It’s Barnaby, and unfortunately I have returned. Not that I didn’t miss all the wonderful feedback from the readers of CantSleep.com — but I had thought I had put my trouble sleeping to bed once and for all (no pun intended). For around two weeks, Valerian was working perfectly — but, to my dismay, last weekend I once again had trouble sleeping. I at first chalked it up to a temporary relapse into insomnia, but after tossing and turning the entirety of last night I realized my trouble sleeping has returned with a vengeance. I’ve previously enumerated here at CantSleep my search for the root cause of my insomnia — to no avail. My sleep apnea test came back negative, I don’t suffer from depression and I’ve severely limited my consumption of caffeine and alcohol since my trouble sleeping began several months ago.
I thought I had found the magic bullet to cure my trouble sleeping with Valerian — but alas, that was too good to be true. Well, I’m going to have to delve back into my insomnia research and unfortunately start again appointments with specialists in my seemingly never-ending quest for a good night’s sleep. I shall keep everyone updated on my sleep (or lack thereof).
Hi everyone, Barnaby here. First, I’d like to thank everyone who sent me suggestions for natural cures for insomnia. So many of you sent accupuncture — but to tell you the truth — that really freaks me out. I decided to try Valerian first, and it’s only been a few days but it appears it is already working. The lady who originally recommended it to me, Joanne, told me that it could take 2 to 3 weeks of use to take effect. She thinks that I might be experiencing a bit of the placebo effect, but to tell you the truth, I don’t care — just so long as I can sleep. Last night I got just over 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep, and I was actually able to stay alert and focused at work today — which recently has been a real rarity.
So just how does Valerian work? It appears that science has not yet answered this question. “Mainstream” medicine was initially skeptical of Valerian as a treatment for insomnia, but several recent studies have shown that it can be effective in many cases. In the end, so long as it helps me get restful sleep without harming me, I really don’t care what “science” says about it. I was able to find Valerian at a nutritional store, and Joanne recommended that I start with a daily intake of 7 grams taken 3 hours before going to bed. For the past 2 nights I’ve fallen asleep within an hour after hitting the pillow. I haven’t experienced any side effects like I did before with sleeping pills, and my research so far hasn’t shown anyone who claims Valerian is addictive.
I’m quickly becoming a believer in Valerian. We’re off tomorrow on a trip for a few days to visit my wife’s sister and her family up in Wisconsin. Taking a few days off work should further help to reduce the stress which built up during my several weeks of not sleeping. Hopefully the Valerian continues to allow for restful sleep. I’ll give everyone an update when I return.
Hi all, it’s Barnaby checking back in. When I last posted on CantSleep.com the other day I was about to have my sleep apnea test. My doctor just called and advised me that I do not have sleep apnea. I can’t help but feel relieved, but at the same time I am disappointed that a definitive reason for my insomnia can not be ascertained. For now, I’ve decided that I’ve had enough of doctors and so-called experts, and I’m going to try to find a solution for my sleep issues which doesn’t involve pills. If you remember, I’ve previously described on here my unpleasant experiences with over the counter sleep aids. I tried various types of over the counter sleep pills, and they left me with horrible nightmares and insatiable thirst. I’m also quite nervous about becoming addicted to sleeping pills.
Last night my wife had me call her friend Joanne who is really into alternative medicine. Joanne told me that there are several possible natural cures for insomnia, and that she personally has seen them used with success. She gave me a list of possible natural cures of insomnia, and I’m now researching them trying to decide which is best for me. I first ruled out Melatonin. Although it seems that many people are able to use Melatonin successfully, I read that it can cause nightmares — something which I have already shown a tendency towards when I tried over the counter sleep aids. Also out is Kava. Although I see it discussed online, Joanne told me to stay away from it — Kava is now thought to potentially cause liver damage.
The next possibility is Valerian. This seems interesting. It seems that Valerian is a really popular natural cure for insomnia in Europe, and it has been used to treat insomnia for hundreds of years. Joanne insisted that Valerian is not tied to nightmares, and most importantly it is not addictive. The downside is that she said that you have to take Valerian for two to three weeks before it becomes effective. I don’t know if I can make it another 3 weeks like this sleeping only a few hours a night — if that. Joanne also suggested Yoga and Feng Shui — but I really am not the Eastern mystic type. I guess Yoga can’t hurt, but Feng Shui just strikes me as silly.
I think Valerian is on the top of my list to try as a natural cure for insomnia. Has anyone out there had success with any other possible natural cures? I’d really love to hear if you have.
Well, it didn’t last long. After sleeping like a baby last night, here I am again at 1:45am sitting out on our deck. After almost 3 hours of tossing and turning I decided to let Suz sleep in peace. I’m pretty sure she woke up when I got out of bed, and it’ll cause her to worry once again. She was so elated after my full night’s sleep yesterday, I was tempted to pretend to sleep the night through just to avoid her concern. But I needed some fresh air — lying in that bed sleeplessly any longer was going to drive me crazy.
When insomnia first hit me several weeks ago I thought it was a temporary thing, and I turned to over the counter sleep aids. I’m not a big fan of taking pills, but I read up on them and for occasional use most every authoritative site I researched said that they were ok. However, for me — they weren’t. For some reason, over the counter sleep aids caused me horrific nightmares — so bad that I’d awake screaming scaring the heck out of my wife and kids. Also, for the entire next day after I took sleeping pills I was incredibly dazed, fatigued and confused. It was even worse than after being up the whole night without any sleep at all. Also, for almost a day after taking over the counter sleep aids I couldn’t drink enough water — no matter how much I drank my mouth remained bone dry.
I tried both types of over the counter sleep aids — those containing Diphenhydramine and ones containing Doxylamine. Neither were good, but the second type did not produce side effects as severe as the first. Right now, I’m so disappointed that my insomnia returned after a beautiful night’s sleep last night that I’m willing to try an over the counter sleep aid again. I’m going to try a different brand containing Doxylamine than I tried initially a few weeks ago, and I really hope it works. I really need at least a few hours of sleep tonight, or I’m going to be completely worthless at tomorrow’s (or today’s I should say now that it is 2:00am) staff meeting. There is a 24 hour drugstore a few blocks down the street — surely the over the counter sleep aids aisle will be a lively place at 2am. Maybe I can make some new insomniac friends.
Part of me is scared that pills will work ok for me — most of what I read warns about how addictive they can be. Assuming they can work for me — what road will that lead down? I really wanted to stay away from pills, but as they say, the best laid plans of mice and men…..
Many of those who suffer from insomnia do not want to rely upon over-the-counter or prescription medications nor upon any other solution employing chemicals or artificial substances. Thankfully, there are a variety of natural sleep aids which have been effectively — and safely — used for centuries. Melatonin is one of these natural sleep aids, and it is produced by the body for the purpose of regulating your internal “timeclock”. Taking Melatonin a half hour prior to going to bed is among the best natural sleep aids available, and independent studies have shown that it entails minimal side effects. Some who use Melatonin report highly vivid dreams and/or nightmares.
Another popular supplement among the universe of natural sleep aids is Valerian. This natural herb is actually sold over the counter in Europe as one of several natural sleep aids, and it has been used for hundreds of years by those having trouble falling asleep. Valerian must be used for several weeks to take effect, and it should be consumed an hour before going to sleep. The good news is that no side effects whatsoever have been associated with Valerian.
Kava is another herb which falls within the class of natural sleep aids, and it has been used for several decades as a natural cure for insomnia. However, there have been recent reports which tie excessive Kava use to liver injuries, so we recommend avoiding this natural sleep aid. In the end, what works for one person might not work for another. Natural sleep aids have varying effects on different users, and you must derive by trial and error which is the best for you.
Millions of Americans have occasional — if not chronic — problems when it comes to getting a full night’s sleep. Most commonly, those suffering from insomnia select from a variety of OTC (over the counter medications dispensed without a prescription) sleep aids. Which are the best sleep aids, and how does one ensure they are taken safely? Although much remains unknown about their efficacy and associated potential long term side effects, certain facts have been ascertained in relation to many of the most popular OTC pharmaceutical sleep aids.
Diphenhydramine is a very common component within many OTC sleep aids, and it is the active ingredient within brand names including Benadryl, Tylenol PM and Sominex. Those who use drugs containing Diphenhydramine can expect to experience side effects including, but not limited to, dizziness, extended drowsiness often lasting after the subsequent morning, memory problems and a dry mouth. Sleep aids containing Diphenhydramine should be avoided by those with cardiovascular issues, an enlarged prostate or glaucoma. Additionally, Diphenhydramine is not among the best sleep aids for pregnant or breast-feeding women.
OTC sleep aids utilizing the active ingredient Doxylamine are also currently a popular choice for those experiencing occasional insomnia. The most salient brand name using Doxylamine is Unisom, and potential side effects associated with this OTC sleep aid include prolonged drowsiness, dry mouth and light-headedness. Unisom and other OTC sleep aids containing Doxylamine should not be used by those with glaucoma, bronchitis, peptic ulcers or asthma. It is strongly advised that those taking any OTC sleep aid refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery until the effects have completely worn off.
Some of the best sleep aids contain natural supplements as opposed to chemically-based pharmaceuticals. The most common supplement used to combat insomnia is melatonin. Some swear by melatonin’s effectiveness, whereas others claim that it is far from being among the best sleep aids currently available. Much of the debate centers around potential side effects of melatonin which includes the reports of irrational behavior, depression, confusion and anxiety. However, some melatonin users do not report any of these adverse effects.
Whichever OTC sleep aid you select, it is important to closely follow the instructions printed on the bottle. Those with serious pre-existing medical conditions should only use OTC sleep aids under the supervision of their primary care physician. When used properly, OTC pills for insomnia can prove to be among the best sleep aids available.
There are a huge amount of sleep aids on the market today. When picking a sleep aid there are three categories to pick from. One is available only by prescription, the second choice is to use an over the counter sleep aid while others are at your nearest health food store. Only you and/or your doctor can help to decide which sleep aid is right for you.
Prescription medications that help you get to sleep include Lunesta, Rozerem, Halcion, Ambien and Sonata. Medications that help you stay asleep are Estazdam, Lunesta, Restoril, Ambien CR. These are really more of a last resort for someone with prolonged insomnia. Side effects may include dizziness, headache, sleep-driving, severe allergic reaction, swelling of the face, as well as possible prolonged drowsiness.
The next best possible sleep aids are over the counter medications. Diphenhydramia, is the key ingredient in medications such as Nytol, Sominex and Unisom. These have very few side effects. It is possible to become addicted to any sleep aid, whether a prescription or over the counter drug.
Getting out of the drug thought process, try using herbs to help you sleep. A cup of chamomile tea before bed helps to relax your mind and your muscles. You may also want to try valerian root which reduces the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep as well as increasing the quality of your sleep. This should be taken approximately 1 hour before bedtime. Valerian root takes 2-3 weeks for the user to receive it’s full effects. Do not use it longer than 3 months. Consult a health professional before using this herb if you take prescription medications. Other items are lavender, which is a known stress reliever as well as St.John’s Wort which is known to help with depression. If your insomnia is due to depression then this herbal supplement would help a great deal. Another supplement recommended by herbalists is melatonin. Melatonin is a natural substance inside our bodies that help to control your internal clock. It can be taken in pill form. It is great for jet lag or if you work odd hours at work. Melatonin should be taken within 30 minutes of bedtime and be used for less than three months. Doctors say that caution should be used with this her if you suffer from depression or an autoimmune disease. All of these herbs can be found in health food stores as well as in some grocery stores.
A truly all natural way to induce sleep is through food. Ingesting Tryptaphan, most commonly found in turkey meat, causes increased levels in serotonin which transforms into melatonin. This type of response also occurs when eating complex carbohydrates such as whole grain breads or whole grain crackers.
Everyone likes to enjoy a good night’s sleep but not many are fortunate enough to get that every single day of their lives. Drugs such as Indiplon promise to help sort out this very problem.
Indiplon – Sleepless No More
Indiplon is an experimental sleep inducing drug which has been made primarily in two formulations, the immediate release version for sleep onset and the other which is a sustained release version, for sleep maintenance. Hence the administration of the drug can be varied depending on specific sleep problems as reported by the individuals seeking treatment. The immediate release formulation is believed to be effective for about three to four hours and helpful for those who have trouble falling asleep. The sustained release version lasts for about six to eight hours and works well on those who wake up frequently while sleeping. It has been successfully tested on rodents where quick and significant depression in locomotor activity was observed on administration and therefore believed to act more quickly and effectively than most sleep inducers.
Indiplon is a non-benzodiazepine agent which has a high affinity towards GABA-A receptors and binds itself to a GABA-A receptor inside the brain resulting in inducing of sleep. There are many sleeping pills like Ambien and Lunesta but Indiplon is expected to be ten times more effective than these drugs. Indiplon has a faster more effective result as it gets absorbed into the blood stream relatively quickly and gets metabolized faster as well, as a result of which the person will not feel sleepy or drugged when he wakes up in the morning. The main use of the drug is for two purposes. For an occasional good night’s sleep and for the cure of chronic insomnia.
Insomnia is a common disorder that affects a large part of the world’s population and originates dues to a number of reasons. Almost everyone experiences a few sleepless nights in a lifetime, but there are some who seem to take up a larger share. People suffering from insomnia either find it difficult to fall asleep or wake up in between sleep frequently, thereby ending up with a stressed and restless feeling when they wake up eventually in the mornings. Although in most cases treating the causative factors such as depression or stress may help relieve insomnia, in certain cases where there are no apparent or underlying causes the insomnia may need to be treated as a distinct problem by itself.
Although Indiplon is expected to help many distressed insomniacs enjoy a night of fitful uninterrupted sleep it is not without its share of side effects. Like almost all other hypnotic drugs prolonged use of non-benzodiazepine drugs such as Indiplon can cause serious damage to one’s body and is believed to cause cancer of the breast, lungs, heart, lung, brain and bowel. The dosage prescribed depends on the sleep patterns of individual cases. For a person who suffers from insomnia and is able to sleep for less than six hours a four weeks of dosage of 10 mg daily is recommended. What works in favor of Indiplon as compared to other sleep inducing drugs is the fact that unlike the other sedatives Indiplon does not leave a long lasting drowsy feeling.
If you’re looking for a low-impact solution to your sleepless nights, then consider the insomnia drug Sonata.
If you find you can’t sleep again tonight, then take comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. A majority of people will experience a sleeping disorder at some point in their lifetime with approximately 50% of adults suffering from insomnia. Since many cases of insomnia are caused by brief periods of high stress, most of them are short-term and resolve themselves without treatment. Unfortunately, a significant number of people will experience long-term or chronic insomnia too. The good news is that modern medicine has answered the demand for a solution with a variety of treatments. Sonata is one of the most popular of these insomnia treatments.
How to Use Sonata
The insomnia medication Sonata comes in pill form and is distributed by King Pharmaceuticals. Its primary active ingredient, zaleplon, is a hypnotic. Clinical studies have proven that Sonata is effective in treading both transient and chronic insomnia in young and elderly adults. Most patients will be prescribed a daily dosage of 10mg to be taken immediately before bed. Elderly patients or patients with preexisting medical conditions may be prescribed a reduced daily dosage of 5mg. Sonata users should be sleeping noticeably better within 7-10 days.
Do not take Sonata unless you are experiencing trouble sleeping, and do not take a larger dose than your doctor has prescribed. Because some patients may develop a tolerance for zaleplon, Sonata is only prescribed for periods of 30 days or less. Sonata has not been tested on or approved for children, pregnant women, or nursing mothers.
How Sonata Works
Sonata is used exclusively as a sleep medication. Its primary ingredient acts as a hypnotic and sedative by encouraging the brain’s receptors to increase production of GABA, a chemical that causes people to feel relaxed and drowsy. Sonata will help patients to fall asleep but wears off quickly and thus is not as effective at helping them to stay asleep. The makers of Sonata do not recommend taking it immediately after a meal, and also advise users to avoid consuming a fatty diet as it may retard the drug’s ability to effectively engage your brain’s receptors.
Side Effects of Sonata
The most common side effects of Sonata are headaches, dizziness, nausea, and abdominal pain. Few of the patients experiencing these side effects reported repeated or even prolonged occurrences. Serious side effects are more likely to occur in elderly patients or patients whose health is already compromised. These side effects may include: amnesia, confusion, vertigo, loss of appetite, constipation, and pain or discomfort of the body, face, and extremities.
Patients that take Sonata for more than 30 days are also at risk of developing liver disease. Prolonged use of Sonata may also affect your mental health. If you become depressed or experience any of the physical side effects mentioned above for a prolonged period of time, then contact your doctor immediately and discontinue use of Sonata.
Prior to taking Sonata, ask your doctor about how it reacts with other drugs, medications, and vitamins. You should not take Sonata if you have zaleplon or aspirin allergies. You should also avoid consuming alcohol while on Sonata.
Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to get a peaceful and refreshing full night’s sleep. But the unfortunate ones fortunately have drugs such as Rozerem that can to a large extent take care of the problem for them.
Is Rozerem For You ? – Sleep On It
Sleep inducing drugs have been around for as long as sleeplessness and Rozerem comes with a lot of promises for the sleepless. Starting with potions that induced drowsiness to more sophisticated drugs that depressed the nervous system, sleeping pills have come along way. The earlier attempts have had the desired effect of inducing and maintaining sleep. But they were fraught with side-effects. Nausea and dryness of the mouth are some of the discomforts suffered by users. In addition, there was the danger of addiction.
Attempts to formulate a drug that did not sedate the entire nervous system, that was not addictive and that did not have side-effects led to the invention of Rozerem. Rozerem is a melatonin receptor agonist, which means that it attaches or bonds with only specific group of neurons localized in the brain and not in the entire nervous system. It leaves the entire central nervous system free to function normally, while it attacks the area of the brain dealing with sleep overloads. By bonding with MT1 and MT2 and thus blocking the alertness mechanism, Rozerem allows the sleep overload to take over and the person falls asleep naturally. Also, the time taken to fall asleep is significantly reduced with the use of Rozerem.
While this sounds like a fairy tale, bear in mind that often when a medication is tested for safety and efficacy, some side-effects do not come to light and are only seen when the drug is used. So, even though devised as a safe and naturally acting pill, it would not be wise to use Rozerem indiscriminately. Use it only under the doctor’s instructions, in the recommended dosage. Do not stop it suddenly or you will have withdrawal symptoms as your dependence on the pill has affected your ability to fall asleep naturally. Also, many a time, using a pill regularly and over long periods may reduce its efficacy, so do consult your doctor from time to time. Rozerem is not classified as a controlled substance and is definitely not a narcotic, but it could become habit forming.
In fact, there are several DON’Ts associated with the use of Rozerem. Avoid Rozerem if you are taking LUVOX or have liver problems. Also do not pop a Rozerem after having consumed alcohol. Since dizziness is one of the side effects, do not drive or operate machinery till you know how you will react to Rozerem. Many people may have allergic reactions. Rozerem may affect your libido or fertility, so do visit your doctor immediately if you notice any irregularities here.
Typically Rozerem is taken just before bedtime, usually about 30 minutes before and you can sleep for 8 hours after that, so you sleep away the potential nasty effects like nausea or dizziness. So what do these 8 hours of unbroken sleep cost you? A little more than $3, the average price of an 8mg Rozerem pill! With all the precautions and side effects listed, you have to decide if it is worth the cost.
Vanda does all three. In the Phase II trials, 3 different doses of VEC162 were tested against a placebo and were to found to be more effective, for all three levels. It has been found to increase sleep time up to 48 minutes, according to reports. Furthermore, it facilitates natural sleep, so there are no side effects.
WASO (Wake Up After Sleep Onset) is the insomniac’s nightmare. VEC 162 reduced this causing the user to have an efficient sleep, and the time taken to fall asleep was also reduced. In pharma – medical parlance, VEC 162 had the desired sleep onset effect and sleep maintenance effect.
How does Vanda achieve this? Unlike the other drugs that bind to GABA-A receptors, widespread in the Central Nervous System, therefore, affecting the entire nervous system, Vanda is a melatonin receptor agonist, which means it selectively binds to melatonin receptors in the brain’s ‘master clock’. It does not bind with any other receptor in the entire nervous system, thereby avoiding a sedative effect or causing depression in the entire nervous system. It dampens the alerting signal and allows accumulated sleep load to take over, very naturally. This helps treat sleep disorders safely, without the scepter of sedation, and may even help depression, which successive trials would confirm.
The good news is that Vanda will probably be sold as an uncontrolled drug, just as its predecessor Rozerem, since it has no potential for abuse and no withdrawal symptoms. There are also no uncomfortable side effects like a dry mouth or more seriously, hormonal changes. Also, Vanda betters the current favorite Rozerem in sleep maintenance and might even overtake its sales. People will probably clamor for this wonderful pill with no known side effects – but wait! The most innocuous of remedies can be abused by unthinking users.
If you do start using Vanda, please take the physician’s directions very seriously. Do not prescribe your own doses. Secondly, try not to think of the drug as a lifeline for life. Instead, look upon it as a temporary means to get over your current sleep difficulties. It is also suggested that you use it only if your lack of sleep is due to ‘physical’ causes, like an injury or post-surgery pain. If you are under stress, look to first solve your problems cerebrally, rather than just bank on drug-induced sleep. This would insure you against the most serious side effect – drug dependence, dependence more psychological than physiological. Used judiciously, there is probably no parallel to Vanda in the treatment of insomnia and other sleep disorders.
I had a bunch of people email me about Lunesta! Remember I am not a doctor, I just do research on topics people want to know about and display it here. With that said, please follow the medical advice of your doctor!
Lunesta is a non-narcotic sleep medicine for adults that aids in falling asleep. It is made especially for persons suffering from insomnia, helping them stay asleep for up to 7-8 hours.
How it Works
Lunesta helps the body fall asleep and stay asleep by enhancing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid, which is a chemical in the brain that controls sleep. It induces sleep by relaxing the body and the mind.
Benefits
Good thing about Lunesta is that it does not create drug tolerance, which means that it can be taken either in a short term or long term without losing its effectiveness and as well as without having to depend on the drug.
Some sleep medications will create rebound insomnia once the person stops taking the medication. That means that the person will experience a more severe case of insomnia compared to what he or she experienced before taking a medication. People taking Lunesta will have a low risk of developing rebound insomnia.
Possible Side Effects
The most common side effects of this drug are drowsiness, headache, dizziness, common cold-like symptoms, dry mouth and unpleasant taste in the mouth.
There are also possible serious side effects such as memory loss and anxiety. The person may also experience and manifest abnormal thoughts and behaviors such as agitation, confusion, hallucination, aggressiveness, suicidal attempts and depression. Severe allergic reactions include difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat or tongue and nausea and vomiting.
Risks of Lunesta
Lunesta is not indicated for everyone. Persons that are contraindicated in taking Lunesta are those having health conditions like liver diseases. Persons with history of addiction, drug abuse, drug abuse, mental illness, suicidal attempts and depression are also contraindicated from taking Lunesta. Women who are pregnant, breast-feeding and planning to become pregnant are also not allowed to take the medication.
Availability
Lunesta is available in a tablet form that comes in 1-, 2- and 3-mg.
When to use it
It is necessary to take Lunesta exactly as prescribed by the doctor. It should be taken with a glass of water right before going to bed. It should not be taken during a meal or right after a meal. It is not advisable to take Lunesta together with alcoholic beverages or with medications that can make you drowsy or sleepy.
What Lunesta-users Need to Know
* It is necessary to inform your doctor about all medications (vitamins, herbal supplements, prescription and nonprescription medicines) that you are currently taking because Lunesta may create interactions with some medications that can cause serious side effects.
* Lunesta may cause drowsiness that may last until the following day. It is necessary that you should avoid activities such as driving until you feel fully awake.
* If you still continue to experience insomnia or if it worsens within 7-10 days despite taking the medication on time, you need to call your doctor.
* If overdose occurs, it is necessary to call a poison control center or your doctor for an emergency treatment.
Hi everyone, Barnaby here. First, I’d like to thank everyone who sent me suggestions for natural cures for insomnia. So many of you sent accupuncture — but to tell you the truth — that really freaks me out. I decided to try Valerian first, and it’s only been a few days but it appears it is already working. The lady who originally recommended it to me, Joanne, told me that it could take 2 to 3 weeks of use to take effect. She thinks that I might be experiencing a bit of the placebo effect, but to tell you the truth, I don’t care — just so long as I can sleep. Last night I got just over 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep, and I was actually able to stay alert and focused at work today — which recently has been a real rarity.
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