Hello...I am a little stressed in life right now...I am only sleeping @ 4 hours at night and that is just not like me. I was wondering if it's ok to take a OTC sleep aid a couple of nights? I need to do something I am so excusted I can't do much at all. I just want to be careful with my band and not hurt it...it's the one thing in my life I can depend on.

OMG, I am the worst insomniac! I have luck when I take some Benadryl, it is an allergy med but the side effect is drowsiness. It is also the ingredient in Tlyenol PM, and I know that both are okay with the band. (I get childrens tylenol liquid). There is no reason not to help yourself get a good nights sleep.

I have had insomnia all my life. Benadryl (which is diphenhydramine, the same ingredient in Unisom) does put me out, but the hangover is AWFUL.

For years I swore by valerian root, but since being banded I can't take the capsules at night. So I switched to melatonin and LOVE it. Trader Joe's has a chewable melatonin that works to relax me gently, closes my eyes after about 20 minutes of reading, and I'm out for the night. And there is absolutely no hangover effect, even I have to wake up in the middle of the night.

Seriously, melatonin is what you want. It's a generic product available at any store with a large selection of natural Vitamins and supplements.

I second the vote on Melantonin! Goooood stuff! Alex, I'll have to look for the chewable kind! I take a small capsule. I loooove it. It sometimes give me odd vivid dreams, but they are kind of fun.

Thanks...I will have to go and look for it.

i take the new liquid Tylenol PM in the Very Vanilla flavor - I hate all liquid cough syrups but this one is the most tolerable.