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Over the counter sleeping aid?

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Chat' started by Pancakes, Apr 14, 2014.

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  1. Pancakes

    Pancakes Low-Roller

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    Hi,

    I'm planning ahead to our return 10 hour flight from Vegas to the UK, I'd really like to get some sleep, but I've not managed it so far.

    Can anyone recommend any sleeping pills or potion that I can get over the counter at Walgreens/CVS etc?

    Cheers,

    Justin
     
  2. WHITEJACKET73

    WHITEJACKET73 VIP Whale

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    Basically, you have two choices for over-the counter sleep aid ingredients in the USA. Products that contain diphenhydramine(active ingredient in Benadryl) or Doxylamine (Unisom). Both are considered antihistamines, but their main side effect is causing drowsiness, which is why they are promoted as sleep aids. There are some products that have other ingredients in their formula such as acetaminophen(Tylenol), but don't really have any value for inducing sleep(might help if you had pain such as a headache). There are some herbal products out there that contain Valerian, but I don't put a lot of faith into their effectiveness. Diphenhydramine has other side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and if you are an older male it sometimes can affect your ability to urinate. Sorry, but I am not familiar with what prescription sleeping medications are available in the U.K. Something that contains zolpidem or lorazepam might be your best choice. Alcohol is not a good idea...sure it will put you to sleep if you consume enough, but the quality of your sleep will be poor and you will awake back home still tired. Hope this helps.
     
  3. NandJfrmNJ

    NandJfrmNJ VIP Whale

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    Zzz-Quil works for me. It's diphenhydramine as are many of the other generic OTC sleeping pills but it seems to work better than the others. Doesn't make sense but it does.
     
  4. weiman

    weiman Tourist

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    Melatonin.

    All natural and works like a charm.
     
  5. undathesea

    undathesea Grandissimo

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    Yep. I use it almost everyday and it works great for me.
     
  6. DavidR82

    DavidR82 Low-Roller

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    I rotate shifts each month and go from day shift to midnights. The first week of the rotation I'm always taking Zquil to make sure I get solid uninterrupted sleep
     
  7. rooster42000

    rooster42000 Goat of all Goats , My Hero

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    Somnapure PMĀ® Sleep Aid
     
  8. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    +1 on the Zzz-Quil
     
  9. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    WHITEJACKET, not sure if you can answer this, but when my wife drinks alcohol in the evening, more often than not she will wake up in the middle of the night and its difficult to return to sleep. Would taking melatonin before or after drinking alcohol be a problem? My wife is a little shy about discussing this with her Physician, she is really a light drinker, a two can commando.
     
  10. undathesea

    undathesea Grandissimo

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    I drink and take melatonin all the time. It won't hurt her at all.

    Usually I take one pill and hour before I'm ready for bed and one when I go to bed. That tends to knock me out pretty well.
     
  11. LV2GAMBLE

    LV2GAMBLE Certified LOW Roller

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    Melatonin or Ibuprofin p.m. But I find with the ibuprofin pm I get a sleep hangover and am kind of out of it for a few hours after waking.
     
  12. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    Thanks for the tip, I'm gonna get two bottles today: melatonin and a Pinot Grigio:drunk:
     
  13. Wolfman619

    Wolfman619 Low-Roller

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    Sleeping shouldn't be an issue on your return trip! j/k

    Melatonin is awesome. My wife uses it all the time and I do from time to time. Crazy cool dreams. . . .
     
  14. DeMoN2318

    DeMoN2318 The DERS

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    Zzzquil...I take double dose since I'm a big dude...out cold in 20 minutes.

    I have noticed that if I try to fight the onset of sleep I have really bad hilucinations and full body spasms
     
  15. Bubbavegas

    Bubbavegas VIP Whale

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    Valerian root, natures Valium, smells like hell but really works well.
     
  16. undathesea

    undathesea Grandissimo

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    Oh yeah. I forgot to mention the dreams. Very intense dreams. Sometimes they can get pretty crazy and wake you up.

    I'm used to it now, but it used to freak me out when I first started taking it.
     
  17. Pancakes

    Pancakes Low-Roller

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    Many thanks for the tips. :beer:

    Cheers,

    Justin
     
  18. northerngirl

    northerngirl High-Roller

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    Re. Melatonin.....keep in mind there are different mg dosages and it comes in regular and timed release. The regular will aid you in falling asleep and the timed release is for those who have trouble staying sleep.
     
  19. WHITEJACKET73

    WHITEJACKET73 VIP Whale

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    Melatonin and alcohol----- although the combination will not be harmful as described, I don't recommend it. Waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to get back to sleep is a classic affect of alcohol. The melatonin may help with maintaining sleep thru the night, the quality of sleep probably will be diminished. Has to do with the alcohol interfering with REM sleep. It might also increase the incidence of vivid dreams/nightmares that other people have described. When I fly I use a sleep mask to block out the light which helps me fall asleep
     
  20. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    Melatonin helps sometimes, but Zzzz-Quil works every time and quickly.
    Don't pop a Zzzz-Quil pill until you are in your seat and ready for the flight home.
     
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