Posted by Lao Tzu on December 13, 2008, at 14:01:04
In reply to Horrific insomnia/Remedy Suggestions?, posted by 49er on December 13, 2008, at 8:35:31
I have bipolar/schizophrenia, and people with these disorders have a terrible time sleeping. I've also used Benadryl with good results, but I don't think it's wise to take it long-term because of it possibly causing depressive symptoms the following day and also because over time, the antihistamine might lose its effectiveness for helping you sleep. Melatonin in very small doses might help. I only take 1/4 of a 3mg tablet because any more than this also causes me to have depressive symptoms the following day. In addition to the melatonin, I take other supplements to help me sleep.
1/4 of a 3mg melatonin tablet
500-750mg Niacin sustained release
400IU of NATURAL vitamin E
50mg P5P (form of B6)
300mg calcium
500mg vitamin C
200IU seleniumI also take a broad spectrum amino acid supplement at bedtime, and this helps too. Country Life has a good complete amino acid supplement. You have to be careful with amino acids because they can affect how you feel the following day. If you try them, start on the low side, maybe 2-3 capsules. I take 3 at bedtime. They may or may not help you.
This is the only regimen that has helped me sleep at night, and I have tried a lot of different combinations of supplements. Individual amino acids like taurine and gaba didn't do much for my sleep. I could recommend the supplement 5htp or perhaps ask your doctor for an antidepressant that induces sleep by working on serotonin. Again, that may or may not help you. It really depends on your brain chemistry. Personally, I don't take any sleep meds. That's an option too if you're really having a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep. The supplement regimen above does the trick for me. Maybe it would help you too. There is a solution out there for you somewhere. I'm a schizophrenic, and if I can find a way to sleep peacefully at night, then I really believe you can find something too.
poster:Lao Tzu
thread:868444
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20081006/msgs/868522.html