Aside from Ambien, I need advice on getting sleep!?

Whatever the reason is for my recurrent insomnia, I need help. Does anyone have some real cures? Melatonin does not work for me. Benadryl, or anything like that has the complete opposite effect on me too. My restless legs will shake the house if I take a non-prescription sleep aid. However, Ambien works great, but I don't want to have to take a prescription pill each night. HELP!

Establishing and sticking to an invariable sleep routine, (part of good "Sleep Hygiene"), is probably the best way to encourage a good night's sleep. (I imagine the ambien website would have good suggestions such as:

Avoiding caffeinated or alcoholic beverages
after lunch and,

Not working in your bedroom; save that for the office or at least the kitchen table!

You mentioned your "restless legs." Have you told your doctor about this and tried treatment for "Restless Leg Syndrome". This disorder is very real and pretty common. Luckily there are now drugs to treat it. It really interferes with sleep, as my mother would have told you.

You didn't mention your age. Unfortunately, if you are near or in menopause insomnia is part of the package. There's not too much you can do about that (other than become "well read."

As far as Ambien goes, be happy it works and don't get so guilty that you are taking medication frequently, that you don't take it when you need it. There really is no "medal" given if you manage without it, just more sleep loss.

Nadine

If you have restless leg syndrome, you don't have many other options. Consult your Dr about your concerns.

try:
-drinking a glass of warm milk
-taking it easy and not stressing about anything 30mins. before bed
-reading before you sleep
-not watching TV
-not drinking any tea, coffee, iced coffee, sugar foods, only fruit, if necessary
-a hot bath with bubbles
-getting a massage once a week
-exercising a bit more
-facing the clock away, if by your bed, away from your face
-try opening a bottle of fragrant oil, over night

and try not taking any tablets!
if it contiues than go and see a DR. or health care profesional

Try: PASSIONFRUIT TINCTURE !!! Or CHAMOMILE TEA.
gO HAVE A 20 TO 30 MINUTE SOAK IN MODerately - hot tub. Have warm towel and slippers or bed-socks and PJs ready in bathroom, put right on. Go to bed at the same time every night. Put on some soft, easy listening music, instrumental cds if possible, or by a white-sound machine. Make sure to dim all lights in house or your part of house 1 to 1 1/2 hours b4 bedtime!!! Drink some warm milk or the warm tea. Have a carbohydrate if you wish -- warm bread ( I have cinnamon-bread )bread spread with Smart Choice marg and dusted with cinnamon/splends(sugar). Carbs help put you to sleep!!!
Turn off Tv. You can try reading with a dim book light -- works for me!!! But you must follow the ritual each night!!! It takes 21 days to make or break a habit for good! But should start working the 1st night if you dont try to hard or worry about it!!! It should definately begin to work w/i 2 to 3 days and get better and easier!!! Dont bring any homework or other problem stuff into bedroom! Dont start any worrisome conversations til the next daaaay !!!!!! And try PASSIONFLOWER DROPS!!! Or CHAMOMILE TEA!!! yOU CAN PUT SPLENDA OR SUGAR IN IT AND MILK IF YOU WISH !!!
NIGHT, NIGHT!!!

Help whatever you can for the people, who are in poverty. Then watch it happens automatically. No need for any medicine.

I take Ambien and it works well for me only it keeps me sleepy all day long. The Ambien wore off (it is now 4:45 A.M.) and so I'll pop an Ativan and I'll get another 3-4 hours sleep. This darned insomnia developed slowly as I aged and there is nothing that I can do for it except rely on Ambien. I tried it all and nothing worked. My sleep center just turns off and very little can be done to turn it on. I even bought air purifiers but they didn't help.

See insomnia treatments at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 3.