Can't sleep!

[Rootman 1,101]

So I've been an insomniac for decades and like 10 years back I went to the doctor and got a scrip for anti depressants and anti anxiety drugs, slept pretty good for a few years. Then it started again. Then he gave me a scrip for a sleep aid - which worked for about 6 months. Now I'm off EVERYTHING - and BTW - it is HELL ON EARTH coming off both Paxil AND Xanax reliance! Then WLS and a massive drop in weight.

I slept pretty well for a few months afterward, even got off my CPAP after dropping 100+ pounds. Now I get 2 or 3 hours a night if I'm lucky. I started taking 3.5 ounces of red wine every evening for heart health and in hopes the slug of alcohol would help me sleep. It helped for a few nights - probably all in my head. I lay there and toss and turn and force myself to "rest" instead of getting up. If I get up and do something like read or watch TV I'll be up all night doing it.

I've taken hot showers, take melatonin sub lingual. I have a heated mattress pad since I am now cold all the time since losing the weight. I am comfortable in bed, the room is very dark and quiet - I even wear ear plugs. OTC stuff may work for a week or so then stops.

So anyone got any tips on how to sleep well?

[TijuanaPlication 87]

Avoid TV too close to when you go to bed and start having the lights down low as your bed time approaches to help your mind to realize it's time to go to sleep.< /span>

HTH (a little at least).

[longer-life 139]

I want to suggest that you exercise most mornings, but I doubt any of these "tips" will help you, since what you are suffering seems severe.

Have you tried searching for a sleep specialist? Hopefully you have insurance. WebMD talks about the "American Board of Sleep Medicine" and the "American Academy of Sleep Medicine" as places to find these professionals.