About 2wks ago DS16 was put on Temazepam, 3 times a wk but they are having absolutely no effect at all. Could a different type of sleeping tablet possibly work for him or do they take a while to take effect? TIA.
My understanding of temazepam is that it's a short acting med, ie makes you drowsy but doesn't help increase the time you sleep. Is ds having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep?
I had some success from cutting out caffeine and sugar and other stimulants from Kate afternoon on. One surprising culprit was Milo, so watch out for things like that in yr sons diet. A walk in sunlight in the afternoon can help the brain recognize the switch from light to dark. Cooling down the sleeping space (ie remove a blanket or use a lighter quilt) and reducing light sources esp pc and telly screens. I use an eye mask and always sleep heaps better with it on so that's worth a try too.
He has trouble falling asleep, once asleep he's fine. Wow, milo that's interesting, he normally does have one before going to bed. Our GP told him the worst thing he could do is to just lay in bed, he's to get up every 20min then back to bed and so on. We just really need to get on top of this as it's effecting his schooling because he doesn't get up until 11.00-12.00.
Apparently it's very common in teenagers. My friends sons highschool starts at 11 every day for this reason. They get more out of the kids by starting later.
Google delayed sleep cycle.
I've been on and off Temazapan for a couple of months now. I used to just take 1. The doctor said to take 3 at a time, so 30mg. I'm trying other things now. Advice I've been given includes:
Bed is for sleep only (there's also another use but not relevant here). No TV, no reading, no computers, no iphones etc. Lie in bed. If you dont get to sleep in 30min, get up and walk around the house, lights off. Go back to bed. Repeat.
Warm milk with a teaspoon of honey. Take 30min before bed.
Turn off any stimulating activities 30min-1hour before bed. This includes TV, computers etc. Low lights (I turn on lamps instead of overhead lights), put some soothing music on, follow a going to bed routine.
Exercise in the morning helps improve sleep
Check Vit d, zinc and magnesium levels are ok. These can affect the body clock.
Turn off wi-fi. Turn off mobile phones at night. EMFs can affect brainwaves.
If he has ADD or something similar, he will find it difficult to turn his head off at night. Non-adders can be affected by this too. Writing in a journal before bed to get it all out can calm the brain.
Hope some of these help. I find them hit and miss depending on what I'm dealing with and how strict I am with winding down routine. I seem to be addicted to my iphone which keeps me awake. And sometimes I'll
do everything right and still not be able to sleep. I'll fall asleep eventually, I'm just a write off the next day.
I agree, restavit is really good. Even just half a tablet. My DH had insomnia and he found routine really important to help him sleep and eventually sorted it. I personally think getting to dependent on a drug to sleep comes with it's own issues for all the obvious reasons. But perhaps in a yr or two you can sort that out or wean down, if it is really essential to sleep right now. I would be tempted to look at diet and night habits too if I were you.
Temaz doesn't work on everyone. I have a nursing friend who was prescribed it to help her sleep when she was on nightshift (trying to sleep during the day can be really hard!) - but it did nothing for her. She used to end up laying there looking at the ceiling and feeling like she was "10 kinds of drunk"
I on the other hand, end up hung over for a week if I take even half of one!!!!
I'm sure you've already tried a bucket load of natural remedies, but some of the things my (severely insomniac) friend found useful was to;
keep a routine - she'd get up at the same time even if she didn't sleep until 3am.
At least 30 min of cardio exercise each day but if it was going to be within an hour of bedtime, she'd only do light exercise
cut out all caffeine (incl chocolate, tea etc)
She'd have a cup of chamomile tea at night
A HOT shower 30 min before bed
Yoga also helped her to relax enough to sleep
No TV or reading for an hour before bed
She would also do relaxation/visualisation exercises in her bed when she was struggling. So she would start at the toes and slowly tense everything moving up the body and then conscioulsy relax everything from the toes up. Or she would imagine herself somewhere peaceful and calming like the beach - laying in the warmth of the sun etc.
Hope he can get on top of it soon - it suxs having insomnia!
When I lost Hayley about 6 weeks after of getting 3 hours sleep a night I finally caved in and asked the GP for some temaze. 10mg didnt touch me at all. 20mg worked. It took just over an hour to get to sleep but it worked. What dose is he on?
I always have a hot shower 15 minutes before bed. I can't sleep unless I have that shower. If I try to sleep without it, I am cold and stiff. Even with lots of blankets, my feet will still be cold!
I have also heard that no TV in the bedroom and routine are good. My DH has a lot of trouble sleeping. He finds that if he gets up and eats he can usually go back to sleep. Must be the full tummy feeling Even though I tell him how bad it is!
Also I think it's called valarian forte, it's natural from the chemist.
The thing he is struggling with most is getting up in the morning even if he has had little sleep so he can have that routine. He's started at the gym also so he's getting regular physical activity too.
Thanks to you all for your helpful information.
I was subscribed two tablets and I found that I got tired very shortly after taking them and would sleep for say around 4hrs then wake up and wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. I found these very addictive and hard to wean myself off them.
Insomnia - Temazepam
Reply With Quote
Even though I tell him how bad it is!
Bookmarks