Jen1977ni

Just curious, are there any decent 'non-prescription' sleeping tablets here in Australia. I'm asking for a mate who doesn't post on here and I suggested I start this thread as you lot are always a wealth of information. I just feel so bad for her, it takes her ages to get over to sleep when as soon as my head hits the pillow I'm out cold, let's hope it stays that way eh!

Thanks BE'ers! xo

ldyinlv

Do you get tylenol PM..or advil pm over there.? they are both pretty effective, as they contain Benadryl that helps you doze off..

aus2be

Hey Jen

Im exactly the same as your friend unfortunately.... Recently I bought a tablet called DOZILE capsules... they are in a purplely pink box... They didnt particularly help me get over quicker but I did sleep all night.... Or tell her to take 2 mersyndol tablets before bed... I would take these if I have a really bad migraine and I sleep all night....

Lisa and Martin

Dolosed, also known as Mersyndol night version. Some chemists also produce their own brand but they are often difficult to split in half. It has a muscle relaxant in it. You only need half, or one, and it gives me a good night's sleep. I take it as I suffer from an old whiplash injury and get a muscle knots in my neck if I don't use it, which then means I wake up about 3am from the discomfort, but the muscle relaxant definitely sets you up to sleep well. Some people do say it's addictive but when I've read those reports we are talking about people who take them by the handful, but better to be aware of the risks first.
Also bear in mind that when you go to sleep your digestive system shuts down, so if you haven't completely digested the tablet then your body will start processing it again in the morning and you will feel groggy. Not good for driving etc. this can be avided by taking the tablet an hour before going to bed.
I've tried the herbal types but never found anything that worked.

Jen1977ni

Great, thanks folks, that's great info so far. I once, a few Christmas' ago, suffered from a few nights 'insomnia' due to a really bad chest infection, it was the most debilitating thing I have EVER experienced so I feel really bad for my mate and just want to be able to help her!

HelenTD

I tried Mersyndol some years ago for migraine and found them to be really heavy-duty, knock-out pills. I didn't like how they made me feel, so only had them a few times. I wouldn't think them a good idea for regular use.

There are various herbal remedies available, such as Valerian, and Bach also do a sleep spray. There are all sorts of other things to try, such as yoga, or making a new night-time routine, changing the bedroom setup or furnishings, etc. Lots of info on the web, eg http://www.abc.net.au/health/library...21/2797098.htm

ABCDiamond

I have found that Polaramine 2mg anti histamine Tablets work wonders for sleeping, and for the hayfever that they are designed for.

I often use them when I get bitten by stinging ants or mozzies, as I am allergic to those things. Took one at 6pm last night, asleep by 8pm, woke at 7am.

They are a Pharmacist Only Medicine, so you just need a chat with the Chemist.

HelenTD

We keep Polarmine syrup for the kids for bee stings or any other nasty reactions to insect bites. It is available over the counter. There are other hay fever medications available OTC.

Jen1977ni

That'd probably be a good starting point as she already suffers from Hayfever like symptons and takes non-drowsy versions of those medications. Will let her know!

Kooky.

As with most things, she'd be better off trying to find the cause of the problem rather than treating the symptoms.

I am a permanent insomniac but it's worse when I'm stressed (no-brainer, that one, but I have adrenal fatigue which obviously gets worse) and also if my hormones are out of whack, or my thyroid is playing up.

Magnesium is a good muscle relaxant that can help ease you into sleep.

This is my theme tune (and what a fine tune it is, too):

ABCDiamond

Most of the other hay fever medications we have used are non drowsy, so only good for their original intention.

My daughter had a bad flu type illness recently, and I switched her from Telfast to the Polarmine at night time. She had a few excellent nights sleep, and never knew why

Hmm that's a thought, she's been having some very late nights recently... maybe time for Polarmine again

Ozzidoc

NB Be aware of the potential effects of magnesium on the heart muscle.

Malatonin works for us some of the time, particularly with jet-lag. I don't know if it's available OTC in Oz though.

Dorothy

It's not, but I brought a shit-load back with me from Canada. I'm an insomniac and find that after a week or so of taking melatonin regularly (every night) I get a much better quality of sleep.

Jen, your friend can ask her GP for a presciption for melatonin or better yet, for a referral to a sleep clinic to find out why she's unable to sleep. It may be that her problem is something easily remediable without using chemicals.

Officer Dibble

I've used valerian capsules which were moderately effective. The only reason I joined the gym was so that I could fall into a deep sleep at night and it really really works. Other times I use Painstop ( a tad unorthodox ) but desperate times call for desperate measures.

HelenTD

There's a homeopathic version of melatonin available:
http://www.bioglan.com.au/vitamin.asp?productID=70

Another article about its use in insomnia:
http://www.nps.org.au/health_profess...2010/melatonin