help with insomnia, please!

[sherry7899]

I had been sleeping better for a few months, but now I am having trouble again. Yoga doesn't work, sleep tea does not work, I don't have any caffeine in the afternoon or evening, etc, etc.....

The current pattern is not being able to fall asleep until 1:30 or 2 am, and that is with taking Motrin PM. I hate using medication. I get that "day after" even though it is the same day, headache when I use them.

Even when I fall asleep that late, I still wake up by 6 or 6:30 am, yes, even on the weekends (joy!)

I don't want to take prescription medication.

Being this tired kills any energy I have for exercise.

Does anyone have any advice?

Thank you !
Sherry

[Cowgirl32]

Have you ever tried acupuncture? It's a great way to reset the natural circadian rhythm.

[spotted zebra]

I'm sure you'll get lots of interesting suggestions from different people. I'll be interested to read them too.

ETA: I'm starting to second guess my suggestion for valerian root. It used to be amazingly helpful, but even this week alone has been more hit and miss.

[Usia]

Originally Posted by spotted zebra

My suggestion: taking two capsules of Valerian 1/2 an hour to an hour prior to bed works wonders. It's an herb you can get at any health store. A word of warning, the aroma is that of stinky socks! But boy do they work. Very calming.

My experience with valerian root is that it gave me wild dreams and while it put me to sleep with no problems, I would wake up after 4 hours when the effect wore off, and with a slight headache. Melissa leaf (lemon balm) used to help me, but now the result it the same as with valerian root minus the headache. Nowadays, I try to listen to some relaxing music or tapes and hope for the best.

[txhsmom]

Have you tried time release Melatonin? It helps me some.

Carol

[desderata]

I tried melatonin in the past and it did absolutely nothing for me. Recently I found Emergen-zzzz - the same company that makes EmergenC. It is a little packet of powder you can put in hot water and sip like a tea or in cold water and chug down. It has melatonin in it and it really helps me go to sleep. I don't know if the different delivery system makes the difference or what, but this stuff is the only "natural" remedy that has ever helped my insomnia. I found it at Walgreens and CVS.

[violingal3]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl32

Have you ever tried acupuncture? It's a great way to reset the natural circadian rhythm.

Yes, this worked wonderfully for me. So well that I'd schedule appointments as late as possible so I could come home and immediately fall into a deep sleep. Ahhhhhhhh!

[Joni O]

I've been taking magnesium at the suggestion of a dietitian for a couple of years. 800mg before. Not recommending, just saying what I do.

[Vantreesta]

I was going to suggest melatonin as well. Another option might be to try a light box in the morning. Supposedly light therapy can help reset the circadian rhythm as well. I don't have problems sleeping so can't speak to how effective it is for that (I use it for SAD and sleep inertia) though. Good luck!

[sherry7899]

Thank you all so much for the suggestions. I really appreciate it.

I had tried valerian root years ago, and it gave me really weird and disturbing dreams.

Sometimes melatonin helps and sometimes it doesn't . I am willing to try it again.

I will look into magnesium. I have not tried that yet.

Thank you!