(Part 2) Best products from r/insomnia

I’m in the Deep South too and also struggling with the heat. My house is about the same temperature as yours. Still I find that my 25lbs weighted blanket isn’t too hot. I think maybe because our body temperature drops while we’re sleeping, the heat is bearable, so the benefit outweighs the heat drawback.

I found this one on Amazon that offers free returns. That might offer you the opportunity to try it and see if it works for you. Here’s the link.

FWIW, I love mine, and it was a very worthy buy.

keep your feet out of the covers and it'll help cool you down. put a fan on them and it'll cool even more.

You can also try a vent fan with dryer vent tube to blow air under the covers.

The also have watercooled mats for hot sleepers. Expensive and some are prone to leaking.

Forgot to mention- if you use a vent fan you should get a rheostat for it to control the air flow. I use a lizard climate controller for it https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-RT10-ReptiTemp-Rheostat/dp/B001OVD7Q8/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=rheostat&qid=1556565965&s=gateway&sr=8-4 since i can keep the controller nearby if it gets too hot or cold.

Have you tried Belsomra? I’m not sure what the consensus is about suvorexant around these parts—there is a lot of conflicting evidence out there regarding its effectiveness—but it is the only solution for me. The only way I’m ever getting more than 3-4 hours of sleep a night is by coupling that with an eye mask (yes, it looks like a small bra, but I love it) and wax ear plugs.

ETA: I should add that Belsomra is extraordinarily expensive without good insurance - it is $300+ for a month if you aren’t covered. Luckily, my copay is manageable.

Here's what I use. I just got it last week but so far I really like it! It has a sunrise/alarm setting, and different brightness levels for the clock so you can make it just barely visible at night.

What I'm still struggling a bit with is creating a dark environment before bed! But I'm getting better at that.

Yes! I have the best sleep mask ever! It's so soft!

Handmade Cotton Sleep Mask - Nose Wing Design Sleeping Eye Mask Comfortable and Adjustable Blinder Blindfold Airplane with Travel Pouch - Night Companion Eyeshade for Men Women (Purple Cotton) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N4NCSYQ/

That one is a tad pricey, but this one is half as much. Looks pretty similar.

Modal Cotton Travel Sleep Mask, Eye Mask with Longer Adjustable Strap for Women Men and Kids, Fully Coverage with Earplugs, Hanger and Travel Pouch, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RMSZW99/

This sounds absolutely ridiculous but it is great and keeps people out of your stash. I guess until they know when the time is up and it can be opened 😕 good luck.
https://www.amazon.com/kSafe-Time-Locking-Container-smoking/dp/B00ZDAZFCU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480236394&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=time+locking+container&psc=1

Your body produces melatonin to help you sleep. It produces it based on what time of the day it thinks it is which is affected by exposure to sunlight. By exposing yourself to light in the evening it prevents your body from producing it too early in the day and then running out of it in the middle of the night.

If your problem is that you can't fall asleep at your usual bedtime then you'd want to do the opposite and expose yourself to sunlight (or artificial light) as soon as you wake up or at least in the earlier part of the day. This could help synchronize your melatonin production to your sleep patterns. Like this guy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yze6_qZZrsI

This is the lamp I use but there are many more available out there. https://www.amazon.com/NatureBright-SunTouch-Light-Therapy-package/dp/B000W8Y7FY/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1485565701&sr=8-2&keywords=light+therapy

Good luck.

I am still suffering from insomnia, but what has helped me most is magnesium supplements. I've been seeing a naturopathic doctor and she has recommended 200 mg Magnesium by Solaray. You can try other brands but according to reddit, many different brands seem to cause a laxative effect.
I also take L-theanine with the Magnesium about 30 minutes for going to bed. Try to do some research on these supplements; you'll be surprised at how safe and helpful they are.
I've been where you are and I know the pain of having insomnia, I really hope that you give these supplements a shot.

http://www.amazon.com/Solaray-Magnesium-AAC-Supplement-Count/dp/B00020I0PU/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1462913966&sr=8-1&keywords=magnesium+solaray

I bought one of these cooling mattress pads. It works best if the air temperature in the room is cooler so if your room is already at 63 degrees, it should work pretty well.

Although I still have some insomnia it's not as bad as it was as I have a better handle of the PTSD and have had a quite a bit of counselling. One of the things I found really helpful is getting a pillow with a small speaker inside and listening to podcasts, like the Sleep With Me ones or some children's books on Librivox.

It gave me something to focus on so I wasn't filled with anxiety about having nightmares or flashbacks. I didn't always sleep but just the act of resting was helpful. I also used to use audiobooks in the bath as that was another place I got a lot of flashbacks.

Well, shoulder pain is the worst for bed time. I know I have RA. So understand how you feel.

A few things to consider.

1. 500mg of phenubit 1-2 hrs before bed.
   
   
2. Also I suggest a Tempur-Pedic pillow if you will be laying on your back it was a life saver for me when I had to do the same.
   
   
3. 3d sleep masks with super soft ear plugs that come with them. See link below for details.
   
   Good luck
   
   
   3D Sleep Mask (New Design by PrettyCare with 2 Pack) Eye Mask for Sleeping - Contoured Eyemask for Airplane with EarPlugs & Yoga Silk Bag for Travel - Best Night Blindfold Eyeshade for Men Women Kids https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019JY9BO8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_roFrDbQPA7K31

Have you try tart cherry sleep supplement? it works really well for me. I have been trying a few but find that sleep supplement with L-theanine, GABA, Melatonin and Tart cherry work the best.

www.xenuro.com
or
https://www.amazon.com/Xenuro-Sleep-Off-Antioxidant-L-Theanine/dp/B01N572PVN/keywords=sleep+supplement

Also been wearing earplugs for 10+ years. No issues. Never heard that from an MD, although I'm sure it's possible if you're predisposed to infections. The best earplugs available are these guys: https://www.amazon.com/Hearos-Plugs-Xtreme-Protection-pairs/dp/B001EPQ86A. Although... the company used to sell a "round top" version that was supposed to be an improvement but didn't work at all. Look for the "flat topped" version like the earplugs in the link. Or, check out a home supply store for contractor ear plugs. You're looking for an NRR (noise reduction rating) of 33.

Here you go!

https://www.amazon.com/ZonLi-Weighted-170-230lb-Individual-Children/dp/B075W94KB3

They come in different sizes. I got one that doesn’t cover my whole bed, just my body.

If you have pets that love to play/sleep on your bed, definitely get a cover or use a blanket/sheet for protection.

Hi,
I feel you on the diphenhydramine, I used to eat them like candy and now I can't take 50mg without it giving me Restless Leg Syndrome, which is horrible.
Don't know if you're aware but just in case you're not, melatonin has diminishing returns, so you won't be able to take a product like Luna or anything else containing melatonin very often. When I do take melatonin I have found this Neuro Sleep Drink works really well for me.
Other than that, I have no solutions for you, but I hope it eases up a bit soon, it sucks.

I have read a number of books on the subject. This [one] is a breezy read and I am almost doen with a Great Course on the topic which is not breezy at all, very sciency but worth the work.
(http://www.amazon.com/Dreamland-Adventures-Strange-Science-Sleep/dp/0393345866/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415515035&sr=8-1&keywords=Dreamland%3A+Adventures+in+the+Strange+Science+of+Sleep%27+by+David+K.+Randall)

I think is was in Dreamland that I first read about DARPA's interest. There was a tank battle in the first Gulf War wherein our soldiers had been up for ridiculous lengths of time and did all kinds of nonsensical things which in battle is, er, not good. The military needs to put soldiers to sleep, make sure they get through all the proper cycles and then wake them up with no grogginess.

People act irrationally without proper sleep. All kinds of accidents can be attributed to this as we are now learning. Also, sleep is vital for memory formation. The great Great Course course goes into this great detail, covering the chemistry involved and so forth.

I hope they figure it out soon! I didn't mind staying up all night when I was young but now I would like to get up very early in the morning and go to sleep at the same time every night.

My mother was like me as is my sister. It is very hard on my sister since she is still working.

Not really homeopathic but Chinese medicine. A couple of my friends recommended to me so I bought it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EB42EAO

It's a somewhat expensive option, but noise cancelling headphones have worked great at reducing or eliminating sounds on the lower end of the spectrum.

[These have saved my sanity more than a few times.] (https://www.amazon.com/Bose-QuietComfort-Wireless-Headphones-Cancelling/dp/B0756CYWWD/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1T9LQD1M2Z4IV&keywords=bose+quietcomfort+35+ii&qid=1557279527&s=electronics&sprefix=bose+quietcomfrot%2Celectronics%2C179&sr=1-3)

My sleep dr at Mayo told me to get a reading light , u can get these nice led ones on at Amazon.

TaoTronics 14W LED Desk Lamp with USB Charging Port, Touch Control, 4 Lighting Mode with 5 Brightness Levels, Timer, Memory Function Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00APAQSP6?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I use this one, it’s awesome. It’s not so bright and has different levels so doesn’t mess up your sleep cycle like turning on lights does.

I was told to read for 30 minutes or however long it takes before I feel tired again. Much better than just laying there in pain trying to fall back asleep.

In the morning, then use 10,000lux light led lamp for 30 minutes while you eat breakfast/morning journal/routine.

now that I’m weening off pain pills, I’m starting to get insomnia again so this my protocol.

Non-mobile: Here's

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

My tips on earplugs.

If silence and isolation from the loud world around you is your thing, Moldex Pura-Fit is your ear plug. They are not the largest nor the densest plugs out of the foam plugs. I found them to block the most sound.

Product | Price | Type | Comfort | Noise Blocking | DB blocking |
---------|----------|----------|---------|----------|----------|
Moldex 6800 | Cheap | Memory foam | 3/5 | 5/5 | 27 DB|
Macks-Silicone-Putty | Cheap | Putty | 5/5 | 3/5 | 32 DB|
Hearos Xtreme | Cheap | Memory Foam | 3/5 | 4/5 | 33 DB
DuraPlugs | Cheap | Memory Foam | 2.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 32 DB |
Mack's ultrasoft foam | Cheap | Memory Foam | 4/5 | 3/5 | 32 DB |
Howard Leight | Cheap | Memory Foam | 2/5 | 4/5 | 32 DB|
Etymotic Research, ETY Plugs | Medium | Flanges | 3/5 | 4/5 | 19 DB |
Crioxen Earplugs | Medium | Flanges | 4/5 | 5/5 | 21DB|
Eargasm Earplugs | High | Flanges | 3/5 | 3/5 | 22DB |
Surefire Defenders | Medium | Flanges | 3/5 | 5/5 | 20 DB |




​

​