Im having sleep problems. Any issues with taking Magnesium every night?

[advancebooking]

For ages now I keep waking up 1am or 2 am or 3am in the morning. Hot and sweating. Actually I have Cardiomyopathy heart disease but dont understand why it keeps happening. 

 

I have an old aircon unit and thinking of getting a new one. Dont know if thats the issue. Im setting it at 25 cool every night. Does anyone have an air humidifier in your room. If so what brand do you recommend?

 

Recently been taking Magnesium Glycinate 200mg around 7pm. Seems to help when I first started taking it and now I keep waking up. Any issues with upping the dose and taking it every night?

 

A sleep expert on Diary of a CEO youtube channel suggested against taking Melatonin pills. 💊  He gave a stern warning against taking that hormone. 

 

Ive tried a few antihistamines but find I get angry and lethagic as a side effect everytime. 

 

Any suggestions are appreciated

[sirineou]

I have some sleep issues and started a thread a few days ago. I got a lot of good advice and things to consider.

You might want to take a look at it 

 

[retarius]

Personally if I had cardiomyopathy I'd see a doctor before taking any supplement. I have never heard of Magnesium being taken as a sleep aid. My doctor here said magnesium doesn't work against night cramps. 

 

I take magnesium every night and have for the last few months, but I take it to prevent night cramps. I asked my doctor about magnesium for night cramps and she said it doesn't work. She recommended CoQ10 in stead. I was having good results with magnesium and so I kept on taking it and added CoQ10.

 

I am have been prone to night cramps for several years and used to have a magical prescription for quinine sulphate, from my UK doctor for it but it is not available in Thailand, I was told because it causes arrhythmias.

 

 

In any event, supplements don't generally come with much in the way of clinical studies for us to examine and pour over. I have had no night cramps since I started on the magnesium/CoQ10 regimen and so I will continue taking them until I keel over and die or they stop working. 

 

While you are at your doctor asking about the magnesium, why not ask for some sleeping pills as well. Most private hospitals will dole them out.

[mstevens]

Magnesium can help to make you feel relaxed. It's also a useful supplement to take as many of us are deficient in it.

 

From all that I have read, the impression I get is that magnesium is often a part of sleep supplement formulas - but often just one of several other ingredients. Whether magnesium alone is enough to help you sleep, I am not sure. But certainly, 200 mg of Magnesium Glycinate should not hurt!

 

How is your liver health? TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) says waking up at 1 AM  - 3 AM can be a sign of a congested / overworked liver. Of course, this might have nothing to do with why you're waking at that time, but it's something to consider.

[ChaiyaTH]

Melatonin works great, it is just not recommended as a long-term solution, however usually when you break the current negative trend, it stays ok once you stop after a while. But I would recommend to just eat some edibles, weed, you will sleep like a rock. You will thank me when you wake up rested.

Edited February 29 by ChaiyaTH

[Ralf001]

5mg of Xanax with half a dozen strong JD and cokes has cured my insomnia.

[farangbuffalo]

Well the RDA is 400mg so there is no issue with supplementing 200mg per day. RDA is generally considered the minimum to prevent deficiency and the optimal amount is likely more so I'd probably try taking more than 200mg to see if you get any benefit. From what I've heard about Melatonin, it's something to use occasionally like after flying to a new time zone but you don't want to use it every night. An alternative to melatonin could be to try supplementing tryptophan (amino acid) before bed which your body converts to serotonin and then to melatonin

[SAFETY FIRST]

2 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

5mg of Xanax with half a dozen strong JD and cokes has cured my insomnia.

I only take my Xanax with Bundaberg Rum. 😂

 

 

[SAFETY FIRST]

7 hours ago, advancebooking said:

Im having sleep problems. 

I keep waking up 1am or 2 am

If you are drinking alcohol, try giving up for a few days.

 

[scubascuba3]

Change in temperature will wake you up during the night. I've just installed a new TCL AC, not expensive and good, buy from Lazada. Xiaomi humidifiers are good, i used a couple years ago, don't need it lately 

[Sheryl]

1. In the current climate 25 C may just not be enough (especially if machine is old/not working well). I'm needing much lower setting lately.

 

2. Having a/c on should already be reducing humidity.

 

3. No reason not to try melatonin. You can find someone online saying just about anything.

 

4. Do you have an indoor thermometer so that you can check the functioning of your a/c? Is the filter clean? Has it been serviced recently?

 

5. Magnesium supplementation guidelines are maximum dose 400 mg for adult males. So yes, you can double the dose though I doubt it will help.

 

6. Have you had your testosterone level checked recently? Hot flashes can be a sign of low T.

 

Lastly, a check-up with your cardiologist would be wise, just in case this is secondary to changes in cardiac output or an arrythmia. If heart and testosterone check out OK, might consider a sleep study to rule out sleep apnea.

 

 

[Thingamabob]

I wonder how much sleep you actually need. Although we are constantly told 8 hours is a necessity, many of us get by on far less. In my own case, at 82 years old and in good health, I have never slept more than 3-4 hours per night since early childhood.

[newbee2022]

Can do. Muscles and stress relaxing. Try.

[SportRider]

The trick is to break the cycle, and find your nightly routine that lets you get enough quality sleep without medication as a long term solution.

 

Melatonin and magnesium pills don't really do anything for me.

 

What does work is Stilnox.  You can buy a strip of 10mg over the counter in Thailand.

 

10mg gives 8 hrs sleep (ish).  Half a tablet ie 5mg is perfect for a solid 4hrs.

 

Just keeping it by my bed, not taking it, helps me sleep better because if I wake at 2pm and dont fall asleep again naturally I have a plan B.  Just knowing it's there helps me relax!

 

It's 'clean' ie no drowsiness in the morning.

 

It really works. Avoid alcohol.  

 

Known as Ambien in USA.

 

 

 

 

[Danny Australia]

Try (intermittent fasting). It's a game changer. Has so many real benefits including improvement of the quality of sleep.

 

In your particular case with heart disease, a medical advice would be wise before trying this proven method.

 

[Lacessit]

Magnesium is recommended for night cramps. I take one tablet a week, 600 mg.

 

Quinine works by dampening the flood of nerve messages to muscle, which is the cause of cramping. I used to have to resort to it quite a lot, thanks to getting badly dehydrated when I was holidaying on a sheep station.

 

I have not needed quinine for 5 or 6 years. I found having a 1-hour Thai massage ( the legit kind ) 3 times a week eliminated any requirement for pharmaceutical intervention.

[Olmate]

18 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I used to have to resort to it quite a lot, thanks to getting badly dehydrated when I was holidaying on a sheep station.

.

Was 'Barbara' the cause of the dehydration! 😄

Edited March 1 by Olmate

[Sheryl]

49 minutes ago, SportRider said:

The trick is to break the cycle, and find your nightly routine that lets you get enough quality sleep without medication as a long term solution.

 

Melatonin and magnesium pills don't really do anything for me.

 

What does work is Stilnox.  You can buy a strip of 10mg over the counter in Thailand.

 

10mg gives 8 hrs sleep (ish).  Half a tablet ie 5mg is perfect for a solid 4hrs.

 

Just keeping it by my bed, not taking it, helps me sleep better because if I wake at 2pm and dont fall asleep again naturally I have a plan B.  Just knowing it's there helps me relax!

 

It's 'clean' ie no drowsiness in the morning.

 

It really works. Avoid alcohol.  

 

Known as Ambien in USA.

 

 

 

 

I don't know where you got this OTC but this was always  a restricted drug in Thailand. 

 

It is now off market in Thailand, though some hospitals may still have leftover stock. Dies not work gor everyone.

 

[Lacessit]

1 minute ago, Olmate said:

Was 'Barbara' the cause ofthe dehydration! 😄

Marked 500 lambs in 40 C heat, and one of the sheepdogs peed all over the only large water container we had. Useless bloody animal.

 

You have an evil mind.

[Sofaking]

54 minutes ago, SportRider said:

The trick is to break the cycle, and find your nightly routine that lets you get enough quality sleep without medication as a long term solution.

 

Melatonin and magnesium pills don't really do anything for me.

 

What does work is Stilnox.  You can buy a strip of 10mg over the counter in Thailand.

 

10mg gives 8 hrs sleep (ish).  Half a tablet ie 5mg is perfect for a solid 4hrs.

 

Just keeping it by my bed, not taking it, helps me sleep better because if I wake at 2pm and dont fall asleep again naturally I have a plan B.  Just knowing it's there helps me relax!

 

It's 'clean' ie no drowsiness in the morning.

 

It really works. Avoid alcohol.  

 

Known as Ambien in USA.

 

 

 

 

Where are you getting Ambien over the counter? I've asked at few places and been told "no have, need to go to the hospitial".

[Tazmo]

A very complex matter, is insomnia.

There may be a wide range of underlying issues, eg depression ( you won’t necessarily have the classical signs of a depression, but it occurs with some of us as we age and many around our age are dying).

Alcohol abuse or withdrawal is also known to contribute.

But different things work for different people, we don’t have a genetic medical map, and we inherit many conditions apart from the color of your eyes or hair! 
For centuries people have used various substances like cannabis etc

On the other hand some people thrive with only a few hours sleep, while others are affected psychologically.

Gurus in India have little sleep, they start meditating from 3am. Some even reckon that you sleep enough when you’re dead, so why spend half your life sleeping! Haha 

 

unfortunately there isn’t a Specialist who would conduct a thorough assessment, a Holistic approach. A Psychiatrist would often prescribe hypnotics ( sleeping pills) and some end up overdosing on them. I have actually witnessed this with GPs in the UK.

Like Doctors here they will only treat the symptom you present to them!

 

These are my own personal views and observations made from working in the Health Care profession for 49 years.

 

I  myself have tried most remedies: hemp tea; cannabis oil ; melatonin. But now settled on trazadone 50mg ( it’s an antidepressant in larger does) along with Lorazepam 1mg. I 

 was resistive to taking any medication for most of my life! Only as required. 

Now I  find I get 7 hours for the past 9 months now, and no napping during the day.

Less irritability and anger with the Missus!

 

[pacovl46]

How many people warn against melatonin and how many do not? 

 

I was recently in a pharmacy in Germany. In front of me was an old woman who asked for melatonin. When he asked her which one she wants because it comes in different concentrations and he didnt have the exact one she wanted in stock, they got into a bit of a discussion in which she mentioned that she has sleeping troubles and since she's been taking the one she asked for she can sleep. 

 

I would do some more research in melatonin in terms of recommended dosage and give it a try. 

 

Having said that, it's a myth that one should sleep for 8 hours straight without waking up. Mist people wake up at least once and that's perfectly normal. I wake up at least once, too  to "drain the sea monster!" 

 

What I also find is, if I'm online all day my brain has no time to think about stuff and as soon as I go to bed all these thoughts about God and the world go through my head, which makes it difficult to fall asleep. If I go offline an hour before I go to bed and read a book I don't have that problem for some reason.

 

I also think that 25 degrees is probably too hot for a westerner to sleep comfortably, since the ideal temperature apparently is 18 degrees Celsius. Maybe try lowering the temperature to around 21. 

 

If you live in a noisy area, like next to a road or where there's a pack of street dogs living nearby, I'd give ear plugs a try because if they start barking it'll will disturb your sleep as well. 

 

I started using earplugs 2 years ago and never looked back. I sleep better now. 

 

Then it's also possible that you might have sleep apnea because if you sleep on your back your tongue will relax and cover your airway and then you're literally asphixiating until you wake up and take a big breath. This can also lead to heart problems over time/exacerbate an existing one. 

Edited March 1 by pacovl46

[Olmate]

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

Marked 500 lambs in 40 C heat, and one of the sheepdogs peed all over the only large water container we had. Useless bloody animal.

 

You have an evil mind.

Dog was pissed off I reckon! 

[ChipButty]

What about cannabis oil? I've not taken any for a while as I sleep ok, but when I did slept like a baby and the wife too, 

[Jake72]

I doubt Magnesium is the solution and personally I've tried Melatonin gummies, but they just made me groggy and dizzy the next day. According to my smart watch I have the best sleep after a few beers, but your mileage might vary. 

[daveAustin]

The only tried and tested sleep aid I’ve found works wonders is a hard day’s work. 🙂

 

Diet (not eating too late) and hydration are obviously pretty important to get right first, as is exercise and a comfy bed. I also need my bedroom really dark and free of noise. 28-29 degrees works well for me, no fan on face or you can get really dry when catching flies. Anything too far below the above temp and I start to find it uncomfy, although sleep really well with cool temps back home. Using phone or watching movies right before bed also seems to lead to rubbishy nights’ sleep. 

I’ve tried it all in the past—magnesium, melatonin, antihistamines, sleeping pills, weed—all hit and miss. Amitriptyline (old gen antidepressant, also good for sleep) seem to work well on occasion, but can get some strange dreams… probably where alcohol is mixed in.

[Globalres]

Once I was given Ambien when I took a heart drug that gave me insomnia.  Well, well, after 2 months of using only 2,5-5mg of Ambien, when I tried to quit I got rebound insomnia which is worse than the original insomnia I got the pills from the doc in the first place. Doc was happy to continue prescribing, but I wanted to quit.  Took me 3 months to wean off, most awful time I have ever had as regards sleeping.  I now still have problems falling asleep, not every day but around 3 times per week. I am 75 yrs old and have NEVER had sleeping issues in my life before this damned heart medication that I was able to quit after 6 weeks, but that was enough to get me hooked on Ambien.

i purchased a homeopathic sleeping pill which you melt under your tongue.  For me it works very well and it’s not habit forming. It’s called “SleepCalm” by a French company called Boiron.  You can also try Valerian root, GABA pills.  Melatonin 2mg did nothing for me.

Extra Magnesium did not help either even though Magnesium Glycinate or Magnesium Acetyl Taurinate is touted to do so.  Guess we are all different so have to find our own way.

BUT I will NEVER again use a prescription sleeping aid again, it’s pure poison especially when you try to quit.  Any prescription “Z” sleep drug is habit forming - stay away. (Ambien=Zolpidem).  

[jts-khorat]

17 hours ago, mstevens said:

Magnesium can help to make you feel relaxed. It's also a useful supplement to take as many of us are deficient in it.

 

Interestingly, a lot of fruit easily available in Thailand are very high in magnesium: bananas, durian, fried plantains, jackfruit, guavas, etc.

 

I have seen recommendations to have a smoothie in the evening, maybe half an hour before bed time (if you have no issues with sugar).

 

A good time to also put in all that nasty raw broccoli we all are supposed to consume in heaps as we age, for the Spermidine. I can report, the taste of a banana-broccoli smoothie is actually acceptable, if barely so.

[GuyL]

I cannot give advice on the use of medications or supplements, but to find or regain sleep, I recommend reading a book in paper format.

However, based on my experience and advice that I have read elsewhere, you should avoid looking at screens (televisions, computers, smartphones) in bed or just before going to bed... A little reading in classic paper format works really well for me.

Of course, other advice, especially from Sheryl, is sound, but it's worth it as well to try reading too.

[Lacessit]

17 minutes ago, GuyL said:

I cannot give advice on the use of medications or supplements, but to find or regain sleep, I recommend reading a book in paper format.

However, based on my experience and advice that I have read elsewhere, you should avoid looking at screens (televisions, computers, smartphones) in bed or just before going to bed... A little reading in classic paper format works really well for me.

Of course, other advice, especially from Sheryl, is sound, but it's worth it as well to try reading too.

Could you explain the difference between reading a book in paperback form, and reading the same book on a smartphone?