Craig, in the U.S. it's otc. I just thought of another supplement, do you take any magnesium thru the day, or once or twice during the day. It's a very relaxing mineral and could also help to calm things down in your body's system. Here is another otc homeopathic that I've used for years that I take right before going to sleep. https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/sleep-aid-reviews/hylands-calms-forte.html
I take a daily multi vitamin.. expect that comprises magnesium. Hylands Calms Forte is not available in Australia. I use Blackmores Valerian Forte.
You don't get much magnesium in your multi, one needs to take extra mag and maybe even a couple times daily...Valerian never worked in my body as I tried it moons ago. Even take some mag close to when you want to go to sleep. You might be happily surprised.
Not sleeping is such a problem for me when I have to be somewhere that isn't nearby, the next day. I made a doctor's appointment about a year ago, out of the area. I skipped a night of sleep so I would definitely sleep the night before the appointment. I didn't close my eyes all night. It was the second night without sleep. That morning, as soon as they opened, I cancelled the appointment for later that day. Very frustrating and I felt bad about the inconvenience for them. Once the weather gets cold, I won't get up if I can't sleep, even if I lay awake for hours. I miss getting just a few weeks of very cold weather, as when I lived in the deep south.
Emma, I just can't imagine that, not sleeping. I know there is a lot of info out there on insomnia and do you have any clues what isn't working for you. I believe I posted a link above for homeopathics for sleep, did you see it/ read it. Homeopathy is likes cure likes. There is a coffee homeopathic to try as it's likes cures likes. I have posted so much information and have you given any of them tries. I have run across some people who take 10mg of Melatonin for their issues, I can't imagine that but just maybe their body needs that. I take 1/2mg with my sleep combo.
I'm familiar with homeopathy. It's very seldom that it's a problem if I sleep during the day, rather than at night. Just gave an example of one experience. Dr. Oz once said that 1 mg was a good amount of Melatonin for help with sleep. I bought the 1 mg only and couldn't take it. I do a lot of research and there are a few doctors that I listen to, but I go to reliable and informed sites for health info, no offense intended.
Years ago when I found out about Melatonin and knew nothing about dose, I bought a bottle and I think it was 3mg and took one and never again, I was so grogged out. Wonder what it was about 1mg you could not take. You sound nocturnal -- did you work nights for a while in your life. Ok, that's it.
All the residents that live in my facility that I have talked with have sleep problems. Prescription meds,over the counter aids. herbs etc. do not help. Their problem, like mine, seems to be due to their particular health issues. I went to bed at 10 PM last night after reading for two hours. I tossed and turned until 3 AM then got up and took a hot shower and went back to bed until 6:30 AM. Sat in my recliner until 9AM and went to breakfast. I must be getting enough rest because I don't feel sleepy during the day and don't take naps. I do recline for 45 minutes or so in my recliner. How nice it would be to go to bed and sleep soundly for 6 hours or more. I think those days are over for me.
There are times that we have a hard time getting to sleep and/or staying asleep. Things on a person's mind or getting up multiple times to go to the bathroom (urinate) due to drinking to much liquid before bedtime. From what I've researched, old/older age can have a lot to do with sleeplessness. Then again, a barking dog or annoying talking neighbors at midnight or later, don't help either.
@Craig Swanson posted recently he was having sleep problems as well. You would think at an older age, we would all sleep better because we have less energy. I do sleep better when I get more exercise during the day. Not gym exercising, but nice brisk walks. Also, alcohol can really mess up sleeping as well. Maybe it's the sugar content in it.
It seems to me that sleep problems can occur only when one has to get up at a particular time, such as for a morning job. Otherwise, there are days when I am up until after the sun comes up because I am busy with something, or because I am not tired. Generally, then, I'll go to bed in the morning, take a nap in the afternoon, or I'll be tired enough to get to sleep early the next night. I think of midnight as being bedtime, but I am often up until 1:00, 2:00, or 3:00 am. I don't consider that to be a problem. I sleep when I'm tired and I get up when I realize that I am no longer sleepy. I won't lie in bed, tossing and turning, because once I realize that I'm not going to be able to sleep, I'll get up and do something more productive until I am sleepy. While awake, I drink coffee but I take nothing to make myself sleepy. Perhaps this comes from a working life that involved working mostly the graveyard shift or, as a paramedic, sleeping whenever I had the time to sleep, day or night, sometimes only an hour or two at a time.
Seems like I have a harder time falling asleep than I used to, but I'm a night owl... I stay up late and then sleep late. I don't have to be on any schedule and it suits me fine.
A sure fix when you wake up as dressed no changing go outside find a rock and walk around the area with it, return it and go back to bed, if up again do same but double the time again triple the time, rain cold or what ever do it you will really look forward to returning to your bed, a cold rain really works well! Bet it don't take to many nights! If you have a good friend or neighbor close call her and say I cant sleep and I am coming over. Get a dog and walk it if able. Find some one who works nights and have them call you every hour at varied times, bet it will not take very long.
My mother always said, "If you can't sleep it means you have a guilty conscience." . Maybe the longer a person lives, the more likely they will have done something to feel guilty about. [ I think it is an old wives tale, possibly originating from Shakespeare's play, MacBeth. ] Or maybe you are a Night Owl who is trying to force him/herself to be an Early Bird. Night Owls versus Early Birds . [3 min video, claiming it's mostly genetic]
Cherry capsules from amazon are a big help - take one 2 hours before bedtime and if you watch TV, make it something nice to view - oh, and wiggle yer toes in bed