Sleep problems

[chassyp]

Can anyone help?? I am having trouble sleeping. I am very tired when I go to bed, and often fall asleep in the chair when watching tv. However when in bed, I am often awake 3 or 4 times in the night and struggle to go over. I often take herbal tablets but they have recently had less effect. Iv`e tried milky drinks, and lavender on the pillow!! I will try anything that may help. Please!!

[Sachs]

Hi chassy, try sleeping in a more propped up position as when you do in the chair, it might work? xxx

[liquidspace]

I have the same thing, especially for the last 2 nights. I just think it's a psychological matter. The less worries you have the better you sleep in my experience. The trick is to have minimal stress late in the evening and do the usual things, hot bath , lavender, milky drinks etc and to try not to think about it too much, just let it happen. This may not help but it's just what I believe.

[chazza]

It could actually be down to the falling asleep while watching TV! This will upset your sleep pattern and stop you being able to sleep when you go to bed

When you feel yourself falling asleep, struggle through it and sit upright until you're properly awake, this should make it easier to sleep at bed time!

[CAJ1]

You need to go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Write down any worries, things to do etc before bedtime to do the next day and forget about them. The more herbal tablets you take the less effective they will be so try and get to sleep by yourself.

[Scarlett]

I have to have the TV on in order to fall asleep! Maybe try watching it as you fall asleep, or listening to a spoken CD or Radio 4.

[smurfchops]

chassyp, you are the first person I have heard of with the same complaint as me. I have tried everything ... although I spoke to a Professor Chris Vydowski (not sure how to spell it) before he got very well known and he told me 'go to bed late (approx midnight) and get up early (around 6am). Well I can do the late going to bed but not the early morning. He said it is 'compacting your sleep into shorter hours' which makes sense but not easy if you have a family of light sleepers, to get up quietly at 6am. I have had this problem for years ... waking up every two hours on the dot. I have no worries, have a quiet bedroom with a little fresh air coming in etc. etc. Tried Nytol, lavender, hot drinks, no TV in the room, no caffiene, coffee, coca cola etc. etc. The only thing that works is Temazapam from the doctor, but I don't like to take them too often. Could you be going through the 'change'? Apparently this affects sleep patterns. I think I will have a nap ... good luck :)

[Bathsheba]

I was on Temazepam for 20 years. I no longer take them, but instead i take anitihistamines, (not the non-drowsy ones, obviously!). Boots do their own sleep-aid, (can't remember the name of it), but it's only available over the counter. Also Nytol, not the herbal one, is available from the pharmacy- it contains exactly the same ingredients as the Boots own brand but is pricier. Good luck, there's nothing worse than not being able to sleep x

[terambulan]

Dont let yourself sleep in the armchair.....soon as you start dozing rush to bed.

[abstract]

try VALERIAN ROOT from holland and barrett,its natural,non habit forming,cheap and does'nt lose its potentcy even when used every night/day/whenever you need relaxation or/and sleep! its a miracle herb!

[DONNA1458]

They have a few ideas on here.....
http://www.well.com/~mick/insomnia/

[flobadob]

If I fall asleep during the evening, like after my tea or whatever, then I also find it difficult to get to sleep at night too. I'd say if you are gonna lie about sleeping in a chair for half an hour then instead you can go for a walk for half an hour instead. The walk will keep you awake but you'll be ready for the leaba come night time.

[Sheann]

Try phenergan tablets which you can get from the chemist. I use them and they work a treat.

[chazza]

I had phenergan for my allergies, they made me sleep but also made me groggy all the time, I never ever felt wide awake! Had to stop taking them for this reason!