Does anyone know what the asterisks by some of the items mean?Here is Dr Teitelbaum's list of ideas to try for improving sleep. Some are prescription and others are supplements.
___ 22.** Ambien (Rx, zolpidem) - 10 mg- ½ to 1½ at bedtime. If you tend to wake during the night, leave an extra ½ to 1 tablet at bedside and you can take it as needed to help you sleep through the night.
___ 23.** Revitalizing Sleep Formula (30 ct or 90 ct) (Enzymatic Therapies/Integrative Therapeutics ) - Valerian 200 mg, Passion Flower 90 mg, L-Theanine 50 mg, Hops 30 mg, Piscidia 12 mg and Wild Lettuce 28 mg. Take 2-4 capsules each night 30 to 90 minutes before bedtime. It can also be used during the day for anxiety. If Valerian energizes you (occurs in 5-10% of people) use the other components. It is also excellent for anxiety. Do not take more than 8 capsules a day.
___ 24.* Desyrel (Rx, trazodone) - 50 mg - ½ to 6 at bedtime. Although sedating, it can be used (50-250 mg at a time) for anxiety. Do not take over 450 mg a day (or 150 mg a day if on other antidepressants).
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I am finding mixing low doses of several treatments to be a move in the right direction, although I have not solved my sleep problems. I take some of my ‘sleep aids’ during the day, too. I find that keeping my autonomic nervous system calmer during the day make it easier to get it calmed down to ‘sleep mode’ at night. It also makes me feel better during the day.Mixing low doses of several treatments is more likely to help you sleep without a hangover than a high dose of 1 medication.
I would not still need to go 5 minutes later. I would have already wet my bed! I do not often wake up in the night needing to go to the bathroom, but if I do, I need to go.No going to the bathroom if you wake up unless you still have to go 5 minutes later.
Thank you. What really upsets me is that I have seen improvements in my sleep lately and have been in a good groove with it. The reason for the study was for sleep apnea and my doctor feels that this might be contributing to some of my current issues. They told me at the study that I will have to repeat it. I'm thinking in five years.Sorry to read that Nielk. That really makes me consider not doing the sleep study I have been waiting now for like 5 months... You sleep way worse than in home which makes the results unrealistic and anyway they often cannot find the cause of the sleep disorder if it is not some kind of apnea... Doing the sleep study looks like a great way to get an awful night of insomnia with the subsequent day of worsened symptoms.
Thanks @soxfan - Do you have sleep apnea?
Is your sleep specialist a neurologist with knowledge of sleep architecture? If so, the sleep study could be helpful. If not, it is not likely to help unless you have sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome.Sorry to read that Nielk. That really makes me consider not doing the sleep study I have been waiting now for like 5 months.