Insomnia...whee.

[Anonymous]

So I have periodic insomnia, and feel a little uncomfortable with the idea of meds. Anyone have suggestions for home remedies? It's stress/pms/irregualr sleep schedule, etc. etc. - induced.

[Anonymous]

I have this too from time to time for all my adult life. Ambien was nice, but the doctor cut me off after a few weeks (go figure!) 10 years ago, so that was the end of that.

Do you have any control over your sleep schedule? Enforcing as much regularity as possible helps me. Does reading help you? Something light, not any of the things that set gears turning. Anything you can do to make the room/ bed more comfortable? Opportunities for exercise during the day? Good luck.

[Anonymous]

melatonin might help.

relax before bed....limit tv and other activities that stimulate you for an hour or two before bed.

Exercise early in the day.

[Anonymous]

I have it too. I have to take Benedryl or xanax. I hate it too, but I have to sleep to take care of my family.

[Anonymous]

No caffeine or alcohol, at all, ever.

Same wakeup time and bedtime, weekends too.

At least some exercise, if you don't already, preferably before about 3pm.

It is a drug, but I find that Benedryl helps at night as well, especially when I've got something on my mind.

[Anonymous]

Just get the meds. Being well-rested is so important. There is no point in torturing yourself, esp if this is not a chronic issue.

[Anonymous]

OOooh, I just reread your post, OP, where you state it might be PMS related. There was a study several years ago that showed that women who got 1,200 mg of calcium daily had much milder PMS symptoms. Maybe that's something that could help in the long term...I know it's helped me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OOooh, I just reread your post, OP, where you state it might be PMS related. There was a study several years ago that showed that women who got 1,200 mg of calcium daily had much milder PMS symptoms. Maybe that's something that could help in the long term...I know it's helped me.

Hmm...(OP here). Thanks for this. I will give that a whirl.

[Anonymous]

For insomnia:

wear a sleep mask. they absolutely work.
earplugs can help you get to sleep and stay asleep.
melatonin - I use only the Natrol brand sold at CVS. I buy the 3 mg. per pill supplement. People make less of this as they age, and this hormone helps you fall & stay asleep.
no caffeine (coffee, tea or soda) after lunch at all.

also avoid violent or argumentative TV shows
read something calming before bedtime (like Anne of Green Gables - something easy and sweet, not a spy thriller)
make sure you have a comfortable bed and pillow.