I've been having problems with falling asleep/staying asleep. Part of that is rambunctious kittens that make a lot of noise (and as some of you know I would obviously be wary of noise while sleeping) but some nights even if I'm horribly tired and don't have much on my mind it's nearly impossible to get to sleep. I do have a sleep study planned for next month but in the mean time I'd like to be able to get a full nights rest.

I definitely don't want to take a sleeping pill even though I know my doctor would prescribe me one (I've actually had 3 different doctors offer them to me and one basically force me to take a script for one and yes, I immediately stopped seeing her), I've in the past tried OTC sleeping products and none of them have worked and my Neurologist has had me using a selection of supplements including melatonin and that does nothing for me. I rarely drink caffeine so I know that's not keeping me up and I don't even really eat much sugar. Anyone have any suggestions? Any help is greatly appreciated:)

Do you exercise? Sometimes that helps if you exercise early in the day. Hot bath with lavendar oil before bed works well for me. I also sip hot water mixed with 2TBS apple cider vinegar and 1TBS honey. I've been using that drink for years to help when I have trouble going to sleep. Keeping a regular sleeping schedule helps too. That's the natural route I take.

I've been prescribed Ambien, I was going thru some anxiety and stress then, I find it better than OTC sleep aids and melatonin. I was able to get the rest I needed. I still take it if I absolutely have to. HTH.

I have struggled with insomnia all of my life, and I wish I could find a 'cure' for it. I take OTC sleeping pills 3-5x week...which is really bad, but I literally cannot sleep without them most of the time. I don't really know what to do. I may go to the doctor and see about a prescription, and I really should add exercise to my routine. I have found that cutting off caffeine several hours before bed helps alleviate my symptoms somewhat.

Is the melatonin sublingual? Apparently, it has to be that cos it gets broken down in the stomach otherwise. I took some capsules last night and they didnt help. I have the sublingual ones and they make me sleepy pretty fast. I cant even take the full 5mg.

Yep, just check and it is sublingual. I've had some problems in the past with herbal and OTC remedies either flat out not working (and even some prescription ones for that matter) or causing breathing problems.

I do get exercise but I could always use more:) I may have to use that suggestion for the baths and the drink. I've been offered Ambien but I will under no circumstances ever take anything like that. I went through something last year that I don't want to get into but I won't take any sort of sleep aid just in case something happened again I want to make sure I'm able to wake right up.

I am a really bad sleeper. Sometimes it can take me up to four hours to fall asleep after going to bed (going to bed at the same time as my fiance, who just falls straight away).

I have been getting into a sleep tea by Celestial Seasons. It contains chamomile, mint, rosehips and other herbal and natural ingredients- and it seems to be working.

I am a really bad sleeper. Sometimes it can take me up to four hours to fall asleep after going to bed (going to bed at the same time as my fiance, who just falls straight away).

I have been getting into a sleep tea by Celestial Seasons. It contains chamomile, mint, rosehips and other herbal and natural ingredients- and it seems to be working.

Wow...I might have to try this tea because it also takes me hours to fall asleep. Where can I get it?

I can't sleep well without a sleeping mask and earplugs cause I am such a light sleeper. I like valerian root supplements but I don't know if they really work that well. Maybe helps just a little.

I just bought the Hibermate sleep mask and it has ear pillows to dampen noise. We'll see how well it works.

Wow...I might have to try this tea because it also takes me hours to fall asleep. Where can I get it?

Heather, since you live in the US Celestial Seasonings sells all their teas online, I think they sell them in either packs of either two or six boxes for the most part (some are different) but I've seen the sleepytime tea in many grocery stores too I've just never thought to try it so thanks for that suggestion Topaz:)

The sleeping mask might be a good idea too, not sure if I could do the ear plug thing or not but I should give it a shot, guess I could try playing my music on low with my headphones first.

Try this link. I never knew that B12 worked better with melatonin. She is really informative. I listen to her on the radio and tv and always learn something new. I learned about melatonin from her. You might be so low that you need more than the standard dose.

http://healthyimmunity.com/cgi-bin/vweb?XwsSrvID=HEALTH01,[a=01[b=30[c=01[d=laehmiht[e=00319896[f=xxxxxxxx[g=346-75862

Well now I have the Hibermate sleep mask and I am not impressed with the ear pillows. They don't really block any noise. The mask itself is very soft and completely blocks light. The back has a nice thick elastic and is adjustable with velcro.

Not sure it is worth the price but at least it will last longer than the disposable ones I get from the airlines.

Sorry ladies I completely forgot about this post....

In regards to the Sleeptime tea by Celestial seasonings the website is on the box, with a store locater: http://www.celestialseasonings.com/products/where-to-buy.html

I was fortunate enough to find it at my local supermarket. I hope this is helpful.