# Sleep-Starved: Insomniac Check-In **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 14, 2017, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950 "2017-06-14T17:16:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2017, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/102 "2017-06-24T08:23:47Z")
4:20am what the fuck? I mean what the everloving fuck? This has been going on for weeks. I’m supposed to fix Dr. Weasel breakfast in three hours because he has his licensure exam today. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![InsomniaMama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ad7895/32.png) [@InsomniaMama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InsomniaMama)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2017, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/103 "2017-06-24T08:32:50Z")
Sigh. I hear ya. ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2017, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/104 "2017-06-24T09:51:58Z")
I sympathize with you all. I’ve struggled with insomnia for forty years. It’s as though I don’t have a “safety switch” to shut me down when I’m beyond exhausted. My mind is strong enough to keep me awake way past the point where a normal person would fall asleep. On top of that, my typical sleeping hours are from 5 or 6 am til mid-afternoon. Not very functional. ☹ I don’t think we’re allowed to post links to advertisements, but there’s a new product out that combines melatonin with chocolate. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2017, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/105 "2017-06-24T11:08:19Z")
Periodic insomnia. This one is inspired by my Brother-in-law (see pit for details). I _tried_ to get sleep, but nope! Still too spun-up. There’s a church meeting this morning that I’m going to ditch because function is trending towards “Nope.” Sent from my SM-G386T using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Tdcskp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f04885/32.png) [@Tdcskp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tdcskp)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2017, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/106 "2017-06-24T11:27:33Z")
For spice weasel I would recommend half a Trazadone, or 50mg to give this med a chance. I put up with dry mouth to take it, as it’s not addictive and makes me sleep and dream like I did when I was young and could put in many hours as an ultrasound tech. I shared an office once with the sleep lab folks, who put me onto Trazadone. They explained that for the first few weeks, or even months, you body is trying to cope with the deep sleep it’s getting again. I really wasn’t groggy, but more like it felt so good, I didn’t want to wake up. I realized I didn’t feel bad, and as they said, my body adapted to sleeping all night for the first time in decades. A little discipline plus having coffee ready with the push of a button and I was fine. I lowered my dose from 100mg to 50mg as I aged. I hope you can use this to sleep well now. An added plus the experts shared with me: studies showed that patients who took Trazadone every night were more conscious of hygiene and neatness. I found I was actually eager to make my bed just so as I had in the Marine Corps before I stopped sleeping right and was just ‘arranging’ the covers. If you like I can tell of another med that keeps you asleep, but I’ve said enough here. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/107 "2017-07-05T19:28:25Z")
I could not find this thread for some reason. Finally Google was my friend. I have found something. I have been experimenting with melatonin doses. I started with the doses on the sublingual melatonin bottles, which is 3mg. It didn’t work. Previously reading had suggested that lower doses were close to what is required for most people. I went down to 1mg and then even lower. That wasn’t working. I then read an article that suggested that chronic migraine sufferers (like me) actually need much higher doses, on the average of 6-9mg per day. I started at 6mg and I’ve been sleeping like a rock. No effect on the migraines yet, so I’ll be going up to 9, but I thought I’d share in case higher doses are what others might need. Some people are melatonin deficient. My son is one, and he also takes higher doses on a daily basis. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/108 "2017-07-06T01:03:35Z")
That’s great, **Sunny**! I take 3mg if I anticipate having trouble falling asleep (95% of the time) and three more if I wake up during the night. It’s not perfect, but it’s an improvement. I had to order more. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/109 "2017-07-06T05:59:14Z")
Holla. I hate my life. Are those of you on the sublingual using it conjunction with other meds or all by itself? I’ve tried melatonin pills, and that was a waste of time, but I haven’t tried the liquid yet. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/110 "2017-07-06T11:47:46Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Holla. I hate my life. > > Are those of you on the sublingual using it conjunction with other meds or all by itself? I’ve tried melatonin pills, and that was a waste of time, but I haven’t tried the liquid yet. I think with melatonin, as with many supplements, you can’t be sure what’s actually in the pill. so, not enough or too much or maybe none at all. ☹ ETA: I just slept from 10 to 4 ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/111 "2017-07-06T14:21:50Z")
I’m just using the sublingual melatonin by itself. Tried 9mg last night, which also worked for sleep. No improvement on the migraine front as yet, but I’ll give it some time. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/112 "2017-07-06T18:40:38Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Holla. I hate my life. > > Are those of you on the sublingual using it conjunction with other meds or all by itself? I’ve tried melatonin pills, and that was a waste of time, but I haven’t tried the liquid yet. The pills didn’t do much for me. The liquid has worked much better. The brand **Chimera** originally recommended is Source Naturals, which is a reputable brand so I trust that what’s supposed to be in there actually is. I use it by itself. I noticed that if I take it and go do something rather than go to bed that I can pretty much override its effects. I have to be committed to going to bed, which is sometimes a problem as I have so much anxiety surrounding doing so that it takes awhile. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/113 "2017-07-06T18:58:30Z")
The instructions say to take it about an hour before bed, but I have been taking it right before bed and that seems to be working. I can’t seem to manage being organized enough to do it before bed. This is the [brand](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M8PNL56/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) I am using right now. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/114 "2017-07-06T19:10:24Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > I’m just using the sublingual melatonin by itself. Tried 9mg last night, which also worked for sleep. No improvement on the migraine front as yet, but I’ll give it some time. Be careful with that! Doses of melatonin (2-3 mg or higher) have reported side effects of: Headaches. Nausea. Next-day grogginess. Hormone fluctuations. Vivid dreams and nightmares. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/115 "2017-07-06T19:24:00Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > . . . > Vivid dreams and nightmares. This is what happened to me the one time I tried melatonin. It was very unpleasant, so I didn’t take it again. Maybe I should give it another go, as the terminal insomnia is getting worse all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/116 "2017-07-06T19:26:28Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Be careful with that! > > Doses of melatonin (2-3 mg or higher) have reported side effects of: > > Headaches. > Nausea. > Next-day grogginess. > Hormone fluctuations. > Vivid dreams and nightmares. I’m following instructions for chronic migraine. There’s a clinical study showing migraine relief at doses of 6-9mg. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/117 "2017-07-06T19:27:29Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > The instructions say to take it about an hour before bed, but I have been taking it right before bed and that seems to be working. I can’t seem to manage being organized enough to do it before bed. > > This is the [brand](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M8PNL56/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) I am using right now. Let me fix my own quote. I meant to say that I can’t seem to manage being organized enough to take it an hour before bed. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2017, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/118 "2017-07-07T02:29:40Z")
Three days in a row (!) of reasonable levels of sleep, and I feel like I have a new lease on life. My productivity has increased like wowsa. It appears the PTSD med is helping. It’s traditionally prescribed for hypertension so there is a risk of low blood pressure, so I’m starting on a very low dose. It’s called Prazosin. It doesn’t exactly put me to sleep right away, but it seems to help with me staying asleep through the night. I’m also trying to be downright draconian with the sleep hygiene. The only electronic thing allowed in my room now is my Kindle. This is weird, and I don’t know if anyone has ever heard of this, but I think my vitamins are causing me nausea. I stopped taking them right before bed and the nausea seems to have decreased. The vitamins are fish oil/vitamin D supplement and magnesium (which I’m supposed to take for my seizures.) ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2017, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/119 "2017-07-07T02:31:45Z")
Re: sublingual liquid melatonin, I find it helps if I take it and go to sleep immediately. It seems to last about ten minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2017, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/120 "2017-07-07T03:36:00Z")
Yes, I’ve heard of that with the vitamins. There’s a lot of overlap, I am finding, between the experiences of migraineurs and those with seizures. The issues you are mentioning come up in the migraine groups I follow (both in terms of the vitamins you need to take and the issues they cause). I haven’t paid that much attention, since it wasn’t my issue, but I’ll make a point of seeing what they recommend. Seizure meds are notorious for causing nausea as well. You may want to have some anti-nausea meds on hand. Some of them are also good for helping you sleep. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2017, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/121 "2017-07-07T14:18:45Z")
Woke up at 2:30am this morning, totally tired and craving a return to sleep, but worries going through my head at a mile a minute. Went back and forth between lying in bed, hoping to go back to sleep, and getting up and putzing around just for a change of pace. Finally got back to sleep ~4:15am, just an hour before the alarm goes off. Fortunately, I’d been on a pretty good roll of decent-to-good sleep lately. One bad night isn’t gonna kill me, I’m still pretty chipper this morning. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950.md?page=7)