9 Comments
Nov 5Liked by Dr. Lucy McBride

I think the consistent wake-up and bed-time is so helpful. For me, worrying at bedtime is what I struggle with the most. Your cat is adorable! Orange tabbies are the best ๐Ÿงก๐Ÿ˜ธ

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Nov 5Liked by Dr. Lucy McBride

Avoiding ANY drinks (good-bye evening cup of herbal tea) after about 6 pm helps me. Also, tuning in to "body time" ...this on & off of Daylight Savings Time is SO stressful! I try to keep a consistent sleep schedule according to my own body/brain, which means I was up at 5:30 "clock time" instead of my usual 6:30. I'd be glad if DST would just go away!

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Certain activities between consenting grown ups can also be helpful.

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What are your thoughts on trazadone? Signed, a 54-year-old woman who doesnโ€™t like to take sleep aids and woke up at 2:13 am and is TIRED!

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Nov 5Liked by Dr. Lucy McBride

Hi Julie, I swear by trazodone and have taken 100mg at bedtime for years. Itโ€™s wonderful for me and non-addictive (I am in recovery.) I also take it with melatonin and magnesium.

Iโ€™m sensitive to Benadryl - makes me hyperactive and anxious - but I take doxylamine succinate (also an antihistamine) on occasion, which is hard to find except on Amazon.

I also suffer from chronic pain so, on the advice of my PCP, Iโ€™ve recently added 300mg gabapentin to my nightly routine. Iโ€™m 53 and menopausal so the bonus is that it also helps with my night sweats.

Hope you find some relief; insomnia is the most desperate feeling ever!!!

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Nov 5Liked by Dr. Lucy McBride

That is so good to hear. Thank you! Iโ€™m always worried about long-term effects and potential cognitive decline so itโ€™s helpful to hear from you!

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A nurse practitioner at the long term care facility where I used to work frequently prescribed magnesium glycinate for insomnia. What is the upper limit in dosage? Is all magnesium the same with regard to side effects?

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Sleep apnea is more common then we realize - with increasing impact as we age. If you have sleep apnea (even mild), using a CPAP to sleep will improve your sleep, your energy, your life, immensely. CPAPs now come with "nasal pillows" - small soft silicone nose pieces that are comfortable - no more of those ghastly face masks which have given CPAP therapy such a stigmatized image.

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How important do you think a consistent wake-up time is? I wake up at 5am to exercise several days a week and closer to 7am some other days. Should I try to keep my wake up times earlier together? My bedtime is pretty consistent around 10:30.

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