Mild Sleeping Tablets

[Ann]

Sqad - just wondered if you could please advise? My 90 year old Mum keeps very well generally but has such trouble sleeping, she says her mind is too active, she sleeps for an hour or two then wakes up wide awake and can't get back to sleep again, she lies there all night thinking about all kinds of things, not particularly worryingbut she just can't switch off her mind. She says she doesn't doze in the daytime either. She is seeing the doctor about it again next week but he isn't much help, she has asked him about it in the past.

The last thing she wants are strong sleeping tablets which make her feel zonked out in the morning or any that she becomes dependent on, she really just wants gentle ones which help her mind relax. She has tried herbal Nytol and Kalms but these are useless. She is on Amiodorone and BP tablets so has to be careful. Any ideas we could suggest to the doctor please or shall we let him decide again .........

[Ann]

Sorry - meant to put in Health section - can someone transfer it please so Sqad sees it? Thanks.

[sunny-dave]

I'm really not being flippant - it is a genuine suggestion that worked for my (theoretically teetotal) elderly nan - have you thought of a strongish Hot Toddy at bedtime?

Dave x

[anneasquith]

don't think you will get sqad at this time of night.......are you asking sqad to suggest a medication for mum and then suggest it to gp ?

[woofgang]

As its the weekend Ann, probably just easiest to post again. There are some basic things she can try...cutting out caffeine, a before bed routine, lavender oil, a peaceful book, all the usual stuff.
Sometimes older people just need less sleep. If she isn't worried about staying awake, and it isn't making her tired all day, she might just like to use the time to read or watch TV.

[Ann]

Just thought it best to be a bit knowledgeable about which sleeping tablets are strong and which are gentle relaxing kind Anne.

Dave - she doesn't drink alcohol at all, she would not entertain that idea ;) but does have Horlicks every night.

[Ann]

Thanks woofie, she does most of those things. I tell her she is not being ill at all by her lack of sleep but she still worries a bit and would love a good night's sleep.

[anneasquith]

if mums gp ' isn't much good '' get a new one.

[sunny-dave]

My Nan was a teetotal Methodist - my dad told her that the Doctor had prescribed a 'sleeping draught' and whacked a big slug of sweet sherry into her Complan ... worked a treat :)

[Ann]

Nice one Dave! ;)

[NoMercy]

I would be interested in Sqad's reply as I've had trouble sleeping since my accident.

[Ann]

Maybe I will post this again in the morning in Health. I thought Ed or one of the Mods could be able switch it to another AB section?

[NoMercy]

I think only the Ed can relocate it.

[Buenchico]

Possily relevant:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Insomnia/Pages/Treatment.aspx
(As NoMercy suggests, moderators can't move posts; only the Ed can. However if you re-post in B&S, I can delete this thread if you'd like).

[jno]

how about something like Piriton? They're antihistamine, which as far as I know won't do her any harm, but they do make you a bit sleepy as a side effect - as do lots of other pills that say "don't operate heavy machinery after taking".

[mikey4444]

You can get some help in the Chemist these days. There are some tablets that you can buy that are basically anti-histamines, but I can't remember what they are called. Something like "sleeping aids" They are quite mild and quite safe.