Before that, we were taking 1 Ambien - 10 mg., every night.

This has been going on a very long time. I know that it's due to my insomnia, but I don't know what else to do.

Our doctor was prescribing the Ambien for a long time and then didn't want to prescribe it anymore. He said, "why don't you try melatonin. Well, that wasn't enough.

I know this isn't a good habit to have, but just wondering if anybody knows what else we can do. I always have Sleepytime tea, but it's just soothing, doesn't put me to sleep.

Thank you.

I can't think of the name, but there is some new sleep aid pill on the market that is supposedly all natural. Supposedly you take if for a few weeks or so, and then they claim you will have learned how to go to sleep at night.

Sometimes the thing that helps me is physical activity in the early evening. Not too late; otherwise you will be kept up. Or a routine. Hot bath, long book before bed; something like that. Trying to clear your mind before sleep can help because sometimes racing thoughts keeps you awake. I would suggest the sleep clinic, too. Do you just have trouble falling asleep or do you wake frequently? You could have sleep apnea.

And exactly what do you mean by "insomnia"? Difficulty falling asleep? Wake up often during the night? Wake up "too early" and can't go back to sleep?

What is your lifestyle like? Exercise? Diet? Work stress?

I suspect it makes a lot of difference whether you aren't sleeping because of stress or because of pain. I find there is little I can do about stress unless it is very mild. My doctor prescribed Trazadone for those nights. When it is pain, as it often is, I am pretty much sunk because my stomach can't handle asperin, ibuprofen, or codeine.

This might sound like a simple way of looking at this problem, but maybe the answer is a real slow modem connection. I usually waste time on the computer late in the evening, and often download some really slow loading webpages that take a few minutes to complete and open. This is one sure way for me to become drowsy, waiting and watching for the page to slowly load. I have to be careful that I don't shut my eyes too long while I'm waiting and fall asleep, since I'd fall off my chair. I'm even a heavy coffee drinker, so coffee doesn't usually cause me any problems if I have it late in the evening.

My wife is one who can be dead tired and still be unable to fall asleep. She uses a cassette player with earphones, and has a collection of books on tape. These used to work for her, but not as well now. I think her biggest problem is that she worries too much and this affects her sleep pattern, as worrying would cause problems for anyone.

GG

I've tried just about everything on the market for my lack of sleep and so far I'm having the best success with an herbal sleep aid called SnoozeEase. It makes me feel relaxed and I usually wake up feeling refreshed. This is something those over prescription and OTC products couldn't do. They do know you out but they never make you feel refreshed.

My question exactly. After making major lifestyle changes a few years ago, I now sleep through the night -- every night. Prior to that I woke up every night and couldn't get back to sleep. If you're not eating a healthy diet, exercising, getting enough natural sunlight, and coping well with stress, a pill isn't the best solution.

I agree with the suggestion to go cold turkey, but ONLY if it is safe to do so. Some medications should not be stopped abruptly, so check before you do.

When I seen the doc later on, I mentioned that I just couldn't FALL ASLEEP. I only sleep anywhere from 2-4 hours straight a night anyways. If I could fall asleep, it would be okay. He gave me some sleeping pills that were good for 3 hours. Just strong enough to make me fall asleep. I never took them. Haven't had insomnia since either. After reading the pamphlet, I couldn't take them anyways. It shuts off some type of brain cells to make you sleep. Think I'll keep my brain cells in tack!!! LOL

My mom (77 years) used to take sleeping pills. She cut down on the times she's taken them. She went down to half a pill every 3 nights or so.

My SIL, she'll take 2 and still can't sleep! She's been on them so long that they no longer work. Nothing works for her now.