I’ve been struggling with sleep issues for over a decade now. My Doctor has prescribed me all sorts of medication, all of which has had many adverse side effects. What I do know that works, is Xanax. My wife was prescribed it for some stress issues and occasionally will give me one so I can finally sleep. Obviously asking my Doctor, “can I have Xanax” Will not go well. I’ve eluded to it in ways and the response has always been along the lines of “that’s habit forming, I’d rather you try this”. Of the many medications prescribed, none have worked. Resorting to the dark web is something I’d really rather not do. Fentanyl laced drugs took my sister and it’s a road I hope to not have to explore. Any suggestions?

      • GBU_28@lemm.eeEnglish
        8·
        2 years ago

        Seriously. Nothing puts you to sleep better than 10 hours of hiking.

        Obviously that’s unattainable most days, but I struggle with insomnia all my life, and one of the things I look forward to most from backpacking trips is the restful call of sleep when I “actually” feel like I “need” it.

    • Anissem@lemmy.mlOP
      13·
      2 years ago

      Thanks for the advice. There’s definitely some stuff here I can try. I have a stressful computer job so cutting back on caffeine makes sense along with several other tips you mentioned!

        • Anissem@lemmy.mlOP
          5·
          2 years ago

          100%. It’s all I look forward to these days. I know that fact in itself is a huge problem though.

      • fine_sandy_bottom@discuss.tchncs.de
        4·
        2 years ago

        A few things to add to this great list:

        Magnesium supplement before bed. They’re not all the same. Don’t just take a pill. Get one of the proper powdered ones magnesium citrate or threonate. I really like this one.

        Also, pod casts and audiobooks. I use headphones and turn the volume down just far enough so I really need to concentrate to hear the words.

      • AA5B@lemmy.world
        3·
        2 years ago

        Also the exercise thing. I find that when stress from the computer job is likely to keep me awake, a fast walk before bedtime is enough to help smooth that out

    • weariedfae@lemmy.world
      7·
      2 years ago

      Caveat: doctors will only let you have a sleep study if they suspect sleep apnea. Other sleep studies that capture off-the-wall sleep disorders don’t seem accessible, at least in my local health system which is a Catholic-run local monopoly. Perhaps HCA, or Kaiser, or others may have a different philosophy.

      • GBU_28@lemm.eeEnglish
        5·
        2 years ago

        This is not universal. I have average US insurance in Colorado and my GP sent me for a sleep study after we tried just a few things for my insomnia.

    • Melobol@lemmy.ml
      5·
      2 years ago

      To add to the ‘canned answers’ here is one more:
      As non medication, Magnesium has a muscle relaxation effect. With a big cup of water before going to sleep it could help falling asleep. (Tho make sure you are using the right kind of magnesium pill that actually gets absorbed into the body)

      • Onii-Chan@kbin.social
        3·
        2 years ago

        Magnesium threonate cured my insomnia, it’s fucking wild how well it works. I’d tried everything until I discovered it, from melatonin, to antihistamine sleeping pills, all the way to downing 350ml of whiskey every night just to force sleep.

        Magnesium works better than every single thing I’ve tried (but you HAVE to let yourself fall asleep when you feel it starting to work.)