Just read the post [from I believe Sandi] about insomnia. But I was wondering if anyone had more information or suggestions regarding a solution. I have tried things to put my brain to sleep and other than going onto prescriptions, does anyone or has anyone found any useful......?? I know I spilled it about alcohol. And I know having alcohol before bed can cause you to wake. I am struggling with this more and more and I am finding that I am not the only one suffering from its effects after wls? So can anyone help?

Hi Deanna,

I've been taking Seroquel for over three years and it really works for me. Prior to that I was on Ambient, which also worked but made me groggy during the day. I take 1/2 of a 25 mg pill about an hour before I go to bed. I feel like I'm getting a more "natural" sleep, if that makes sense. Ambient put me into a coma and I would sleep through my alarm in the morning if I didn't get at least six hours of sleep.

Seroquel is NOT a sleep aid. It's mainly used for treating bipolar disorder and schizoprenia, but the dosage is much, much higher. My doctor said it doesn't work for everybody, but it's definitely worth looking into. Check out the website, www.seroquel.com.

I've never experienced any side effects. I'm not on any other anti-depressant or anxiety meds, so I don't know if Seroquel can be taken with these types of drugs.

I hope you find something that works, soon. I suffered with insomnia for years, so I know exactly what you're going through. There's got to be something out there that will help. --Kathy

Have you tried taking Benadryl? It's the sleep ingredient in tylenol pm but you can get it cheap if you buy the drugstore brand of diphenhydramine. It's an antihistimine that has drowsiness as a side affect and ask your doc but I don't think it could do any harm as long as you don't exceed the recommended dose. Good Luck.

A GOOD HARD WORKOUT!! That generally works for me! I didnt read your first post if there was one...sorry but also, dont know your age but there a few of us going through the change...and that darn INSOMNIA is a lovely side effect (NOT!)

But for me...I hate taking stuff as well....and I know that if I go to the gym and get a good hard workout in....then a hot shower when I get home or a dip in the hot tub....oooooooooo la la....I get a GREAT NIGHTS SLEEP!

I hope you get some relief soon whatever it takes....I know that lack of sleep can really take it's toll on us!

GOOD LUCK and keep us posted!

Sunshine

IM ON TEMESEPAM.A SLEEPING PILL. WITH IT, I SLEEP GOOD,BUT WITHOUT IT IM UP ALL NIGHT TOSSING AND TURNING.IVE TRIED OTHERS BUT NOTHING SEEMED TO WORK.

I take a half an Ambien at bedtime and if I should wake at midnight, I'll take the other half. I've been on it for a year now and the reason why I continue with using it is that it shuts my brain off. I'm wondering if it's shutting parts off permanently though! I'm not completely on my game mentally these days and am not sure if it's the Ambien or the general lack of sleep. I just watched a piece on 60 Minutes about how not getting enough deep sleep causes us to lose our mental edge. And guess what...it also leads to overeating and poor blood sugar regulation...aka Type 2 Diabetes. Back in the 60's the average person got 8 hours of sleep...now it is just over 6.5. We are much fatter now than we were then...ah, those were the days my friend. Here is a link to the show: 60 Minutes...The Science of Sleep

I'm off to bed...

A brisk walk in the afternoon, a warm bath before bed, and shutting off the TV an hour before bed all help me relax and I usually have no trouble going to sleep. I find though that sometimes, I wake up around midnight. It got to be a cycle that I couldn't get out of. It was getting so bad that I would just finally start getting up for the day at 2 or 3 in the morning!!!!


Kim got me to talk to my doctor about the ambien and I take one if I wake out. These knock me completely out. I'm talking like unconscious! I wake up fine though, not groggy or anything. I'm grateful to have this handy tool if I need it.