Wondering About Sleep-aids...

I love Ambien. When I tried Lunesta I got a weird metallic taste that would last until the middle of the next day. I've always had issues falling asleep - so the regular Ambien works great for me. If you have issues staying asleep the Ambiem CR might work better. And I fall alseep much better with the regular Ambien. Good luck - hope you get some rest soon!

When I'm having sleep problems it is because I am exhausted from waking in the middle of the night and not able to have a deep sleep. (I have always had wakeful children).

I buy valerian from Kroger & although it says take 1 tabs, I take 2 (I have taken up to 3 but then I make sure my husband knows to wake up for the kids - even though I still do :-)). When I have had a few restless nights with the kids, I take 2 between 8-9pm and usually go to bed at 11pm. What I find is that I can get back to a deep sleep after the kids have woken me up in the middle of the night. I generally need to do this for 3-4 nights in a row and then I'm fine.

I hope that helps. Oh, and I have had sleeping tabs from the doctor but I have only used them on two different nights and that was for complete exhaustion... i find the valarian suits my needs.

If your brain won't turn off, I take a natural product called L-Theanine (400 mg total is what I take at night). I never feel groggy or anything. It is actually a calming/anti-anxiety remedy, but if you take two instead of one, it really helps calm you so you can rest peacefully. It is non-habit forming and works in about 15 minutes. For daytime anxiety I only take one or I become very complacent about everything. Just thought I would share.

I've had good results with Ambien. I take 1/2 of the generic brand and it last about 5 hrs. I can go back to sleep but I can tell the Ambien has worn off. The Ambien CR last all night but is much more expensive. I have had no side effects.

If you are wanting a prescription medication, Ambien or Ambien CR is probably the best in my opinion. No grogginess in the morning.

If you also have depression, Cymbalta helps with falling asleep at night.

My husband tried Lunesta and hated it. He's now on ambien CR and likes it alot.

I use Advil PM or Tylenol PM. I take 1 or 2 depending on how deep I need to sleep.

I tried tylenol pm and it left me real agitated the next morning. I tried several others including ambian CR and nothing suited me. Side affects the next day were awful, such as medicine head, groggy or with ambien CR I could not get out of bed, since it's slow release. I finally settled for the regular ambien, generic version. I took it for 2 years, half pill a night and if used properly (take it and go lay down) then everything was great. I woke up refreshed in the morning without an alarm clock, not sleepy, and I could wake in the middle of the night, check on the kids etc, and get back to sleep no problem. But when not taken correctly, not getting in bed immediately, I would clean half the house and eat half the fridge and not know about any of it till I saw in the morning that my kitchen was spotless or the chocalate cake was gone. I would slowly remember bits of things, like talking on the phone to my mom but not knowing what we talked about. My doctors told me it was not "addictive" but that after prolonged use I would have to ween off of it, which I have since Thanksgiving. It took about 4 days to be able to sleep on my own again. (previously I was under so much stress about my divorce and all that, I would lay awake worrying about everything all night. I am better now and really had to get off of it because I found myself being "excited" to take it at night to feel so calm and I gained about 25 pounds eating at night over the last 2 years) I would recommend it to adults and I would use it again if needed, but I would go straight to bed if I was you. If you have more questions, feel free to email me back.

Good Luck

I would stay away from the Over the Counter sleep aids...they tend to make you Stupid over time. i would forget things from time to time. If I didnt go to bed right when i took them i made phone calls i was not aware of. I hated them.

i found a natural way to go that works GREAT!!! Melatonin...you can get it a GNC. Tastes good too (cherry flavor).

HI A.,

Ambien is a really good sleep aid to use but only ocassionally. My dr. said that it can be adicting if taken a lot.

Your body would benefit greatly from adaptogens! My husband and I ordered an incredible book off Amazon titled Adaptogens, Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief by Winston and Maimes. It is fascinating. From the book "There is a category of herbs called adaptogens that help the human body adapt to stress, support normal metabolic processes, and restore balance. They increase the body's resistance to physical, biological, emotional, and environmental stressors and promote normal physiologic function".

This section is about sleep: "Many people suffer from insomnia and related sleep problems. Stress can disrupt the regular circadian (time-related) secretion of cortisol and can be a major cause of sleep problems. Adaptogens regulate the production of cortisol, reducing stress. A relaxed, less stressful body allows for better and more rejuvenating sleep".

To learn more and to watch a video about the history of adaptogens, go to VitalHealth.TunguskaMist.com

I highly recommend you try Tunguska Mist PM. It will help you fall asleep fast and wake refreshed. PM is NATURAL and non-habit-forming. PM will help you relax and fall asleep naturally.

Instead of commercial drugs that can leave you drowsy and fogged in, use PM (a natural sleep aid) for a sound, peaceful night's sleep. The 10 beneficial adaptogens in PM also assist in reducing stress and improve your immune system while you sleep. They taste great and with the intra-oral spray you get over 90% of the nutrients absorbed immediately, which go to work within seconds.

Please let me know if you have any questions. My husband and I have been using adaptogens for a long time. We are passionate about helping people reduce the damaging effects of stress on the body and restoring balance naturally, without medications. Good luck and God Bless:)

It is best to find out what is keeping you awake, or waking you at night. For occassional sleeplessness - ambien is good - but I find I still have night waking with it. someone mentioned tylenol and advil p.m - those both have benadryl - which can make you feel groggy in the morning. Try Sleep MD - it is herbal - it is combination of valerian root, melatonin, and several other herbs - works better than plain melatonin.

Try some progessive relaxation as well.

As far as the other prescription sleep aides - ambien has a generic - ambien CR does not - nor do any of the others - and they are expensive.