of stress).
And now, I'm out of wack again --- either I can't get to sleep soon enough (need to be asleep by 10:30, and it's 1 now), or I wake up earlier than I need to (need to wake up at 6, I wake up at 5).
Everyone swore by melatonin, so I tried that. But -- I took two melatonin at 10 tonight, and felt groggy for the next hour or so -- then the groggy went away and I woke back up, never really falling asleep.
NOW what? What sleep aids actually get you TO finally fall asleep?
My work hours switched to being JUUUUST a bit earlier than I'm used to back in March, and it took me a few months to adjust, but I did. Then, stress from taking care of a sick pet threw my sleep cycle out of wack again (that happens when I'm under a lot of stress).
And now, I'm out of wack again --- either I can't get to sleep soon enough (need to be asleep by 10:30, and it's 1 now), or I wake up earlier than I need to (need to wake up at 6, I wake up at 5).
Everyone swore by melatonin, so I tried that. But -- I took two melatonin at 10 tonight, and felt groggy for the next hour or so -- then the groggy went away and I woke back up, never really falling asleep.
NOW what? What sleep aids actually get you TO finally fall asleep?
Benadryl. Even just a quarter of a benadryl tab works for me. In fact, more than that and I get too sleepy for too long, but I think I'm particularly sensitive to it.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 10:21 PM on September 27, 2010
posted by rabbitrabbit at 10:21 PM on September 27, 2010
Benadryl. Knocks me out. I feel kind of hung-over the next morning, but sometimes it's worth it.
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 10:22 PM on September 27, 2010
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 10:22 PM on September 27, 2010
Monotonous podcasts. That shit is like Rohypnol. You can listen while you're awake, and then their voices put you to sleep.
I liked the very long a history of Rome. It's good enough to listen to wide awake, and dry enough to be auditory chloroform. Once I've dropped off a coupla time, I just take my headphones out and I'm gone.
posted by smoke at 10:22 PM on September 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
I liked the very long a history of Rome. It's good enough to listen to wide awake, and dry enough to be auditory chloroform. Once I've dropped off a coupla time, I just take my headphones out and I'm gone.
posted by smoke at 10:22 PM on September 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
Benadryl works for me most of the time, unless I'm really mentally amped up -- half of one will give me at least 4-5 hours (and sometimes 6 or 7) without much grogginess the next day. I know it doesn't work for everyone, though.
Don't know if you're interested in a prescription, but just FYI, Lunesta gives me the most "clean" deep sleep of anything I've ever tried (including melatonin, valerian, tranquilizers, etc.).
posted by scody at 10:23 PM on September 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Don't know if you're interested in a prescription, but just FYI, Lunesta gives me the most "clean" deep sleep of anything I've ever tried (including melatonin, valerian, tranquilizers, etc.).
posted by scody at 10:23 PM on September 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
OTC: Benadryl, Tylenol PM (although both may leave you groggy)
Prescription: Ambien, Lorazepam
posted by hapax_legomenon at 10:23 PM on September 27, 2010
Prescription: Ambien, Lorazepam
posted by hapax_legomenon at 10:23 PM on September 27, 2010
Response by poster: Unfortunately my financial situation is keeping me from going to the doctor right now (I HAVE insurance, but I honestly and literally can't afford to lose the wages I'd spend going TO the doctor -- on a tangent, I had a job interview Wednesday that could change that, though, so fingers crossed), but enough people in here have recommended Benadryl that I"m going to look into that. Can I get that OTC?
I've tried Tylenol PM, and THAT also had similar results as the melatonin (I start getting groggy, but never get into full-on sleep).
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:26 PM on September 27, 2010
I've tried Tylenol PM, and THAT also had similar results as the melatonin (I start getting groggy, but never get into full-on sleep).
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:26 PM on September 27, 2010
(smoke has a good idea, too. I'll often play an episode of Nova or something on my laptop on my nightstand, and let the screen saver kick in so I'm just listening to it. Something interesting enough to keep me from focusing on not being able to fall asleep, but not something really exciting that will keep me up wondering who the killer was, etc.)
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 10:26 PM on September 27, 2010
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 10:26 PM on September 27, 2010
Valerian? I find it tends to slow/clear my mind long enough for me to fall asleep, and doesn't cause drowsiness the next day. Of course YMMV.
posted by grapesaresour at 10:27 PM on September 27, 2010
posted by grapesaresour at 10:27 PM on September 27, 2010
Response by poster: Iamabot -- er, you realize you're recommending melatonin to someone who's saying that melatonin HASN'T WORKED?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:27 PM on September 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:27 PM on September 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Benadryl is definitely OTC. And available as store brands (just look for Diphenhydramine HCl)
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 10:27 PM on September 27, 2010
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 10:27 PM on September 27, 2010
Yes, Benadryl is OTC. It's so common that pretty much every chain drug and grocery store has a generic version usually just called Allergy Medicine or something like that. Look for something in a pink and white box.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 10:29 PM on September 27, 2010
posted by rabbitrabbit at 10:29 PM on September 27, 2010
I use pzizz. I often have to force myself to listen to the music, but it often works quite well.
posted by Solomon at 10:33 PM on September 27, 2010
posted by Solomon at 10:33 PM on September 27, 2010
Yep, look for the pink and white box of "allergy medicine"/antihistamine -- Benadryl is just the major brand name. It also is the same ingredient, as noted upthread, in Tylenol PM -- the generic form of which is usually in a blue and white box called "sleep aid" or something similar. Sometimes the pink box will be cheaper; sometimes the blue box will be cheaper. But it's the same thing.
posted by scody at 10:35 PM on September 27, 2010
posted by scody at 10:35 PM on September 27, 2010
Dramamine works like Benadryl with less hangover for me. One Benadryl makes me sleep for approximately 47 hours, i admit I'm a bit of an outlier but I'd start with a partial dose and work your way up.
posted by fshgrl at 10:40 PM on September 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by fshgrl at 10:40 PM on September 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
My yoga teacher recommended this to me (it works really well!) when I was having problems sleeping and having no luck with sleep aids:
Lay in bed on your back with your hands by your side and palms up. Just concentrate on listening to your own breathing and clear your head of crazy thoughts.
posted by astapasta24 at 10:43 PM on September 27, 2010
Lay in bed on your back with your hands by your side and palms up. Just concentrate on listening to your own breathing and clear your head of crazy thoughts.
posted by astapasta24 at 10:43 PM on September 27, 2010
Yep, there is no magic bullet to sleep. If melatonin alone isn't working make sure you're getting exercise during normal waking hours, and that the sleeping environment eliminates distractions.
I totally get the not sleeping thing, I'm an off an on insomniac for the last 15 years or so, I know what kind of crazy it makes you. A pill is not going to make this work long term, it's about prepping your body and your mind to sleep, because if one part of that equation decides thats leeps not happening it will continue to mess with you.
Stop the caffeine too if you haven't already, lay off eating after 6pm, and exercise. A normal pattern for me takes about a week to get going after I've gone off the normal pattern due to being on call or dealing with work stress.
posted by iamabot at 10:44 PM on September 27, 2010
I totally get the not sleeping thing, I'm an off an on insomniac for the last 15 years or so, I know what kind of crazy it makes you. A pill is not going to make this work long term, it's about prepping your body and your mind to sleep, because if one part of that equation decides thats leeps not happening it will continue to mess with you.
Stop the caffeine too if you haven't already, lay off eating after 6pm, and exercise. A normal pattern for me takes about a week to get going after I've gone off the normal pattern due to being on call or dealing with work stress.
posted by iamabot at 10:44 PM on September 27, 2010
Doxylamine succinate is another antihistamine that is a potent hypnotic. It's sold OTC under the brand Unisom in the U.S.
posted by jingzuo at 10:45 PM on September 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by jingzuo at 10:45 PM on September 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
Peter Gillham's Natural Calm (available at most natural food stores) makes me sleepy-eyed. Also, my brother counts backward from 100, though this never works for me. Guess it's a personal thing.
posted by zagyzebra at 10:46 PM on September 27, 2010
posted by zagyzebra at 10:46 PM on September 27, 2010
Response by poster: lay off eating after 6 pm
....Can't. I don't get home until 6:30.
(The root problem in all of this is a longer-than-usual commute, and I have started making BIG steps towards changing that -- but that's not going to happen overnight, and this is all about "tiding me over until things are back to normal".)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:47 PM on September 27, 2010
....Can't. I don't get home until 6:30.
(The root problem in all of this is a longer-than-usual commute, and I have started making BIG steps towards changing that -- but that's not going to happen overnight, and this is all about "tiding me over until things are back to normal".)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:47 PM on September 27, 2010
Instead of just looking for a 'pink and white box', look for the ingredient diphenhydramine. This is the generic name for Benadryl. Diphenhydramine and doxylamine are sold under 'sleep aid' labeling as the brand "Unisom".
However, not all sleep scheduling issues are solved by pills (and pills have side effects, so that is a drawback). I recommend looking at 'sleep hygiene' - it's free, and it's what's recommended by doctors before trying prescription medications. Sleep hygiene means keeping a routine before bed to help wind you down, not watching TV or using the computer in bed (or doing either one of those things in the hour before bed), no caffeine, etc. I realize that this issue has come up for you because you were forced to change your sleep schedule, but sleep hygiene is still a good idea. By the way, one of the concepts of sleep hygiene is that if you are still awake after a half hour of lying in bed, not to keep lying there and waiting. To get up, do something boring and calming like reading for a little while, then trying to go to bed again.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 10:53 PM on September 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
However, not all sleep scheduling issues are solved by pills (and pills have side effects, so that is a drawback). I recommend looking at 'sleep hygiene' - it's free, and it's what's recommended by doctors before trying prescription medications. Sleep hygiene means keeping a routine before bed to help wind you down, not watching TV or using the computer in bed (or doing either one of those things in the hour before bed), no caffeine, etc. I realize that this issue has come up for you because you were forced to change your sleep schedule, but sleep hygiene is still a good idea. By the way, one of the concepts of sleep hygiene is that if you are still awake after a half hour of lying in bed, not to keep lying there and waiting. To get up, do something boring and calming like reading for a little while, then trying to go to bed again.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 10:53 PM on September 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
It's not a bible, figure out what works for you, if you don't get home till 6:30, eat as early as you can.
You are going to have to play around with this a bit, please don't go looking for a magic pill, I did that for 10 years and it just doesn't exist for some people. For me at least it's a lifestyle thing and it takes a number of things working in sync to enable me to recover from really off periods.
It means being cautious with caffeine, eating early in the evenings, white noise when I can't sleep, melatonin 30 minutes before bed when required, a walk after dinner or other exercise during the day and not paying attention to the blackberry or watching TV after a certain hour unless I have to.
I hope it works out for you, I know the hell insomnia is. It is life and personality ruining.
posted by iamabot at 10:57 PM on September 27, 2010
You are going to have to play around with this a bit, please don't go looking for a magic pill, I did that for 10 years and it just doesn't exist for some people. For me at least it's a lifestyle thing and it takes a number of things working in sync to enable me to recover from really off periods.
It means being cautious with caffeine, eating early in the evenings, white noise when I can't sleep, melatonin 30 minutes before bed when required, a walk after dinner or other exercise during the day and not paying attention to the blackberry or watching TV after a certain hour unless I have to.
I hope it works out for you, I know the hell insomnia is. It is life and personality ruining.
posted by iamabot at 10:57 PM on September 27, 2010
Slight problem - you said you tried TylenolPM but had no luck? Well, for those recommending Benyadril, the prime sleep aid ingredient in both is the same, diphenhydramine.
I have some weird sleep issues, so let me see if I can explain what I do.
I have the same reaction to a normal dose of most OTC diphenhydramine based sleep aids that you do. I have found that diphenhydramine by itself is not usually enough to get me to sleep. First, find a diphenhydramine ONLY sleep aid - Target brand or Kroger brand are what I usually buy, because they have large dose gel caps available (one pill for one dose, rather than two). I usually take two of those (not totally more than 100 mg), with warm water. I find it helps get them into my system faster.
Then, I go lay down, and I put on either some ambient music or some old radio shows as background noise. I then walk myself through a relaxation technique I grew up using. I say "good night" to a series of body parts, starting with my toes. If I move any part I've said good night to, I have to start over.
Once I reach my head, I shut down my mind. If I can't shut down my mind, I repeat the last bit until I can.
I give this an hour. If it doesn't work, I get up, I move around, I do some house work, then I go try it again.
posted by strixus at 10:59 PM on September 27, 2010
I have some weird sleep issues, so let me see if I can explain what I do.
I have the same reaction to a normal dose of most OTC diphenhydramine based sleep aids that you do. I have found that diphenhydramine by itself is not usually enough to get me to sleep. First, find a diphenhydramine ONLY sleep aid - Target brand or Kroger brand are what I usually buy, because they have large dose gel caps available (one pill for one dose, rather than two). I usually take two of those (not totally more than 100 mg), with warm water. I find it helps get them into my system faster.
Then, I go lay down, and I put on either some ambient music or some old radio shows as background noise. I then walk myself through a relaxation technique I grew up using. I say "good night" to a series of body parts, starting with my toes. If I move any part I've said good night to, I have to start over.
Once I reach my head, I shut down my mind. If I can't shut down my mind, I repeat the last bit until I can.
I give this an hour. If it doesn't work, I get up, I move around, I do some house work, then I go try it again.
posted by strixus at 10:59 PM on September 27, 2010
Renting a room that gets little light and has thick denim curtains magically solved the sleep issues I'd had since January. It is so dark that when I wake up I have no idea the sun is rising. So, try blackout curtains or something like them.
posted by needs more cowbell at 11:41 PM on September 27, 2010
posted by needs more cowbell at 11:41 PM on September 27, 2010
Prescription: Ambien, Lorazepam
wiki: "Gabapentin has limited usefulness in the treatment of anxiety disorders such as social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, in treatment-resistant depression, and for insomnia."
It can help some people sleep better, particularly with the problem of waking up too early.
posted by StickyCarpet at 11:44 PM on September 27, 2010
wiki: "Gabapentin has limited usefulness in the treatment of anxiety disorders such as social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, in treatment-resistant depression, and for insomnia."
It can help some people sleep better, particularly with the problem of waking up too early.
posted by StickyCarpet at 11:44 PM on September 27, 2010
Seconding Dramamine. It's marketed for motion sickness and nausea, but its also great as a mild sleep aid. It works very well for me, creating a gradual drowsiness and no sluggishness upon waking. Dramamine's active ingredient is dimenhydrinate which is a salt of two drugs, one being diphenhydramine (the active ingredient in Benadryl), but because of its composition, most people find that it doesn't create the "hangover" effect that is a main complaint for Benadryl.
posted by amyms at 11:52 PM on September 27, 2010
posted by amyms at 11:52 PM on September 27, 2010
From a different thread:
"... what makes camping work for me is the lack of light after sunset as well as the abundance of it at dawn ... In these Modern Times, it's damn near impossible to live with other people and not have bright light available right up to bedtime; and under those conditions, I'm pretty much fated to operate as a night owl."
In other words, being a night owl (and/or staying up at night) is sometimes the natural reaction to living in the 21st century, where we have lights on and often sit in front of the computer or TV screen until just before bedtime.
My suggestion: strongly limit the amount of light around you at night. When it gets dark outside, turn on your house/apt lights only as far as the "dim" setting, or just don't turn them on and use natural streetlight to see instead. Dim your computer screen too, and don't use the computer at all after 8 pm. Sitting in darkness without looking at artificially bright lamps or screens can really make a difference. Then, if you can, arrange to wake up with plenty of light, either from a window or from a lamp on a timer.
This is essentially like "camping" at home, from the perspective of how much light enters your eyes at night. Plus, you can rightly say you're saving electricity!
posted by danceswithlight at 12:03 AM on September 28, 2010
"... what makes camping work for me is the lack of light after sunset as well as the abundance of it at dawn ... In these Modern Times, it's damn near impossible to live with other people and not have bright light available right up to bedtime; and under those conditions, I'm pretty much fated to operate as a night owl."
In other words, being a night owl (and/or staying up at night) is sometimes the natural reaction to living in the 21st century, where we have lights on and often sit in front of the computer or TV screen until just before bedtime.
My suggestion: strongly limit the amount of light around you at night. When it gets dark outside, turn on your house/apt lights only as far as the "dim" setting, or just don't turn them on and use natural streetlight to see instead. Dim your computer screen too, and don't use the computer at all after 8 pm. Sitting in darkness without looking at artificially bright lamps or screens can really make a difference. Then, if you can, arrange to wake up with plenty of light, either from a window or from a lamp on a timer.
This is essentially like "camping" at home, from the perspective of how much light enters your eyes at night. Plus, you can rightly say you're saving electricity!
posted by danceswithlight at 12:03 AM on September 28, 2010
Phenergan works for my husband, who is a real insomniac, and for whom nothing else works. It's an antihistamine available over the counter here in Australia, anyway.
If you can find something that will knock you out, you can use it a few nights running and pay really insane amounts of attention to making sure your routine those nights is identical in every way. Create some "triggers" too, like spraying a particular scent on your pillow, playing a certain piece of music or podcast before sleeping, drinking warm milk, whatever. The point is to get your body to associate those triggers with the quick and easy sleep you get when you take the drug.
Then after a few successful nights, work your way off the drugs, but keep the triggers. Classical conditioning FTW!
posted by lollusc at 1:08 AM on September 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
If you can find something that will knock you out, you can use it a few nights running and pay really insane amounts of attention to making sure your routine those nights is identical in every way. Create some "triggers" too, like spraying a particular scent on your pillow, playing a certain piece of music or podcast before sleeping, drinking warm milk, whatever. The point is to get your body to associate those triggers with the quick and easy sleep you get when you take the drug.
Then after a few successful nights, work your way off the drugs, but keep the triggers. Classical conditioning FTW!
posted by lollusc at 1:08 AM on September 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
Seconding passion flower and lollusc's suggestion about creating sleepytime triggers. The Body Shop sells a sleepytime scent blend you can spray on your pillow if you don't want to go down the lavender oil route. A long bath helps - not too hot, necessarily - just relaxy hot.
I've been through a similar sort of sleeplessness, and cutting back on any and all caffeine after 2PM seemed to help. I was tired because I wasn't sleeping, so I was drinking loads of tea and coffee to give me a boost. I didn't realise just how much I was drinking after 2PM... and how long the caffeine I'd consumed before then was taking to clear from my body.
If you're annoyed about the commute and anxious enough about finances to not want to take time off to see a doc about this, you might have already found the source of your sleeplessness. Hope it eases for you soon...
posted by Grrlscout at 1:59 AM on September 28, 2010
I've been through a similar sort of sleeplessness, and cutting back on any and all caffeine after 2PM seemed to help. I was tired because I wasn't sleeping, so I was drinking loads of tea and coffee to give me a boost. I didn't realise just how much I was drinking after 2PM... and how long the caffeine I'd consumed before then was taking to clear from my body.
If you're annoyed about the commute and anxious enough about finances to not want to take time off to see a doc about this, you might have already found the source of your sleeplessness. Hope it eases for you soon...
posted by Grrlscout at 1:59 AM on September 28, 2010
I've had good luck with 'Sound Sleep' from Gaia Herbs. Basically all the herbs that could possibly help.
And don't drink any alcohol or caffeine during the day.
posted by miss tea at 2:54 AM on September 28, 2010
And don't drink any alcohol or caffeine during the day.
posted by miss tea at 2:54 AM on September 28, 2010
Melatonin doesn't make you sleep, it just makes you tired. It is up to you to do the rest.
If melatonin and benedryl haven't helped, I'm betting you are probably over-caffeinated.
posted by gjc at 2:55 AM on September 28, 2010
If melatonin and benedryl haven't helped, I'm betting you are probably over-caffeinated.
posted by gjc at 2:55 AM on September 28, 2010
Response by poster: Okay, how the FUCK can I be overcaffinated on only TWO cups of coffee a day?? Both in the morning?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:06 AM on September 28, 2010
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:06 AM on September 28, 2010
Response by poster: And my apologies, gjc, the ire in that was not directed at you, but at what must be one hell of a weird biochemistry on my part.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:07 AM on September 28, 2010
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:07 AM on September 28, 2010
A warm bath with the lights low knocks me out more reliably than any OTC medication.
If I have trouble sleeping and I really need the sleep, stressing about that fact keeps me up no matter what. It takes a while to learn to let go of the panic, though. I tell myself that I can't force sleep, but any time spent in bed, calm, and not moving is good, and if I keep that up sleep will happen.
Relaxation/breathing techniques help me, too. I start breathing as fully and as slowly as I can. With each breath in, check in with each body part from the toes up (like strixus mentions) and notice any tension or weirdness, and with each breath out, relax that part.
Yoga can help a lot - if you have any time during the day or weekend, take a class (anything labeled "restorative" is good) and take what you learn from there. Many studios offer free or discounted trial classes for first timers, and you really only need one. If you can't find a nearby class that fits with your schedule and budget, you might be able to find articles, videos, or podcasts that can help. One of the poses that calms me down a lot is viparita karani, which is super easy.
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:36 AM on September 28, 2010
If I have trouble sleeping and I really need the sleep, stressing about that fact keeps me up no matter what. It takes a while to learn to let go of the panic, though. I tell myself that I can't force sleep, but any time spent in bed, calm, and not moving is good, and if I keep that up sleep will happen.
Relaxation/breathing techniques help me, too. I start breathing as fully and as slowly as I can. With each breath in, check in with each body part from the toes up (like strixus mentions) and notice any tension or weirdness, and with each breath out, relax that part.
Yoga can help a lot - if you have any time during the day or weekend, take a class (anything labeled "restorative" is good) and take what you learn from there. Many studios offer free or discounted trial classes for first timers, and you really only need one. If you can't find a nearby class that fits with your schedule and budget, you might be able to find articles, videos, or podcasts that can help. One of the poses that calms me down a lot is viparita karani, which is super easy.
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:36 AM on September 28, 2010
Okay, how the FUCK can I be overcaffinated on only TWO cups of coffee a day?? Both in the morning?
Some people don't break down caffeine at the normal rate. After two cups of coffee in the morning, I'm not even going to be able to sit down comfortably until the next day. Half a cup is my limit, and then only if I have a migraine bad enough to make the side effects worth bearing.
posted by Ery at 4:52 AM on September 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
Some people don't break down caffeine at the normal rate. After two cups of coffee in the morning, I'm not even going to be able to sit down comfortably until the next day. Half a cup is my limit, and then only if I have a migraine bad enough to make the side effects worth bearing.
posted by Ery at 4:52 AM on September 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
Dittoing Ery for the weird caffeine metabolism. If I drink any caffeine, I'm wired for 24 hours. I used to drink a cup or two of coffee in the mornings, but when all else was going well and I still couldn't sleep... I cut out caffeine entirely. Magic. 'Course, then I got insomniac again when stressful situations reared their ugly heads.
Then relaxing and concentrating on breathing helped, as did half an hour of no computer before bed (I like to read in bed, always have since I was a kid, for me it's always helped; when I don't read, I sleep worse). I also have two cats, and just focusing on their antics or lack of antics helps — nothing more happy-fuzzy-feeling-making than a purring furball curled up at your feet/by your thigh/on your head (he likes my pillow). Basically, find what puts you in a content, mindless spot and do that half an hour to an hour before desired bedtime.
The only medication that ever really helped me, and by that I mean REALLY helped me, was an extract of California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) in an alcohol solution. It's sold as an over-the-counter sleep aid here in France. You put a few drops of it in a glass of water; that's all it takes. Non-addictive, non-habit forming, and holy crud it works great. Valerian, melatonin and Benadryl never did much for me. But this? I sleep so well when I take it after stressful days. Peaceful, reparative sleep. No weird medicated feeling, no hangover. It seriously works. Don't know if you can get it in the US, though?
posted by fraula at 5:12 AM on September 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
Then relaxing and concentrating on breathing helped, as did half an hour of no computer before bed (I like to read in bed, always have since I was a kid, for me it's always helped; when I don't read, I sleep worse). I also have two cats, and just focusing on their antics or lack of antics helps — nothing more happy-fuzzy-feeling-making than a purring furball curled up at your feet/by your thigh/on your head (he likes my pillow). Basically, find what puts you in a content, mindless spot and do that half an hour to an hour before desired bedtime.
The only medication that ever really helped me, and by that I mean REALLY helped me, was an extract of California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) in an alcohol solution. It's sold as an over-the-counter sleep aid here in France. You put a few drops of it in a glass of water; that's all it takes. Non-addictive, non-habit forming, and holy crud it works great. Valerian, melatonin and Benadryl never did much for me. But this? I sleep so well when I take it after stressful days. Peaceful, reparative sleep. No weird medicated feeling, no hangover. It seriously works. Don't know if you can get it in the US, though?
posted by fraula at 5:12 AM on September 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
A sleep doctor once told me that most people who take melatonin to change their sleep cycles are doing it wrong. Melatonin is a hormone that helps your body regulate its sleep and wake cycle. The amount of it secreted varies over a 24-hour period, helping your body learn a sleep routine.
When you want to move up your sleep cycle (fall asleep earlier and wake up earlier), you need to advance your body's peak melatonin period. What you need to do is take a small dose of melatonin, about 100 mcg, 3-4 hours before your desired bedtime each day. This may be tricky, because most melatonin sold is in doses of 500 mcg or greater. That's too much, and it will make you tired right then but not teach your body to adhere to a new sleep/wake cycle. Cut a 500 mcg pill in quarters if you have to. Take that every day around 6pm (or whenever 4 hours before bedtime is), and it'll help you regulate your sleep cycle to the new time.
For maximum effectiveness, combine the pills with good sleep hygiene and light therapy. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Don't sleep in on weekends or stay up late some nights. It confuses your body. Progressively dim the lights in your home 2-3 hours before bedtime, and don't watch TV or use the computer in the 90 minutes before you want to go to sleep. When you wake up in the morning, expose yourself to the brightest light you can, either direct sunlight or a full-spectrum lightbulb. Just let the light shine on your face for about 30 minutes first thing in the morning.
I started doing all of these things on the advice of a physician. It really does work. But I wasn't able to stick with it. I started cheating, staying up past 11 (my set bedtime) and making up for it by sleeping late on the weekends. Now I'm back where I started. You have to be really disciplined about it, or it won't work. Good luck!
posted by decathecting at 5:42 AM on September 28, 2010 [8 favorites]
When you want to move up your sleep cycle (fall asleep earlier and wake up earlier), you need to advance your body's peak melatonin period. What you need to do is take a small dose of melatonin, about 100 mcg, 3-4 hours before your desired bedtime each day. This may be tricky, because most melatonin sold is in doses of 500 mcg or greater. That's too much, and it will make you tired right then but not teach your body to adhere to a new sleep/wake cycle. Cut a 500 mcg pill in quarters if you have to. Take that every day around 6pm (or whenever 4 hours before bedtime is), and it'll help you regulate your sleep cycle to the new time.
For maximum effectiveness, combine the pills with good sleep hygiene and light therapy. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Don't sleep in on weekends or stay up late some nights. It confuses your body. Progressively dim the lights in your home 2-3 hours before bedtime, and don't watch TV or use the computer in the 90 minutes before you want to go to sleep. When you wake up in the morning, expose yourself to the brightest light you can, either direct sunlight or a full-spectrum lightbulb. Just let the light shine on your face for about 30 minutes first thing in the morning.
I started doing all of these things on the advice of a physician. It really does work. But I wasn't able to stick with it. I started cheating, staying up past 11 (my set bedtime) and making up for it by sleeping late on the weekends. Now I'm back where I started. You have to be really disciplined about it, or it won't work. Good luck!
posted by decathecting at 5:42 AM on September 28, 2010 [8 favorites]
Can you get Horlicks or a similar malted drink where you are?
posted by mippy at 7:09 AM on September 28, 2010
posted by mippy at 7:09 AM on September 28, 2010
Are you practicing good sleep hygiene? Or did you take the melatonin then keep on your regular schedule? decathecting has outlined some good practices, but if you explain your process now, we might be able to help tweak it. For most people, it's not as easy as just popping a melatonin or downing some benadryl.
posted by barnone at 7:19 AM on September 28, 2010
posted by barnone at 7:19 AM on September 28, 2010
IANAD, TINMA, this is probably not even advisable, get thee to a doctor, HOWEVER... if any of your friends happen to have some trazodone on hand, and you could borrow a few, and you do not mind being your own guinea pig and doing flagrantly inadvisable things and practicing medicine without a license... it worked absolute WONDERS for my boyfriend. It is known to be pretty damned safe. And it is often prescribed off-label as a sleep aid.
posted by julthumbscrew at 7:37 AM on September 28, 2010
posted by julthumbscrew at 7:37 AM on September 28, 2010
Maybe try reading something that's, not boring exactly, but not too exciting? I've found things like astronomy textbooks, history books, things of that sort work pretty well. My current sleep aid is an A to Z encyclopedia of chemical elements. Interesting enough that I can read it without thinking about other stuff but dense enough that I can only make it through a couple of paragraphs before Zzzzz
posted by dabug at 7:40 AM on September 28, 2010
posted by dabug at 7:40 AM on September 28, 2010
You have to make everything you do be geared towards helping you sleep. Meditation at 7pm, no TV at all at night, blackout curtains, moving to a new apartment with A/C, and banishing caffeine are some of the things I've had to do. With certain (non-sleep-related) medications and air conditioning and major stress reductions, I was able to get all the way back to having caffeine as late as 7pm and watching TV up till 9pm; it's a work in progress, though.
In the short term I would cut out all TV, stop listening to fast/loud music, completely cut caffeine and alcohol, eat frequent small meals, have a lamp on a timer to come on 30 minutes before it's time to get up, and turn off all artificial lighting as soon as the dinner dishes were taken care of. I'd also do everything possible to reduce stress during the commute - for me that would mean listening to hymns and singing along.
I find that OTC sleep aids just make me feel awful. Try them out on a non-work day, first.
posted by SMPA at 7:50 AM on September 28, 2010
In the short term I would cut out all TV, stop listening to fast/loud music, completely cut caffeine and alcohol, eat frequent small meals, have a lamp on a timer to come on 30 minutes before it's time to get up, and turn off all artificial lighting as soon as the dinner dishes were taken care of. I'd also do everything possible to reduce stress during the commute - for me that would mean listening to hymns and singing along.
I find that OTC sleep aids just make me feel awful. Try them out on a non-work day, first.
posted by SMPA at 7:50 AM on September 28, 2010
Lifetime insomniac here. Yes, benedryl (diphenhydramine HCl). I use it all the time. ALL the time. I typically take one about half hour - 45 minutes before bed. I'll take 2 if I'm feeling especially wired or stressed.
I've tried Tylenol PM and it makes me weirdly jittery. Not sure what that's about. Melatonin did not work for me either.
posted by Sassyfras at 7:56 AM on September 28, 2010
I've tried Tylenol PM and it makes me weirdly jittery. Not sure what that's about. Melatonin did not work for me either.
posted by Sassyfras at 7:56 AM on September 28, 2010
I am, and have always been since babyhood (according to my parents) the World's Worst Sleeper Ever. And now since menopause has hit, I can't sleep without Ambien or Ativan. I just can't. But then I'm on the "super-severe" end of insomnia; in my case I think it's just something innate.
And melatonin gives me crazy night terrors, as does Trazadone. So no help there.
What does help me aside from the drugs:
- A white noise machine. A cheap fan from CVS or someplace works just as well.
- A hot bath and some "sleepytime" type tea before bed.
- NO, and I mean NO, stimulating reading for an hour before bedtime - this means no news sites, no Daily Kos, no true-crime, no thrillers. Only cozy mysteries, romance novels, self-help, spirituality, that type of thing. Nothing that will rev-up the monkey mind.
- Make sure your bed is comfortable - not just in the lumpy-mattress sense, but in the "are your sheets clean? are your pillows past their prime? do you have pets that move around or crowd you out?" type of thing. Also, room temperature and noise make a difference. In particular, make sure your room isn't hot and/or noisy.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 8:28 AM on September 28, 2010
And melatonin gives me crazy night terrors, as does Trazadone. So no help there.
What does help me aside from the drugs:
- A white noise machine. A cheap fan from CVS or someplace works just as well.
- A hot bath and some "sleepytime" type tea before bed.
- NO, and I mean NO, stimulating reading for an hour before bedtime - this means no news sites, no Daily Kos, no true-crime, no thrillers. Only cozy mysteries, romance novels, self-help, spirituality, that type of thing. Nothing that will rev-up the monkey mind.
- Make sure your bed is comfortable - not just in the lumpy-mattress sense, but in the "are your sheets clean? are your pillows past their prime? do you have pets that move around or crowd you out?" type of thing. Also, room temperature and noise make a difference. In particular, make sure your room isn't hot and/or noisy.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 8:28 AM on September 28, 2010
Okay, how the FUCK can I be overcaffinated on only TWO cups of coffee a day?? Both in the morning?
People are giving you advice. I get that you are stressed out about your new sleep patterns, but many of your answers are pointing to this being a struggle you are having with yourself. Who knows if you are overcaffeinated? One of the things to tell people who are having trouble sleeping is to watch their caffeine intake. I also have a lot of sleep issues and this is what works for me.
- benadryl [or generic], two if I'm really out of wack
- regular exercise several hours before I go to sleep
- not going to bed hungry, but no big meals after 6 or 7
- no getting back online after going to bed, period.
- my bedroom is dark, the right temperature, and quiet
- I have a "now I am going to bed routine" that is my pattern every night for the most part
- I keep the lights in my place dim or dark as the night draws on
- I turn the overhead lights on BRIGHT when I have to get up
And, if this really doesn't work and I'm really screwed [I can get by with one night's crappy sleep but not two] I take lorazepam which basically conks me out. I do this maybe a few times a year but it's nice to have the option. And, at the end of the day, I probably have delayed phase sleep disorder. I sleep form 1 am to 10 am pretty much every night and I honestly couldn't take a job that required me to be in at normal business times. The big deal for me is not to fight it and not to have other options. I can lie in bed and be quiet or I can lie in bed and sleep but I can't get up, make a snakc, get online or do anything else. Often I think I'm less sleepy than I maybe actually am. Good luck.
posted by jessamyn at 8:46 AM on September 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
People are giving you advice. I get that you are stressed out about your new sleep patterns, but many of your answers are pointing to this being a struggle you are having with yourself. Who knows if you are overcaffeinated? One of the things to tell people who are having trouble sleeping is to watch their caffeine intake. I also have a lot of sleep issues and this is what works for me.
- benadryl [or generic], two if I'm really out of wack
- regular exercise several hours before I go to sleep
- not going to bed hungry, but no big meals after 6 or 7
- no getting back online after going to bed, period.
- my bedroom is dark, the right temperature, and quiet
- I have a "now I am going to bed routine" that is my pattern every night for the most part
- I keep the lights in my place dim or dark as the night draws on
- I turn the overhead lights on BRIGHT when I have to get up
And, if this really doesn't work and I'm really screwed [I can get by with one night's crappy sleep but not two] I take lorazepam which basically conks me out. I do this maybe a few times a year but it's nice to have the option. And, at the end of the day, I probably have delayed phase sleep disorder. I sleep form 1 am to 10 am pretty much every night and I honestly couldn't take a job that required me to be in at normal business times. The big deal for me is not to fight it and not to have other options. I can lie in bed and be quiet or I can lie in bed and sleep but I can't get up, make a snakc, get online or do anything else. Often I think I'm less sleepy than I maybe actually am. Good luck.
posted by jessamyn at 8:46 AM on September 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
I know you probably wrote this at 1:13 AM because you can't sleep, but from now on don't go near a computer or a TV within two hours of bedtime. Read a book, listen to quiet music, do some stretching, but indulge in no bright flashy brain-stimulating machines for at least two hours before bedtime. Read a book that's good but not too good, if you know what I mean (I recently picked up Devil in the White City for my nightstand reading and wound up staying up all night to finish it cover-to-cover one night, so that was a failure). I sleep better when the room is very cold and the bed is cozy and warm, so also know your ideal temperatures before you hop under the covers. If the room is too hot for my taste, I'll snap awake at 2AM realizing I've been drifting in and out of sleep for hours while sweating my face off.
Also, and this is odd and lame, but if I find myself going over the various anxieties of the day that will keep me awake at night, I start reciting the prologue to the Canterbury Tales in Middle English as a rhythmic soothing mechanism. "Whan that Aprill with his shoures soothe..." all the way to "The holy blisful martir for to seke, That hem hath holpen, whan that they were seke." I'm not saying you have to memorize Middle English to fall asleep, but find a poem or song to chant when you start freaking out over job stuff and cat stuff and personal stuff. Use it to shoo every bad thought out of your little overworked brain. My inner monologue would sound something like, "annd crap, I forgot to pick up laundry today when means I have nothing to wear tomorr--WHAN THAT APRIL WITH HIS SHOURES SOOTHE"
posted by zoomorphic at 9:19 AM on September 28, 2010
Also, and this is odd and lame, but if I find myself going over the various anxieties of the day that will keep me awake at night, I start reciting the prologue to the Canterbury Tales in Middle English as a rhythmic soothing mechanism. "Whan that Aprill with his shoures soothe..." all the way to "The holy blisful martir for to seke, That hem hath holpen, whan that they were seke." I'm not saying you have to memorize Middle English to fall asleep, but find a poem or song to chant when you start freaking out over job stuff and cat stuff and personal stuff. Use it to shoo every bad thought out of your little overworked brain. My inner monologue would sound something like, "annd crap, I forgot to pick up laundry today when means I have nothing to wear tomorr--WHAN THAT APRIL WITH HIS SHOURES SOOTHE"
posted by zoomorphic at 9:19 AM on September 28, 2010
I take 2 benadryl every night, my physician boss swears by sleepytime tea, and my BF reads economics or philosophy books.
posted by tristeza at 1:27 PM on September 28, 2010
posted by tristeza at 1:27 PM on September 28, 2010
Okay, how the FUCK can I be overcaffinated on only TWO cups of coffee a day?? Both in the morning?
Can you try green tea instead of coffee and see what happens? I was a one-cup-a-day person up until a month or two ago when I switched to green tea. I get the mental clarity coffee gave me but lost the jitters - PLUS - I think my sleep really is better. I didn't get it either - why ONE cup in the MORNING would have that kind of effect, but it seems that it did. Good luck.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 1:52 PM on September 28, 2010
Can you try green tea instead of coffee and see what happens? I was a one-cup-a-day person up until a month or two ago when I switched to green tea. I get the mental clarity coffee gave me but lost the jitters - PLUS - I think my sleep really is better. I didn't get it either - why ONE cup in the MORNING would have that kind of effect, but it seems that it did. Good luck.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 1:52 PM on September 28, 2010
Response by poster: Hi folks,
Again, that "how the fuck can I be overcaffinated" was me yelling at MYSELF more than anything else ("gee, body, what's up with THAT?"). Sorry if it came across different.
To address everything in bulk:
* Generally I have good sleep hygiene, and usually only experience occasional sleeplessness when I'm undergoing unusually heavy stress or when I've seriously started monkeying with my natural waking/sleeping times. I'm currently on a temp assignment in New Jersey, and have been there since March; it's a longer commute, and took a couple weeks to adjust to the new waking time, but then things went smoothly -- until July, when I then spent a couple months dealing with a very sick cat and that was a LOT of stress, and that sent things haywire again. Some stress was also due to this temp job paying kind of crap; it was dealable at first until I had $2000 in vet bills to also worry about. I've started seriously looking for another position that a) is closer to home or b) pays more. I had a lead on something that fell through, but today I called my temp counselor and pleaded my case and they're going to get me a bit of a raise for the balance of my assignment, which will help alleviate a lot of the stress. I'll still have the earlier waking time, but at least I won't be worrying about whether I'm going to be short on the gas bill, and that will also help considerably. So the stress is scaling back down now (as of literally TODAY), so that bodes well.
* I've tried guided meditations and "tell each part of your body this mantra" kinds of things in the past, but those seem to have the opposite effect for me. It's as if my brain, when asked to do something specific, starts feeling like "oh, you're asking me to do something? Better charge up, then," and they serve only to make me more alert. I have better success not really concsiously thinking of anything.
* And yes, the only reason I was online at 1:30 am was because I was all "what the fuck is this I can't get to sleep aaaaaaaggggghhhh I need help" flaily. I actually read something about sleeplessness that's worked for me -- that if you are lying awake in bed and can't get to sleep and it's been about an hour, you should get up and go do something in a different room until you feel sleepy again. If I'm online after midnight, I promise that's the only reason why.
Now, for the short term:
* In addition to the sleeplessness, I've noticed that I also have been having mild allergy issues for the past few days (usually, I don't, but the past few days have been bad enough that I've started feeling it). These seem to be strongest at night for some reason. So it hit me that the Benadryl may be a good idea for more than one reason -- it will help the sleep issues, but also will tackle the allergy stuff. So I'm trying that tonight.
* I also had an epiphany: I've been at my most sleepless the past two nights, and it has also been uncomfortably HUMID in my room the past two nights, to the point that I've really had a hard time getting comfortable (In some twisted freak of weather, it's been humid, but cool, so I don't feel right with the covers on, or off, or...). So I've also opened all the windows to air out my bedroom, and also sprang for a "Damp-Rid" unit from my hardware store to clear some of the humidity out of the air.
So tonight we're going to try a combination of "dehumidifying and Benadryl" and see what happens. I'll report back tomorrow.
Thanks for all the support, as well.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:46 PM on September 28, 2010
Again, that "how the fuck can I be overcaffinated" was me yelling at MYSELF more than anything else ("gee, body, what's up with THAT?"). Sorry if it came across different.
To address everything in bulk:
* Generally I have good sleep hygiene, and usually only experience occasional sleeplessness when I'm undergoing unusually heavy stress or when I've seriously started monkeying with my natural waking/sleeping times. I'm currently on a temp assignment in New Jersey, and have been there since March; it's a longer commute, and took a couple weeks to adjust to the new waking time, but then things went smoothly -- until July, when I then spent a couple months dealing with a very sick cat and that was a LOT of stress, and that sent things haywire again. Some stress was also due to this temp job paying kind of crap; it was dealable at first until I had $2000 in vet bills to also worry about. I've started seriously looking for another position that a) is closer to home or b) pays more. I had a lead on something that fell through, but today I called my temp counselor and pleaded my case and they're going to get me a bit of a raise for the balance of my assignment, which will help alleviate a lot of the stress. I'll still have the earlier waking time, but at least I won't be worrying about whether I'm going to be short on the gas bill, and that will also help considerably. So the stress is scaling back down now (as of literally TODAY), so that bodes well.
* I've tried guided meditations and "tell each part of your body this mantra" kinds of things in the past, but those seem to have the opposite effect for me. It's as if my brain, when asked to do something specific, starts feeling like "oh, you're asking me to do something? Better charge up, then," and they serve only to make me more alert. I have better success not really concsiously thinking of anything.
* And yes, the only reason I was online at 1:30 am was because I was all "what the fuck is this I can't get to sleep aaaaaaaggggghhhh I need help" flaily. I actually read something about sleeplessness that's worked for me -- that if you are lying awake in bed and can't get to sleep and it's been about an hour, you should get up and go do something in a different room until you feel sleepy again. If I'm online after midnight, I promise that's the only reason why.
Now, for the short term:
* In addition to the sleeplessness, I've noticed that I also have been having mild allergy issues for the past few days (usually, I don't, but the past few days have been bad enough that I've started feeling it). These seem to be strongest at night for some reason. So it hit me that the Benadryl may be a good idea for more than one reason -- it will help the sleep issues, but also will tackle the allergy stuff. So I'm trying that tonight.
* I also had an epiphany: I've been at my most sleepless the past two nights, and it has also been uncomfortably HUMID in my room the past two nights, to the point that I've really had a hard time getting comfortable (In some twisted freak of weather, it's been humid, but cool, so I don't feel right with the covers on, or off, or...). So I've also opened all the windows to air out my bedroom, and also sprang for a "Damp-Rid" unit from my hardware store to clear some of the humidity out of the air.
So tonight we're going to try a combination of "dehumidifying and Benadryl" and see what happens. I'll report back tomorrow.
Thanks for all the support, as well.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:46 PM on September 28, 2010
I also had an epiphany: I've been at my most sleepless the past two nights, and it has also been uncomfortably HUMID in my room the past two nights
You know, that may be my epiphany as well. It's been a freaking tropical rainforest in New England and I bet that's one of the reasons I've been sleeping sort of crappy the past few days. Interested to know if it helps.
posted by jessamyn at 5:56 PM on September 28, 2010
You know, that may be my epiphany as well. It's been a freaking tropical rainforest in New England and I bet that's one of the reasons I've been sleeping sort of crappy the past few days. Interested to know if it helps.
posted by jessamyn at 5:56 PM on September 28, 2010
EmpressCallipygos: "Okay, how the FUCK can I be overcaffinated on only TWO cups of coffee a day?? Both in the morning?"
Well, does your coffee contain 60mg (a cup you brew at home) or 300mg (an average cup from Starbucks)? I think these are the figures I remember from some article. Plus, you could be picking more caffeine up during the day if you drink pop, eat chocolate, etc.
I have a now-discontinued water flavoring called PowerEdge that has 160mg of caffeine in it. If I drink that, I WILL be up for at least 12 more hours. I recently went cold-turkey on caffeine and I'm not so groggy when I first wake up now.
Turn your clock away so you can't see the time. Don't look at it. Cover up any LEDs such as those on TVs, computers, phone chargers, etc.
Finally, a revelation I've only recently come to: If you have a phone in your bedroom, turn off the ringer. They'll call back later. There's just no reason to let people (friends, family, telemarketers, whoever) disturb your sleep. If it's an emergency and they direly need YOU, they'll send someone out to knock on your door.
posted by IndigoRain at 6:29 PM on September 28, 2010
Well, does your coffee contain 60mg (a cup you brew at home) or 300mg (an average cup from Starbucks)? I think these are the figures I remember from some article. Plus, you could be picking more caffeine up during the day if you drink pop, eat chocolate, etc.
I have a now-discontinued water flavoring called PowerEdge that has 160mg of caffeine in it. If I drink that, I WILL be up for at least 12 more hours. I recently went cold-turkey on caffeine and I'm not so groggy when I first wake up now.
Turn your clock away so you can't see the time. Don't look at it. Cover up any LEDs such as those on TVs, computers, phone chargers, etc.
Finally, a revelation I've only recently come to: If you have a phone in your bedroom, turn off the ringer. They'll call back later. There's just no reason to let people (friends, family, telemarketers, whoever) disturb your sleep. If it's an emergency and they direly need YOU, they'll send someone out to knock on your door.
posted by IndigoRain at 6:29 PM on September 28, 2010
Response by poster: Everyone, I'm fairly confident the caffine isn't the issue. I drink nothing during a given day but two cups of home-brewed coffee, both in the morning, and a hell of a lot of just plain water. And that's even DOWN from an earlier level of FOUR cups a day, all brewed at home, and the four cups was actually not affecting my sleep cycle.
I do not have a phone in my room, nor a computer, nor any other electronic device save for a clock radio.
Right:
Two Benadryl last night, taken at about 9:30, made me groggy and made me go to sleep at about 10 (which was what I wanted). But...then I woke up again at midnight (closer to my "default" sleeptime).
However, stumbled upon some valerian tea my roommate had, and thought "hell with it" and tried a cup. It's something I've tried in the past, but thought I'd built up a tolerance to. That worked -- in fact, I ended up oversleeping a little. So I'm going to try the valerian now.
And I think addressing the humidity really helped -- it was much more comfortable in my room last night. I also tried sprinkling a baby powder between the sheets for good measure.
So this seems to be what I'll try (now if only valerian didn't smell like sweat socks). Thanks.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:17 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
I do not have a phone in my room, nor a computer, nor any other electronic device save for a clock radio.
Right:
Two Benadryl last night, taken at about 9:30, made me groggy and made me go to sleep at about 10 (which was what I wanted). But...then I woke up again at midnight (closer to my "default" sleeptime).
However, stumbled upon some valerian tea my roommate had, and thought "hell with it" and tried a cup. It's something I've tried in the past, but thought I'd built up a tolerance to. That worked -- in fact, I ended up oversleeping a little. So I'm going to try the valerian now.
And I think addressing the humidity really helped -- it was much more comfortable in my room last night. I also tried sprinkling a baby powder between the sheets for good measure.
So this seems to be what I'll try (now if only valerian didn't smell like sweat socks). Thanks.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:17 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by brujita at 10:21 PM on September 27, 2010