[Rubensdad]

Hi, I am Stephen. I'm 44, single, and I live in downtown Jersey City, near Manhattan. I have dealt with sleep issues since about the age of 38, which were initially triggered by a bad relationship breakup situation. Rather than deal with taking anti-anxiety medication, I opted to take sleep medication to remedy my acute insomnia. So, I took Lunesta (3 mg) every night – EVERY NIGHT – for the better part of three years. Guess what? It stopped working! Big surprise to everyone on here, I am sure (not!). So after a couple of desperate months of little sleep, I went to an Acupuncturist. While the actual acupuncture wasn't a big hit with me, his holistic homeopathic remedies were. He basically recommended that I take Magnesium with melatonin in addition to continuing with the acupuncture, with the intent of weening myself off the melatonin over a month or so. Well, I hated the acupuncture, but was thrilled that the melatonin/magnesium seemed to work. SO, I took THAT for the better part of two years, which is where I am today. Now, the melatonin doesn't work so great. I take four 3-mg tablets each night (had stopped taking the magnesium, but just started, again this week because I do notice a difference in the amount of sleep I get when I take them together) and then usually sleep about 4 hours, and then the rest of the night, it's sporadic dream-sleep (with some crazy-ass dreams) until I get up, for good. I guess my tolerance for a bad night's sleep has increased over the years because, once I get going, I am relatively functional, but I would LOVE to hear if anyone has any other remedies, or anecdotes that can relate to mine.

Thanks!!

Stephen

[Margaret]

Hi, Stephen,

Welcome to the group. I don't have much to suggest except that I use Time Release melatonin and it keeps you asleep longer. The brand I use is Natrol but I don't know if it is essential to use that brand. I got it at WalMart.

I can take a nap when I have a bad night so I am pretty fortunate in that regard. Lots of people have schedules which do not allow for this, I know.

Margaret

[1949Molly]

'Rubensdad' wrote on '25:

Hi, I am Stephen. I'm 44, single, and I live in downtown Jersey City, near Manhattan. I have dealt with sleep issues since about the age of 38, which were initially triggered by a bad relationship breakup situation. Rather than deal with taking anti-anxiety medication, I opted to take sleep medication to remedy my acute insomnia. So, I took Lunesta (3 mg) every night – EVERY NIGHT – for the better part of three years. Guess what? It stopped working! Big surprise to everyone on here, I am sure (not!). So after a couple of desperate months of little sleep, I went to an Acupuncturist. While the actual acupuncture wasn't a big hit with me, his holistic homeopathic remedies were. He basically recommended that I take Magnesium with melatonin in addition to continuing with the acupuncture, with the intent of weening myself off the melatonin over a month or so. Well, I hated the acupuncture, but was thrilled that the melatonin/magnesium seemed to work. SO, I took THAT for the better part of two years, which is where I am today. Now, the melatonin doesn't work so great. I take four 3-mg tablets each night (had stopped taking the magnesium, but just started, again this week because I do notice a difference in the amount of sleep I get when I take them together) and then usually sleep about 4 hours, and then the rest of the night, it's sporadic dream-sleep (with some crazy-ass dreams) until I get up, for good. I guess my tolerance for a bad night's sleep has increased over the years because, once I get going, I am relatively functional, but I would LOVE to hear if anyone has any other remedies, or anecdotes that can relate to mine.

Thanks!!

Stephen

I'm in the same situation. My insomnia started in my 30ies (I'm 68 now). I had a nervous breakdown from super anxiety and complete lack of sleep. My doctor put me on 3 meds Temazepam, Ativan and Seroquel. They worked find for years but in the past year I've had to try all sorts of other things that were suppose to restore my sleep. So far no real success. I have 5 days off work (what a blessing) so here I am once again trying to find some combo to get a good rest. I'm getting upset and scared right now just posting this. the only sure way for me to have a good long sleep is to take 60mg of Temazepam but then all the next day I'm really groggy. I take only the original pills before work as I drive a truck and can't afford to have an accident. Like you my body has adjusted to the lack of sleep and I can function pretty well with little sleep. But my life is awful being tired all the time. right now I feel OK and I woke up at 3am.

[Rubensdad]

'Margaret' wrote on '25:

Hi, Stephen,

Welcome to the group. I don't have much to suggest except that I use Time Release melatonin and it keeps you asleep longer. The brand I use is Natrol but I don't know if it is essential to use that brand. I got it at WalMart.

I can take a nap when I have a bad night so I am pretty fortunate in that regard. Lots of people have schedules which do not allow for this, I know.

Margaret

Thanks for the tip! I am headed to Walmart or Target, tomorrow, in search of time release melatonin!

[Margaret]

Woops, I should have said Walgreen's, Stephen. Sorry for the confusion.

Someone wrote me privately to say that not everyone responds favorably to Melatonin. Everyone is different. In my case, I have definitely felt an improvement. That is all any of us can say is what works for us. I don't think it is bad for a person, but it might not give relief.

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to Insomnia Land, Stephen – and thank you for introducing yourself. I found your use of Magnesium particularly interesting since I've written about it on the blog a few times since I come across research papers and studies involving it every now and again. I wonder if any other members can chime in if they've tried Magnesium as a supplement to help them sleep? Perhaps someone could start a new thread in the insomnia forum to get some more feedback?

Welcome aboard, Stephen – now you've found Insomnia Land you no longer need to suffer alone. We're all here to support one another, and hopefully have a bit of fun at the same time!

—

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[1949Molly]

'Rubensdad' wrote on '27:

Thanks for the tip! I am headed to Walmart or Target, tomorrow, in search of time release melatonin!

Margaret and Stephen,

Lucky that you can use Melatonin.

Melatonin has never had any affect on me and I'm forced to go to the much “harder” drugs. Good luck with the “time release Melatonin”.

[Author]

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