I've been having trouble sleeping lately. Used to be that a Benedryl would help, but not anymore.
Now I've found that a stout drink of booze will put me out. Trouble is that I have to develope a pretty good buzz before it works. I've always avoided alcohol since my Dad was a drunk, so it makes me a little uneasy.
Think I should avoid it?

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Yep... Might work for a while but not for long... The insomnia will return and you'll just be buzzed and awake...

My wife is big into natural remedies-n-such. (Aside: I wonder how many good remedies from Mountian folk have been lost over the years... Knowledge exists in more than just textbooks.) I once read in her stack of stuff that drinking plain hot water will stimlate drowsiness and aid sleep...

Not sure I buy it, but there it is....

A very close friend of mine had trouble sleeping. Someone tod him to drink a cup of camamile (sp?) tea before bed. He says it knocks him out cold.

As for me, I read. The story lines keep my mind from zooming off in twenty different directions at the same time (which is what keeps me awake!), and just the act of reading makes my eyes so tired that they just close. I have awoken in the morning with the reading light on and an open book on my chest many times! It really works for me.

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Freedom above all else.

I sometimes confer with Evan Williams just before bedtime if I think I might have trouble dozing off.

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Georgia On My Mind

A couple Tylenol PM helps my back and helps me go to sleep also

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Regards,
Windjammer

Hmmm! I always thought that tea was a bad idea since most contain caffein. But chamomile is apparently OK according to a quick check on line. Thanks. I just hope it doesn't taste like Earl Grey, too flowery for my taste.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Do you spend a lot of time in bed when you aren't sleepy? I would read or watch tv somewhere else, and only go to bed and lay down when you are tired. You can train your body to do this. I avoid laying in the bed unless I'm tired, so when I do lay down, I'm gone within a couple of minutes.

Start a regular bedtime routine. Bathroom, brush teeth, prayers, whatever. Once you are in that routine, you can "tell" your body it's time for sleep.

just my two cents, it works for me...

As stated by Pasifikawv a shot might help at first .
But then it will be 2-3 maybe 4,5,6,..........?
Sorta like me thinking I'll just smoke this ONE cigarette after quiting.
Don't start a bad habit you might want to quit in the future!

Watch C-Span.
Seriously, if you want to avoid over the counter stuff (I use Tylenol PM quick release) there's a "natural" herb called Valerian that works well for my Wife. I've tried it, works so-so, but smells like the north end of a south bound mule when being swallowed even in capsules. My insomnia is related to other body ache issues though, so you may find the Valerian helpful?
(A Martini AND the Tylenol PM Q/R REALLY work!)

I'll be the first to admit that I have a little drink before bedtime - but since I'm originally from Wisconsin, it's brandy rather than whiskey. Once in bed I spend about 30 minutes reading, which aids relaxation. Only YOU can answer the question of whether alcohol should be avoided in your particular case.

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Quoth the raven:
"Nevermore"

Alcohol may make you fall asleep, but you won't get much use out of it. I forget the reason, but when you drink a lot and fall asleep, your body actually has a lot of functions running and so your unconscious, but your body isn't sleeping like a normal sleep...

I wouldn't use it as a way to fall asleep.

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- The Federalist #46 -

A good 12 year old single malt works pretty good for me.

I second the valerian root and chamomile tea. both are good old fashioned sleep inducers without the negative side effects of booze.

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I mean, you feel me....

Ron,

I don't recommend the alcoholic night cap on a regular basis as it will cause more harm than benefit. I would suggest seeing a Neurologist that specializes in sleep disorder as this can be, and usually is, a very complicated thing that will require diagnostic tests and probably prescription meds. One thing you can try that works very well is Melatonin. You can buy this over the counter - Costco sells it by the big bottle full. An adult dosage varies by weight, but I weigh 175lbs. and take 2 each night. As far as prescription sleeping meds go, be very careful with these as there are several documented episodes of people driving cars, eating, cooking, making/having phone calls, etc. while under the effects of some of these medications (example: Ambien). I did my first IL removal while under the effects of Ambien one night, and it took me about 3 days afterwards to start wondering if I had really performed the IL removal, or if it as just a dream.

Best of luck,

Dave

Dave, that was a great way to work guns into the conversation.
You guys are saying what I suspected all along. Stay away from the booze. Thanks.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Chamomile tea tastes like a flower shop!
I have a friend (cop) that told me about Melatonin. My dad tried it and said it made him still sleepy the next day.

Do some research online about sleep habits. No eating after 6:00pm, turn your lights down an hour before you go to bed, no TV, internet or anything that will switch your mind on before you try to sleep. I know someone who did vitamin B shots and he said he slept like a baby. Regular exercise in the morning will help...but without knowing what your lifestyle is like, it's hard to tell what will work best for you. Good luck.
just remembered, try warm milk and lay horizontal! It works.

Try Melatonin. Natural over the counter stuff. Oooops. Already been suggested. Oh well, try it again!

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Misty

Sex before bedtime and you'll sleep like the dead. Trust me on that one

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Forum consigliere

I tried that one, but my wife caught me.

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MARK

My grandmother knocked my grandfather out one time. Give me your address and I'll send her over with boxing gloves. When I can't sleep I usually read a book and fall asleep everytime.

My mother used to drink and then take Benedryl.

She lived to be 84.

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Corripe Cervisiam

I just take a benedryl. It puts me out like a light every time!

My grandfather took what he called a shot of whiskey every night before going to bed. He'd done that for decades, but when he got to about 92, my mother started to rag him about it. His response was always the same "what's it going to do, kill me young?" It didn't matter, my mother was nearly hysterical about him drinking so much. I watched one time (more often, later) and his "shot" wasn't even a full ounce, much less a regulation shot of 1 1/2 ounces. He never drank anything at other times, just prior to going to bed.

Finally the doctor became worried about my mothers mental health, so he gave in and told my grandfather to give up the booze. He was old and pretty sick, so my mother would go sit with him until it was his bed time. She sanitized his apartment of any and all booze. She'd sit in her car and wait for him to go to sleep, then leave. He'd turn out the lights and wait for her to leave... About the 2nd night he called me on the phone, about 11:00 and told me its payback time. He reminded me of all the favors he'd done for me in my youth, and told me to hit the road with some whiskey for him. I did.

My poor mother was feeling good about him stopping drinking, till one day she saw an empty mini-bottle in his garbage. The old man had failed to hide it. She guessed who the culprit was, but of course I lied and denied as my GF had instructed. Remember the Smokey and the Bandit movie, where he had booze stashed everywhere? The old man did the same stunt. She'd occasionally search and find a bottle or two, but never all of it. She was livid. One time I had to take him to the doctors because she was out of town for a couple of days. I asked how much damage the booze was doing. The doctor just looked at me and said it was doing a lot of damage to my mother, none to the old man. He said he's better off taking a few sips than going into withdrawl, which might kill him.

Mini bottles are expensive, so we started refilling them. One bottle would last him 2 nights, if he pushed it. Big deal. The doctor even mentioned the calorie intake was helpful (he was pretty skinny by the time he hit 93.) He died of other causes then. The boozing didn't kill him. Nor did it hurt him.

Every night when I go to bed an hour early, I wake up an hour early. So I just lie there. Its OK, kind of pleasant, really. I can think about guns, my critters, my jeeps, the places I've been, the one's I'm going to. What I've discovered is that by going to bed an hour early, I have an hour some nights all to myself. No phones, no stupid TV. Just peace and quiet and the sounds of the night outside.

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Dick Burg

My dad was also an alcoholic. But I see nothing wrong with taking a shot of whiskey every now and then if it helps you sleep. That’s what I do. The key is to make sure you KNOW it’s not a problem and you can stop if you need to. And of course, don’t drink so much that it does other damage.

I was laying in bed the other night trying to go to sleep. I started saying toes go to sleep, feet go to sleep, legs go to sleep, hips go to sleep, stomach go to sleep, and then my wife came out of the bathroom naked as the day she was born.

Then I started to holler "Everybody Up!!!! Everybody Up!!!!"

medicinal Jack Daniels works for me

Same as benadryl just with tylenol added.

+1 You need a routine. I work second shift and I know. I've always have had a sleeping problem. The best way for me with the doctor prescribed Benadryl is to take it a 1/2hr before leaving work and do nothing stimulating once I'm home. No T.V reading or whatever that will get the mind going too much. This way I can get to bed early enough and have a productive day before work. After the routine is set I don't need the Benadryl.If the problem persists talk to your Doc.

I don't want to fall asleep till the Viagra wears off. lol

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NRA Lifetime Member

That's funny!!!!!!!!!!!

Switch to the Cialis stuff, you'll be awake 36 hours!!

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Dick Burg

Oh Boy!! That's good to know!

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NRA Lifetime Member

Quote:
Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER
Sex before bedtime and you'll sleep like the dead. Trust me on that one




I tried it too, but my wife woke up!

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PC, censorship
with a smile.

Yes............

Ambien worked wonders for me!

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WAC GOA Life
NRA Endowment

I am trying to remember what sex was before going to sleep

Dixiegirl, love your new avatar!

Very pretty eyes!

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PC, censorship
with a smile.

Or waking up, or in the shower, etc........

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PC, censorship
with a smile.

Thank you sir. I discovered the idea while browsing Facebook when I couldn't sleep last night.

Careful with the tylenol. If you drink alcohol in any amounts, you best avoid tylenol. Also, a fatal overdose of tylenol is very small compared to the recommended dose. It will destroy your liver and kill you quick.

OK, I went to Walgreens and bought a bottle of 120 proof Melatonin. They had a two for one sale.
We'll see what happens.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Not sure that the booze is doing you any real good. I'd drop it.

I've always found good sleep is learning to clear the mind. Nothing will keep you awake more than mental exercises, like replaying your day, etc. Me, I think about relaxing things such as walking on the beach alone, on a deserted island. Things like that.

If you have to have alcohol, why not try red wine? At least that's good for you.

Me...I can't allow myself to drink at all. Scottish/Blackfoot Indian on one side of my family and Cherokee on the other.
Not good to mix that blood with anything!

It won't taste like Earl Grey, or any other conventional black tea, flavored or not. (Earl Grey is flavored with oil of bergamon.)

True "tea" is all a plant called Camellia sinensis, whether it's grown in India, Ceylon, China, or Kenya. It is, well, "tea." Green tea is black tea that hasn't been "fired" after fermenting. Oolong tea is intermediate.

What you are thinking of trying is an herbal "tea", a brew from a whole different plant! Since ancient times, witches, shamans, and other healers have prescribed such items for a variety of medical conditions. How effective they are depends on the ailment and the skill of the blender. The FDA doesn't regulate these, so you have to rely on the company packing them. Some may be allergic to some. Ask your doctor.

One that you might try as a relaxant and an antioxident and source of Vitamin C is the South African Red Bush (Rooi Bos, in Afrikaans). I like the flavor, and some very reputable tea shippers offer it, including Twining's. But it isn't true "tea." An herbal....

T-Star

My grandfather used to take a small single shot before going to bed. I always remembering him doing it. He lived to be 83 and had a very hard life as tabacco farmer. It worked for him.

Ron,

The simple fact that you ask the question is your answer. Booze isn't you. I like many others find that reading clears my mind and put me to sleep. I also sleep when I'm sleepy and don't worry about it when I'm not. I may go fishing at 2am, or go to the shop and reload ammo, or just watch an old movie. Sleep will happen when you get tired unless there is a medical problem causing the insomnia. Good luck.

I don't think I would ever get to sleep without the TV on. The TV in my bedroom has a feature that allows a delay of 30 or 60 minutes before shutting off.....

The other night, the cable was off when I went to bed. I thought I would never go to sleep. Seems like I can't stand silence.

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Regards,
Windjammer

I'm the same way! If the room is silent it seems like I'm lying there waiting for something to happen. GOT to have some white noise goin' on.

(Sorry for the thread drift)

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Ted Nugent in 2013!

May I sugest sex... Every time I ask My wife for some by the time i get back from the bathroom she's sound asleep...

Bob

Try some warm apple juice.

tv for me just makes me look up every ten minutes cause there is stuff goin on. i personally have had a box fan on med or high since i was born, just something that stuck i guess, CANNOT sleep without it goin, even got my wife addicted to it and my son! try it, $12 at walmart or the dollar store. drowns everything else out.