Anyone takins sleeping pills please answer :)?

Question

I have a horrible time trying to fall asleep, i am a self-admitted worry wart and at night my mind races and i find it impossible to fall asleep. I have tried 3 different sleeping pills and they all work to the extent of falling asleep. But the ambien left me hungover, the lunesta left a gross taste in my mouth and the generic over-the-counter ones have been working very well. No hangovers or gross tastes. The one thing they all had in common.....WEIRD DREAMS. i have had the strangest dreams since taking sleeping pills and wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this and maybe why this happens? Just as an example my dreams have included...tarantulas, zombie animals, and tornado's in the ocean. yea i know...super weird. Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

I always have weird dreams, so I cant really speak about that.

The rx ones are leaving you hung over because they are in fact narcotics.  They tell you to make sure you are getting 8 FULL hours of actual sleep (not 1 hour tossing and turning, then take the med, fall asleep an hour after than and then 6 hours of sleep).  But I found I actually needed 10 hours of sleep with the rx sleep aids.

The narcotic factor there also explains crazy dreams

You arent feeling hung over with the otc meds because they arent a narcotic.  In fact, if you read the label, you will find that most of them are generic benedryal.  The advil and tylonal pm lines as well as unisome and a couple others.  The exceptions are going to be melatonin, and anything herbal.  Many people have strange dreams with melatonin, I have never had anything abnormal with benedryal, and have never tried any herbal sleep aids other than marijuana.

Answer 2

I try a lot of things to turn my mind off so that I can sleep.  Sometimes I stay up watching TV until I'm sleepy. Not a great idea, because I can drop off to sleep, and then I'm awake when I get in bed.  What helps me most is reading in bed until I get sleepy.  I have a nifty little reading light that hooks over my ear.  It lights the page, but the room is dark.  I did a search on reading lights and it's the one that works best.  It costs about $30...cheaper than pills.  Good luck.  It's a tough problem.  I also hate the nightmares from pills.

Answer 3

First I would consult a physician other than family doctor, apparently his is not aware of your situation. I do recommend consulting a phsyciatrist or additional help there is more to this than you think. You need to get a hold of your situation as being a worry wart.....I know its easier said than done, but adding undue stress on your body will lead to many other disease or illnesses...including cancer. There is a natural product I recommend using called Melatonin. We produce melantonin in our bodies..Try to destressatize yourself by getting massages, sitting in a nice tub or lavender water with candles and relaxation music.etc.........goodluck