Why do I wake up in the middle of the night only when I take a sleeping pill?

Question

If I take 3mg of Melatonin OR a softgel of Unisom(50mg HCI), I tend to wake up in the middle of the night and ruin my sleep. I'd have to sleep for another 8 hours. If I don't take it, I dont wake up in middle of night but i can't sleep either. im 17 almost 18

Answer 1

If you feel that when you wake up that you have to get another 8 hours of sleep, then you are sleeping too much.  Fight that, and set an alarm clock that wakes you up after 8 hours.  Then stay up all day.  That will train your body to sleep when it's supposed to.

Answer 2

Try a controlled-release form of melatonin.  I had that problem for awhile--I would try the 5 mg CR form and see if that helps.  It's very common.

Answer 3

Baffling, isn't it?

I have the same problem. I think it's because the pill may help you fall asleep nut if something in the night wakes you up ( a sudden noise, a motorcycle on a nearby street, the snoring of someone in the house or room, even the wind. You may be unaware of what woke you but then it is SO hard to get back to sleep. That's why I use only things from the health food store to help me sleep.

Mind you this is just guess work on my part but perhaps it can help take the mystery out of why we wake in the night. Now the next question would be how to get back to sleep at that point. Best wishes.

Light & Love,

Answer 4

I take unisom pills and i wake up most of the time due to drymouth from the meds.  That could be why you wake up.  Keep a glass of water close.  Thats all i got for ya