sleeping aids

[tali122]

has anyone used over the counter sleeping aids like nytol or others and can they recommend them?(and does the effectiveness wear off with regular use?)

[Hermia]

My mum suffers from insomnia and has tried lots of over-the-counter pills. She thinks Nytol are the best.

[nickmo]

Lettuce is an old fashioned sleep aid - thats why Beatrix Potter had Peter Rabbit fall asleep in the garden etc etc You can get extract - or just eat a lot of the stuff.

Don't have a stimulants like tea unless its herbal, or coffee unless caffeine free, for 5 hrs before sleep as it takes up to 4 hrs for the stimulants to pass through the system.

Failing that a dose of 'night nurse' won't go make you have long term effects, but only in the extreme case you can't sleep and only the dose on the bottle. And go a dn speak yo oure doctor. Sleeplessness is a real problem and you won't be laughed at.

[chazza]

I have used Valerian from Holland and Barretts. Although you have to take one at least an hour before bedtime and they stink to high heaven, they do work for me, and I get a really good deep sleep after taking them.

I also find melatonin very good, it makes your body think it is time to release the sleep hormone and you naturally fall asleep. It is widely available in the US but not in the UK

[fideldyfee]

i have tried tescos own herbal sleep aid and also the green nytol (which i thihk is herbal?) neither of these helped me and they really stink.

[rsd2525]

Lie on the edge of the bed -------- You'll soon drop off!!

sorry -- merry christmas,at least you'll be awake when Santa comes

[hannahjo]

I have tried the herbal nytol and like fideldyfee says it stinks! It worked good for me, however my boyfriend who is a light sleeper needs to take two to send him to sleep. I have only tried the over the counter nytol once, and found it so strong I felt like I had been tranquilised!

[veritymoon]

pettigrain or naroli aromatherapy oils help me sleep either burn them in the bedroom or a few drops on your pillow.

[littlesa]

Ive not tried any form of over the counter sleep aid, but am flying round the world on xmas eve, and this involves some pretty long flights (12 or 13 hours), add that to different time zones, and arriving in a different country the day before you actually set off etc............ so ive bought some nytol 50mg (new one-a-night)! will let you know how we get on with them. Iv heard also that valarian (herbal form of vallium) can be good but also can cause nightmares!! I would go with the nytol to start with and see how you get on. good luck and merry christmas : - )

[r4zorb4ck]

8 bottles of Stella tends to do the trick. Short term effects headache for an hour or 2. Long term effects liver failure/death.

[Eels]

I have a friend who suffered from terrible insomnia - her doctor recommended she didn't drink any sort of caffeinated drink after noon (no tea, coffee, Coke etc). After a bit of perseverance the reduced caffeine definitely helped her.

I very rarely have insomnia but if I do go through a sleepless spell I make my bed up fresh, making sure the room is cool and aired. A hot bath with lavender (try Radox) followed by a mug of Horlicks (the chocolate one is tasty if you don't like the plain one) usually helps. Also, if I am stressed by anything, I write down a list of 'to do' things before bed.

Above all, however tired you are, do NOT sleep late in the morning!

[Eels]

OK that SO didn't answer you question - I tried herbal Nytol and it was absolutely useless - sorry! I think the normal one is quite good though.

[lainiej]

Herbal nytol doesnt work for me but the one a night nytol is great - totally zonks me out !

I;ve also found that Night time Covonia is good too.

I wonder what the effect on next morning driving is and whether a breath test would be passed.

Sweet dreams !