I don't look forward to going to sleep at night!

Sleeping at night - falling asleep
@ctryhnny (3460)
United States
April 3, 2013 4:28pm CST
My dr. just changed my sleep meds again since the last ones she put me on didn't work. Now I am on Ambien and it's not working either even though I take another sleep med with it. I'm lucky to get 3 hours sleep and I wake up wide awake. There's no way I could go to sleep without some kind of meds. It's now 5:30pm when I start to stress about whether I will sleep tonight or not. Maybe I just need to get used to the Ambien! Has anyone ever taken Ambien? What were your results...did it work for you?
4 people like this
14 responses
• United States
3 Apr 13
Maybe you're just taking too much medication to begin with. Some medicines keep you up and have reverse effects...and I heard that about Ambien. Have you tried drinking some warm milk before bedtime? Maybe taking a nice warm bath too before bed would help. Or, try reading, and if you can't read, watch a movie in bed or get an audio book and try that. I hate taking pills because they're usually damaging something in your body. Go jump on your trampoline for 1/2 hour and tire yourself out....could be lack of exercise. Did you ever try to figure out what is keeping you up? Are you thinking too much? Are you stressed out? Just trying to help here, really. Most of the time there is a logical answer for this and when you solve it, you'll sleep better.
1 person likes this
@ctryhnny (3460)
• United States
4 Apr 13
Yes, my mind races especially at night for some reason. I'm always stressed out by something...you know me I'm a worrier! I'm going to try doing some exercises on my treadmill. I think if I had a tv in my bedroom it would help but can't afford to buy another one. I usually end up falling asleep on the couch watching tv but wake up and go to bed.
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Apr 13
Didn't you sell your treadmill? I take my tv in the bedroom with me at night..it's only a 25" and very lightweight. Then in the morning, I bring it back out to the livingroom...crazy huh? I can only fall asleep if I have it on and then turn it off when I wake up for a second.
• United States
4 Apr 13
Being bi-polar maybe that is the medicine that isn't working correctly. If you found one that works in the right way, then you wouldn't need all the other medicines. If you're addicted to sleeping pills, then you shouldn't be taking them at all..you're going to kill yourself slowly but surely.
@mods196621 (3652)
• Philippines
3 Apr 13
I didn't take any sleeping pills or meds even I have troubles on sleep. The same as you I don't have a regular sleeping hours. Lucky to spend 5 hours of sleep at night in a week. I'm always stress, loaded of works at home, spend some engagement outside, practices of songs and a lot more. Being tired everyday can make me sleepless at night. Aside from that I always think 'bout problems of life. I don't go to doctor for that because of financial bothering within my pocket. And also I don't want to rely on medicine as always make my system immune to medicine. All I want is a natural way of sleeping peacefully and relax... :) Have a happy day!
1 person likes this
@ajithlal (14716)
• India
4 Apr 13
I think you should try to sleep at regular hours and this will makes you a habit of sleeping at regular hours.
@ctryhnny (3460)
• United States
4 Apr 13
Unfortunatly because I'm bi polar I need something to help me get to sleep and stay asleep. I always get ready for bed at the same time every night. I've been trying to stay up later just to see if I will sleep better.
@artemeis (4194)
• China
4 Apr 13
I think sleeping problems are common and especially so with the elderly. It is a fact that elderly people sleeps lesser with age and my grandfather is one example who can never get sleepy until past midnight and be awake at 4a.m. where I will smell the aroma of his fresh brewed coffee. The family was concerned during the early stage and after a while it just settled in as another habit of his after he showed no signs of ill health or unhappy. Likewise, I feel you should check if you are undergoing a natural physical change or if your sleep problem is related to other factors like disorders, stress, diet or habits. IMO medication should be last resort and even if you are on it, you should get off it once you can sleep without any effort to avoid reliance. Like my grandfather, who runs a small department store his mind was always on the business but he does not seem to be worried about it or let it affect his health. You may say that the business was his motivation that keeps him occupied and happy. The way we spend our time during the day is another factor that can affect us, we need to "exhaust" our energy and the most effective one is going physical like taking walks, grocery shopping or climbing a flight of stairs to tire us. It helps us with our blood circulation and most of all sleep. Another aspect would be making your environment right for sleeping. Maybe you like to sleep with a little light on or soothing music or a nice scent or all of the above. So, make it happen and try aromatherapy for scent. If you do not like essential oils then you may try using fresh flowers or fruits in the bedroom. For a start try putting fresh green apples in the room which is pleasant for decoration and pleasant in scent. As you retire to bed, you may want to slow things down for yourself try to tell yourself it is the end of the day and some things can wait till tomorrow. There's just 24 hours in a day and once you've finished what you need to do then the rest can wait. Last, you may want to try an old Chinese remedy that is to have a hot water foot bath before you go to bed. Take a pail or basin, fill it with hot water (ankle deep) and dip both your feet inside for at least 10-15 minutes. You can do it sitting on your bed just have a dry towel to dry your feet after that. For comfort you may add a cap of Dettol (disinfectant) or bath salts otherwise plain hot water is good enough. For extra comfort, put on a clean pair of woolen socks on your feet when you go to sleep.
• United States
4 Apr 13
Great response and I like your ideas! You're so right too, aromatherapy works wonders and nice soothing music might help. Fresh flowers and or fruit sounds so pleasant and I never thought of putting that in the bedroom....the flowers I have are in the livingroom and my fruit is in the kitchen. I'm going to try to switch once in a while. And ahhhh, I can just feel that nice warm foot bath right now, and that would help the back too. Great advice!
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
4 Apr 13
Are you saying that you are in insomnia problem? I don't have such problem, and as matter of fact, I took 3 hours sleep at evening, right after I got off work, and I can still good at night until the next day morning though. Quite frankly, I was sneezing this morning, and when I got home, I took one of those night quil med, which make me sleepy though. I expected to sleep through morning, quite an opposite.
@ctryhnny (3460)
• United States
4 Apr 13
I've taken Niquil when I had a cold and it works the opposite on me. It makes me hyper.
@nezavisima (7408)
• Bulgaria
3 Apr 13
friend should definitely change the way medicine I guess. if you can not sleep is very bad though insomnia will tire. I do have another problem, the more I sleep the more your head hurts. So now sleep less and feel much better. nice day!
1 person likes this
• Indonesia
4 Apr 13
try to exercise before bed..i think it's look like work
@ctryhnny (3460)
• United States
4 Apr 13
santozou I'm going to try exercising before I go to bed. I hope that helps.
4 Apr 13
Girl! you should change your medicine even though it's prescribed by your doctor. sleeping is a good source of energy. or you should see some doctors to solve your problem :)
@ctryhnny (3460)
• United States
4 Apr 13
I have 2 dr's that I see regularly and we're trying to figure out what to do. I am bi polar and my mind just works to much and too fast!
@ajithlal (14716)
• India
4 Apr 13
I think most probably you should consult our doctor and change the medication. I also think that you should to relax yourself so that you will be able to sleep well.
@ctryhnny (3460)
• United States
4 Apr 13
I see my dr often and talk to her on the phone. She has changed my meds a couple of times trying to find something that works.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
4 Apr 13
I have not taken any Ambien. I was given some medicine decades ago when I had my eye straightened out and I got so much terrible nightmares that I decided not to take anything. Even when I was in the hospital later, I would pretend I was asleep and then during the night would fall to sleep. However I do need something to make it easier so I take a sleeping tea that contains chamomile and it is better with the loose tea. I do wake up to go to the bathroom or have a drink of water as my mouth gets dry during the night, but then I get back to sleep. Do you have any pain that prevents you from sleeping?
@goldeneagle (6745)
• United States
4 Apr 13
I don't have trouble sleeping once I go to bed, but I have found that it is useless to try to go to bed before about 1 a.m., because I only end up tossing and turning.
@Iriene88 (5343)
• Malaysia
4 Apr 13
Sleepless night is really torturous. This morning I automatically wake up at 4am and I can't sleep again. I am now having my lunch at the office. Felt sleepy and tired at the same time. However, I normally can sleep well unless I am worrying about something. So, I would suggest you to surrender to God all matters that worrying you and just cast the burden unto the Lord. Free your mind and do not think whether you can sleep or not. Just think of the wonderful moments you have in your life, give thanks to all the blessings that you receive and I believe God will grant you sleep that will refresh your body and soul. Forgive everyone and live life to the fullest.
• India
4 Apr 13
Hi friend, sad to hear about your issue. I wonder why your daughter changed your medicine, if the previous one is better for you. As you mentioned you are stressed, just relax your self to get the new energy
• Indonesia
21 Apr 13
In my opinion if you too often using sleeping medicine, your body will adjust to it and you can’t sleep without it anymore. Have you consider your diet? Some foods may cause insomnia and like coffee, it’s better to not drink it after lunch time, because it will be in your system for 6 hours. You may want to try NLP Brainwaves called sound sleep. Simply put your headphones on ot stereo speaker on in your bedroom playing that delta waves, it will induce your brain to sleep.
• Singapore
6 Apr 13
Perhaps you can try sleeping on your right side and put your right palm near your right cheek/ear . It may give you more sound sleep.
• Singapore
4 Apr 13
So far, I do not take any medication to put me to sleep. I am not sure whether I am a natural sleeper or not. But what I can say is I can't see a pillow ! Once I lie down on a pillow , wherever the place may be, I will surely fall asleep within 10 minutes. I just relax my mind and body. Must have the nice feeling that "Ahhh, i can now rest.." and naturally, I will be sleepy. You may give it a try. Try not to think anything else . Just relax, feel the comfort .