Question:
Does anyone know of an effective (natural) sleep aid?
I am 7 months post-op Lap RNY and having difficulty sleeping. My PCP prescribed Trazodone. Initially, it helped, but now does not. I am able to fall asleep immediately, but wake after a couple hours and am unable to return to sleep. I would like to try a natural sleep aid and am open to suggestions? — ZaZa F. (posted on October 9, 2002)
October 9, 2002
I take two Benadryl every night, works like a charm! My hubby takes the
Trazadone, it does not work for me. Also, a good natural aid is called
Calms Forte, you can find in any health food store, by Hyland. If you take
3-4 before bed, you sleep well, wake up refreshed. I hope this helps you!
— missmollyk
October 9, 2002
I take Tylenol PM... I don't know what it is, but the last couple of months
I can't fall asleep and then when I do, I can't stay asleep.. But it works
for me and I don't wake up feeling droopy.
— Gail M.
October 9, 2002
Have you tried Melatonin?? Works wonders for me without feeling hung over
in the morning.
— Mary Ann K.
October 9, 2002
Benadryl is what is in Tylenol PM to make you sleepy. Valerian root is
supposed to be a natural sleep aid, but it doesn't do a thing for me. Early
morning awakening is a cardinal sign of depression (I'm doing my PhD in
psychology)... if you also have depressed mood and/or a lack of interest in
things you used to find pleasurable, I would recommend seeing your GP to
see if you meet the criteria for depression. If so, antidepressants may
help. Trazodone (which luckily works for me) is also an antidepressant, but
when it's Rx'd for insomnia, it's only prescribed in low doses. Stay away
from paxil, though... it has been linked to weight gain in some ppl (but
not all).
— Patricia E.
October 9, 2002
I also use Melatonin. From what I've read, it was originally made for
people prone to jet lag to keep them on the same schedule even when they
are on the other side of the world. Then they have no jet lag. Its like
setting your internal clock for a certain time every night if you take it
the same time every night.
— thumpiez
October 10, 2002
Hi, I use trazadone and it works for me. FYI, melatonin is a naturally
occuring hormone in the human body that promotes sleep, which is why it is
used to augment our system when are system fails to do its job sleep wise.
I used to work in a sleep research lab and can tell you that I was told
that melatonin is safe. I actually haven't tried it myself, but some
people swear by it. Here's a good review of it:
http://www.priory.com/mel.htm. And here's to eight glorious hours of sleep
:-). Robin
— rebalspirit
October 10, 2002
You could ask your DH about his day at work . . . j/k ;) I used to work
nights and my coworkers swore by Tylenol PM. I know that is not natural.
You could try the deep breathing method: Lay on your right side and take 15
deep, slow breaths. Then on your back for 15 deep, slow breaths. Then on
your left side for, you guessed it, 15 deep, slow breaths. My guess is that
this would only work after the prescribed stuff is out of your system so
you may be in for a few sleepless nights.
— ctyst
October 10, 2002
Hows your exercise level? Getting LOTS of exercise should tire you out and
help you to sleep better. Consuming caffeine? Bad idea espicaly in the
evening.
— bob-haller
October 10, 2002
I have taken Trazadone in the past, but it was given to me as an
anti-depressant, but also to help me sleep. It worked well, but then it
stopped working for me also. I have also taken Melatonin, and that also
worked well, but I have read that if you take that for a long period of
time, your body eventually decreases making it's OWN Melatonin, therefore
making you need to take more Melatonin pills in order to fall asleep. I
don't think it's dangerous or anything, but it would just be annoying to
have to take pills to fall asleep everynight.
— fropunka
October 10, 2002
Anything that causes your brain to secrete melatonin will work. Melatonin
is a substance produced by the brain that causes sleepiness. You can
increase melatonin in your system by taking it in pill form (which I
sometimes do), or you can get it indirectly by eating certain foods, such
as dairy products and turkey. These foods are high in a substance called
L-Tryptophan, an amino acid. L-Tryptophan is converted into Seratonin, a
necessary chemical found in the synapses of the brain between nerves. Lack
of Seratonin in humans has been found to cause depression, anxiety,
sleeplessness, migraines and obsessive compulsive disorder. Our brains
convert Seratonin into melatonin, which will in turn allow one to fall
asleep. So, you asked for something "natural." How about eating
more foods that are high in L-Tryptophan.
I hope this helps you. I have had my share of sleepless nights. That's why
I researched and found the above information from a variety of sources, and
I've used this information to start getting a decent night's sleep. If I'm
upset or have something on my mind, sleep becomes very illusive without the
use of the brain chemical melatonin. God bless you and may you sleep well.
;-)
— artistmama
October 10, 2002
I have had some success with Valarian root herb.
But was also diagnosed with restless leg syndrome when I went in for a
sleep apnea study pre-op.
I have a prescription for Klonopin for the restless leg syndrome, and when
I take it I sleep very
sound and feel really refreshed in the morning. Doesn't seem to be affected
by WLS as
I have took it before & after open RNY without any problems. But if you
are not sleeping well,
you're best solution may be to get a sleep study. You may have sleep apnea,
or a host
of other sleep disorders, and treatment may depend upon what is causing
sleep problems in the first place.
Good luck. Dell Hunt 3/4/02 open RNY down 124 lbs in 7 months.
— Dell H.
October 10, 2002
I like Sleepy Time tea---it's made by celestrial seasonings and it's found
with all the other teas in the grocery store. I swear all I have to do is
smell the aroma (a little on the spearmint side) and I am yawning!! My
boss told me about it and he swore by it. I do too. Good stuff! Plus
it's way cheaper than drugs! Nighty Night!!
— Kay S.
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