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Posted 6/12/2012 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
My 20 year old (almost 21, yikes!) son with UC is battling horrible insomnia. When he came home from college in early May he was used to studying most of the night and napping around classes. Then when he go home he was kind of stuck on the same schedule and slept every day until 3:00pm. June 4 he started summer classes and we thought his sleep would turn around then, but it hasn't.

He has tried not napping, but it doesn't make a difference, he can't seem to fall asleep before 3 or 4 in the morning and then he has to get up by 8 for class. He doesn't drink soda, energy drinks or coffee or anything like that.

What is a safe way for a young adult IBDer to treat insomnia?

Melatonin? I saw that can boost immune system (although not proven) - would we want that in a person with and out of whack immune systerm.

Something like Ambien or Lunesta?

Thanks!
Posted 6/12/2012 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I am sorry to hear about your son. It sounds like he is still on the "college schedule," and his body might need some time to readjust. I would not go as far as asking your doc for Ambien or Lunesta right now. Maybe start with milder sleep aids, like Melatonin or valerian tea before bed, or baths with lavender oil, listening to relaxing music or hypnosis CD etc. If he is not in a flare right now, he should just try to relax, the body will slowly get used to the new schedule.

I know it is so frustrating not to be able to fall asleep, but worrying about it at bed time will also not help at all.

Good luck with everything!

RT
Posted 6/12/2012 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Over the counter sleep aid basically has the same thing as taking benadryl. Melatonin is ok too. I seem to need more and more to have it work for me so I quit taking it. I have a script for Ambien that I haven't started yet. Its for 10 days and will hopefully get me on a normal sleeping pattern. Might work well for your son.
Posted 6/12/2012 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
If you do an internet search on "sleep hygiene" you can get some good tips on how to create a good bedtime routine. They actually say to AVOID taking naps because it will make it harder to fall asleep. It may take some time to retrain the body but it should be the first step before trying a sleep aid. Other tips are: calm comfortable room, cool temperature and no exercise after 2pm. Also, no phones or internet in bed. That may be the tough one for a college student :) Hope this helps!
Posted 6/13/2012 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
Is he anemic? When my iron levels are down I have a harder time sleeping. Meditation and/or yoga before bed can be helpful, too.
Posted 6/13/2012 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
All great suggestions above, particularly the sleep hygiene bit. Melatonin and Benedryl are both pretty safe to be taken short-term to help re-establish a decent sleep schedule. If this stuff doesn't work, you might want to consider trying Trazodone. It is an anti-depressant that is prescribed "off-label" for the treatment of insomnia (it's prescribed more often for insomnia than for depression, actually). It is not addictive like some other sleep aids can be and is probably easier on the liver. I took it for a while when I was taking Prednisone and loved it.
Posted 6/13/2012 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
I just tried Ambien for a ten day trial because I can't sleep in. Still can't, didn't work, but it put me out well. I think Benedryl would do the same tho.
Posted 6/13/2012 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
Bummer problem. I hope it get resolved quickly because as far as I know, your body does the most healing when you are asleep.

Something that works for me and I'm not tring to be a smart-a** , really, is to lay down in bed and read a bible. I wish I could get through a couple of pages, but I fall asleep every time nono
Posted 6/13/2012 5:07 AM (GMT 0)
College study/dorm routines can mess with one's sleep cycle bigtime! I think your son just needs a while to readjust to "civilian" hours. Main point is keeping his UC under control so it's likely best not to add additional med that could possibly destabilize him. Manhattan Mama's suggestions rock! / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 6/13/2012 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
By any chance is he taking pred right now? That can definitely cause sleeping issues if he's not taking it early enough in the morning...if he's not, then he may want to try some herbal or OTC sleep aid for a short time until he can get back on a good sleep schedule.
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