OTC sleep aides...advice please!!!

Sorry for another post, but just had a quick thought here. I think I found something that helps me sleep. I've had terrible anxiety at night and nothing works for me, except Unisom. Is it safe to take for a month or two until I get back to a regular sleep schedule. Please tell me I'm ok, don't want to have another anxiety attack. It's better then getting something prescribed by the DR, right? After normal sleep cycle begins I plan to switch to natural stuff like valerian. I tried natural stuff and Unisom is the only thing that puts me to sleep.

[sunny881]

Oh and I've only been taking Unisom for a few days now.

[gnarly_1]

hey girlee  sleep is always a problem I think the longer and harder your habit the worst it is for the sleep thing...if unisom is working for you count your blessings at 11 days my sleep was disrupted even with prescription meds for it...today im happy if I get 6hr a night but im breaking a 16yr habit so things are slow going ...exesorsize (speeling)
helps out ...the best thing I found is a realy hot soak in the tub right b/4 bed...my problem isent getting to sleep as much as it is staying asleep once im up im up
weather it be 3 am or 6 am so you just got to get use to your sleep being a bit up and down ill go 3 or 4 nights ok then il get hit with no sleep for 2 nights its different for everyone but your still early into this thing give it a chance with time it will return back to normal for most...good luck and god bless....Gnarly

[sunny881]

Thanks gnarly! You are always so reassuring and helpful. It puts my mind at ease, which is what I need!!! thanks!

[jlb191]

Hello Sunny,

I know some may be hesitant to say yes to any type of sleep aid, but in my opinion...if it is working for you then i would take it.  I think sleep in important for our bodies to heal.  With that said, you may only want to take them for a week or so or only during the real difficult phase.  I think the longer you take them the more dependent your body may become on them in order to sleep later.  Just my opinion.  

[Calamity2]

You may lose a few nights sleep getting off the unisom. When I take excedrin pm to sleep more than 3 nights in a row I end up having 2 nights or so that I cant get to sleep easily.  But then there's always exercise.  When I exercise I find I don't have any problems sleeping.

[blink8682]

I'll give my story:

I am now on Day 21 or 22 cold turkey off of Oxycontin. I slept like a baby the first week using Xanax, then got off of it on Day 8.

Days 8 through 14, I slept maybe an average of 2 hours a night. TWO!

On the 15th day/night, I started taking Calcium + Magnesium supplements, and Melatonin.

Oh...my....goodness, I've been sleeping roughly 7-8 hours every night since then. I've been using normal doses, too. Sleep is COMPLETELY back for me, although I'd like to ween off of the mineral supplements.... but I guess there are worse things to ween off of =)

That's just my story. I know melatonin and/or Cal-Mag does not work for many people, but it has been a godsend to me.


Just keep pushing through, life gets better! Granted, I didn't use Oxy for that long (roughly 6 months over a 12 month period), but I can confidently say that I feel about 98% normal, with no pink cloud effect. They say sleep is the last thing that comes back, and now that sleep has come back for me, all the anxiety has left. Hope this helps, and keep fighting on!

[Drea0001]

Hi, I'm new but posting around here a bit after finding great success this past week with GNC triple strength fish oil tried both with and without krill Its best to take that in the am, for me it just keeps you relaxed all day and helps with chronic pain and then also I take melatonin 3 at night- you might have to try different dosing but you will be surprised how a supplement can have such a benefit- I am an anxious person by nature and scared to try new things. I sought this out after feeling increased heart rate (to say the least) from my oxy prescription Which is unusual but thought id mention that for others whom may have a similar problem- All good here. ; )