Good sleeping pills to knock me out

[porkandbeansboy]

gonna second the use of f.lux. sooooo helpful for sleep.  i also have orange/amber lights in my bedroom that emit no blue light so i dont have to wear the blueblock glasses around the house.  cant recommend it enough!

 I have been considering Buying those Lights... but I have no idea if I will be able to get them to work are they simple to use? @DoomKitty

 

[DoomKitty]

i dont buy the fancy ones i just use these: https://www.amazon.com/Feit-Electric-BPESL13T-13-Watt-Fluorescent/dp/B000LWIQ1C/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=orange+flourescent&qid=1565841313&s=hi&sr=1-8

 works like a normal light bulb!!

 

[porkandbeansboy]

Oh wow thank you, the ones I was looking at use some kind of Bluetooth Technology or some. It allows you to change the light bulb from normal to F.lux adjustments but I think those are the "Official" F.lux Bulbs or just one of the many options I assume not sure yet but thanx again.

 

[2earls]

I've never even heard of these lights or any of the science behind it. Still learning something new here all the time! 

I wear a sleep mask, but I want to stop because it is affecting my skin. Of course I don't let them get dirty, but it is causing a slight rash that's not too appealing so it's gotta go.

@Hammerblow I agree with you that taking a benzo once or twice a week is pretty safe. I've been using them like this for quite awhile and don't have any dependence on them. Wish I could say the same for pks as I understand that they are the likely cause of my insomnia in the first place.

 

[Hammerblow]

I’ve heard of the lights it seems to be the next big thing in America. I follow a few guys on Instagram who promote them that are pretty famous. I don’t know much about them tbh or the science. Just give me a pitch black bedroom and a cold bed (yip) and I’m out! 

I know @2earls it’s a bit of a viscous cycle you need the meds for quality of life but at a price it’ll take alittle by causing insomnia. Benzo’s 2 max 3 times a week (depends on stress levels)  spaced out well and you should react better and keep your tolerance low.

 

[Jools]

@Hammerblow  & @2earls  thank you both. I admit that I could be viewed as an easy target due to the health crap and me being single now. I didn’t think I could fall for someone, so hard, at my age but everything seemed like it was actually some kind of cosmic event. Not sure if I’ve told you but my parents were Polish & always wanted me to be with a Polish girl. I even felt they could be helping, from some beyond the grave nonsense. 

You just never know who or what you will meet with online dating. I’m the first to admit I wasn’t very nice, when younger but if this was karmic then I consider myself paid back and then some. This was a level of crazy I’ve never known. 60 fake Facebook profiles and the same on every social media platform. So many red flags but I wasn’t thinking with my head. 

She is obviously very sick but that’s not my problem and I have to move past this. I should feel blessed that I didn’t get rinsed. It was a lesson I could’ve done without, at this particular time. Long story but lots of very difficult things to deal with & the crippling anxiety makes me feel overwhelmed and just done in. Yes, lessons learned but life can be very cruel and seem more so when you are reaching out but grab hold of a razor instead of a hand up. Thank you both. Now having counselling and hopefully that will help. 

 

[Jools]

@Hammerblow I love a cold bed too. 

 

[Jools]

I used to be able to buy herbal pills called Sonno + relax and sleep. They had valerian, hops, Californian poppy extract, lavender, Passion flower and melatonin but I can’t get them anymore. They were the best thing I’ve ever had for sleep. They are made in Italy and I can buy from there but very high price and postage. I’ve not come across anything the medical profession can give, that rivals these

 

[DoomKitty]

I used to be able to buy herbal pills called Sonno + relax and sleep. They had valerian, hops, Californian poppy extract, lavender, Passion flower and melatonin but I can’t get them anymore. They were the best thing I’ve ever had for sleep. They are made in Italy and I can buy from there but very high price and postage. I’ve not come across anything the medical profession can give, that rivals these

If you are interested in herbals i cant recommend Mulungu bark enough for relaxing and sleep.  As far as herbals go i believe it to be the most potent for sleep.  Meridian botanicals is the only place i know that sells it.  They also sell everything thats in the Sonno pills you are mentioning so you could make your own blend!

 

[Jools]

@DoomKitty thank you very much. I’ve actualky found the stuff I used but had to go to an Italian company & I’ve not had great experiences in postage from there. I am very interested in natural remedies and always tried those prior to starting on the chemical trail. Very much appreciated 

 

[porkandbeansboy]

I used to be able to buy herbal pills called Sonno + relax and sleep. They had valerian, hops, Californian poppy extract, lavender, Passion flower and melatonin but I can’t get them anymore. They were the best thing I’ve ever had for sleep. They are made in Italy and I can buy from there but very high price and postage. I’ve not come across anything the medical profession can give, that rivals these

I used to use those to help Me sleep. I had to stop everything but Valerian Root because the Calms Forte, Passion Flower, Scull Cap and Hawthorn Extract are ALL STRONG Diuretics and I couldn't figure out why I was pissing not stop until I came across the fact that literally every natural sleep aid or "anxiety aid" has diuretic effects. Valerian Root could be either Anti-Diuretic or Diuretic just thought I'd mention this in case anyone is taking or decides to use them Chamomile Tea is a Diuretic strongly too... it truly sucks because all those natural herbs did help Me Sleep but the urge to pee was way stronger than the urge to sleep, I am assuming I am really sensitive to the Diuretic Effects of these Herbs plus mixing all them together probably didn't help lol. 


  Oh I think the Science behind the Blue light Blocking Glasses and those special Lights that don't Emit Blue light is fairly simple but I don't have the knowledge of it. I strongly suggest using an Alarm Clock with Red Lights since it does not have to be any "special light" or anything just not emitting blue light that somehow prevents the production of your Melatonin how does it stop the production and the Science behind how it helps your body produce more of it naturally I have no idea but I know it works that's all lol.  

 

[Clarissa]

There's a new drug on the market called BELSOMRA for adults who have trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia).  It's a Controlled Scheduled 4, but my Addiction Medicine doctor recommended this drug for me.  The problem is getting insurance coverage.  A month supply is about $300 out of pocket.  There is no alternative for this drug because it uses a completely different mechanism -- BELSOMRA is thought to inhibit the action of "orexin" which is one of the wake neurotransmitters that play a role in the wake-sleep cycle. It is believed that orexin is involved with sending wake signals to other parts of the brain.  This drug blocks "orexin" from sending these wake signals, which could be keeping you from sleeping.

It may be worth looking into.  If you are desperate for sleep, then $300 out of pocket isn't that bad until we can get insurance to cover it and realize there is NO comparable alternative.

 

[DoomKitty]

Ive taken Belsomra! My insurance actually covered it surprisingly.  Unfortunately it gave me sleep paralysis so i was unable to keep taking it.  I know of one other person who takes it and she says she gets on average an additonal 1.5 hrs of sleep a night because of it.  And yes, only good for mid-sleep/end-sleep insomniacs, not early-sleep insomniacs. 

 

[Clarissa]

@DoomKitty Omg I thought no one was going to respond to my post because the drug is so new.  My insurance is fighting back.  They don't understand the concept of addiction medication and that Ambien is an addictive narcotic and that Trazadone doesn't work for me (I hate feeling foggy in the morning when I have to wake up and do important software engineering work).  Those were the alternatives they offered.  So much for these insurance companies advertising "Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coverage".  Such bullshit.  I called my insurance and asked "can I please speak to the insurance doctor consultant because Belsomra has NO substitute and it's not like ANY other sleeping med".  Ugh these idiots!!!!

Yeah I read sleep paralysis was one of the side effects, but there are always side effects with these drugs.  It's actually not THAT expensive.  I asked and it's like $370 out of pocket for one month (that's like what I would pay a vendor on DBG anyway).  If my Addiction Medicine doctor cannot persuade the insurance company, then maybe I'll try one month out of pocket.

If I knew there was interest in this topic I would have started a thread.  I would like to know other people's experience as well!!!

I was only prescribed Belsomra because I'm seeing an Addiction Medicine doctor and even though it's a C4 controlled, he says there's low risk of addiction.  How come you were prescribed it compared to all the other drugs out there? Just curious.

 

[Deleted member 7898]

@Clarissa that is interesting I never heard of this drug. I have to get ready soon for my appointment so I will have to leave the forum in an hour I will dm you as soon as I return. I can't believe I made it through the week without using. Thank you for being a great support system I have tons of gratitude towards you! Should I mention this drug to my addiction specialist? 

Thanks in advance. Much love

Hev

 

[DoomKitty]

@Clarissa Ive tried and hate every other sleep drug and so my psychiatrist had me try Belsomra.  That was maybe two years ago.   There's another brand new one that just got approved last december that also works on the orexin system called Dayvigo that im interested to try out but just havent gotten around to yet.  Its also C-IV though so you may have trouble getting that one too.  But it may be cheaper out of pocket!!

 

[Clarissa]

Addiction Medicine doctor's like this drug because it's suppose to work and is non-addictive. I mean that is their job. To prescribe us drugs that are effective and non-addictive. But yeah, you should ask if you are having trouble sleeping. See what he says. You are there to ask questions. Take a notebook if you have to hah.

@DoomKitty Wow you have a good psychiatrist. All the ones I see are old-school and prescribe like the oldest drugs known to man-kind. I had one guy prescribe me Seroquel for GAD, like WTF!!! And they NEVER let you leave the office without a script for Zoloft. It's okay that some of these drugs are controlled. Like I said, my doctor will prescribe anything (even controlled) if it has a low-risk of being addictive. The problem is the insurance company. They think "sleep medication" not "sleep medication for recovering addict". Dayvigo may be harder to get if it's newer. Hopefully one of these guys will come out with a generic soon! But I will mention Dayvigo to my doctor next time I see him. Thanks for that !!

The problem is when the FDA approves these drugs they come on the market at like $4,000 (that's what happened with Lucymera -- a drug for opiate withdrawal). But I guess the Belsomra is cheap because it has been around for a while (a lot longer than I thought anyway). @DoomKitty please keep me posted on any new sleep meds you try!! I really don't want to keep taking b3nz and develop a bad dependency when I just went through Sub w/d hell.

 

[Deleted member 7898]

@Clarissa thank you I have all my medical records ready and I will ask him about it I already put a post note on it to ask him about getting off of vals I know I will have to come off vals slowly but it seems like a good drug to switch over to. Thank you for all your help I appreciate all your help. You are my guardian angel I swear. I will write back later I have to get ready now. Much love Hev

 

[jeremycombs62]

Seroquel is a very good option for insomnia imo.

 

[myalias]

Nothing beats good ol ghb for some fantastic sleep.  Not the best if addiction is a concern, but it is was they give to narcoleptics so they sleep at night.

only lasts for about 4 hours, but it feels like you’ve slept 6, and you can redose to go back to sleep.  Has helped me loads when having pain issues and trouble sleeping.