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Have not slept in 2 days...help!?

I have not slept in 2 days. I have been getting horrible sleep for the past few months due to my ADD medication. 2 nights ago I took melatonin in the hopes it would help me fall asleep faster, I took 2.5mg. I did not sleep at all that night. I figured it was the adderall, so I didn't take any the next day. Took another 2.5mg of melatonin for that night, still couldn't sleep. Last night, the second night, I felt extremely tired, but yet could not sleep. Now I'm on day 3, and I'm feeling horrible, having muscle spasms and heart palpitations.

I think the melatonin caused me to be unable to sleep and I think my sleep cycles are now completely out of wack. What should I do tonight? Should I take a over the counter sleeping pill? Like doxylamine?

4 Answers

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  • 6 years ago

    I think you should definitely see a medical professional - it's not normal not to sleep even with melatonin. Trust me - professional insomniac, I took melatonin for years, and it made a massive difference. I find it bizarre that it's not had the same effect on you. But if you're having all the symptoms you describe, see someone, and see them relatively quickly. It may be a reaction with the medicine you're taking.

    Make sure you stay off screens in the evening as well. 2 minutes on a screen can cause up to two hours of sleep deprivation. Don't watch TV as you go to sleep, and stuff like that. Don't drink coffee as well - nicotine gives you an energy rush, and then a crash, which makes you feel even worse!

  • ?
    Lv 6
    6 years ago

    Melatonin wouldn't cause insomnia--your body is supposed to produce it naturally at night to help you sleep. I take 3mg most nights along with trazodone, and 6mg when I still can't sleep. My mother takes even more. 2.5mg might not be enough to do anything. I'd try doubling that to 5mg, staying away from screens an hour before bed, drinking calming teas, and minimizing artificial light. If that still doesn't work, ask your doctor about trazodone or another sleep aid.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    6 years ago

    Most sleeping problems are probably caused by stress, depression, anxiety, nervousness and worry as well as being too keyed up.

    Sleeping pills can give you bad side effects such as headaches and drowsiness during the day so you are better off without them.

    To sleep better just relax and switch off, if you can.

    If you are having trouble switching off at bedtime some light exercise (for example, push ups or sit ups) at bedtime often helps you to relax, unwind and switch off and that often improves your sleep. Strenuous exercise at bedtime is likely to ruin your sleep.

    Common OTC sleep aids include Chamomile tea, 5-HTP, Melatonin and Valerian Root.

    Sleep enhancing foods include warm milk, turkey, cherries, oatmeal, bananas, wine and others as in a web search for "sleep enhancing foods".

    You can see further tips in a web search for "how to fall asleep and stay asleep".

  • Dave
    Lv 5
    6 years ago

    First step- work with your doctor to GET OFF ALL MEDS. That will solve 80% of your problems. I would take ADD vs. not being able to sleep any day of the week.

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