I can't sleep which is nothing new. My problem is the amount of meds I need to go to sleep. any suggestions?

Question

currently I take lunesta and 2 benadryl. Now I'm up to 3 benadryl. I have restoril and when I combine that I do fall asleep but the urge to eat is hard and I've actually slept walk and ate before on a regular basis. Trazadone doens't do much for me except make hungary all the time. I've tried rozerem, all the hynotics, and other off label uses for sleep. Such as elavil. I don't want to gain weight but I need sleep too. Any suggestions? Oh and I've already tried every herb or vitamin you can think of. Doesn't work includin melatonin. Please help me! The doctors don't even know what to do. Thanks.

Answer 1

I feel for you! Do you have any medical conditions that would effect your sleep? Have you been tested for sleep apnea? Its when people stop breathing in their sleep. Do you have asthma or any other respiratory problems. The meds for respiratory problems have a high tendency to keep you awake and open all your blood vessels. are you taking any prednisone for anything?It is notorious for keeping people up.

Are you on any psych meds? It sounds like you are on so much for sleep, maybe you need to look into antianxiety meds or other drugs that will help with anxiety. Maybe you need a complete workup-blood, psych, cardio the whole nine yards, and re assessed. I would suggest getting a second and third opinion, and maybe get off these drugs. There are lots of them and if they're not helping, why submit your body to all of that? Good luck!

Answer 2

It would be much better to drop all the medication and work on your activity level. If you get enough exercise and watch what you eat and leave foods with natural stimulants alone. Avoid all foods with caffeine- coffee, teas, chocolates, etc. Keep sugar intake low too. Three hours before you plan to sleep, avoid stimulating activities, only do relaxing activities,such as reading, a quiet walk, relaxing music. Drink plenty of water too. This will help control your appetite. I think you said that was from your medication. Since it is clearly not working for you, why bother with it. You can see it is messing with your metabolism. You may have emotional stress causing you to lose sleep. If this is the case, talking to a specialist on how to handle the stress may eliminate the sleep problem too. Mental stress keeps me up no matter how hard I work or try to unwind sometimes. Good luck!

Answer 3

stop taking medications that make you hungry!! lock yourself in your bedroom when you sleep and that should help. if not go see a specialist. there is someone out there that knows what you are going through and can help. i suggest searching on the internet that foods high in protein that keep you full and help fight hunger. those are the foods that you want to eat. some people have disorders, where the message that allows the brain to know your stomach is full never actually reaches the brain. this could be because of the medication you are taking and you should see a dietary specialist and possibly a sleep or insomnia specialist

Answer 4

Is your mattress comfortable? How is your general health....high blood pressure...etc.? Elevated stress levels can obviously impact sleep. Exercise is a good way to reduce stress. Do you have any relationship problems that could be effecting you.? Have you had a sleep study? Therapeutic massage may help?

I'm sure there are holistic methods that haven't been mentioned. But all would agree...that a cocktail of drugs is not the healthy answer.

Answer 5

do not take dozens of medicines.
go to a psychologist, because I think these sleeping problems are not biological, but psychological.

besides, do some sport, at least 3-4 times a week. and drink 2-3 liter water/day.

Answer 6

You need a drug holiday. You need to wean yourself off of all this stuff. You are tolerant to these drugs. Wean yourself off and start over. Are you a diabetic? if you are, drink tons of water. You are probably restless from dehydration. Also, make sure you have adequate air flow in your room. (fresh air) and close the curtains. Light keeps you from sleeping. Even moonlight.

Answer 7

Please recognize that any self abuse frustrates even more desirable as a change take a pitcher of warm watet blend 1/2 spoon pepper and a pair of spoons honey to sip at bedtime and useless night for a week and whenever you've a shallow respiratory. supply suitable air flow for your mattress room. relax your head on a heap of pillows. get nicely quickly.

Answer 8

I use to take Ambien. It works well except it is highly addictive. At one point I was taking 2 10mg. Ambiens and 4 Diphenhydramine. I went through the worst withdrawl. My advice to you is to stop taking all of it and deal with whatever is keeping you up at night.

Answer 9

I had the same problem and solved it with 3 acupuncture treatments. Kind of pricey, but worked extremely well.

Answer 10

I strongly suggest that you wean off drugs, exercise more, smoke less, eat more healthy food, then adjust your sleeping methods.