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Help for insomnia

Posted: May 23, 2013

Does anyone else have issues with severe insomnia? My doctor put me on a medication 4 yrs ago that does work wonders for my insomnia but it has severe side effects and is a pretty dangerous drug. It's giving me an extremely rapid heart rate at night before bed and it's really beginning to scare me. I've taken everything from over-the-counters to prescriptions and this is the only med that works, but the problems it causes and the ones it could cause are making me want to stop taking it. I just have no clue what else might work. My PCPs answer of just doing without much sleep until I finally collapse is not much of an answer and as everyone knows you have to be on top of your game with concentration at this job. Any suggestions appreciated!!!

;

Gentle Yoga Stretches - see msg

[ In Reply To ..]
I started doing some gentle yoga stretches. What I did was I bought a book and did not have a goal of getting to where they show the person twisted into a pretzel, just reach my own goal, little by little. I found a very happy spot. I do this about 1/2 hour before bedtime and it works wonders.

thanks! - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I know for a fact part of my insomnia is stress and an inability to shut my mind off to sleep. I will look into this as well.

You are very welcome - see msg

[ In Reply To ..]
I had originally tried some meds (like low-dose amitryptline and trazodone), but I had some uncomfortable side effects. Ambien worked for me, but that can be addictive and docs are worried these days about prescribing addictive meds.

Do try the yoga. You can include meditation yoga, too, if you're into that. (I'm not.) I am into, however, some of the breathing exercises in yoga. It is all soooo relaxing.

Remember, your goal isn't to twist into a serious pretzel. You just gradually, gradually reach your own happy medium. I felt a positive result right away.

If you have any physical problems (bad back, anything) do check with a doc first.

I have fibromyalgia and the yoga was recommended to me because of that. The added "side effect" was a wonderful, blissful sleep each night.

Help for insomnia - ew

[ In Reply To ..]
I take 2 benadryl and you can get the store brand either at Walgreens or CVS and it has helped me. I had a total knee replacement and did not sleep much in the hospital or rehab and even when I came home and my PCP told me to take 2 benadryl and even the lab girl in the office takes it. Hope it helps you.

Agree, though I just take one (25 mg); yep, generic works fine. - For severe insomnia, I'd probably up to 50 mg

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

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