oh no... I know so many women who have trouble sleeping. Last night... not gonna lie... I took 2 benedryl. I couldn't have another night of up and down. It is what it is...

For me, it's something that women in my family all suffer after a certain age... and I'm well aware that women of my age (50) simply have this issue. I've tried all the natural stuff and some not so natural. I soooooooooooooo understand the frustration.

@Knitfreak Welcome to the club .

@Knitfreak I take Unisom, which is just another sleep inducing antihistamine - it's one of the ingredients that's in good Nyquil. It doesn't dry me out or leave me groggy quite as badly as benadryl. Costco sells it for a great price under their Kirkland brand.

@Knitfreak I take a store brand zzzquil, which has diphenhydramine, the same ingredient in benedryl that makes you sleepy. I didn't have too much of a problem until I hit 30. Now I'm wide awake when I should be asleep and super sleepy when I should be awake. My husband's snoring doesn't usually wake me up, but it will keep me awake if I do wake up. Being a light sleeper is really annoying on its own, but add some insomnia on top of that and it's REAL annoying.

@Kynlei There is an antidepressant that when taken at a low dose can work wonderfully as a sleep aid. There usually aren't a ton of side effects either.

Brand name Trazadone - generic Desyrel.
It doesn't have the after effects of almost all sleep aids (grogginess in the am).

There are potential side effects so talk to your Dr or Pharmacist. (Naturally).

And apparently it's really good for ladies going through the whole menopause thing. Not your issue - but a few here mentioned it.

@Kynlei My mom takes trazedone. (spelling??) I normally sleep like the dead... not really a light sleeper here but some nights... probably 1 of 3... I wake every freaking hour.

I cut back on drinking and try not to be on electronics at night. Reading is better for readying myself for bed these days. There are so many things to try. Hot bath with lavender, lavender scents in bedroom, chamomile tea, meditation, so light evening yoga... I would tell you to try it all and see if any of it helps. Some will and some won't.

Tonight I will smoke some pot. Michigan... thank you Michigan

@synergy thank you I just might try that next

@RavenCT I don't usually have any grogginess unless I wake up while I'm dreaming. I'm taking a Zoloft generic right now, with a possible med change later today, would that interfere with the trazadone? I tried CBD and that fucked me up. Major depression with that. I don't drink alcohol and only have caffeine occasionally, and when I do only in the morning, so that's not the issue. I could probably do with a little more exercise, but it's difficult with my constant back pain and depression making me a lump.

@RavenCT menopause... sigh... hot flashes in my late 30's... that is when my sleep issues started. Thankfully a kind surgeon took my uterus almost 1.5 years ago. OMG my life is sooooo much less complicated now
For most women I talk to, it does seem to be menopause related or that age'ish... hate to see anyone younger suffering with the sleep deprivation. It's rough.

@Kynlei I've seen that med. added to so many other meds over the years I don't think it's contraindicated - but that's why I said ask the Dr - because I'm just not sure.

It's the first time I'm getting to sleep in 15 plus years. I still have bouts of insomnia - but it's not quite at the constant chronic level I was at. And I'll take that any day!

Thanks! I am working a half day today since I have a doctor appointment. I am hoping to get a nap in!

I feel like Munchie could easily get to that point, but he's still a kitten, thankfully. He goes for his neuter next Monday, so I'm hoping that will calm him down some. I want to leave him out, but he jumps on the other cats wanting to play and they just hiss and growl. I wouldn't get any sleep at all with that going on.

@Kynlei Mr. Katz was especially smitten with me. In fact, when I first got him, I took him because he chose me.

I notice the Munchie looks like he might have some Oriental type in him. I have three Oriental shorthairs and they are all wonderful cats, but they do require more than average attention. When they first came to live with me, the male, who likes everybody, zeroed in on my older kitty, who is not the cuddling type. It was like he was just trying so hard to be her buddy and she was just annoyed. Eight years later and he might be able to get in a two minute snuggle on a lucky day.

@itsmedammit Munchie's vet thought he might have some Bengal in him because of his markings. His mom was a friendly stray with torbie markings. Idk about his dad, but I highly doubt he was any specific breed.

Didn't work that well for me.