I cant fall asleep at night and...?

Question

I tried ambien, it worked the first 2 nights and then nothing. So I took benadryl..one tablet 25 mg...and nothing. So tonight I took 2 tablets...50 mg. Will this put me to sleep?? I have alot on my mind and its been this way for some time now. Can anyone suggest a good sleep aide?

Answer 1

Have you exhausted all other methods of relaxation before trying prescription sleep aids? If not..
1. Try writing down everything that's on your mind. (Talking to someone may also help, but that may also wake you up more.)
2. Exercise every day, when you wake up - but not too close to when you're about to fall asleep.
3. Do stretches while laying in bed to calm your body down.
4. Lay in bed and get comfortable up to an hour before sleeping - in as dark as you can stand it, the lack of light will help you calm down and adjust for sleep.
5. Try to go through this schedule everynight at the same time.
6. Don't watch television or read a book before bed - these things can keep you awake. Also, try not to eat or drink anything, as these can have the same effect. Some soft, calming music is okay.
7. Try to stay away from stimulants such as caffiene.
I think in most prescription cases you should consider why you need the prescription, you've said you have a lot on your mind, and if you haven't gone through the steps to try to resolve the underlying problem first, that's the best way. A change in lifestyle is the first option. If it just doesn't work, then consider sleep aids. (The second link in my sources area has a ton of information about different sleep aids, definitly check it out.)

Answer 2

Google "sleep hygeine"

Here are my sleep tips:

Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even weekends.

Do only boring things that last hour before bed. no exercise, no computer time. Avoid bright lights. Including TV and computer screens.

Make sure your bedroom is totally dark, including covering up that digital clock and shutting the drapes/blinds/shades. No night light.

Exercising during the day will tire you out so you sleep well later.

Avoid caffeine like the plague. A morning cup of coffee is OK, but nothing after 1 PM or so. Some meds like cold remedies (sudafed, etc.) can ramp you up, too, look for the "agitation in children" label-some adults get trouble too,

Use a meditation tape, or guided imagery. Try a noise generator or CD of ocean waves or soft music to sleep if you live in the rackety city.

Don't use your bedroom for anything but sleep (or sex, if you are an adult). No computer, no TV, no reading in bed.

If these things don't work after a month or so, you may have depression interfering with your sleep, and you should screen yourself for that. there are online depression screening tests. Or there could be something else wrong. Don't take ambien, lunesta, etc. they are addictive and only work a week or so, then you're hooked and they aren't really helping anymore. (But you will get rebound insomnia if you quit).

Good luck! Google this topic and you will find some things I'm sure I forgot.

Answer 3

Pills do not fix sleep problems in most cases; they cover them up. It would be in your best interest to have a complete sleep evaluation at a Sleep Disorders Center to see if you have a Sleep Disorder of some sort first. There are a bunch of reasons that may keep you from getting to sleep that they can diagnose for you. Your primary physician can get you a referal.

Now, in addition to that, some basic sleep hygeine:

Don't drink caffeine 6+ hours before bedtime.
Don't linger in bed watching TV or reading books, reserve the bed for intimacy and sleeping only.
Don't work out before bed 2+ hours
Go to bed and get up at the same time every day (make a routine and stick to it). Plan to try and get 8ish hours of sleep.
If you have a lot on your mind or think about work, keep a journal by your bed, if you think of something you need to take care of, write it down and let yourself forget about it until morning.
Try to do something relaxing 30 min before bed; warm bath, read a book, drink some decaf warm tea...something that you find relaxing.

That should get you in the right direction, but clearly, you should have a sleep study done to rule out problems that drugs will just mask.

Answer 4

How can you sleep while taken 50mg of benadryl. I would be up all nite going to the bathroom? Make sure you are sleepy before you go to bed. Do not watch TV and have a dark room. ask your doctor and see if a nerve pill would work. lorazapam or valium. food luck

Answer 5

The best thing for sleeping problems (any problems really) beside medicine, is just to get everything out of you're mind. try writing everything thats bugging you on paper, or just saying it out loud, or call a good friend and talk to them.

Answer 6

Hi It would be better if you spend most of your time outside your bedroom and use your bedroom just to sleep and try reading some historical ovels you will surely feel sleepy.

Answer 7

I have a very similar problem. Lemme know if you get any good answers on this one.