Insomnia + ??? = somnia
January 8, 2010 10:33 AM Subscribe
YANAD. Chronic insomnia, tried eveything; only marijuana seems to work --- Anyone know of a legal, and hopefully cheaper, cure for my problem? More details inside.
I've had chronic insomnia for several years (can fall asleep fine; can't stay asleep for more than 1hr at a time; no problem falling back asleep; no deep sleep). I'm on Zoloft for anxiety, which has helped a bit - I was able to get 2-3 hrs of straight sleep.
I've tried all of the environmental and behavioral things. not going to list them all - just don't need suggestions for those types of things.
I've tried antihistamines, benzodiazepines, various SSRIs, muscle relaxants (all legally prescribed). They help me get 4-5hrs of sleep, but I wake up groggy and "hungover." I would prefer not to take an Ambien-like drug because of the crazy side effects.
In recent weeks, I've started using a very small amount of marijuana just before bed and I've been able to sleep through the night, no problems, no hangover - I wake up ready to face the day.
I'm concerned about the illegality and the cost of this option. I'm seeing my doctor in a few weeks, who I will tell about all of the above. I obviously don't live in a state w/ medical marijuana as an option.
Looking for any suggestions from the hive mind so I can be somewhat informed before I see my doc. No behavioral/environmental comments please. No suggestions for any of the drugs I've mentioned above (are there even any anti-insomnia drugs left?). Basically, has anyone found a legal drug/compound that has the same anti-insomnia properties as cannabis without the hangover that results from benzos and the like.
I've had chronic insomnia for several years (can fall asleep fine; can't stay asleep for more than 1hr at a time; no problem falling back asleep; no deep sleep). I'm on Zoloft for anxiety, which has helped a bit - I was able to get 2-3 hrs of straight sleep.
I've tried all of the environmental and behavioral things. not going to list them all - just don't need suggestions for those types of things.
I've tried antihistamines, benzodiazepines, various SSRIs, muscle relaxants (all legally prescribed). They help me get 4-5hrs of sleep, but I wake up groggy and "hungover." I would prefer not to take an Ambien-like drug because of the crazy side effects.
In recent weeks, I've started using a very small amount of marijuana just before bed and I've been able to sleep through the night, no problems, no hangover - I wake up ready to face the day.
I'm concerned about the illegality and the cost of this option. I'm seeing my doctor in a few weeks, who I will tell about all of the above. I obviously don't live in a state w/ medical marijuana as an option.
Looking for any suggestions from the hive mind so I can be somewhat informed before I see my doc. No behavioral/environmental comments please. No suggestions for any of the drugs I've mentioned above (are there even any anti-insomnia drugs left?). Basically, has anyone found a legal drug/compound that has the same anti-insomnia properties as cannabis without the hangover that results from benzos and the like.
to piggyback on turaho - if you haven't tried melatonin already and want to - I recommend Trader Joe's chewable melatonin. It has really, really helped me. It is cheap, the dose is low, and I have noticed no side effects in six months of use.
posted by pinky at 10:44 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by pinky at 10:44 AM on January 8, 2010
Have you tried melatonin? It's over-the-counter. My spouse has an insomnia problem (some of the same aspects as yours, plus a problem falling asleep) and melatonin, taken at the same time each night ~30 minutes before his desired bed time, really seems to work for him.
Even if they only help marginally or not at all, they're non-habit-forming and don't cause any "hangover" feelings the next day, so there's really no harm. In my spouse's experience, they take about a week to "settle in".
posted by muddgirl at 10:45 AM on January 8, 2010
Even if they only help marginally or not at all, they're non-habit-forming and don't cause any "hangover" feelings the next day, so there's really no harm. In my spouse's experience, they take about a week to "settle in".
posted by muddgirl at 10:45 AM on January 8, 2010
I came in to recommend melatonin as well. If you do not have good results with the 5mg dose, try a smaller amount. Apparently, smaller amounts work better for some individuals. I take 3mg myself, and chase it with some Sleepytime Tea with Valerian.
Good luck!
posted by mmmbacon at 10:46 AM on January 8, 2010
Good luck!
posted by mmmbacon at 10:46 AM on January 8, 2010
As for side effects, my spouse reports that in the first week of use, he has much more vivid dreams, tapering off to "slightly more vivid dreams". As he never really dreamed much before starting melatonin, I think he quite enjoys it.
posted by muddgirl at 10:46 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by muddgirl at 10:46 AM on January 8, 2010
Yeah, melatonin should be the first choice. Take a smaller dose than it's usually sold in (like 1 mg instead of 5) because a smaller dose is supposed to work better than a larger one. Also: Zaleplon? Ramelteon/Rozerem?
posted by k. at 10:48 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by k. at 10:48 AM on January 8, 2010
Valerian root in pill form did wonders for me when I've had insomnia. It doesn't really make you sleepy it just helps by calming your brain so you can drift off. I found it at my l cvs type store.
posted by cftarnas at 11:14 PM on January 9, 2010
posted by cftarnas at 11:14 PM on January 9, 2010
Because Cannabis worked for you, I suggest trying one of its few close relatives:
Hops
Medicinal
Hops are also used in herbal medicine in a way similar to valerian, as a treatment for anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia.[24] A pillow filled with hops is a popular folk remedy for sleeplessness. Hops may be used alone, but more frequently they are combined with other herbs, such as valerian. The relaxing effect of hops is largely due to the specific chemical component dimethylvinyl carbinol.[25] Hops tend to be unstable when exposed to light or air and lose their potency after a few months' storage.[26]
If you don't want the alcohol in beer, you might be able to find a couple of soft drinks: Julmust, popular in Sweden, or Malta, made in different varieties all over Latin America.
I'm looking around for a good tea for a friend of mine, and if I find one I'll report back.
posted by jamjam at 5:30 PM on February 15, 2010
Hops
Medicinal
Hops are also used in herbal medicine in a way similar to valerian, as a treatment for anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia.[24] A pillow filled with hops is a popular folk remedy for sleeplessness. Hops may be used alone, but more frequently they are combined with other herbs, such as valerian. The relaxing effect of hops is largely due to the specific chemical component dimethylvinyl carbinol.[25] Hops tend to be unstable when exposed to light or air and lose their potency after a few months' storage.[26]
If you don't want the alcohol in beer, you might be able to find a couple of soft drinks: Julmust, popular in Sweden, or Malta, made in different varieties all over Latin America.
I'm looking around for a good tea for a friend of mine, and if I find one I'll report back.
posted by jamjam at 5:30 PM on February 15, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by turaho at 10:41 AM on January 8, 2010