I often take an unnatural pride in the fact that I have rarely taken pharmaceuticals. I've never had a prescription for anything and only twice in my life have I resorted to them for brief maladies: In 1997 I had pneumonia and took a course of antibiotics for three days. And a few years ago, I had a weird back spasm which was so painful that I had to take a muscle relaxer for two days. The truth is, I've gotten through nearly 47 years without taking them and I'm still upright. I'd always intended to avoid them as long as I can.So much for noble intention..I am just about ready to cross into the dark side.
Over the last few years, my sleep duration went from six hours per night to five. In the last month, it's eroded to four and a half. The last few nights, thanks to a snoring Fang and a nocturnal yowling geriatric cat, I'm down to three hours. I felt so fatigued driving to Connecticut today that I had to blast the AC and radio in the car to stave off drowsiness.
I've given up any stimulants that would keep me awake. I've even done yoga stretching to put me in the right frame of relaxation to waft into sleep. And yet, I still labor to drift into slumber. Granted, our bedroom faces a noisy street. There is that issue of a yowling geriatric nocturnal car. Fang does like the radio on at night. There are those pesky hot flashes at 2 am. And there is the troublesome issue of trying to shut my head off at night. Perhaps that's the hardest part.
Several of my friends have praised the sleep inducing powers of Ambien. I've never taken one but I'm getting tempted to try. Yet before I cross that line, does anyone have a suggestion for a natural night's sleep? I'd hate to ruin my drug-free track record if I don't have to.
7 comments:
I have a similar problem sleeping, C&W; we're the same age, I wonder if it's a time-of-life thing.
Have you tried any of the OTC sleep aids? Most of them contain Benadryl (or another antihistamine), which might make you groggy the next day. Some people also use melatonin (which we use at the hospital); it's natural and non-habit-forming and less likely to leave you groggy the next day as it's metabolized quickly. I've been trying it sporadically, and it does help me fall asleep faster -- not so much on the staying asleep thing, though.
I've also been told that Valerian might work if you want to try something herbal. Good luck!
-Steve in MI
I have been using melatonin for the last year or so...it works wonders for me. It is naturally-ocurring in the body, but your body may not be producing enough. It helps me to get to sleep and stay asleep.
I was amazed that I started dreaming again after years of not having dreams. I guess my body was never getting into the REM part of sleep.
Hope this helps!
Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Tylenol PM works for me and it's over the counter. Have you ever used Tylenol PM?
Thank you so much, Steve and Squee and McV for your advice. I agree, Steve, that this age may have something to do with it--I have defnitely noticed a change over the past few years. I have heard that melantonin is a good choice--I prefer something like an OTC or natural product. Besides bragging rights that I don't subscribe to pharmaceuticals, truth is, I would prefer NOT to use them given the potential dependency issues and side effects. I'll give it a shot..and I thank you for your kind and valued advice, friends.
I'm all about the thyroid. Have it checked. It's amazing how many things the stupid thing impacts.
I've been on Ambien but didn't like it because you have to be "on" it for a duration, not just when you need one night of good sleep. Although some complain about the next-day drowsiness from OTC stuff like Sominex, I swear by the Unison gel caps (or the store-brand knock-off). I'd may leave me feeling groggy the next morning, but I only take one the night I feel I need it, and it usually breaks a pattern of sleepness nights, which I've endured my entire life!
Thanks for the feeback, Christo. In the end (and thanks to Brooklyn Sue for her thoughts that she e-mailed to me), I am resisting the notion of capitulating to pharmaceuticals. I am laboring under the notion that soy and exercise will resolve not only my hot flashes but my sleeplessness. I have consumed soy and added exercise this past week and my sleep has in fact improved. I may stay with this.
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