This KIRLAND SLEEP AID thing, does it actually work? I’ve tried everything, even Melatonin gummies but sleep evades me!
I’ve still got long covid and was up until 6am this morning like I am every day/night. The GP can’t give me full blown Melatonin because it’s a red drug which can only be prescribed by a practitioner or some such!
I’ve been on an IAPT and LONG COVID COURSE and the main things they recommended for sleeping better was:
no junk, caffeine, pop after 5pm
try and eat healthily
no heavy meals after 7pm
no TV or laptops or mobiles at least two hours prior to sleeping - there is some kind of light that comes out of devices which makes the brain think it’s still day time
leave all your worries and doubts downstairs
be kind to yourself and think positive
warm baths, tea, lavender spray/roll on/candles
if you can’t sleep, don’t dwell, get out of bed, have a little walk and then try again
to sit near a window or go into your garden in the morning, to look at the sky and take in the light but only in the morning and not after 5pm
Well it’s meant to have worked but made sweet FA difference to me
I’ve had a rubbish sleep pattern since I was in hospital for a tonsillectomy back in 1964. It left me with tinnitus in my left ear, and I never could get back into a normal sleep pattern.
So I live with it. Soldiers used to do the same, and lived by the maxim “Rest/eat when you can” - on the understanding that once a battle began, rest, or a chance to eat, would likely be a stranger for much of the time. As a full time carer, that may be your only other option.
I was the one who first mentioned the Kirkland Sleep Aid tablets as they do work for me. I only take half a tablet unless I know I don’t have anything planned for next morning as they knock me out for a good time. Half usually give me 6 - 8 hours if i take it about an hour before going to bed.
I should have taken one last night as I didnt turn in til 10-45 and I have been up since 3am…
Just looked out of the window and can see lovely sunrise with trees silhoueted on the hill two fields away. There is ONE benefit of insomnia at least. Birds are starting to sing so I will make another mug of tea and enjoy their serenade as I brace myself for the day. GP due to phone today and I was told we are first on the list so it could be an early one.
The only supplement that I’ve found that works for me is Magnesium. I take one tablet about half an hour before I go to bed.
I first started taking it some years back when I was getting bad leg cramps at night and is was recommended by an old member here (Rosemary RIP). When I did some research I found that it’s recommended for cramp, restless leg syndrome AND insomnia.
When I was working I’d often have nights where my brain just wouldn’t settle - too much going on at work ! So I got into the habit of keeping a notepad and pen by my bed and writing down all the things that were keeping me awake (I still have the pad and pen handy just in case !). I also remember the saying “give your worries to God - he’s going to be up all night anyway”
If all else fails then counting slowly backwards from 500 usually does the trick and I’m often asleep before I reach 300 !
Have to say Kirkland Sleep Aid seems to be working for me. That said, I was truly exhausted after several mornings of getting up at 2am/2.30am to check husband due to his coughing then back to bed but up at 3.30. I took a Sleep Aid at 730ish and went to bed at 8pm. Woke up at midnight but found it very easy to go back to sleep and then woke up at 6.30. I confess to taking a whole one but next week, I may try going down to half of one as I do not weigh much. I feel ok - sort of a very slight hangover feeling but very slight and once I had toast and a pot of tea felt much better. Magnesium did not do a lot for me tbh and I did give it several weeks.
So thanks Chris. For anyone struggling these Sleep Aid tablets are worth a try.
I am glad to hear they worked for you. I resorted to half a tablet last night and got mostly solid sleep. I do find my problem is getting off again when I wake and, like you, I find they just help me get back under without an issue.
OntheVerge - best to try one thing at a time, rather lots of things. I take magnesium too - on Susieq’s suggestion. I think it is particularly helpful for older adults.
Yes, after a stressful day I find “watching” TV helps me nod off. I have a Sky Plus box in my bedroom, and often record non challenging programmes like Michael Portillo’s Railway journeys. As he is explaining about his Bradshaw’s Guide, I fall asleep!! Drew Pritchard’s “Salvage Hunters” is also good to listen to. Sometimes if something has really irritated me, I know that gettting to sleep will be difficult. Currently I have Howard’s Way on series record. A sailing programme based at Hamble, although it’s called Tarrant in the series. I’ve lived within earshot of “Moaning Minnie” - the foghorn at Hurst Castle, all my life and know the Solent area really well. I enjoy seeing how it was almost 40 years ago. When I was waiting for knee replacements after a car accident, I was waking up to 13 times a night in pain. I changed my attitude to sleep, it didn’t matter if I didn’t actually sleep, as long as my body was really comfortable and relaxed. I treated myself to a good bed and mattress that was comfortable when I was on my side, as that’s my usual position. A good investment.
I can get to sleep quite easily initially and am fine until my wife needs help with toileting or to get her a drink etc. After this, I get her back into bed & she is asleep in minutes. It takes me at least half an hour. If I get called after 4am, I never get back to sleep but have to lie there still and quiet so as not to disturb my wife until she wakes naturally around 8am. I recon I get between 3 and 4 hours sleep every night at best. if I am lucky To be honest, after so long I am pretty much used to it and to be sleep deprived and wooly headed all day. When I have time to myself, I can never watch a TV program without falling asleep half way through. I tend to record everything I watch so if I do fall asleep, I can wind back to the last part I remember & try again. I did buy a packet of Nytol which is supposed to help sleep, but I was scared to take it in case I did not wake up when my wife needed me.
Hi @Redridge I am currently going through this with mum., up constantly through the night at the loo, every hr. I am lucky if I get 4hrs and is disturbed. Last night was particularly bad. I am shattered!
@Redridge You could give ‘Sleep aids’ a try? I will take one if desperate. I go to bed early but husband coughs a lot - usually at around 1.30ish . He sleeps downstairs. I often find I am wide awake at get up at 2.30. Sometimes I can get back to sleep and 4am is a luxury for me. His coughing wakes the cats up too which does not help as they are then jumping on my bed and telling me they want breakfast. I fight hard not to sleep in the afternoon as it then becomes a viscious cirlcle but sometimes ‘needs must’.
I used to find that too - S would promptly fall asleep and I’d take ages to fall back asleep.
@Chris_22081 has swapped a light bulb for a red one and I use a red light rechargeable camping light at night - they don’t wake you up so much at night and should enable you to fall asleep again easier.
@Chris_22081 also did a sleep course run by his GP that sounded really good - however his GP sounds one in a million.
Do you have blackout curtains/ blinds? Might help you fall back asleep and not just have to lie in bed awake until your wife gets up.
We already use a multi coloured light bulb which is dim-able. Its set to red & as low a light level I can use and still see what I need to do in my caring roll but it made no difference in our case but thanks for mentioning it.
