Hi! Uh I have an issue with Oct sleeping pills. The day after I take one. I am in a crappy, irritable mood for hours. I was just wondering if this is a normal thing.
I found a WebMD quote to answer your question. “The most common agent in over-the-counter sleeping aids is diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. It usually has a relaxing effect that makes you feel drowsy, but it may cause some grogginess the next day.”
I used to take Melatonin and L-Theanine to help me fall asleep before I started Xyrem. They were better than nothing at all. I would suggest taking those supplements over anything with diphenhydramine or other drugs.
However, neither OTC supplements or drugs are going to do much to improve excessive daytime sleepiness from Narcolepsy. The body’s ability to regulate sleep cycles isn’t working properly, so you don’t get enough of the right kind of sleep even if you do sleep through the night.
The only known effective pharmacological treatment for increasing deep, recuperative sleep is Xyrem (sodium oxybate). All other pharmacological treatments are either treating symptoms of cataplexy or stimulating the mind/ body to mask the symptoms of sleep deprivation (like Ritalin, Nuvigil, Provigil).
SweetAnnie said:
I found a WebMD quote to answer your question. "The most common agent in over-the-counter sleeping aids is diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. It usually has a relaxing effect that makes you feel drowsy, but it may cause some grogginess the next day."
I used to take Melatonin and L-Theanine to help me fall asleep before I started Xyrem. They were better than nothing at all. I would suggest taking those supplements over anything with diphenhydramine or other drugs.
However, neither OTC supplements or drugs are going to do much to improve excessive daytime sleepiness from Narcolepsy. The body's ability to regulate sleep cycles isn't working properly, so you don't get enough of the right kind of sleep even if you do sleep through the night.
The only known effective pharmacological treatment for increasing deep, recuperative sleep is Xyrem (sodium oxybate). All other pharmacological treatments are either treating symptoms of cataplexy or stimulating the mind/ body to mask the symptoms of sleep deprivation (like Ritalin, Nuvigil, Provigil).
Thank you for the info. I was extremely allergic to both provigil and xyrem, so I am stuck with otc stuff. I will try the melatonin again. :)
I can't take xyrem or provigil either. What are your nights like when you don't take a sleep aid?
Hi Lizzy,
When I need deep sleep, I take "the Vitamin Shoppe - Valerian Root Extract."
You can find it on Amazon. This is a powerful muscle relaxant which I use when I have muscle spasms from over-exercise or seasonal outdoor chores.
They are VERY effective — never take these if you will be driving.
Have you asked your sleep doctor for a prescription? What was recommended?
My doctor put me on a low dose of Trazadone at bedtime to help me sleep. Nothing OTC worked for me.