Hi everyone,
I've had problems sleeping in the last 18 months- once I get to sleep, I sleep well but it's getting to sleep that's the problem. I've tried Ambien, Ambien CR, Restoril, and Xanax. Xanax worked at 2mg but my doc wasn't thrilled with me taking that dose. Ambien works, but only if I take 20 mg instead of the usual 10mg.
I somehow came across Valerian Root as a sleep aid. I've taken it for about 3 weeks now, and if I take 1 Ambien and 1mg Xanax with it, it works great. But now I'm in a big flare and I wonder if it's the Valarian Root. I know that Melatonin is contraindicated for autoimmune patients but the Valerian Root had no warnings to that effect.
It's particularly hard because my husband leaves for work at 6am and my son doesn't get up for school til 7am and I have to keep a close eye on him in the morning or he's late for his bus. Last night, I didn't get to sleep til after 2am and woke up with a nasty migraine on top of being so tired, but my son came through for me and got his breakfast, dressed and made it to the bus stop in time. But I'm so tired now I could sleep for another 2 hrs if I could. I don't know how much the fatigue is from the flare or the lack of sleep.
Any suggestions? Thanks! Sandy