I keep good sleep hygiene. I have herbal tea and a warm bath/shower an hour before bed. I take 50-75 mg of Benedryl (or equivalent) every night. I'm still only sleeping 3-4 hours a night. I can't take Ambien because it makes me sleepwalk. Ideas?
posted by kamikazegopher
on Mar 30, 2013 -
35 answers
For the first time in a while, my anxiety is more than I can manage on my own without medication. On top of that, I've had chronic insomnia for over 15 years, not sleeping is a probably my biggest anxiety trigger, and I'm tired of begging my primary care doctor for ambien prescriptions. Twice before I've waited until everything fell apart and I was in a major crisis and dropping out of my life to seek help; I don't want to do that again.
I've had quite successful therapy (talk and CBT) before and been prescribed various meds by primary care doctors in the past, but I want to start managing my brain chemistry in a more proactive way. I've never seen a psychiatrist and don't know where to start. Yelp reviews? Standing on the sidewalk with a sign?
I'm in San Francisco, I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO insurance, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and real desire not to have another nervous breakdown. What's my next step?
posted by anonymous
on Mar 19, 2013 -
13 answers
My son is almost 9. He suffers from mild anxiety, and very often can't sleep at night. He gets plenty of exercise most days as he plays sports year round. He reads at night, but this doesn't always do the trick. He's a very intense kid, and rather than cut down on the sports (which very often is the source of his stress, even though he loves playing) I'd like to manage the anxiety. I think some sort of guided sleep meditation might be really useful here, and I'd love some recommendations. Most of what I've found so far either is sort of corny and a little babyish, or is not specific to sleep and is more about mindfulness and not as good for relaxation. Thanks!
posted by missuswayne
on Mar 11, 2013 -
18 answers
I work 50+ hours a week in a job that I love. My schedule changes daily; some days are normal 9-6, but others are 2am to "whenever." How do I get healthy sleep while coping with this schedule?
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posted by none of these will bring disaster
on Mar 5, 2013 -
24 answers
Lately I've been having this horrible anxiety/insomnia the night before important presentations or other work events. How can I fix this?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 25, 2013 -
21 answers
My pdoc prescribed me Topamax as a sleep aid. I do not have epilepsy or migraines, which Topamax is usually prescribed for. I have searched Crazymeds and a couple other drugs forums and no-one has ever mentioned it being prescribed
purely as a sleep aid. Oh, and it doesn't even work.
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posted by Rosie M. Banks
on Feb 11, 2013 -
24 answers
My doctor's office is closed today but I am in desperate need of a good night's sleep tonight. Weird adrenal "fight or flight" response kicks in every time I'm about to hit REM.
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posted by andariel
on Feb 3, 2013 -
14 answers
Here's what a typical night looks like for me:
1. Go to bed between 10pm and midnight. Fall asleep easily.
2. 3-4 hours later, wake up for no apparent reason. Turn over and (usually) fall asleep again.
3. An hour or two later, wake up again. If lucky, fall asleep again; if unlucky, toss and turn for a while first.
4. Repeat step 3 several more times until morning.
5. Get out of bed at 9 or 10 feeling tired and unrefreshed.
The awakenings happen for no discernible reason. I don't have nightmares, need to pee, etc., I just find myself awake. On an average night I wake up 4-5 times.
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posted by zeri
on Feb 3, 2013 -
32 answers
But you might have some insight into my Ambien questions. Any suggestions on what antidepressants might work well for someone whose brain really likes Ambien? Do you find that certain activities/foods/supplements make Ambien work better? If you've tried both Ambien and another heavy-duty sleep aid, how do they compare?
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posted by storminator7
on Jan 15, 2013 -
9 answers
I am an incredibly light and difficult sleeper, but only sometimes. Other times I sleep like a rock. This happens regardless of tiredness level. How do I keep from getting into vicious cycles where everything wakes me up?
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posted by nakedmolerats
on Jan 8, 2013 -
36 answers
I am having serious psychological trouble adjusting to using my CPAP machine. I hate it with the fire of a thousand suns and I'm resentful and miserable and shall I go on? Yes, I shall.
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posted by desjardins
on Dec 29, 2012 -
32 answers
I've had problems sleeping ever since I was a kid which has led me, as an adult, to get really easily stressed out about things that potentially upset my sleep. How can I become more zen about sleep?
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posted by Ziggy500
on Dec 4, 2012 -
19 answers
On Monday night, I woke up to a mosquito buzzing in my ear and two giant bites. Since then, it's terrorized me all week. I have trouble sleeping anyway, and being woken up by this thing is not helping. Early this morning, I saw it perched on the wall (after getting yet another giant, swelling bite on my cheek), and tried to swat it, but missed. Help! How can I track it down in my studio apartment today? And how can I make sure to kill it when I find it?
posted by three_red_balloons
on Nov 10, 2012 -
23 answers
pharmacology question: what does it mean that I reacted so very badly to a single dose of Lunesta (eszopiclone, 3 mg)?
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posted by Corvid
on Oct 24, 2012 -
4 answers
Last night I slept for five hours and 45 minutes. For the last 20 years. I've tried many of the frequently recommended solutions such as melatonin and environmental changes, and am not sure what my next step should be.
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posted by mecran01
on Sep 20, 2012 -
35 answers
(Chronic Insomniacs-filter) Sleep avoids me. Been doing so for years.
Any tips or tricks to try and successfully sleep? Always special snow flakes....
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posted by handbanana
on Sep 20, 2012 -
36 answers
I sometimes have the type of trouble sleeping where although I am objectively tired, I can't "shut my brain off" and end up lying awake with my eyes closed. What can I do with my brain during these times?
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posted by zadermatermorts
on Aug 8, 2012 -
52 answers
Sleep eludes me as the anniversary of a violent crime looms. Is there anything I can do to keep the nightmares from ruining my entire week?
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 9, 2012 -
27 answers
Are antidepressants as effective as sedatives/hypnotics for helping insomnia?
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posted by jwfree
on Jan 12, 2012 -
22 answers
How can I battle depression and insomnia (I think they're related, actually) without meds or doctors?
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posted by bryanthecook
on Jan 6, 2012 -
36 answers
I have bad sleep hygiene -- I either sleep too little, or more often, too much. Any strategies for combatting this?
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posted by redlines
on Jan 3, 2012 -
13 answers
I have developed work week insomnia. I know YANMD, but what have you found effective for managing this.
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posted by burlsube
on Jan 3, 2012 -
20 answers
I'm a nursing student and I've stopped sleeping the night before clinical. I could handle it when there was only one clinical day a week, but now there is two and I'm struggling.
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posted by pintapicasso
on Dec 7, 2011 -
10 answers
As I head into the darkness of winter in Northern England, I'm starting to notice the same pattern I suffered from last year...sleeping even less than I normally do (4-6 hours instead of 6-7). I'm not even sleepy or remotely tired until 2, 3, sometimes even 4 am, when I force myself to fall asleep. I wake up at 8 or 9 (sometimes earlier). What could be happening here, physiologically or otherwise? If it's related to the lack of sun/light, how does that even work?
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posted by iamkimiam
on Nov 20, 2011 -
15 answers
Why do I experience joint pain and insomnia when I share a bed with my girlfriend and sleep perfectly when I have the bed to myself? How can we sleep peacefully together again?
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posted by goalie_dave
on Oct 10, 2011 -
12 answers
Insomnia-filter: Help this stressed-out couch-sleeper re-learn how to sleep in the bedroom (with television).
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posted by headnsouth
on Sep 26, 2011 -
18 answers
I am having trouble sleeping, which is leading to minor migraines. In addition I have a host a minor ailments and am not sure which problem to try and solve first, and which flavor of medicine would be the most helpful. In other words, I feel stuck.
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posted by mecran01
on Sep 12, 2011 -
25 answers
I am an insomniac that needs some recommendations for good late night websites to browse on my ipad.
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posted by msali
on Jul 19, 2011 -
14 answers
You are not my doctor, but I'm writing in the hope that someone has had a similar experience and might be able to help me see my way through this difficult situation. I've had a month of extremely strange experiences with psychoactive drugs, and I'm wondering if someone might reassure me that this situation is reversible. (Warning: long, messy situation ahead.)
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posted by anonymous
on May 31, 2011 -
12 answers
I've been having short, intense feelings of overwhelming despair, particularly at night. I need advice on dealing with this.
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posted by NoraReed
on Feb 13, 2011 -
16 answers
I was just prescribed Trazadone to help with sleep. I am not worried about the drug as it is widely prescribed, but would like to hear some first hand experiences. Will this knock me for a loop each night and how long will the effect last?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 25, 2011 -
26 answers
