Sleeping pills, yay or nay?

(THERESA PITTS) #1

I sleep very little now without help. I think it is a combination of Keto and hot flashes. I take a sleep aid called “Simply Sleep”, which is Advil PM without the Advil. I know that lack of sleep can wreck your health. So, is medically induced sleep better than no sleep?

(Allie) #2

You may find getting into a sleep routine more helpful. Pills are a band aid, they don’t fix the problem.

I avoid blue light (phone, laptop, tv, etc) for at least an hour before going to sleep. Before going upstairs I do yoga then go and have a hot bath with Epsom salts before getting into bed. Once in bed I write my journal, read a little, then do a sleep meditation.

Your own routine would have to be what suits you best, this podcast may help you -

(mike) #3

I have read that using a sleep aid is not really different on your brain/body than being knocked out. We sleep for recovery of our brain and other things. Without real sleep you are probably not getting the full effect of the recovery that is expected.

Do some research on getting into better sleep habits. Dark room, no electronics, going to sleep at the same time, etc…Also try not eating too close to bed time.

(Shayne) #4

A couple more tips - keep your bedroom cool, and wake up at the same time each day.

Just like our macros, sleep is an individual thing. If you can take a few days off of work, go to bed at your usual time and let yourself wake up naturally. After a few days you should catch up and then start waking at a roughly consistent time. That’s when you know how much sleep you need and can adjust your schedule so that you can get that amount of sleep.

And one other thing… my doctor said that if you can’t sleep because you’re having trouble turning your brain down, then it might be a cortisol rhythm issue.

(Donna ) #5

Hi, @Rip55jcp

I’m 49 and been having trouble sleeping through the night for the past 10 years. I think it’s hormonal. Now, I take 3mg melatonin at bedtime every night.
I find that I don’t lay awake for 3 hours in the middle of the night anymore. When I wake up to use the bathroom, I get up and go, and then fall right back asleep instead of laying there wide awake for 3 hours and then, finally, getting sleepy about 1 hour before my alarm is set to go off.

I feel better, now that I sleep regularly every night. I had tried melatonin before, but only 1mg and it didn’t help. It wasn’t until I tried the 3mg that I got relief. (They make 5mg and also 10mg pills, so I don’t feel like I’m doing anything crazy by taking the 3mg pill.)

I really think it’s hormonal. I tried all those sleep habit things, they didn’t help me when I was laying there awake from 3am - 6am, replaying every awkward thing I’ve ever said in my entire life or worrying about how I’m going to pay for my sons’ college. I love my melatonin and don’t plan on giving it up.

Hope you find something that works as well for you.

(Marie Dantoni) #6

Hi Theresa, I’m 66 and have had trouble sleeping since menopause. If I don’t take sleep aids I don’t get enough sleep which results in my being super hungry and a zombie the whole next day. I have been taking +a half dose ( 25mg) of diphenhydramine (generic Sominex) plus 300 mg melatonin w/L theanine. The combo works really well and doesn’t seem to affect keto or fasting.

#7

Sleeping pills are pretty powerful, I usually take half a dose too. I just buy the equate brand from wal mart. They work for me.

#8

Try the Melatonin, Magnesium and Pharma GABA combo, knock you out GOOD and isn’t a “drug”. You’ll be asleep and not unconscious.

(Karl Bork) #9

Buy some blue blocker glasses. Wear them a couple hours before bed. Read or listen to something boring to fall asleep.

(kamila) #10

I’ve tried these products worldwidepharmacyonline.com and they helped in a month. But I dont want to depend on it)