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Just can't shut my mind off at sleep time. Was wondering what sleep aides work without the groggy feeling when you wake up? And yes I have done the other things like having a dark room and going to bed at the same time every night . My brain thinks of something and then keeps linking to other things. Before I know it its 2 or 3 am and I went to bed at 10 pm. This has gone on for years . Doctors basically just shrug their shoulders! Tried different beds in different rooms doesn't matter.

Melatonin works wonders for my family . Plus a sleepy time tea about a half hour before I want to go to bed. Then I read a bit of non important things to redirect and distract my brain. Good luck

Been taking this for years because couldnt get to sleep for pain,1/2 hour before bed and im out  
Doctor prescribed,not over the counter

ajsreno said "Been taking this for years because couldnt get to sleep for pain,1/2 hour before bed and im out   Doctor prescribed,not over the counter "

I find that this pill DOES NOT make me groggy and I take double that dose. Leaves an awful taste in your mouth though.

We also use melatonin at times. My SIL also uses it when she's coming off shift and is flipping to the opposite shift the next day (she's a nurse). You can find it with the vitamins, they usually recommend you start with 3 mg and work your way up depending on how you react.

Melatonin works - try it first before resorting to prescribed sleep meds. As stated above start with the lowest dose and work up from there.

a variety of essential oils to help me relax and sleep too. Angelica, cedarwood and lavender are my favs so far. PM me and I can give you a few sample to try.

I too second the Melatonin suggestion. It may take a few days of using it but it sure works for me. I use it off and on again just to help get a good night sleep.

Have found that a 12 pack of beer or 26oz bottle of rum roughly 1 hour before bed works wonders for my ability to sleep. Sometimes for days at a time

...with zopiclone. I can't use Melatonin due to the adverse reaction it has with another pres:cription I'm on. I have Zopiclone 7.5mg prescribed to me and I take half a pill at night AS NEEDED. It's not for every day use. I take it between 10-11 at night when I can feel my anxiety creeping up on me. Half a pill helps me fall asleep, stay asleep and not feel groggy in the morning. (A full pill makes me feel awful the next day). My 30 pill pres:cription has lasted me 4 months so far with some still left.

I started taking Dynamaxx. They have "lights on", and "lights off". I have way more energy than before and sleep wonderfully. Google it

Thanks for the laughs " Sco" . I also tried Melatonin twice I woke up with such a bad headache it scared me. I also tried Tranquil Sleep that has 1.5 mg of melatonin same thing I got a new bottle with one pill gone I will never use it as well. I don't have any answers but just be careful.

Pills are the quick fix for most people to get their sleep. But it can also leave you feeling drowsy the next day. Another idea is to set up a routine and use meditation to help you distance yourself from your thoughts. Your brain never shuts off. It's the same for all of us. There are times though when we are stressed or just extra tired when it is hard to ignore the thoughts on the brain. Meditation can help teach you to let those thoughts be and to focus on the breath. It has helped me fall asleep quickly on numerous occasions. I use the Headspace app to practice meditation. Then at night I follow the same exercises when I can't get to sleep. Works almost every time.

Exercise...it does wonders. Find some sort of physical activity that you enjoy and do it daily if you can fit it in. Even 10 minutes...if you like taking an evening walk while listening to your fave music, or try a bit of yoga or stretching. If you can make it into a routine, even better. Also, the essential oils suggestion is great as well. You don't have to buy expensive ones, just go to Hedley's or 2 Farm Kids and find one or a blend that you like, and put a couple drops on your temples when you go to bed.

My wife tried this because of lack of sleep from menopause, the 5 mg size and it did not appear to help. I tried it once as well and same thing. So either it has no affect on us or we need to take a larger dose?

lovemygirl said "I started taking Dynamaxx. They have "lights on", and "lights off". I have way more energy than before and sleep wonderfully. Google it "

Where can this be purchased?  
Valerian is also another natural remedy that can be effective although we've gone through all of the above mentioned suggestions, with the exception of the Dynamaxx, with little to no results.

I've tried quite a few otc pills and didn't find they worked that great. I did like zzzquil though. I've also used gravol before but that is a dirty drug and makes you feel really groggy. I've tried melatonin a lot of times but it's never worked for me.  
 
I now take two 7.5 mg tablets of zopiclone every night. It helps me fall asleep but only keeps me sleeping for 4-5 hours. However, if I do stretching/yoga before bed, I can usually stay sleeping for 6-7 hours on a good night. I have issues with sleeping and body pain so it's a struggle. Hope you find something that works for you!

Zopiclone works for sure, but there is the bad taste and a bit of a hangover the next day. I use no name gravol and ASMR on YouTube. Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a euphoric experience characterized by a static-like or tingling sensation on the skin that typically begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine, precipitating relaxation. Just find which sounds and videos work for you. Try it, you just might be glad you did! Good luck!!!

Agreed on the bad taste and hangover, doctor said cut the pill in half, so now no hangover but still a bad taste, totally worth it if you havent slept in days.  
 
It becomes habit forming tho... But so does insomnia so screw insomnia.  
 
Edited by Aaronleevan, 2016-06-23 22:41:35

For myself, the bad taste didn't take too long to go away. I don't even notice it anymore. I don't wake up groggy with mine and I take 2 lol. Everyone is different though! When I first started, I was told take half and than take the other half when I woke 3-4 hours later. However, I do find it gives me intense munchies and it's annoying!! I keep meaning to try one pill at bedtime and one when I wake up middle of night. My pharmacist recommended this but I kinda forgot about it until now  
 
I hate habit forming...anything can become habit forming IMO if it benefits you lol. Insomnia and going days without sleep are worse IMO. Pick your poison I guess lol

Leave a fan on and open the window. It helps me a lot.

The natural herb Passionflower is awesome at giving you a good sleep. You can get it at the health food store in the mall

Zoplicone is bad and can cause insomnia, groggy feelings and bad tastes. Melatonin can work and is available up to 10 mg however can cause you to become dependant on it because it causes you not to be able to produce your own. But than with any sleep aide it's good to mix it up and take time off of it.

RainaRo said "Zoplicone is bad and can cause insomnia, groggy feelings and bad tastes. Melatonin can work and is available up to 10 mg however can cause you to become dependant on it because it causes you not to be able to produce your own. But than with any sleep aide it's good to mix it up and take time off of it. "

Melatonin is bad - did absolutely nothing for me.  
 
Zopiclone - good, gets me to sleep, sleep longer, no groggy feeling in the morning.  
 
I actually have tried a lot of sleep pills, both OTC and Dr. prescribed, none are good for you...even the au natural. I have googled, read, researched. But zopiclone works and I need the sleep.  
 
Do not mix Melatomin with other sleep aids or antidepressants.  
 
Edited by Brenda, 2016-06-24 07:01:29

I can order the Dynamaxx for you if you are interested in giving it a try. I have a family member who sells it.

Anyone try this? I take it once in awhile when my body feels achy and it really helps to get some sleep.  
Also, I use Melatonin every night and it puts me to sleep in no time. I probably take more than the recommended dose though.

Magnesium is a great natural sleep remedy. It has a relaxing effect on the body, calms the mind. I not only fall asleep better when I take it, but I sleep better too, more relaxed, deeper sleep. The trick is to find magnesium that actually works. The most effective is magnesium oil, I make my own out of magnesium flakes (hedleys sells them), or natural calm from two farm kids, I would highly recommend this over sleeping pills, and even melatonin.

eddiek said "Just can't shut my mind off at sleep time. Was wondering what sleep aides work without the groggy feeling when you wake up? And yes I have done the other things like having a dark room and going to bed at the same time every night . My brain thinks of something and then keeps linking to other things. Before I know it its 2 or 3 am and I went to bed at 10 pm. This has gone on for years . Doctors basically just shrug their shoulders! Tried different beds in different rooms doesn't matter. "

I could have written this des:cription. Except that I am so tired I fall asleep extremely easily - the issue is staying asleep.  
 
You are right, doctors shrug and throw you another pill. I even had a sleep study done, and went to Winnipeg for follow up. But because I do not have actual APNEA (ie breathing issues) then it is not considered an issue and they won't recommend you for further study.  
 
I have the same thought cycle at night. Something will wake you up, and you panic and then start regurgitating all different scenarios related to that thought. Then your mind links to one thing after another, to the point that you end up thinking "how on earth did I start thinking about that??" My mind is so focused on problems through the night I can count by threes forward and back WHILE physically focusing on moving fingers, toes, muscles groups and still my mind will go back to the "thinking". It is really frightening to be that out of control of your own mind.  
 
Sleeping pills do not work for me as the issue is not falling asleep. I have tried all traditional remedies, from yoga to timed exercise (I do work out three times a week to begin with, but moving it to hours before bed had no effect). I have tried deep breathing, St John wort and Valerian root, even warm milk with lavender infused honey (yummy, but no help)  
 
What I have found that does work is zopiclone as others have mentioned, but keep the dosage as small as needed. I do not find I am groggy in the morning.  
 
The other is amitryptiline. It is a mild antidepressant, that is mostly used for sleep issues and pain issues like headaches. I do find it works too, but you will gain a tolerance to it and will have to stop and switch to other things after a while. Higher doses can make you very thirsty. I go back and forth between the two now to avoid resistance.  
 
Melatonin does not work at all for me, it gives me crazy nightmares.  
 
I just read an article that said regular melatonin does not work for (people like us) as it is meant to regulate your rhythm so that you fall asleep, but does nothing to help you sleep deeper. They do have out there a controlled release melatonin meant for promoting longer sleep, but I have not found it yet. I have only looked at Safeway and Shoppers though. I have not looked online or in the US. Might be worth a try?

I put a couple pictures of my Passionflower bottle in the photos

My personal favourite for sleepy bedtime tea is Lemon Balm Leaf. I make it super concentrated by letting two bags steep for at least 15 minutes in hot water, even squishing them to get as much into the tea as I can. It pretty much tastes like a hand full of grass. I always find that in less than half an hour, I start to get a nice cozy heavy feeling in my body, my mind slows and feels relaxed, and I can get right to sleep. And no groggy drugged feelings in the morning!