Hi there,

I was having a terrible time sleeping, because of the high dose prednisone I am on. has. I have found an herbal formula called Silent Night.( by Nature's Way) It has hops ,skull cap , and valerian. I take 3 capsules an hour before bed. There seems to be no interactions and my mg is much better if I get a good night sleep

Judith

Thank you, I think that is why I am having such a hard time sleeping, the prednisone.

Judith I just thought of something. Isn't valerian almost like a muscle relaxant and wouldnt this have a bad effect with the MG. I am so careful when I start something different I am afraid it will make the MG worse. Just curious. Because if it is helping you I wouldnt mind trying it out. I am on high doses of prednisone too.

Hi, I do not take Prednisone or have trouble sleeping, but just wanted to give a little info and not really advice in regards to what Judith is saying:

I don't think I consider a sedative(valerian) and muscle relaxer(like Quinine or magnesium) the same thing...

"Few adverse events attributable to valerian have been reported. Large doses or chronic use may result in stomachache, apathy, and a feeling of mental dullness or mild depression. Because of the herb's tranquilizer properties"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerian_%28herb%29

For example Benadryl makes me drowsy, but not weak...

I love valerian and have been using it for years. I like mine in tea form and don't have any problems with it. Milk thistle is a very good ingredient for a liver cleanse but have you ever done a cleanse? I ask because I tried to do certain cleanses before the initial cleanse and it made me very sick. You don't want to dump too many toxins at one time. I would talk to an herbalist specifically. My herbalist was a great help with cleanses and supplements. She always had the info for me to get approval from my doc's. She also had the med interactions and we went over diet. I thought I knew how to eat well til I met her. lol Good luck to you.

I guess I did not mean a cleanse with the milk thistle I just meant taking it to keep a healthy liver. But wasnt sure if it was safe to take.
TJ when I do IVIG I can't take the Benadryl it makes me feel really weird.

You think prednisone keeps you from getting a good night's sleep? I never thought about it, I thought sleeplessness came with old age. If there is a link, I want to know and I'll dump my prednisone tomorrow if it means I can get a good night's sleep.

Curt

insomnia is a side effect of prednisone, especially high dose. I had tried ambian, but that is recommended for short term use and I seemed to wake up groggy. I have had no problems with valerian. It took a few nights, but now I am sleeping much better. I really do so much better the next day, too., with a good nights sleep.

Good luck!

Judith

I am not on prednisone but began having sleep problems about 2 months before the beginning of strong MG symptoms and diagnosis. I have been on lunesta for well over a year. I get about 5 hours of good sleep then restlessness. Have tried melatonin but did not work well. Would like to try the valerian. Do any herbal teas seem to help for any of you with imsomnia?
~sherry