Anything to help insomnia

I'm so sorry! Insomnia really sucks!

Do be sure that you start these one at a time. Some things work for some people, and some don't.

Some find that an Epsom salt/peroxide bath or foot soak can help them sleep better when done shortly before going to bed.

Magnesium can help, if there are any muscle issues adding to your trouble sleeping.

Melatonin (start with only 1 mg and build up slowly) can be helpful, but leave some with a "melatonin hangover" on higher doses.

Valerian can be helpful, again, start off with a low dose.

Tryptophan really has made a difference for me, but some find it increases inflammation too much.

I always wake up hot, no matter how cool the room is (can't freeze out hubby!), but if you don't usually wake up hot, then maybe consider using a fan to move the air around a bit more.

Do be sure that your room is dark as well.

A bedtime routine that I have done for years that helps my body shutdown for sleep has been a "bedtime" tea, like Sweet Dreams from Bigelow, or Celestial Seasonings "Sleepy time".

If this continues, or if you have other signs of your adrenals struggling, to get your adrenals tested with a test that uses a 3 or 4 time collection of saliva, not blood or anything else, to get the most accurate picture of the cortisol output throughout the day.

And do nap during the day until your sleep at night gets better.

Insomnia is one of my worst symptoms. I haven't slept well in 3 years since my adrenals crashed. I agree with Traveler. I need/we probably need to get a 24 hour cortisol test done to let us know if we're struggling with high cortisol levels at night. Previously, my levels were low, low, high, high. I had been taking Seriphos at night to help the highs, and probably need to start trying it again.

Outside of that, my doc makes me take 1000mg of tryptophan 1-2 hours before bed. I'm going to start trying to turn the electronics off by at least 8pm. Magnesium foot soaks with lavender oil added in really helps to relax me. I have a routine as well. I start the med taking process an hour before I'm set to go to sleep. Staying on a consistent sleep/wake schedule also helps to get your brain to cooperate. Then I go sit in my chair or sit in bed, depending on my energy levels, and read for 15-20 minutes. On the days that I just can't read, I listen to an audio book or some slow, soft music.

But even despite those natural routes, I still take Ambien and a few other prescription drugs to help induce the sleep. Still not restful sleep, and we're working on that, but it's better than nothing!

Good luck. It's a booger.

I tried ashwaghanda in the beginning of adrenal fatigue treatment about 2 years ago. I'll give it a try again. And the tryptophan. I'm desperate for some good sleep. The only decent sleep I've gotten recently was 10 days on klonopin. Haha.

Another thing to try along the lines of staying off electronics is to download the f.lux program for your computer, etc. You set your location and at your time of sunset it takes out the blue light from the screen, which is the light that stimulates the awake chemicals in the brain. You can see the screen turn a soft rosy hue like the sky does in the early evening. Pretty nifty and free.

Also epsom baths with some nice calming essential oil are the best before bed. For me somedays it was the only thing that helped at all.

https://justgetflux.com/

I use Swanson brand, but that's because I require higher doses. 900 mgs per capsule. I would suggest that you find another brand with a lower amount per capsule to start though, as I was literally only one step above having Addison's and have been in treatment for adrenals for the last 2 1/2 years.

Two good articles (with dosage suggestions!):
/draxe.com/ashwagandha-proven-to-heal-thyroid-and-adrenals/


/www.drlam.com/blog/benefits-of-ashwagandha-adrenal-fatigue-syndrome/16662/

Thank you for all of the responses! I do think it has something to do with the doxy...not sure how long that takes to get out of your system. I do the baths every day though I often do them in the middle of the day instead of right before bed. Maybe I'll switch that around tonight and see how it goes. Anyone try L-Theanine before bed? I tried taking that the past few nights. I rested better for a couple of nights but then was up almost once an hour last night. One of my biggest symptoms is already fatigue so the added bonus of not sleeping well is really making it rough.

Simon,

I just laughed out loud several times. Please tell me you do stand up for a living - you should. Not sure which side effect is my favorite. I'm keeping this for when I have to laugh. Will see if I can find mine and will definitely give it a try.

1mg of copper for only a couple days may be helpful.
5mg of lithium orotate may be helpful.
sublingual melatonin spray may be helpful.
Decreasing animal protein intake at supper may be helpful.

These all helped me. I can treat my issue and sleep 5 hours a night or I can not treat and supplement and sleep up to 7 hours a night. Do I give in to the pathogens or fight them? Both sides have their advantages.

MA,

THANK YOU for sharing your experience. I get overly sensitive on everything so really appreciate it. I actually was given a low dose of LDN but never took it because I read that it is made with tree bark. I'm allergic to two different types of trees so was trying to research what they use. I also have Hashimotos so very happy you shared your experience. Definitely do not want insomnia. I started eleuthero last Wednesday and am staying at two drops because I was up a lot last night and wondering if that is it. We will see how today goes.

GA, thanks for the tips. I'm all for supplementing if I it's an insomnia night. Luckily it hasn't been too bad.

Feel good everyone.

LOL! I liked 'urge to yodel' and 'sensation of levitation' - Simon you are healing us all with your humor.

If starting the day with fake coffee (chickory?) coming out of your nose isn't a good sign, I don't know what is.