I am not much help. Prescription sleeping aids did not react well with me so I quit using them after about two weeks. Honestly, I just exhausted myself with outdoor activities until I had no choice but to sleep. Not the best answer I am afraid. But you are right, this is an almost universal problem for us.

Hugs,
Val

Have you tried any breathing/ relaxation techniques? I've found them helpful in getting to sleep (or back to sleep when waking up in the wee hours).

Try to make block out all lights, such as light from electronic alarm clock, make the room free of night lights. It helps me without using any medication.

Maybe a small fan in your room for the noise.....I have to take sleeping pills, have for a long time, but I cannot sleep without that sound of the fan.

Concentrating on my breathing while consciously clearing my mind of thoughts puts me out better than any sleeping pill. Ear plugs also help to keep out distracting noises.

I've been on ambien for years. I tried switching to melatonin, but it didn't work at all, so my doctor put me back on ambien.

I was on a prescription for awhile but was worried about side effects. I went out and bought many of the OTC products. As it turns out, melatonin does work for me. I was at 3 mg for a while, but now I'm at half a table.

I've been somewhat of an insomniac for years prior to widowhood. I tried all of the OTC's to no avail. They may have worked one night, then not the next, etc . . etc. My doc eventually prescribed me a very low dosage of klonipin (when needed for anxiety) along with a daily low dose of Lexipro. It helps, but I still have sleepless nights. I think this is part of the normal grief process, unfortunately. Exercise can be key, to stay active and wear oneself out physically. Otherwise, no great answers here. We are all different. I hope you will find the magic elixir that works for you. Sleep is golden . . and we all need it!! xo, D

Add calcium and B12 to your vitamin regimen, that will help, just be sure to take the B12 earlier in the day - I took mine with lunch. Chamomile tea a half hour before bed will relax you and does not leave you groggy in the morning. A glass of warm milk or a snack of turkey in the evening can help - tryptophan in the turkey makes you drowsy.

If you need something OTC, you can try Benadryl - it is diphenhydramine, and the generic is just as good. It's the active ingredient in the sleep aids like Nytol and Sominex and Tylenol PM. I am very sensitive to these things, so took only the kids' version which is half the strength if the adult dosage (25mg as opposed to 50mg). There are herbal equivalents made with Valerian root and hops which work for some folks. They knock me out, but they don't help me sleep through, so for me they only halfway work.

Life style changes: No caffeine after 3:00 p,. Turn the tv and the computer off at least an hour before bed. If you exercise, make sure you have at least 3 hours between exercise and bedtime or your body will still be revved up. However, a walk everyday seems to help. I walked on my coffee breaks - so two 10 minute walks a day. Helped with my stress levels at work, too. I read for relaxation and pleasure at night - nothing heavy duty. Your room should be cool temperature wise. If you have trouble sleeping alone, you can get a body pillow - it's a long bolster style pillow. (My sister gave me one early on and it helped.)

I had a prescription for sleeping pills, but I didn't trust myself with them so never filled it. That's why I tried different things until I found what worked for me. Hope you find what works for you.

I hope this helps....

Love and Hugs,
Martha

You know how we would put our babies down for naps in the afternoon......When I started to go to work I worked for pediatricians and asked them what the deal is on napping babies....Answer: "The more sleep you get the more sleep you need", is what the chief pediatrician told all of us. You'd think that it would spoil a good nights sleep but no, it actually enhances it.

When I'm on vacation from work I ALWAYS take an afternoon nap and sleep like a baby at night.

I hope you find your secret and get the rest that your body so needs!

Roz

I wanted to share what does work for me and it was recommended by my medical doctor right after Brad passed away. I started by using it every night and now I just use as needed. She suggested liquid melatonin which is over the counter. It works for me and I do not feel any side effects. I get it at Walmart and it is only around $5 a bottle. Hope this helps. Good luck to you!

thanks everyone, but unfortuately I've tried all your suggestions , except bendaryl and the naps (I work, plus I can never sleep during the day, apparantly not even as a toddler according to my Mom)- I can't take it, previously - guess I'm on my own for now. I'll let you know if I find something that works - so maybe it will work for someone else. But thank you all for the suggestions - as someone posted - guess is there is not magic elixir. I've always had sleep issues so maybe that is why this is getting so bad now.

nope wait, I haven't tried liquid melatonin - I think I will give that a go -thanks

10mg Ambien works like a charm. I don't use it very often, but when I do, i am asleep within 30 min. and wake up refreshed about 7 hours later.
This larger dose was my husband's Rx and works great. I had tried the 5mg before and it didn't do anything.
My dogs' snoring (4 in my room) help a lot too! Good luck.

I wanted to share what does work for me and it was recommended by my medical doctor right after Brad passed away. I started by using it every night and now I just use as needed. She suggested liquid melatonin which is over the counter. It works for me and I do not feel any side effects. I get it at Walmart and it is only around $5 a bottle. Hope this helps. Good luck to you!