sleeping tablets

[bubbles4920]

how do i sleep without sleeping tablets? ive been taking one a night since last friday, i was finding that i couldnt sleep and am awake til about 1am. i had some sleeping tablets left in the cupboard prescribed earlier on the year with regards to another matter. it now seems that im sounding just like an addict, always finding a good excuse to take one. ive been busy over the past week entertaining in one way or another so ive wanted to make sure that im awake and alert for the next day and long evening ahead. i decided last night i wasnt going to take anymore and was still awake at 5am!! i only had about 4 1/2 hours sleep and i feel exhausted and sick today. any ideas how i can get my body back to normal? im not really worried about anything. i was tempted to have a sleep this afternoon but have been holding out.

[jno]

if possible (I know it usually isn't) just let your body rediscover its own rhythms; they will generally sleep at night and wake during the day, given half a chance. Think of yourself as being jetlagged in LA or something: your patterns will be disrupted at first, but they'll soon slide back into place. (I don't think taking them for a week makes you an addict... a year, maybe).

[Abdulmajid]

I have never reallyhad a problem with sleeping but find if you rub loads of Vick on my chest I sleep like a cat for ages.

This is without having actual blocked sinuses or a cold, it just knocks me out even when I am fighting fit.

[Cheeris]

- Not take prescription drugs for sleep
- Not maintain a lifestyle and work profile that doesn't allow proper rest. One or the other.
- If you can't sleep when you want to, do a bit of exercise early/mid evening.
- Eat properly.

btw Don't take old prescriptions drugs AT ALL!

[bubbles4920]

im not saying im an addict as such but i could soon become one if i continue to be tempted to take them every night and give into lack of sleep!

[warthead]

drink beer

[bubbles4920]

ive tried alcohol, even quite drunk on saturday night after a dinner party,.but my excuse to take a tablet was that if i have alot to drink i sleep very shallowly and wake up in the early hours with a thumping head and thirsty. as i had a big day ahead of me on sunday, a tablet i popped, stupid i know with alcohol!

[mandimoo]

asleep by 1am and having 4.1/2 hours - i count you as a lucky one!
ive had my fair share of insomnia. ive had two serious bouts in my life and i dont get it for a couple of days, more like a couple of years at a time. prescribed sleeping tablets without a doubt will help you at night, but i could not function in the day eventually.
ive said this loads of times on this site, but nelsons noctura tablets really helped me. they are homeopathic, rather than herbal sleep aid. take 2, four hours before bed, and 2 when you go to bed. you cant feel them, they taste of sugar but they worked for me and i swear im one of the worst insomniacs i know!

[mandimoo]

also try to maintain a regular bed and rise time. it might take weeks to establish, but it works. i still cant sleep on sundays and mondays and im sure its because i stay up later on friday and saturday, and catch up on a bit of sleep on a sat and sunday morning.

[mandimoo]

oh, and i just realised you said WITHOUT tablets, but im sure homeopathic are much more ok than prescription drugs

[Eve]

Do you find you can't switch your mind off?

If so try a distraction technique. I have Sky news on in the back ground as it's repetitive and eventually I tune out and go to sleep.

Even if you can't sleep try and get some rest and relaxation so at least your body is doing something.

Avoid anything like caffine or eating for a few hours before bed and try things like some yoga or camomile tea or relaxation techniques and have a routine which you follow each night so your body knows it's sleeo time.

[bubbles4920]

thanks everyone for all of your advice, especially mandimoo. god i feel for you! i will try and track down your recommendation, in the meantime im off now for hot milk and brandy, surely i will sleep tonight as im so exhausted!

[cove]

i've never rub loads of vicks on your chest Abdul so i don't know what you talking about.

[bubbles4920]

mmm, do you think i am getting there? went to bed at 10 and slept, yipee! then wide awake at 1 so got up at 3.30. wonder if im going through cold turkey or if i just cant sleep. i keep going over in my head what has happened in the day!

[sara3]

I think you can fall into sleep habits. you worry about not sleeping and lo-and-behold, you don't sleep! then you spend the next day saying, "oh, I went to bed at... I slept for this many hours.. I woke at.. I'm so tired.. when shall I go to sleep.. how many hours do I need.. " etc etc.

let it all go. sometimes I sleep okay, sometimes I don't. obsessing about it is the root of all sleep evils!