Treating chronic insomnia without meds...anyone got a natural remedy?

Thanks,

Petunia

[Nerak]

I wish I knew - hoepfully someone will have some ideas. Thanks for posting this.

[Gemstone]

Have you tried valerian root? It smells like dirty feet, but sometimes works for me.

chamomile helps a bit

kava kava helps relax.

Maybe all three together?

Thank you! Flowers love smelly stuff.

[dexter]

Chamomille helps me sometimes.

Also sometimes I can't sleep if I don't have my glass of milk before bedtime.

Also try meditating or relaxation, or establish a routine to help you sleep?

Way back when I used to always go to bed lying on my back, but I wouldn't fall asleep until I rolled over on my side. I would naturally roll over on my side after being in the bed for a short time. After some time, it became a good trigger for me... I would get into bed on my back and if things were bothering me and I couldn't fall asleep, I would remember to make the effort to roll over onto my side and then I would almost always fall asleep right away. Had to lay in bed on my back for the right amount of time first though.

That doesn't help me anymore, with the depression and the racing thoughts when I am agitated... but maybe will lead you to some relief...

Or at least an interesting story

[dottie]

Have you participated in a sleep study? Ask your Doctor to recommend a sleep study for ya. Some folks don't get enough oxygen intake, therefore leading to chronic insomnis. This requires that you wear a mask during sleep. But First you must have a sleep study done.

Just an idea.

Good luck.

~Dottie

Dottie~~lack of oxygen makes sense. I always find I am holding my breath. I'm not even aware of it half the time and people are always telling me to breathe. I take short, shallow breaths that would hardly be considered as breathing.

Thanks!

Dexter,

I can usually fall asleep, it's staying asleep I have problems with. I can get two good hours and then I'm wide awake.

I will try Chamomille, though.

Thanks!

[dexter]

>>I can usually fall asleep, it's staying asleep I have problems with.

That's more like what I suffer sometimes now. But in my case, I finally asked the doctor for a prescription. Sometimes I would wake up for the pain in my knees or sometimes it seemed like no reason at all, maybe just stress and depression. It got to be sort of regular so the doctor gave me Lunesta and it does seem to keep me asleep all night... if I should wake up for something I am able to fall right back asleep.

I've never tried any "natural" remedies though. I hope one of the suggestions here will work for you. If you find something effective please let us know! The Lunesta doesn't seem to have any bad side effects for me, and it doesn't seem to be addictive at all (I can take it when I need it and don't have trouble sleeping otherwise) but it would be nice to have some other answers too. If nothing else, the Lunesta is expensive for me right now.

[Leslie]

I take Ambein every night. It works great for me. That is the only way I sleep.

Take care,
Leslie

Thanks Leslie!

I'm glad to hear that Ambien works for you. That was one of many I tried. I wasn't so lucky. That's why I'm looking for alternatives. I'm sick of trying all these meds. They aren't working for me!

Thanks everyone.

Petunia

i have two or three methods of going to sleep. television. reading. a pain med, if my breast hurts....i wake up occasionally during the night, but usually go back to sleep.

[blackdragon]

warm milk with honey is a good way to fall asleep.