Cough mixture

Alcohol helps you sleep initially but if you drink large amounts over a long period of time, it will stop you sleeping. It's not really an answer to sleep problems.

have you ever tried using valarian, i used large amounts of it when i was coming off tramadol- it helped-stick to the recomended dose though, otherwise you will feel really sluggish the next day- it's non addictive- and natural-

I would not recommend mixing over-the-counter medicines and alcohol to aid sleep. Insomnia is a symptom of an underlying problem: for me it was drinking heavily and anxiety. But there are many other causes eg work stress, diet, depression and so forth.

Have you tried herbal sleep remedies? Or learning relaxation technics to practice before bed? Perhaps look at your sleeping habits and see if you can change them to help you sleep better eg no stimulants a few hours before bed etc.

If it continues in the long term and is affecting your health you must go back to your GP and seek their advice. Sleeping tablets should be a last resort but there may be other ways they can help you?

Good luck

You are wrong, this might lead to complications

I've not done it, using cough mixture and alcohol. When my kids were young, I worked nights at my local hospital 8pm to 8am. I'd take them to school, go to uni as a mature student, collect kids from school, cook tea then back to work at 8pm. I worked 5 nights on and 2 off. Did this for 18 months, then started having a glass of wine which soon became 2, then 3 until I was drinking a bottle of wine most days. Got my degree and stopped drinking on my own and shared a couple of bottles over the weekend. I've suffered insomnia since I stopped working nights. GP eventually agreed NITRAZAPAM  was the lesser of 2 evils. I've been on Trazodone for the last 5 years to help with anxiety but not depression.

have tried all sorts of natural remedies, none of which have helped. Acupuncture is my friend, it worked before, so hope it still does.

to see a counsellor and get acupuncture, I have to go to the drop in centre for substance abuse. I've got an assessment tomorrow there. GP said to go to substance abuse would be far quicker (no waiting list) than referring me somewhere else for anxiety plus I can have acupuncture 3 times a week. If he referred me just for anxiety elsewhere which is my main problem, there's a six month waiting list.

i asked my GP about valerian and he advised not to take it with prescribed meds. Same thing with St Johns Wort.

Will report back as to how I got on.