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Sleep Medication

swittenauer

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swittenauer Enthusiast
swittenauer
Posted

My husband is so so tired but can't seem to get a decent nights sleep since being diagnosed with Celiac. He has been thoroughly checked out by the doctor but the only reason this is happening still seems to go back to the Celiac. Does anyone know of any non addictive really good over the counter sleep medications?

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tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

if regular, moderate intensity exercise, at least two hours before bedtime doesn't work, he might consider trying valerian. it's an herbal sleep remedy that has been show effective in trials. other OTC sleep aids use the main ingredient in benadryl, actually, so he could even use that. ;-)

problem is, ALL sleep aids are addictive to some degree, because they can cause a physical dependence on them as the person isn't learning (on a subconscious level) to get to sleep naturally. it doesn't matter what the sleep aid is (doesn't even have to be chemical), any sleep aid can be physically addicting for that purpose.

other non-chemical sleep aids: setting up a good schedule near bedtime, dimming lights appropriately starting a few hours before bedtime (actually, this is chemical, but internally ;-) ), sex, avoiding heavy meals for a number of hours before bedtime, and did I mention regular exercise?

Smunkeemom Enthusiast
Smunkeemom
Posted

I had a doctor tell me once to not do anything in my bedroom but sleep or have sex, no reading, no TV, nothing, and that instead of laying in bed thinking about not sleeping to get up and do something (exercise, clean house, ect.) and that when I felt tired to go lay back down. (even if I was in the middle of vacuuming the hallway, just lay down as soon as I felt sleepy)

taz sharratt Enthusiast
taz sharratt
Posted
My husband is so so tired but can't seem to get a decent nights sleep since being diagnosed with Celiac. He has been thoroughly checked out by the doctor but the only reason this is happening still seems to go back to the Celiac. Does anyone know of any non addictive really good over the counter sleep medications?

Have you tried haveing a warm milk drink like horliks ( old fashioned i know) its worked for me in the past or just 1 small brandy, ammeretto is the best, warms you up lovely, if all else fails get plasterd.

DingoGirl Enthusiast
DingoGirl
Posted

Does it have to be over-the-counter? I had really fierce insomnia for 10 years, and I do mean fierce. NOTHING worked. I was exercising like a fiend, two hours of weight-lifting a day, four days a week, and then very strenuous climbing and/or hiking all weekend. Still no sleep.

I did try everything, and have used a variety of prescription sleep pills for the last seven years. Doctor decided it was better for my health to take something to sleep than not...and she's right. I now take a very low dose, it has decreased over the years and decreased even more since going gluten-free.....I imagine I'll be off it entirely some day. I take a medication now, a very low dose, that is prescription but I do know that it contains an anti-histamine. (I take Seroquel - very powerful but again, low dose, it's to control the mania I used to have.)

Has your husband tried Benadryl? That may help...but there are other rather mild sleeping pills - Lunesta, etc., that are effective. He may only need it for a few months and can slowly taper off.

Good luck - -

swittenauer Enthusiast
swittenauer
Posted
  • Author

He has not attempted to take any medications yet because he doesn't want to take anything that could be addictive. It sounds like all of the medications are addictive.

StrongerToday Enthusiast
StrongerToday
Posted

He could try some melatonin - which is what the body produces to make you sleepy. It's available at most drugstores or natural stores.

Personally, I use Ambien. I've had trouble sleeping for years too.

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tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

Re-reading the thread, I realized I should have emphasized the light thing more. As was pointed out, melatonin's important, and that's partially regulated by light. If you've got lots of lights on in your house late at night, his natural sleep cycle's going to be confused. As the evening progresses, make a point to start lowering *all* the lights in the house. No bright lights anywhere, and definitely not in the bedroom. As it gets later, the house gets darker. It definitely helps the body adjust. (I do this over about a three hour period, as the sun sets.)

StrongerToday Enthusiast
StrongerToday
Posted
Re-reading the thread, I realized I should have emphasized the light thing more. As was pointed out, melatonin's important, and that's partially regulated by light. If you've got lots of lights on in your house late at night, his natural sleep cycle's going to be confused. As the evening progresses, make a point to start lowering *all* the lights in the house. No bright lights anywhere, and definitely not in the bedroom. As it gets later, the house gets darker. It definitely helps the body adjust. (I do this over about a three hour period, as the sun sets.)

Yes!!! I have to have my room totally dark, and on the weekend will even put on a sleep mask to block the light. I also block any lights from TV's or my cordless phone (power on kind of little red dots). My favorite trick is to block the clock!! Not only do I not get the red glare, but just looking at the time sends my anxiety zooming.

DingoGirl Enthusiast
DingoGirl
Posted
He has not attempted to take any medications yet because he doesn't want to take anything that could be addictive. It sounds like all of the medications are addictive.

I had to weigh things and mull this concept over for quite a while...didn't want any addictive sleep aids, either. Then, for two years I was on possibly the most addictive one - Klonepin, a very powerful benzodiazepene. I weaned off quite successfully. I have four friends who take this very drug for sleeping, and it has changed their lives.

I was a complete basket case without sleep....there was a period of time when I slept about one to two hours a night - was just completely wired and my brain would not shut down though my body was exhausted. I cried pretty much every day, like an over-tired child. I could not live that way. My insomnia is nowhere near as fierce now....but I would not hesitate to take drastic measures if it became that way again. NOTHING worked for me except *prescription* sleep aids. I could take three to four Tylenol PM's and multi-task all night....handfuls of melatonin....a mug of warm milk, a hot bath, you name it....I come from a long line of insomniacs. And yet my two brothers could fall asleep standing up, in a crowded room...

Sleep is extremely important and restorative for body and mind....I decided I would get it any way I could. I am much healthier and happier, not to mention much more sane :rolleyes: with my mildly medicated sleep. I am down to one-fourth the dose of Seroquel now that I used to take, and, as mentioned earlier, will probably be off it entirely within the next year. Going off gluten has changed my quality of sleep dramatically.

I don't know if this helps...I know your husband doesn't want to take anything, but sometimes when you're in a long pattern of not sleeping, the body's adrenaline kicks in to keep oneself awake, and the cycle continues. My mom takes a Lunesta just now and then, maybe once every week to two weeks, or if she's out of town....and isn't addicted.

DingoGirl Enthusiast
DingoGirl
Posted

I forgot something very important! White noise....I sleep with fan on every single night of my life. If I am out of town, or camping, I take a noise machine I bought at Target. AND I use ear plugs...these are lifesavers if sleeping in noisy situations or if someone's in the bed/tent. I am a VERY light sleeper and the slightest noise or movement will wake me....

Has your husband tried those fantastic wax earplugs? They're called Mack's Pillow Soft - I break one in half and cram them into my ears....and I never wake up. With the aide of earplugs and the traveling noise machine I have slept through a bear pilfering through the recycling in our campground and ripping the back seat out of a Saturn in the next site over.... fabulous! :blink:

loraleena Contributor
loraleena
Posted

I had extreme insomnia last year. I took valarian and melatonin. I now only take melatonin. This is natural and can be bought at any health food store. It knocks me out in 20-30 minutes after I take it. If I do wake in the middle of the night I can take more. It does not make you drowsy the next day. It saved my life and sanity!!

swittenauer Enthusiast
swittenauer
Posted
  • Author

We have the noise machines. Two in fact. The lights are up a bit much for me. I guess I have always dimmed them as the day went on just naturally but I think I'll do that with him too at night. I hope it helps.

  • 2 months later...
swittenauer Enthusiast
swittenauer
Posted
  • Author

I just read that melatonin is not good for people with autoimmune diseases. Is it safe for him to take to help his sleep problem?

swittenauer Enthusiast
swittenauer
Posted
  • Author

The one's I bought are from Natures Bounty & say 3 mg. What about the autoimmune part? I don't want to ever give him anything that may hurt him.

loraleena Contributor
loraleena
Posted

Hi,

I struggled with sleep issues for several months last year. I did a combination of melatonin and valarien whch saved my life. Now I just do 3 mg of melatonin 30 min. before bed. You can take more if you awaken in the middle of the night. Natrol brand is gluten free and like I said has saved my life! Sleeping pills are addictive and can make you worse!!

  • 2 weeks later...
swittenauer Enthusiast
swittenauer
Posted
  • Author

Well, he started taking melatonin about 2 weeks ago & has been pretty much sick since then. I know he got glutened by some bacon during that time but now he is sick again. Could that melatonin be doing it? Any thoughts?

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