Insomnia

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I have suffered with insomnia all my life. From anti-depressants, to herbal teas, medicines, relaxing tapes, meditation, etc, I feel I have done it all. The only think that works for me are sleeping pills. I take zolpidem, not a high dose and it helps. I have had people tell me how bad it is to take this medication, but truth is, if I didn't, I wouldn't be able to cope. Not sleeping, has to be the single handedly worst ailment I have experienced.

Does anyone have this problem? Any positive outcomes that you want to share?

Most of my adult life. Did a sleep study but according to the doctor, it wasn't severe enough so i couldn't get sleeping pills (Prescribed here in Sweden).

I take it you have perhaps already tried melatonin?

http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/ ... -and-sleep

I use slow release, melatonin. I use half a tablet of melatonin and half a tablet of zolpidem. The zolpidem knocks me out, while melatonin keeps me knocked out.

melatonin is something you can buy over the counter. Melatonin on it's own doesn't knock me out, just makes me feel tired.

EDIT: advantages of using both http://www.livestrong.com/article/41758 ... ambien-cr/ and of course you are now using less zolpidem over a certain time.

Stalk, years ago, when I still travelled to the USA, I used to buy it. It *did* work. Your concoction of half and half sounds like something that would be effective with me too. I agree, the zolpidem has that "knock me out" effect. It's when I wake up 4/5 hours later that's the problem.

But melatonin is not sold in the UK because the "fat cats" haven't figured out how to make a fortune out of it yet.

Grrrrrrr....Makes me *so* angry!! !! !

perhaps the alternative for you is then to try foods that assists in raising melatonin levels.

Thank you Stalk.

I already use olive oil daily. But shall buy walnuts, tomatoes, grapes and tart cherries.

I will keep a list of these foods in my fridge, so I can be reminded.

I don't drink win, and only have the odd beer every now and again.

I would rather take the supplement though.

sorry, I'm not familiar with the NHS or how to get a prescription for melatonin (as the wikipedia states). Why not just ask for a combination of zolpidem and melatonin when you get your renewal of your prescription?

I've also mentioned in other threads about diary products making you feel good (cheese/milk etc), well here is a link http://www.health-conscious-travel.com/ ... you-sleep/ This will also help you feel good (serotonin).

Enough information for now I guess, otherwise you might just get dehydrated and get a massive headache

Stalk, they don't have melatonin here, regardless of getting a prescription or not. It is banned. Stupid, I know.

Thanks for the tips

LOL I had typed "tits" instead of "tips" and thankfully saw the typo in time.

I was more stuck on the banned part that you mentioned. I don't know if I'm stubborn here, but banned means you probably require a prescription. So far everything on Google points to getting a supply of melatonin legally by prescription in the UK. I would imagine the same would be required if you asked for zolpidem.

And... ja... the other thing, I'm mostly oblivious to those kinds of mistake(s)...

Ahhhhh glad you insisted. Yes, it looks like it *can* be obtained with a prescription

I have an appointment with my GP on the 5th! I know what I will be asking for then. He better not say no.

Yeah I guess, if you beat him senseless you will have gained satisfaction of exercise which includes serotonin. You'll probably sleep like a baby after that

This post of mine at the end of the page covers the issue:
http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt223746.html

While we were talking about depression - it is extremely relevant to this, because almost every aspie woman I know has insomnia at worst, or sleeping issues at best.

Women naturally have a harder time keeping serotonin levels balanced to begin with - but when you're a woman aspie, it's basically asking for major trouble.
If you don't have enough serotonin in your system, at the end of the day, your body cannot convert it to melatonin in order to send you to sleep.

While melatonin is a quick fix and a short term solution it won't solve the underlying problem here.

I have had good results with Tylenol and Alka-seltzer before bed. If you google search "6 surprising sleep wreckers", you will find a article on WebMD, that I think is pretty good. #3, GERD was keeping me awake. Apparently, even mild pain can keep one awake, even if one doesn't know it.

Thanks for the input. Every opinion helps.

Kjas, I think you are right, because I have always suffered from insomnia, ever since I was a child!

MrBryce that concoction sounds dangerous in the long run? I have to take Omeprazole daily, for GERD, due to a hiatal hernia. Because of my asthma I also have to be careful with painkillers.

I will google "6 surprising sleep wreckers"...thank you.

Kjas, I will have a look at that link of yours too.

You can buy an amino acid - tryptophan - in most health food stores without a prescription of any kind and use it as a supplement.
Tryptophan will convert to serotonin, and from there, will convert to melatonin when it's time to go to bed - it should help any insomnia, depression and anxiety you have.