sorry for being away

Hi everyone

I`m sorry I haven`t been on here for a while, it wasn`t my intention but the weeks slipped away! I hope you all are doing ok. I will catch up on your individual threads asap. I have been ok. My pain seems to be quite well controlled at the moment so I am very lucky but of course it has its moments. I have been really tired though, mainly because of pain, so with working as well I am resting a lot.

I am wondering if anyone could recommend a product similar to melotonin for sleep. It has been taken off the market in France and is not available now even with a prescription. With the medications (oxycontin and oxycodone instant release) I take it worked very well as it didn`t leave me feeling groggy and I felt like I always had a restful sleep.

I have tried other things in the meantime but nothing works as well. I have tried muscle relaxants, camomile tea and some other over the counter sleep medicines (whose names I am unsure of sorry), but all make me feel very groggy on top of my current medication and send me into a very deep sleep. The other day I slept through my alarm so I really need something to work so I can go to sleep knowing I will hear the alarm. So I am looking for something which will help me to sleep but will not `knock me out`completely. I will also try valerian but if anyone has any suggestions I would be really grateful.

Thanks a lot. Take care. Love Di xxx

     Welcome back Di!

          We all need a little time away from the forum every once in a while!

     The nice thing is....you are always welcome back!   Hope you can stay for a while!

        SE

Hi, when I went for surgery my medications got all mixed up and the nurses kept "forgetting" to bring me my sleeping pill. So after I got home I thought I have done without it for a few days maybe something else would work as well.

My hubby uses melatonin and it works well for him but my daughter had brought me a little can of lozenges called Bach Rescue natural stress relief, I tried one and I went to sleep. I have used them a few times over the past few weeks and they work very well for me.

She said the drops actually work better for her, she buys them at a health food and vitamin store. I did look them up online as well.

OMG, I was SO worried about you Di! I even sent you an e-mail and you didn't respond, so I have been worried sick about you. Glad you are OK!

The Bach Rescue that grandmaroses suggested is great for relaxation and it comes in many forms- drops, spray, lozenges. I've used the spray for when I fly as I'm a nervous flier and it really calms me down.

Have you tried lavender oil? I dab lavender onto a cotton ball and rub it all over my pillow and then as I get in bed I sniff the cotton ball for about 15 seconds as well. This seems to help me a lot.

I used to be a horrible sleeper, but thanks to being on Seroquel (for bi-polar) it pretty much knocks me out know.

I hope you find something that works well for you!

So glad you are back!!!

Love and hugs,
Hill

Di, it's good to see you back.

Another way to use the lavender oil - or you can buy aromatherapy blends for relaxation - I like things like chamomile and bergamot as well for example - would be to put it in an oil burner. I've got an electric one so I don't have to worry about candles, and I always set it going about an hour before I go to bed. I'm not sure how much it helps with sleep, but it does help with rest/relaxation.

Laura