What sleep aid pill has worked the best for people? I have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. I have?

a sleep pattern that is fairly normal. I usually try to eat a decent meal toward the end of the day. I work out on a daily basis in the morning. I am always up by 8 or 9am, but can't get to sleep till sometimes 2 or 3am. I also drink chamomille tea before bed, but none of those things do much. I think it's time to step it up, what helps? Over the counter medicine advice please.

Before grabbing a bottle of pills, I'd advise you to determine the cause of your insomnia:

1. Have you COMPLETELY eliminated caffeine? (Remember, it's also in sodas, chocolate, and certain diet pills...)

2. Are you drinking alcohol? Alcohol will wake you up about four hours into your sleep.

3. Do you have sleep apnea? It doesn't sound like it, but this will also affect the amount of rest you actually get at night.

4. Do you eat more than 3 hours before you need to sleep? A heavy meal just before bedtime might put you to sleep right away, but the indigestion will wake you as well...

5. Do you watch TV before bed? Or go online? Or play video games? All of these "rev" your brain and make it harder for you to sleep.

6. Do you have a sleep routine? And do you only use your bedroom for sleep (and *cough* sex)? Researchers have found that people who only use their bedroom for these two activities have less problems falling asleep and staying asleep at night.

I've found that a healthy diet and regular exercise help (especially exercising out-of-doors for fresh air and sunshine to help regulate my biological clock, HOWEVER, any addition of caffeine regardless of time of day will throw me off my sleep schedule. Also, if I deviate from my regular sleep routine (i.e., I stay up late watching TV, or spend a few hours online, or eat a big meal right before sleep, "read myself to sleep" (ha!), etc. etc., I wind up NOT getting a restful night's sleep.

Some other helps:

* Warm Milk - Don't laugh, the tryptophan in the Milk is a natural sleep aid. It is also present in Turkey meat (which is why everyone heads towards the couch after a big Thanksgiving meal...

* Regular Benedryl - When all else fails, this seems to help. It's not addictive (except perhaps psychologically), it can be used long-term, and you don't wake up with that woozy feeling in the morning that is the hallmark of a prescription sleep aid.

Good luck!
--Julia <><

try aluna it is a natural (herb) remedy. it tastes awful but it helps to relax you and it puts you to sleep. no crazy side effects in the a.m. good luck. you might have to look on line for them, but when you find it you won't be sorry.

My mother had chronic insomnia from age 9 to 60. Finally, thru a sleep clinic she found a doctor who helped her. If you have serious insomnia, I can help you. My Mom lived her life on no sleep, or maybe 2 hours a night. She ached from being tired. As I said, at age 60 she finally got help after trying EVERYTHING. The doctor put her on a schedule. Very important. She must go to sleep ant the same time every night, and get up at the same time every morning. Now, the alarm clock wakes her up! But she puts it across the room so she will get up. She now averages 6-7 hours a night and feels like a diffferent person. Now, you must listen. The doctor put her on 200mgs of Elavil, and .5mgs of Klonopin. I know you requested over the counter meds, but if you're serious about conquering your insomnia you must listen. Those two meds. are for sleeping AND chronic depression. Within a week or two your whole life will become bright and sunny, and you will not have those long boring nights in the dark with your thoughts. If you have insurance, get a referral from your doctor for a sleep specialist. (Either thru a sleep clinic or sleep lab.) Or else print this out, and show it to your regular doctor. If you don't have insurance, call a sleep clinic. I'm trying to tell you that this is a miracle. My mom is now 79, healthy, happy, and sleeps. This is my mission. To save insomniacs, who are probably tired AND depressed. My mother never put the two together. But she sees it all clearly now. Good luck. It IS time to step up. :)