Patient Comments: Insomnia - Treatment
Please describe your effective treatments with insomnia.
Comment from: paigers, 13-18 Female (Patient)
Published: December 20
I have chronic insomnia where I go a few days without sleep. Normally I have issues initiating sleep, but I take a dose of melatonin and Benadryl, which helps me fall asleep within an hour. I have to take it eight hours before my desired awake time or otherwise I'd be extremely drowsy throughout the day. Sometimes the medicine doesn't work, and I wake up frequently during the night and early morning. I am definitely against sleeping pills because I don't want to have a physiological dependence or suffer withdrawal. Was this comment helpful?Yes
Comment from: DavidA, 45-54 Male (Patient)
Published: June 15
For years I have had trouble falling and staying asleep or wakening and unable to fall back asleep. I have a particularly stressful job and I would change my circumstance if I could afford to do so, but that's not happening anytime soon. I am a coffee drinker and though I have quit and resumed many times, I never found that avoiding caffeine helped my issue. I also have mild depression and these days have had success in minimizing it. I take OTC antihistamine to help me fall asleep, and that works 80% of the time, but there are times where nothing seems to help. I have tried everything from prescriptions to melatonin supplements. Even recently I had a pulled muscle where the hydro-codeine painkiller could not even help me fall asleep. When I awake in the night I have mentioned jokingly to coworkers that the "committee" called a meeting to discuss all things worrisome. Was this comment helpful?Yes
Related Medications: codeine
Comment from: lexy, 35-44 Female (Patient)
Published: November 11
When I go to bed, I'm not sleepy, so I have to take Paxil two hours before bed and then two pills of lorazepam plus melatonin. I had tried in the past to lower the dose, and only take melatonin after stopping taking all others gradually. It had worked, but two or three months later, I started the process again. It is hard to go back to your normal sleep again, but I'm going to try once again. Was this comment helpful?Yes
Related Medications: lorazepam
Comment from: Doeleane, 65-74 Female (Caregiver)
Published: October 12
I could fall asleep very easily but I would wake up about 3AM and unable to fall back to sleep. Several doctors subscribed many sleeping pills, which I have been reluctant to take. Finally, one doctor told me to watch The Late Show, go to bed and wake up at a set time the next morning. I did this for several weeks and finally it all came together. I fall asleep at 11:30PM and wake up at 7:30 the next morning feeling good. It was hard to stay awake until 11:30, but I did it. This simple procedure was my savior. I hope someone else might find a simple remedy like this very helpful! Was this comment helpful?Yes
Comment from: bilbo, 35-44 Male (Patient)
Published: October 08
I am epileptic and a good night's sleep is essential, as I become more susceptible to fits. I am currently on 15 mg of diazepam and 20 mg of temazepam (per day) and they generally work well for me. I don't have to worry about nodding off during the day, as this doesn't happen. I'm in a better place now than I was a few years ago, thanks in large part of my GP. I've had her for the last 2 ½ years and she's great. Many thanks to her. Was this comment helpful?Yes
Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Insomnia - Sleep Hygiene
Question: Describe the types of sleep hygiene you practice to treat insomnia. What works for you?
Insomnia - Medications
Question: What medications have you taken to relieve your insomnia? Please relate your experience.
Insomnia - Experience
Question: Please describe your experience with insomnia.
Insomnia - Causes
Question: What caused your insomnia?
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I have had chronic insomnia for years now. Have tried almost every sleeping pill and natural method there is. Some would work for a while and then stop. I have very chronic pain due to lumbar fusion and just very recently a cervical 2 level fusion. My doctor put me on 25 mg Elavil(amitriptyline) at bedtime. At first I slept so hard I was having trouble waking up in the morning. (this was actually given to me for nerve pain) But I continued to take it. After 2 weeks it had tapered off and I wasn't sleeping as good. He recently increased my dosage to 75 mg and I am sleeping all night and can still function in the day! So as of right now, I love it!
Related Medications: amitriptyline