8 Days to go - sleeping problems!

anrforanr · September 2015

I have 8 days until my wedding - yay! Except, I haven't had a decent night of sleep in almost 2 weeks. I've tried teas, melatonin, more exercise...any other tips? I don't think it's stress, because everything is every under control, I think I'm just excited and ready for the wedding to be here.

DarthV8r · September 2015

Tylenol p.m.

NowIamMrsKlein · September 2015

No technology an hour before bed. No TV, Phone, Tablets etc. Have a hot bath with aromatherapy, read a real book.

madamerwin · September 2015

Try taking tryptophan capsules in addition to melatonin (you can buy them on Amazon - clicky). Tryptophan actually makes melatonin work better. My dad, who also has sleeping problems, got this advice from his naturopath. He explained it to me but I don't really remember the science. Take 1-2 caps of tryptophan 30 minutes before the melatonin. Also try adjusting your dosage of melatonin, as everyone's sensitivity is different. I only take 1 normal strength, my dad takes 3 extra strength.

Once I started taking tryptophan in addition to melatonin, I slept like a baby. It might be worth a try for you.

Other advice - do NOT look at the clock when you are trying to fall asleep. Checking it will just make you anxious about not being asleep, and it's a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle. When you feel yourself getting anxious about not being asleep, tell yourself that lying quietly and resting, though not as good as sleep, will provide your body with some of the recuperation it needs.

More advice: Find a boring book to read before bed. Nothing too exciting or thought-provoking, and nothing wedding-related.

Good luck!

anrforanr · September 2015

ibarfburlapandlace - I've tried that, no luck either

SoontobeMrsKlein - you might actually have something there. I usually watch netflix before bed (habit for months), so maybe I'll try reading instead.

[Deleted User] · September 2015

I've actually heard that prolonged use of melatonin has a reverse effect. How long have you been using it?

anrforanr · September 2015

tfmrserwin - I'll have to try that! I know my melatonin dosage is good, because I've taken it in the past, but didn't want to get addicted to it so I stopped taking it. Now I just take it when I need a good night of sleep, which doesn't seem to be working.

And it's not so much falling asleep initially that is my problem. I'll fall asleep for 2-3 hours, then wake up in the middle of the night and struggle to get back into a good sleep.

madamerwin · September 2015

anrforanr said:

tfmrserwin - I'll have to try that! I know my melatonin dosage is good, because I've taken it in the past, but didn't want to get addicted to it so I stopped taking it. Now I just take it when I need a good night of sleep, which doesn't seem to be working.

And it's not so much falling asleep initially that is my problem. I'll fall asleep for 2-3 hours, then wake up in the middle of the night and struggle to get back into a good sleep.

That's my dad's problem too, and the melatonin/tryptophan combo works for him.

@FeelyToBe that's an interesting point, I had not heard that. Though I do imagine prolonged use would at the very least lead to some sort of tolerance to it. And I have heard that for some people, melatonin makes sleeping problems worse. Or that the incorrect dose (too much or too little) can have weird effects, like auditory hallucinations or the jitters. So dosage and how often you take it can have a big effect on whether it actually works.

julieanne912 · September 2015

Wine.

kmmssg · September 2015

ZzzzQuill works decent for me.

anrforanr · September 2015

julieanne912 said:

Wine.

I actually can't drink wine too close to bed or I don't sleep.

Anything else I'm fine...but wine makes me feel sleepy without allowing me to sleep haha!

princessleia22 · September 2015

Benadryl... it's the same ingredient that is in ZzzQuill, Tylenol PM, or other similar sleep aids, but at a cheaper price.

Pupatella · September 2015

I take zzzquil when I am having sleeping problems and find that it works great. A hot bath, or yoga an hour before bed also helps me.

Good luck!!

littlemushroom · September 2015

I had the same problem around my wedding. I take Meijer brand zzzquil, which is cheaper and I think tastes better. I take a half dose usually, but around the wedding I took a full dose and it made falling back asleep in the middle of the night much easier. It never makes me groggy in the morning either.

sheknows6 · September 2015

I've been sleeping just fine until last night....I have a feeling it will only get worse as the week goes on

Maggie0829 · September 2015

anrforanr said:

julieanne912 said:

Wine.

I actually can't drink wine too close to bed or I don't sleep.
Anything else I'm fine...but wine makes me feel sleepy without allowing me to sleep haha!

Then beer? Rum and coke?

But usually I take one Advil PM and in about an hour or two I am out for the count and easily fall right back to sleep if I wake up to pee.

novella1186 · September 2015

When I wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back asleep (happens often; I've had insomnia since I was a kid) sometimes I need to get up and go to a different room. Seems counter-intuitive but it's the only thing that really works.

I'll go sit on the couch in the living room for maybe 15 minutes. Keep the lights and TV off, just sit and try to relax. When I go back to bed, I always fall asleep.

I've also had some luck with lavender essential oil. Either in a room diffuser, or I put a little bit on my wrists. Since I sleep with my hands near my face, the scent gets to me and seems to help trigger my brain that it's time for sleep mode.

thefanciestbeckler · September 2015

novella1186 said:

When I wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back asleep (happens often; I've had insomnia since I was a kid) sometimes I need to get up and go to a different room. Seems counter-intuitive but it's the only thing that really works.

I'll go sit on the couch in the living room for maybe 15 minutes. Keep the lights and TV off, just sit and try to relax. When I go back to bed, I always fall asleep.

I've also had some luck with lavender essential oil. Either in a room diffuser, or I put a little bit on my wrists. Since I sleep with my hands near my face, the scent gets to me and seems to help trigger my brain that it's time for sleep mode.

True story! Lavender oil works wonders. You can also rub it on the bottoms of your feet. It sounds weird, but it works. I've had great luck with using essential oils for lots of things.

WinstonsGirl · September 2015

novella1186 said:

When I wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back asleep (happens often; I've had insomnia since I was a kid) sometimes I need to get up and go to a different room. Seems counter-intuitive but it's the only thing that really works.

I'll go sit on the couch in the living room for maybe 15 minutes. Keep the lights and TV off, just sit and try to relax. When I go back to bed, I always fall asleep.

I've also had some luck with lavender essential oil. Either in a room diffuser, or I put a little bit on my wrists. Since I sleep with my hands near my face, the scent gets to me and seems to help trigger my brain that it's time for sleep mode.

I head to the spare room, my old bed. I'm out pretty quick. Not sure why, but I agree that the change of room seems to turn my brain off or something

lc07 · September 2015

Keep the bedroom at a comfortable temperature. For me, I need it to be COLD or I can't sleep. I also need a fan blowing so I have fresh air. And I use a sleep sound machine. I rotate between the ocean sound and the rain sound. It has helped me stay asleep and fall asleep faster if I do wake up.

climbingsingle · September 2015

Stay away from alcohol if you're having trouble sleeping. It was have the reverse effect.

I had the same trouble the week before my wedding. I was so excited that I could not sleep. I don't know much else will work that you're not already doing. Lots of exercise, lots of water, Unisom, chamomile at night, no TV, try reading a book.

8 Days to go - sleeping problems!

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