Hi guys,
I asked a similar question in the treatment forum, but I guess not a whole lot of people browse there. So although this question might belong there, I'll ask it here anyway.

Is it ok to take sleeping pills to go to to sleep if I'm on methylphenidate (Ritalin)?

I assume it's fine, but my fiance wants me to make sure - plus, I'm not used to having to take a medication for an extended time (Newly Diagnosed).

Thanks

That is something you should ask a doctor about.

Yep, I know, I plan on it but nothing is open around here for 12 hours or so. Just wanted to get some opinions.

*sigh* I was really hoping these meds would help me get to sleep, but they don't. I sleep more soundly now (no more tossing and turning all night), I stopped talking in my sleep (Been doing that for 7 years or so now), and I wake up with more energy & more quickly. But no matter how tired I am it still seems like I end up laying in bed for 2-3 hours before I can fall asleep =\

That is definetly a question for your doctor, but if it helps I have been on both Methylphenidate and Adderall and my doctor proscribed Ambien for me with each one. I have taken it for several years when I really need to get some sleep and have not had a problem yet.

This is a strictly non-professional opinion, and my experience is with street variety pharmaceuticals:

Before I got into recovery from chemical dependance, I mixed a lot of "up" and "down" drugs...and sometimes I needed sleeping pills to come down off of an extended high. Methamphetamine was my choice drug; I used it every day. When I wasn't going through a binge I could fall asleep just fine without any help. I suppose that was how it affected my ADD, probably why I liked it so much.

When I did "have" to take sleeping pills, I never experienced any adverse affects from the mix. I've never felt the need to take sleeping pills when I was prescribed Ritalin, but I guess it does keep some people awake.

I would definitely talk to my doctor. If Ritalin *is* keeping you awake, you might not be on the right medications...

Well, the Ritalin isn't keeping me awake. I'd guess you'd call my sleeping problems a "pre-existing condition".
I don't remember if my therapist told me my sleeping problems where caused by the ADD or the chronic low-grade depression but I was sort of hoping it fix it hehe.
Like I said before, it makes it so I sleep more soundly now, stopped talking in my sleep, and I awake more refreshed and alert, it still a problem actually falling to sleep.

Since I've been unemployed my sleep schedule it what I call a rolling one. I'll usually wake up 1-2 hours later and go to bed 1-2 hours later every day. Some weeks I get up at 6am and go to bed at 10pm, some weeks it's waking up a 10pm and going to bed at noon, and it sucks.

Even when I was employed, I'd work a lot of hours and get only 4-5 hours of sleep at night. What'd end up happening is I'd come home Friday night, go to bed at midnight or so and sometimes end up sleeping till 5pm the next day!

I thought it was because I was out of shape, but even when I got back in shape it was like that. It sucks. Especially job hunting. Today I woke up at 7pm, and I have an appointment for an interview Thursday at 2pm - which means I know have to stay up at least 24 hours today so I can get up at a decent time Thursday. It's pretty hard on my body living like this!

Melatonin is a natural thing you can get from the health food shop. I'm on dex. I tried it and it made me grumpy but it works well for my autistic son and ADHD daughter.

Tudorose: I forgot about Melatonin--I keep a bottle of it in my medicine cabinet. I've used it on occasion and it does work. I've found, however, that it gives me a hard time waking up if I use it for two consecutive nights. I've heard other's say the same thing.

I've also found Melotonin to work.

It's supposed to be the chemical that resets your body's 24hr clock. It's natural release is triggered by your eyes seeing the sun set. Which explains why I can always sleep at the proper time when I've spent a good portion of the day (including sun-set)outside.

I saw a program on the Discovery channel talking about how our brain percieves both the passing of time & the 24 hour cycle. It was very interresting.

They mentioned Melotonin when interviewing a blind man. He said it was a huge help for keeping him on a normal day/night schedule, something he struggled with his whole life.

Melatonin eh? I just did some research on it and it seems like it just *may* do the trick. Suppose I'll talk to my doctor about it too. And the price sure is right! $8 for 100 tablets is a deal.
Friend of mine also suggested chamomile tea, which I think I'll give a try too.

I'm also trying to cut back on caffeine, my current daily dosage is around 3000Mg, which is nuts.So as the current stash of soda runs out I'll replace it with caffeine free and switch my coffee to half-caf instead of the full caf it is now. Hopefully a combo of all these will help me out a lot.

Thanks for all the info guys!

I've also taking Melotonin...

I have trouble staying asleep and then falling back to sleep due to PMS troubles. I was taking Ritalin and Prozac at the time and didn't want to add any more drugs to my system. My Dr. said as long as it works for me and to be careful about how much I take...i

It worked great for me I'd Got to bed at about 9:00pm and be awake at again at about 2:30am. I'd fall asleep within 30 mins of taking it. I wake up for work at 4:30 - 5:00am and I felt fine, not groggy.......

Paula

I like catnip tea better than chamomile for relaxing. If you suffer from hay fever or like allergies you should avoid chamomile.

I've used Melatonin, and it did a dandy job for me.... Regardless, I would check with my doctor about this sleep thing and medicating it, either by script or OTC.

On days that I have exercised, even a thirty minute walk, I find I sleep better....also sometimes reading something really boring just before bed helps me sleep....I also find that if I do nothing in bed except sleep....that helps...in other words, no lying in bed watching T.V. during the day....Dante, caffeine free soda has some caffeine....I would try to drink something else...and de-caf coffee has caffeine too....Could you try lemonade (i.e. crystal lite) or water or diet gingerale or diet sprite?? You may wish to try meditating too.....

Have you tried calling and asking a pharmasist?

I did, called quite awhile ago & got my answer.

I'm really digging how this post has warped away from a simple Q and more into a suggestive forum with some alternative remedies. I know I'm definately going to look into these remedies.

Originally posted by Dante


I'm really digging how this post has warped away from a simple Q and more into a suggestive forum with some alternative remedies.


It's ALWAYS like that here Dante....:D (trust me on that...I've been here over 5 months -- and with US -- there's no such thing as a simple answer to a simple question here on forums). Oh yes and GOOD LUCK WITH THE INTERVIEW:)

ginger ale has caffeine in it too, I read recently.

(It really is time I logged off here.)

Very little....not enough to affect sleep....forunately....:) and I'm glad you brought this up because oftentimes people will drink gingerale for upset stomachs when they're sick in bed......and then go off to sleep....so if it keeps one awake, not a good thing.

Coke and coffee, however, have caffeine in their caffeine free versions because the caffeine was there in the first place.....in other words, caffeine free coke and decaf coffee are literally "de-caffinated"...in their preparation process. The caffeine was already there. And not all comes out.....