Haven't been sleeping well lately. I'm afraid to take over the counter sleeping pills because I don't want to develop an addiction? I know this won't go on forever, but right now I need to function in my daily life w/out feeling exhausted. Any suggestions?
2007-08-26 12:48:20 · 7 answers · asked by Elaine P...is for Poetry 7 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful answers. They all deserve a best answer, and I can't choose, so I'm leaving it up to the voters. Just reading your suggestions made me feel a lot better.
2007-08-27 03:04:08 · update #1
You can take Benedryl to help you sleep at night... many people use it for a sleep aid and it really helps... you will not get addicted either... only take the recommended dosage on the back of the package... usually 25 mg.
2007-08-26 12:53:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are some things that may help you get a better night's sleep:
Try going to bed at the same time every night.
Don't drink caffeinated drinks during the day, and especially afternoon.
Get some exercise. It's one of the best things for inducing a restful night's sleep.
Always empty your bladder right before bedtime.
Avoid high excitement activities right before bed. Forget watching action movies, getting involved in heated debates, or playing video games. Instead try reading a few pages before you turn out the light.
If your mattress is older, it might be time to invest in a new one. 'Ole Lumps and Bumps' could be causes pressure points that make you toss and turn.
And... yes. You can become addicted to a lot of the medications that are used for sleep. I've seen it many times. The ironic thing about addiction to sleep meds is, the downer high becomes the quest. Then you can't sleep after you take them, or you'll miss feeling the high.
If none of the things I mentioned helps you sleep better, talk to your doctor. There is a new sleep medication called Rozerem that isn't supposed to be habit forming. I haven't prescribed it enough to give you reliable feedback, but if you end up really needing a sleep aid, you should take it under a doctor's care.
The problem with taking Benedryl (Diphenhydramine), is that you may find you feel more tired during the day than if you'd simply not slept enough. It's a VERY common complaint.
2007-08-26 20:05:42 · answer #2 · answered by IAINTELLEN 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Benadryl does help a lot. Please do NOT take over the counter sleeping pills, they are horrible for you!!! They make you feel groggy and awful the next day, and the sleep you get is not a deep one but a restless one. Also sleeping pills are really bad for your liver!! If you must resort to sleeping pills, doctors have told me the prescription ones are MUCH healthier for your body (like Ambien) than the over the counter ones. Ambien can be addicting though and you should only take it for a week at a time at the most. Getting lots of exercise and avoiding high fat foods at night will help you sleep better, and a natural sleeping aid that doesn't hurt your body at all is to drink Valerian root tea. The tea is much more potent than the pills. It doesn't taste great but you do get used to it and it really does work. You usually have to go to a natural or organic food store to find it valerian tea.
2007-08-26 20:03:22 · answer #3 · answered by Wintergirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes,you can get addicted to over the counter medications!Also,Benadryl!I would talk to your doctor and tell him what is happening,and he can prescribe you a new medication,that does not cause addiction!Their may also be an underlying reason also.Call your doctor right away.Good luck to you....I've been there!!!!!
2007-08-26 20:04:21 · answer #4 · answered by debi jean 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, you might as well identify the reasons why you can't sleep well. Are you working at night...do you stay up late...how many hours of sleep do you get...etc. etc.
There are many natural tips on how to sleep well but you have to identify what is the cause. Here are some tips:
- exercise in the daytime but not before you sleep
- take a warm bath before you sleep to relax
- free your mind. just quit thinking about various things. stare in the wall or think of your body alone.
- schedule your sleeping time and waking time the same daily
- if you can't sleep, don't force yourself by staying in bed but instead, get up and try to do something
- read book, watch TV might help
- many more
OTC sleeping pills can cause psychological dependency. try natural ways first.
2007-08-26 20:03:10 · answer #5 · answered by mcw 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Allison is correct. The active ingredients in OTC sleep aids is benadryl. 25 mg should do you fine unless you have an allergy to it. If so, don't take it.
2007-08-26 19:56:45 · answer #6 · answered by vamedic4 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get to bed REALLY early like 6ish then jus try and fall asleep to get back on track
2007-08-26 19:52:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋