I have a sleep disorder and have been taking ambien to help me fall asleep. I want to get off these pills.?

Question

I would appreciate any suggestions as to alternative treatments. Is there anything natural that has helped you with sleep problems? What herbs or supplements can you recommend. I don't like being on these pills.

Answer 1

i also have trouble sleeping and take ambien why do u not want to take them anymore if they help?as long as u dont have to take them every night you should be fine.i dont take them every night i use them about 3 times a week and my dr said that is fine.i go through pain management dr for mine hes great and i totally trust him.i have tried everything over the counter and nothing worked for me but that doesnt mean it wont for u so if u are really against taking them any longer ask your dr for some advice they are your be resource

Answer 2

Do some research on the internet. Do a search on Google for alternatives to sleeping pills. Talk to a doctor who has an alternative medicine practice. I don't know anything about sleep disorders (whether you don't sleep because you can't or because you don't feel tired). If not feeling tired is the reason, maybe a treadmill at home would help. Get on the thing and just walk until you are so tired you feel like you can't take another step. Then crash. The exercise will be good for you, and if it also allows you to sleep without the use of pills, you should be a happy camper.

Answer 3

A relative of mine was prescribed Trazodone for a sleep aid. He told me Trazodone didn't work well for him at all, it made it even more difficult to get to sleep and get a good nights rest. He told his doctor about the problem experienced with this medication. The doctor wanted to increase the dosage and have him stay with it for a couple more weeks which made the sleep issues even worse! Finally after weeks of frustration and sleep problems, Ambien was prescribed. Sleep issues have been resolved and all is well. I've worked the PM shift many years in my life and experienced difficulty falling asleep which was horrible. Lack of rest was brutal and made for some very long nights at work. Back in those days I didn't know of any sleep aid medication and was forced to live with it. There were times when I went nearly 3 days without sleep until physical and mental burnout took over. Trust me, I feel your pain. The best advise I could give you is to find a new doctor, one who listens to you. If you want a low dose Ambien for some help with sleep, the doc should at least let you try it. I'm not a physician but I tried to answer your question and give some advice the best I could. I wish you luck and hope you can soon get the sleep/rest you deserve. Best wishes!

Answer 4

If you've been taking a prescription sleeping aid for any length of time, you may have to wean yourself off it gradually. The best way is to do it with your doctor's help and cooperation. Tell him what you want to do and ask his advice for gradually decreasing your dose.

If he won't cooperate, you're on your own. Educate yourself. Investigate. Read books. Try things.

My experience has been that a single herb or remedy doesn't work nearly so well as a combination. Herbs, Etc. in New Mexico makes a formula called Deep Sleep that is excellent.

Everything I'm mentioning here is totally safe and non-habit-forming. I'm listing them, generally from the mildest to the strongest, although different herbs have different effects on people. (I guess that's why God made so many.) Chamomile, Passion Flower, Linden Flowers, Skullcap, California Poppy, Valerian, Jamaica Dogwood.

Go to your natural foods store and look for a formula that has 3 or 4 of these in it. Or buy from a bulk herb supplier and mix up your own. You can brew a tea, or put the powder into capsules or extract the herbs by letting them "soak" in Vodka for about 3 weeks, strain and bottle the liquid. Dose is generally 20 to 30 drops in a little water, about 30 minutes before bed. Keep another dose on your nightstand in case you wake up in 4 to 5 hours. Don't worry. They won't make you sleep through the alarm.

Passion Flower is specific for "brain chatter" where you can't stop thinking and go to sleep. I think Calif. Poppy works best for people who wake up in the night. A few rare people say that Valerian gives them nightmares or vivid dreams. It's perfectly safe, but it does alter the sleep pattern. Chamomile is also good for digestion. Jamaica Dogwood is also good for pain. Skullcap is a muscle relaxer. Linden is good for the heart, especially if one has palpitations.

And then, there is all the stuff you probably know. Absolutely no stimulants after 2:00 P.M. Darken the windows, no night lights. Lavender oil in a diffuser or on a hanky by your pillow. White noise recordings, et.al.

Answer 5

I also had a sleep disorder that affected other areas of my life. A friend introduced me to a product that is all natural and absolutely cured my insomnia as well as all of the other goodies that came along with it. It is an adaptogen that is full of phytonutrients, flavenoids and natural polysaccharides. This is a food that has been growing on our planet for centuries, then when the processing was mastered, became known as the breakthrough superfruit of the year, as featured in July's issue of Time magazine. I know first hand that this is the most effective natural supplement I have ever seen and I help others with disorders every day.

Answer 6

I'm aware of a natural supplement called Gentle Sleep Complex.
It contains a complementary blend of herbs - valerian, chamomile, and passion flower that promotes calm and restful sleep.

I have no personal experience with it but it may be worth a try.

Best Wishes

Answer 7

I have used Melatonin very successfully. Start with 1/4 tablet a night and slowly increase untill you sleep soundly. If you develop vivid lucid dreams decrease dosage.
Bright Blessings
Athena

Answer 8

I would talk to your doc. I used to take those with my anti depressants (prescribed that way) And boy I didn't have problems sleeping! It ws so hard for me t o get out of bed! I would be lazy all day! I just totally felt like crap! I know how you feel. But sad to say I don't know of any other treatment.

Answer 9

I have heard that lavender helps. Spray in on your pillow case. Also there is a natural herb call vallerin that is known to help. You can buy it at health food stores.

Answer 10

a homoeopathic remedy made from common salt: natrum mur 6X -20 mg-buy. chew 4 once every 4days half an hour after dining.