Nonprescription sleep aids - recommendations (effects, ears, break, children)
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I use Ambien often which requires an rx. It works okay.
Can you tell me which non-rx sleep aids you've used that worked and which ones haven't?
I just thought it would be nice if I could use something besides the Ambien.
I can usually take a nap during the day if I want to. But I can't fall asleep at night without the Ambien.
Without knowing what other things you do or don't do to help you fall asleep at night it's pretty hard to comment. There could easily be other things you can do that don't involve drugs of any kind.
Every once in a while, something's on my mind to the point I can't doze off. Tylenol PM invariably works, but if I wait too long and take it in the wee small hours I'll feel it the next morning. Before midnight is usually OK.
Seems counterproductive to take a daytime nap if you're having trouble getting to sleep!
Ambien is a federally controlled substance. Using Ambien long term can create dependency. Your dependency may or may not be the med itself. The dependence could be psychological/placebo effect (if I take the pill I'll sleep. If I don't, I won't).
Last edited by Parnassia; 10-16-2023 at 05:02 PM..
I was on Ambien for about 8 years. Once I read that it was linked to dementia, I weaned off it. I now do some stretching before bed, take a 5mg timed release melatonin and practice deep breathing once I’m in bed. Most of the time fall asleep quickly and stay asleep.
I used to take, as a last resort, a melatonin pill. I hated it because I was sleepy all the next day. Then I had a friend tell me about melatonin gummies. Said she'd chew one before going to bed, sleep great and wake up with no problem the next morning. My wife and I have tried them and it works great. Neither one of us are drowsy the next morning. What we bought was the Vitafusion 10 mg strawberry gummies.
I used to take, as a last resort, a melatonin pill. I hated it because I was sleepy all the next day. Then I had a friend tell me about melatonin gummies. Said she'd chew one before going to bed, sleep great and wake up with no problem the next morning. My wife and I have tried them and it works great. Neither one of us are drowsy the next morning. What we bought was the Vitafusion 10 mg strawberry gummies.
That's a good tip.
I have used the 5mg melatonin available at Costco occasionally, but break them into halves or thirds. A smaller dose is better, should allay the grogginess for the next AM.
For the OP, napping during the day is likely counterproductive for nighttime sleep. It certainly is for me.
Unisom, the tablet one. The gel one is Benadryl and I don't know what else they have, but the one I used was a blue table, elongated oval shape, that you could break in half. Worked like a brick to the side of the head.
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