Dad cant sleep while on stroke medicine Atenolol... what can we do?
145507
I assume that you father is on Atenolol for hypertension as you said it was a stroke medication and hypertension can lead to strokes. If this is the case then I would assume that he is or was taking a diuretic such as HCTZ but that the diuretic did not control the hypertension well enough by itself. A Beta-blocker, which Atenolol is, is often added to therapy when a diuretic alone can not control the hypertension.\nBefore you try anything you might want to consider the possibility that it is not Atenolol that is causing the insomnea. Sleeplessness in not listed as a side effect of Atenolol and in fact some people have reported fatigue and drowsiness. There have been some reports of people having nightmares on beta-blocker therapy.\nAtenolol does not pass the blood-brain barrier very well and so causes few neurological side effects as compaired to other Beta-blockers such as Propanolol which pass the blood-brain barrier more easily.\nHowever if you are sure that the Atenolol is the problem then perhaps switching to an ACE (angiotensin coverting enzyme) inhibitor (such as Vasotec) or an ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker)( such as Diovan) to control hypertension may be helpful. \nIn any case you should talk to a doctor as sleeplessness is associated with many health problem including guess what.....hypertension.\nGood Luck
77436
From Dr. Andrew Weil:\nThe two best natural sleep aids are valerian and melatonin. Valerian is a sedative herb, used for centuries. You can find standardized extracts in health food stores and pharmacies. Take one to two capsules a half hour before bedtime. \nMelatonin is a hormone that regulates the wake/sleep cycle and other daily biorhythms. Try sublingual tablets (to be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve); take 2.5 milligrams at bedtime as an occasional dose, making sure that your bedroom is completely dark. New evidence suggests that a much lower dose, 0.25 to 0.3 milligrams, is more effective for regular use. \n\nAlso, he recommends a lot of lifestyle suggestions:\nEstablish a consistent bedtime routine. This is one of the most important factors in maintaining good sleeping habits. Routines may include taking a warm bath or a relaxing walk in the evening, or practicing meditation/relaxation exercises as part of your regular nighttime routine. \n\nTry to go to bed at the same time every night, and get up at the same time each morning. This includes weekends. \n\nGet plenty of exercise during the day. Studies have shown that people who are physically active sleep better than those who are sedentary. The more energy you expend during the day, the sleepier you will feel at bedtime. Just be sure not to engage in vigorous exercise too close to bedtime as that can make it more difficult to fall asleep. \n\nReduce your intake of caffeine, particularly in the evening. \n\nAvoid stimulants like caffeine and limit alcohol. \nBoth, even when consumed early in the day, can affect sleep. \n\nUse your bed only for sleeping and sex. Don’t use it to do work or watch TV. \n\nAvoid large meals late in the evening. \n\nIf you can’t fall asleep within half an hour of going to bed, get up and read or do something calming until you feel sleepy. \n\nLearn and use a relaxation technique regularly. Breathing exercises, meditation and yoga are good examples. \nUse “white noise” devices to block out surrounding environmental noise. \n\nTake a hot bath before bedtime. Try a few drops of relaxing oil of lavender in the water.\n \nShort naps are good. Try to get into the habit of napping: ten to twenty minutes in the afternoon, preferably lying down in a darkened room. \n\nSpend some time outdoors as often as you can to get exposure to bright, natural light. If you are concerned about harmful effects of solar radiation, do it before ten in the morning or after three in the afternoon or use sunscreen. \n\nTry to give yourself some time - up to an hour - in dim light before you go to sleep at night. Lower the lighting in your house and bedroom and if other members of the household object, wear sunglasses. \n\nDon’t obsess about not sleeping. Not surprisingly, studies have shown that individuals who worry about falling asleep have greater trouble dropping off. It may help to remind yourself that while sleeplessness is troublesome, it isn’t life-threatening. \n\nHope that this helps!
422684
Your iron may be low.  I take Zoloft also and the Zoloft may add to the tiredness cause it causes drowsiness.  If you're young you just might be changing in your body, but I am anemic and always tired and thirsty.  So I take a women's vitamin.  Stay away from so much sugar and pasta (that breaks down as sugar).  Sugar can drop your energy also.  I pray you're not diabetic, my mother is so I know how you feel with your father.  Take care of yourself and get ample rest.  Your concentration might also be from anxiety.  I am bipolar so I have to take an antidepressant (Zoloft) and a medicine for anxiety, jitters, and loss of concentration (Seroquel).  I am a better person, more relaxed and calm, but I sleep a lot.  Hope this helped!
691308
my uncle has sleep apnia, (however you spell it) and just so you know, he has been to iraq and back and is doing just fine, it shouldnt hold you back from going, but it is always a possibility.... hopefully all goes well and you will be able to go though.
206430
My child is three, and autistic, and has sleep issues, too. I use products from Melaleuca, the one that helps him has chamomile, so you could try that. You can buy chamomile tea at any store. If he doesn't like the taste of it, make it up then mix it with juice, or whatever you give him to drink. Just don't let him see you do it. What I use helps him sleep, but doesn't knock him out, I even give it to him during the day to help calm his tantruming.
901415
I send my sympathy to your father passing away. I would try other options before going on medication. Medication should be used after you have exhausted all other options. You may be having problems with self esteem after gaining weight. You also may be having problem with panic because of a loss of security- your father. You should try therapy first for the panic attacks. Write a log..find out when they occur..what is triggering it. Why do you feel you cant leave the house- fear of people..depression? I understand your confusion. Start first by going to the gym...It will increase the endorphins in your body and make you feel good. Drink Camimile tea to relax you before you go to bed. Are you getting adequate sleep? \nYou should learn relaxation techniques to use if you have a panic attack episode. Deep breathing, progressive relaxation, relaxation tapes. You are afraid to start the job because you feel that you are going to fail. Start walking around your block every day to get over the fear of getting out of your house. Go out start the job. Get back on the horse. It will make you feel better to get out of the house. You should also start going to (church, temple..whatever your beliefs are) What ever you do get out of the house as much as you can.
954549
Some drugs claim to slow the progess of the disease but this has rarely been the case in my experiences with this disease. The best is to look for a local support group. Herbally, things like Ginkgo Biloba are found to improve blood flow to the brain. I  believe in alternative therapies as there is little else that can help. If caught early enough, the results can be very pleasing. I am a homoeopath but my mother refused treatment when she was lucid enough to decide. It's not ethical to give it with refusal. Funnily enough now, she has agreed to go to a colleague of mine so I'm hoping for some improvements but I feel it's too late realistically now.
139560
I have had major sleep problems and here are some things that have helped me.  Mind racing at night is a sign of serotonin deficiency.  Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that makes us feel good and relaxed.  \n\nSerotonin is made from tryptophan, an amino acid component of protein.  There's a lot of tryptophan in turkey, which is why we do get sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner.  There's some in milk.  The trick is that tryptophan has to compete with other amino acids to cross what's called the "blood-brain barrier."  Other amino acids make other brain chemicals that make us feel alert and on edge (like epinephrine - similar to adrenalin).  \n\nSo, bottom line is, try eating more turkey.  Or have some milk with high carbs that increase your insulin and let tryptophan win the race to the blood-brain barrier and make serotonin.  Carbs can be things like a piece of fruit, or some bread.  My favorite is a "milk shake" with fruit.\n\nOther hints - keep the room dark.  Try to establish a routine for going to bed, to train your mind that it's getting time to get ready for sleep (like training Pavlov's dog).  A simple routine like - brush your teeth, get dressed for bed, write a few minutes in a journal, just long enough so your brain has time to adjust to the sleep that's coming.\n\nGood luck to you.
941944
You aren't saying what type of medications you're taking. The stronger the pain medication, seems the more side effects like sleepiness go with it. Can you take Ibuprofen? \nI'm 40 and it sounds to me like you've done quite a bit in your life and you want to continue to do so, especially because that's what your children want? Children, bless their hearts, usually want what the parent wants, for their parents to be happy. =)\nAre there things you can do that aren't physically challenging? Maybe sell stuff on Ebay?\nIt's hard to give advice on something I have little feedback on. I hope you find the answers you're looking for.
148354
sweet echinacea, vitamin C pills, any homeopathic sore throat sprays, NyQuil, and force him to drink water no matter how bad it hurts. I got over my mono this week. I only missed 4 days of work. I got it Sunday 19th and and now I just have a minor sore throat. I also cannot stop yawning, don't know if that has anything to do though. Also make sure he tries to get better. Letting him rest doesn't mean let him sleep all day. Let him get up, watch a movie, walk around the house, do stuff he would normally do with free time. I think that helped me.
1079907
I'm also studying for the bar.  He needs to put down th books two hours before bed time (a planned time).  Do some light physical activity (little yoga--foolling around maybe a short walk, etc).  Dim the lights about an hour before bed.  Slow the body down and the mind will follow.  I find a hot shower and milk (i know it sound cliche but it works) helpful for a solid night's sleep.  Sleep in a well ventalated room.  No light or noise.  Let the body drift off.  The mind will become quiet.  If that doesn't work--put him on the counch with some tequila and just go to bed.
521944
I think I answered your other question to the same effect !\nNUX VOMICA 30 before bedtime will make you sleep peacefully and will remove all complications pertaining to your use of other harsh medicines and with drawl symptoms !\nEmail me if you need any further help !\nTake Care and God Bless you !
409872
Not me, but my dad had a mild stroke over 10 years ago and he was telling us about how he had this "dream' that his ma and pa who have been dead for years told him to was too soon to come with them. Talk about freaky!! He is doing sooo well now a days!
989479
Unfortunately, the human body cannot adjust to sleep deprivation; it has only a limited capacity to absorb lack of rest, too.  It never totally adapts to either, frankly.\n\nThe fact that she has used antidepressants abusively is very much an issue to be worried about, however; on the whole, you have to work very hard to hurt yourself with the more modern antidepressants, but it's altogether possible to do so.  Much depends on the precise compound being used for her depression, but many of them will cause tiredness as a side effect.  You might get the name and do a quick search on the 'net on it.  (pdr.net might be available to you; worth a try if it is)\n\nOffhand, I'd say there's a whole lot more going on here than you see--and perhaps more than the individual prescribing the antidepressants is aware of, too.  I realize that you feel your Mom is the one with the problem--you may well be right, too--but if I were in your shoes, I'd seek counseling.  You've got personal stresses generated by having to cope with this; those will take their toll on you, over time, if you don't get some assistance.  If you're still in pre-collegiate school, find a counselor to talk to; no matter what level of training you're in, maybe your clergy of choice would be a reasonable place to turn; or a professional counselor.\n\nYou can't solve your mom's problem; that's a guarantee.  She has to face it and solve it herself, though you can help her in that process.  All you can do is the best you can to keep her problems from damaging you.\n\nHope I've made sense...
905085
My son was diagnosed with sleep apnea, being the worst one they had ever seen.  He is 20. He actually stopped breathing about 45 times in a minute.  Very serious.  The Cpap machine is supposed to help but it has to be set with the correct setting as it won't help unless it is.  Are you on oxygen during the day?  That is a key supplement if you are really bad.  Also, if you take any over the counter meds to sleep that is especially bad.  Pain medication is also bad in your case.  Email me at djvanduyne@mchsi.com and we can discuss things a little more.
443681
The world moves fast. I don't sleep myself. Try reading. Worse case there is always sleep meds. Sexxx also can work...
759116
heart attack during sleep\nsupposedly