Sleep problems are pretty common with many seniors and I am one of them. Melatonin and different OTC aids due nothing for me. My PC has prescribed a non addictive drug for me that is worthless and I will not take a drug like Ambien because it can become addictive. ZZZZZzzz
Never have. I never go to bed until I'm sleepy, so never have had trouble falling asleep. On occasion, if there's something really important to worry about, I have trouble. Then I just get up and pace the floor, or something, until sleepy wins out over worry. lol
We will sometimes have a problem with sleeping, but a change of bed linens can definitely help that. Sometimes my wife will take a 200mg Motrin and, sooner or later, that will put her to sleep. We also bought a Sleep Aid Spray that is sprayed on the pillow. Sometimes works, sometimes not. We only drink coffee in the morning for breakfast, but we know a few Seniors that will drink coffee all day............like my wife's older sister and my half brother. I read that Seniors shouldn't drink anything after a certain time in the evening, or they will be up multiple times headed for the toilet.
I drink coffee form the moment I was up until I go to bed, and never have a problem falling asleep...but I'm used to drinking coffee so I'm beyond the point it affects me to any degree.
Sometimes I use gummies such as those with supplements like Ashwagandha, L-Theanine, GABA, and Hemp, which are over the counter. While some are helpful, many times they aren't. With sleep apnea, my machine and ear-pods with soft music seem to help most.
My doctor prescribed Xanax for sleep but a whole pill makes me feel real dopey. I only take 1/2 so I guess I'm 1/2 dopey most of the time. Lately I have been awakening about 2 AM so instead of laying around and trying to fall asleep and failing, I get up and have breakfast with coffee, and return to bed and I will fall asleep again.
I discovered some time ago that magnesium and calcium help me to sleep better. I tried melatonin a few times, but that did nothing for me but it helps my wife. We get so screwed up with the day length changes. I suspect @Bibbi Wright has similar issues since she can apparently see light. I try not to drink coffee after 2 or 3 in the afternoon, but it doesn't bother me too much. When I was working, my mind would "race" and I couldn't get it to stop. That was when I got hooked on Art Bell. Talk radio would interrupt the cycle when music only made it worse. It is no longer a problem since I retired, so now I stay up until I almost can't stay awake, then read myself to sleep to seal the deal.
Just a slight correction @Don Alaska I can see more than just light with my good eye. I have what’s called tunnel vision which is a very narrow field of vision and in that field I can see quite well. When I sit about ten feet away from our fifty inch TV that’s all I see. To be able to see what’s above or around it I have to turn my head. But I am completely blind in my other eye. Luckily I have no problems getting to sleep. Once DH has got me tucked in I usually nod off within s few minutes.
I'll tell you, Bibbi, you are amazing! Just wish more people in the world could cope with their physical things, like you do. Truly amazing!!