I buy the 1mg dosage and usually split the pill in half. You don't need a lot. I've heard some stories of people taking upwards of 10 mg which is insane. Might be worth looking into and is probably better than ZZZquil or any of that crap.
I buy the 1mg dosage and usually split the pill in half. You don't need a lot. I've heard some stories of people taking upwards of 10 mg which is insane. Might be worth looking into and is probably better than ZZZquil or any of that crap.
I usually sleep fine, but when I do have an issue, Melantonin to the rescue. Cheap, over the counter, and completely safe. I take one 5mg tablet and I'm done within the hour.
My only caution would be not to take it prior to a morning you expect to be busy/active. I'm usually pretty groggy for the first two hours of the next morning unless I get a looong nights sleep in (like 9-10 hours) which these days doesn't happen anymore.
Weed is the trick. Unfortunately that is not an option for at the moment for WifeFilthy and melatonin no longer helps at all. After trying seemingly everything on the market, low dosage of Ambien as a last resort was the only thing that has helped her sleep. Then the doctor took it away due to her own personal feelings about the drug, which I think is bullshit despite the horror stories of others (who are usually either taking too much or on a high mg dosage).
It's pretty harmless. I'd start there. Chamomile tea helps some people also.
Also, practice good sleep hygiene: stop using all screens: laptop, phone, etc, a couple of hours before bed. Avoid caffeine and nicotine. Don't eat before bed. Make sure the room the cool and dark. Go to bed at the same time every night.
It worked great for WifeFilthy in the beginning but eventually she needed more and more for it to offer any help. Eventually even max dosage did shit.
A natural substance that she is now trying since Ambien was taken away that has had some success is Valerian Root. You can find it at any drug store. Might be an option for you. Each capsule is 450mg but doubling up and hitting 900mg seems to be the sweet spot for a lot of people.
RE: Same here. Had a terrible night during my one go with melatonin.
It worked great for WifeFilthy in the beginning but eventually she needed more and more for it to offer any help. Eventually even max dosage did shit.
A natural substance that she is now trying since Ambien was taken away that has had some success is Valerian Root. You can find it at any drug store. Might be an option for you. Each capsule is 450mg but doubling up and hitting 900mg seems to be the sweet spot for a lot of people.
I thought melatonin was for staying asleep, but didn't help you fall asleep. Anyway, I have really vivid dreams on it usually involving ghosts.
Its a cannabis extract with chocolate. Had my best night of sleep in years after taking it. However, found out later I had eaten 4x the regular dosage. Whatever, I still felt great in the morning.
1. Cool bedroom temp
2. No electronic devices starting 30 minutes before bedtime
3. No caffeine > 2PM
4. Pjs, t-shirts just for bed; don't wear the clothes during the day
5. Light stretching, keep breathing, yoga or meditation in transition
6. Reading a book--physical book, not a blue light e-reader
7. Caffeine free tea
8. Before turning off the lights, write a list of what you're grateful for
Melatonin is a natural hormone secreted by the pineal gland in our brains and regulates our circadian cycles. It's only secreted at night and produces that drowsiness we feel just before we fall asleep. Some studies have suggested that Melatonin secretion can be blocked by bright lights and sources of stimulation (television, radio, drugs, etc). There is some evidence that we produce less Melatonin as we age.
It's important to note, however, that in the few clinical studies conducted, the use of Melatonin supplements as sleep aids produced similar results to a placebo - or sugar pill. It appears Melatonin is most successful times where are sircadian cycles have been thrown askew - such as recovering from travel or time zone changes.
The other most common sleep aids typically include Diphenhydramine - otherwise known as Benadryl. This is typically an antihistamine used for allergies, which also causes drowsiness. These commonly sell under the Zzzquil brand names and come in 25 and 50 mg doses.
The last category of sleep aids are homeopathic. These aren't regulated by the FDA, and comprised mostly of plant derivatives - as are most homeopathics. Don't waste your money on these.
My advice is to implement an excersize routine (even a walk after dinner). Minimize bright lights and other sources of stimulation 30min prior to whatever time you'd like to go to sleep and your cycle will stabilize within a couple of weeks.
Just wondering. Loved Ambien the times I've taken it. But scared and been warned how bad it can be if used regularly or even weekly.
Is lunesta less habit forming and overall safer ? I know Ambien is pretty much a benzodiamphine without the anti anxiety effect so highly addictive in short which scares me.
Just wondering. Loved Ambien the times I've taken it. But scared and been warned how bad it can be if used regularly or even weekly.
Is lunesta less habit forming and overall safer ? I know Ambien is pretty much a benzodiamphine without the anti anxiety effect so highly addictive in short which scares me.
I think Lunesta is exactly the same as Ambien (my guess), just different brand. Not sure though. I only took it that one trip. I got a flu shot before heading to Australia (coincidentally based on the timing) mentioned to my doctor I was taking a long flight and I'd love something to be able to sleep on the flight and he gave me two samples (4 pills) of Lunesta.
I only took two. One going to LA to Sydney and one from Sydney to LA. never took the other two. in fact they're still in my laptop bag.
Habit forming? Not from those two times. hallucinations or crazy dreams? not when I took it. Nothing but pure sleeping bliss on a brutally long flight.
Just wondering. Loved Ambien the times I've taken it. But scared and been warned how bad it can be if used regularly or even weekly.
Is lunesta less habit forming and overall safer ? I know Ambien is pretty much a benzodiamphine without the anti anxiety effect so highly addictive in short which scares me.
I think Lunesta is exactly the same as Ambien (my guess), just different brand. Not sure though. I only took it that one trip. I got a flu shot before heading to Australia (coincidentally based on the timing) mentioned to my doctor I was taking a long flight and I'd love something to be able to sleep on the flight and he gave me two samples (4 pills) of Lunesta.
I only took two. One going to LA to Sydney and one from Sydney to LA. never took the other two. in fact they're still in my laptop bag.
Habit forming? Not from those two times. hallucinations or crazy dreams? not when I took it. Nothing but pure sleeping bliss on a brutally long flight.
Lunesta is a completely different drug from Ambien. It's approved for long term use, which Ambien is not.
I've taken both. Don't like Ambien -- it knocks you out good, but scary good. You're pretty much knocked out for next 4-6 hours. Bad if say there was a fire. I've also half fallen asleep on my feet on the way back from the john and hurt myself, fortunately not seriously.
The other problem for me is it doesn't address my problem, which is staying asleep all night. If I take it before bed, it wears off in the middle of the night and I wake up. And it's too late to take after you wake up -- you'll be non-functional when you need to get up. They do make an extended version now, which I haven't tried. And won't given my experience with the regular version.
Lunesta is much milder, but longer lasting. Helps me stay down the whole night. Only downside is a nasty aftertaste in the morning.
If you toss and turn a lot, it is a sign that you need more daily
I take Trazedone, small dose. I don't have problems falling asleep, just sleeping through the night. The Trazedone helps.
LSD? To sleep? Good lord.
Please don't take Buford's advice.
I wasn't recommending LSD. It was a sarcastic remark about how Ambien made me feel. Ambien did not let me sleep, I had very bizarre dreams, and I felt like a zombie the next day. It was awful.
A few other points on sleep hygiene:
I bought a sleep mask to wear on an overnight plane trip to London. I am very sensitive to light. I now wear it every night and it helps me sleep.
For your PC, install F-Lux, it changes the lighting of the screen for the time of day. As the sun goes down, the screen changes to a more amber and less 'blue light' which will help you go to sleep at night.
Don't eat for a few hours before going to bed.
Go to bed and wake up around the same time everyday. Try going to bed an hour earlier than you normally do so you can get 7-8 hours of sleep. Most people go to bed too late and that also screws up your circadian rhythm. You want it to mimic the day/night cycle as closely as possible.
In the morning, try to expose yourself to sunlight as soon as possible. This will 'wake you up' and reset your circadian rhythm.
100% wrong, as Jim in Fairfax stated. Different class of drug and approved decades after Ambien approval in a much watched, relatively early biotech (Sepracor) entry in this space. It also went early to DTC marketing.
Even though approved as supposedly non-habit forming, if one resorts to sleep aids of whatever type (and I've had sleep-related issues to be sure, which usually resolve themselves over time), I think best taken for short period of time as physical and/or psychological dependency can be unpredictable.
100% wrong, as Jim in Fairfax stated. Different class of drug and approved decades after Ambien approval in a much watched, relatively early biotech (Sepracor) entry in this space. It also went early to DTC marketing.
Even though approved as supposedly non-habit forming, if one resorts to sleep aids of whatever type (and I've had sleep-related issues to be sure, which usually resolve themselves over time), I think best taken for short period of time as physical and/or psychological dependency can be unpredictable.
Well I know you and Jim are experts in everything, but according to diffen.com they are the exact same class of drug (sedative hypnotics or nonbenzodiazepine. No clue what being approved decades later has to do with anything.
Quote:
While there aren't many studies directly comparing Ambien [1] and Lunesta, there are no known distinct advantages of one over the other - zolpidem (Ambien) is comparable in efficacy to other hypnotic agents like eszopiclone (Lunesta). [2]
Quote:
Lunesta and Ambien: What They Do
Lunesta is a brand name for eszopiclone. Ambien is a brand name for zolpidem. Both of these medications belong to a class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics. These powerful drugs decrease brain activity and produce a sense of calm and they can help you fall asleep. Both medications are intended for short-term use, and either one can become habit-forming.
While they both help you fall asleep, eszopiclone has a longer action in the body and may be more effective in helping you stay asleep. However, zolpidem has a second version, an extended-release tablet, which may help you stay asleep longer.
They are in the same class of drug, but they are not the same drug as you intimated yesterday. They are different chemically and are in different subclasses of hypnotics. There are similarities in how the body reacts to them, but differences as well.
Aspirin and ibuprofen are both in the same class of drugs as well - NSAIDs. But they are different drugs and while they have similar uses, they act differently in the body.
and how long before you go to bed do you eat? It sounds more like a blood sugar issue than a sleep issue. When your blood sugar drops, your cortisol rises and it wakes you up.
I would get a full checkup, especially with blood sugar levels. I have something called 'reactive hypoglycemia' which causes my blood sugar to drop at certain times. Adjusting my diet helped to regulate that and also helped me to sleep through the night.
You could also be having a lot of stress and that is also causing the cortisol spikes and makes you wake up.
I usually sleep fine, but when I do have an issue, Melantonin to the rescue. Cheap, over the counter, and completely safe. I take one 5mg tablet and I'm done within the hour.
My only caution would be not to take it prior to a morning you expect to be busy/active. I'm usually pretty groggy for the first two hours of the next morning unless I get a looong nights sleep in (like 9-10 hours) which these days doesn't happen anymore.
I take Trazedone, small dose. I don't have problems falling asleep, just sleeping through the night. The Trazedone helps.
Melatonin quit doing the trick even at 10mg.
I slept for 10 hours. the people next to me thought I was dead.
Incredible, highly recommend. If I had any issues sleeping I'd take this in a second.
Also, practice good sleep hygiene: stop using all screens: laptop, phone, etc, a couple of hours before bed. Avoid caffeine and nicotine. Don't eat before bed. Make sure the room the cool and dark. Go to bed at the same time every night.
I've had similar results with melatonin. But it does help some, so it's probably worth a try. Some people use herb teas like chamomile and lemongrass.
A natural substance that she is now trying since Ambien was taken away that has had some success is Valerian Root. You can find it at any drug store. Might be an option for you. Each capsule is 450mg but doubling up and hitting 900mg seems to be the sweet spot for a lot of people.
A natural substance that she is now trying since Ambien was taken away that has had some success is Valerian Root. You can find it at any drug store. Might be an option for you. Each capsule is 450mg but doubling up and hitting 900mg seems to be the sweet spot for a lot of people.
I thought melatonin was for staying asleep, but didn't help you fall asleep. Anyway, I have really vivid dreams on it usually involving ghosts.
Yup, in spades
1. Cool bedroom temp
2. No electronic devices starting 30 minutes before bedtime
3. No caffeine > 2PM
4. Pjs, t-shirts just for bed; don't wear the clothes during the day
5. Light stretching, keep breathing, yoga or meditation in transition
6. Reading a book--physical book, not a blue light e-reader
7. Caffeine free tea
8. Before turning off the lights, write a list of what you're grateful for
*via Huffington Post
It's important to note, however, that in the few clinical studies conducted, the use of Melatonin supplements as sleep aids produced similar results to a placebo - or sugar pill. It appears Melatonin is most successful times where are sircadian cycles have been thrown askew - such as recovering from travel or time zone changes.
The other most common sleep aids typically include Diphenhydramine - otherwise known as Benadryl. This is typically an antihistamine used for allergies, which also causes drowsiness. These commonly sell under the Zzzquil brand names and come in 25 and 50 mg doses.
The last category of sleep aids are homeopathic. These aren't regulated by the FDA, and comprised mostly of plant derivatives - as are most homeopathics. Don't waste your money on these.
My advice is to implement an excersize routine (even a walk after dinner). Minimize bright lights and other sources of stimulation 30min prior to whatever time you'd like to go to sleep and your cycle will stabilize within a couple of weeks.
Best of luck.
If you have the means, smoking a bit of grass helps too. Read a book. Night night city.
Is lunesta less habit forming and overall safer ? I know Ambien is pretty much a benzodiamphine without the anti anxiety effect so highly addictive in short which scares me.
I take Trazedone, small dose. I don't have problems falling asleep, just sleeping through the night. The Trazedone helps.
LSD is a stimulant.
I take Trazedone, small dose. I don't have problems falling asleep, just sleeping through the night. The Trazedone helps.
LSD? To sleep? Good lord.
Please don't take Buford's advice.
Is lunesta less habit forming and overall safer ? I know Ambien is pretty much a benzodiamphine without the anti anxiety effect so highly addictive in short which scares me.
I think Lunesta is exactly the same as Ambien (my guess), just different brand. Not sure though. I only took it that one trip. I got a flu shot before heading to Australia (coincidentally based on the timing) mentioned to my doctor I was taking a long flight and I'd love something to be able to sleep on the flight and he gave me two samples (4 pills) of Lunesta.
I only took two. One going to LA to Sydney and one from Sydney to LA. never took the other two. in fact they're still in my laptop bag.
Habit forming? Not from those two times. hallucinations or crazy dreams? not when I took it. Nothing but pure sleeping bliss on a brutally long flight.
I have had very good luck with Kavanase Ultra PM. It is very good but not cheap.
Dozing off but not staying asleep mostly.
And thanks for the responses everybody.
Quote:
Just wondering. Loved Ambien the times I've taken it. But scared and been warned how bad it can be if used regularly or even weekly.
Is lunesta less habit forming and overall safer ? I know Ambien is pretty much a benzodiamphine without the anti anxiety effect so highly addictive in short which scares me.
I think Lunesta is exactly the same as Ambien (my guess), just different brand. Not sure though. I only took it that one trip. I got a flu shot before heading to Australia (coincidentally based on the timing) mentioned to my doctor I was taking a long flight and I'd love something to be able to sleep on the flight and he gave me two samples (4 pills) of Lunesta.
I only took two. One going to LA to Sydney and one from Sydney to LA. never took the other two. in fact they're still in my laptop bag.
Habit forming? Not from those two times. hallucinations or crazy dreams? not when I took it. Nothing but pure sleeping bliss on a brutally long flight.
Lunesta is a completely different drug from Ambien. It's approved for long term use, which Ambien is not.
I've taken both. Don't like Ambien -- it knocks you out good, but scary good. You're pretty much knocked out for next 4-6 hours. Bad if say there was a fire. I've also half fallen asleep on my feet on the way back from the john and hurt myself, fortunately not seriously.
The other problem for me is it doesn't address my problem, which is staying asleep all night. If I take it before bed, it wears off in the middle of the night and I wake up. And it's too late to take after you wake up -- you'll be non-functional when you need to get up. They do make an extended version now, which I haven't tried. And won't given my experience with the regular version.
Lunesta is much milder, but longer lasting. Helps me stay down the whole night. Only downside is a nasty aftertaste in the morning.
Of course you could try studying the rule against perpetuities. That always put me to sleep.
There is also the NYS Freedom of Information Law "FOIL", but that one is dangerous. It is so boring it makes me wish for death, not sleep.
Quote:
I think LSD would be preferable to Ambien.
I take Trazedone, small dose. I don't have problems falling asleep, just sleeping through the night. The Trazedone helps.
LSD? To sleep? Good lord.
Please don't take Buford's advice.
I wasn't recommending LSD. It was a sarcastic remark about how Ambien made me feel. Ambien did not let me sleep, I had very bizarre dreams, and I felt like a zombie the next day. It was awful.
A few other points on sleep hygiene:
I bought a sleep mask to wear on an overnight plane trip to London. I am very sensitive to light. I now wear it every night and it helps me sleep.
For your PC, install F-Lux, it changes the lighting of the screen for the time of day. As the sun goes down, the screen changes to a more amber and less 'blue light' which will help you go to sleep at night.
Don't eat for a few hours before going to bed.
Go to bed and wake up around the same time everyday. Try going to bed an hour earlier than you normally do so you can get 7-8 hours of sleep. Most people go to bed too late and that also screws up your circadian rhythm. You want it to mimic the day/night cycle as closely as possible.
In the morning, try to expose yourself to sunlight as soon as possible. This will 'wake you up' and reset your circadian rhythm.
100% wrong, as Jim in Fairfax stated. Different class of drug and approved decades after Ambien approval in a much watched, relatively early biotech (Sepracor) entry in this space. It also went early to DTC marketing.
Even though approved as supposedly non-habit forming, if one resorts to sleep aids of whatever type (and I've had sleep-related issues to be sure, which usually resolve themselves over time), I think best taken for short period of time as physical and/or psychological dependency can be unpredictable.
100% wrong, as Jim in Fairfax stated. Different class of drug and approved decades after Ambien approval in a much watched, relatively early biotech (Sepracor) entry in this space. It also went early to DTC marketing.
Even though approved as supposedly non-habit forming, if one resorts to sleep aids of whatever type (and I've had sleep-related issues to be sure, which usually resolve themselves over time), I think best taken for short period of time as physical and/or psychological dependency can be unpredictable.
Well I know you and Jim are experts in everything, but according to diffen.com they are the exact same class of drug (sedative hypnotics or nonbenzodiazepine. No clue what being approved decades later has to do with anything.
Lunesta is a brand name for eszopiclone. Ambien is a brand name for zolpidem. Both of these medications belong to a class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics. These powerful drugs decrease brain activity and produce a sense of calm and they can help you fall asleep. Both medications are intended for short-term use, and either one can become habit-forming.
While they both help you fall asleep, eszopiclone has a longer action in the body and may be more effective in helping you stay asleep. However, zolpidem has a second version, an extended-release tablet, which may help you stay asleep longer.
Aspirin and ibuprofen are both in the same class of drugs as well - NSAIDs. But they are different drugs and while they have similar uses, they act differently in the body.
The difficulty sleeping is probably more a symptom of anxiety etc than the main issue. I'm going to make a call to the doctor Monday.
Also gonna try magnesium which I've heard is good and valerian.
Eli - are you middle aged? Probably prostate related ... Saw Palmetto supplement - check it out.
I'm 2-3 times a night with choppy, needing to snack at least once.
I've tried:
-Ambien, lunesta, Gabopenten, melatonin, sonata, Trazedone, clonazapam....and others
-I've gotten a night guard
Help.
I would get a full checkup, especially with blood sugar levels. I have something called 'reactive hypoglycemia' which causes my blood sugar to drop at certain times. Adjusting my diet helped to regulate that and also helped me to sleep through the night.
You could also be having a lot of stress and that is also causing the cortisol spikes and makes you wake up.