Anonymous wrote:Trazadone and Xanax create dependencies, make no mistake. OP, great to know you're getting sleep and recognizing you're in a anxiety cycle. Calming yourself is critical and may take time to "reroute" your brain and totally worth it. GL.

Trazadone is not a controlled substance. The newer sleep medications and benzodiazepines are controlled.

I have bouts of insomnia that last a month or two, even with better sleep habits and therapy. The controlled substances are safer than being a zombie from not sleeping, at least for me. They are good for short- term insomnia that doesn't respond to milder drugs, IMO.

I don't think trazodone is addictive.

Therapy!!! OP please try it. Focused CBT for insomnia. I am also a life long insomniac and it worked So much better than ambien, Benadryl, or anything else. It is more than "sleep hygiene." You should give it a shot before you resort to Xanax, which can have side effects and is addictive.

Trazadone and Xanax create dependencies, make no mistake. OP, great to know you're getting sleep and recognizing you're in a anxiety cycle. Calming yourself is critical and may take time to "reroute" your brain and totally worth it. GL.

Mild insomnia: melatonin, exercise

Moderate insomnia: Ambien or Flexeril

Severe insomnia: Xanax, lots of strenuous exercise

I am dependent on .5 mg of Xanax extended release and honestly I've never felt better. I am, for the first time, well rested and functioning well. I know it is not ideal but so much better than not sleeping. That was the doctor's take as well.

Thanks all. Got some sleep last night so feeling a little less anxious.

I do think a good part of my insomnia is related to hormones, but then I spin myself up and what would have been 3-4 days of bad sleep becomes 8 or 9.

I do try the Xanax and it seems to work, but then I worry about becoming dependent, so that opens more anxiety where I won't take it, and rinse and repeat.

I am going to re-read through all these suggestions and take them with me to the doc next week.

I do like the idea of herbal valerian, but I find any relaxation it offers offset by having to pee after taking it. A lot!

Have you tried accupuncture?

OP, I feel your pain. No anxiety but insomnia runs in the family. I used to be an Ambien every night type of person, for years. Then I went to Trazadone and got nothing. I have had some better luck with Valium but I finally decided to do an entire reset on my system. I went old school and did some Benadryl then maintain with melatonin. It has been much better but I worry about going back to the need of prescription drugs. I have done sleep studies, hormonal studies, etc. it really is genetic in my case. I am happy at 3 a.m. and know it only takes about 4 hrs of sleep for me to be functional.

Now annoyingly I will tell you to cut out all alcohol and workout more. Sorry about that.

If you believe in crystals for healing I'd try black tourmaline. You can order it off amazon.

Flame away.

Anxiety disorder and insomnia runs in my family.

Ambien works well -- I have been using it for about 5 years and usually can go months without needing a pill. Just knowing I have it is usually enough to resolve the anxiety and allow me to sleep. There have been times, though, when I've needed it most nights for a week or two. I don't stress about that, I just figure it's hormonal (as your doctor does).

Also, make sure your breathing is good. Breathe right strips if not. Restricted breathing and congestion cause anxiety and insomnia in some people.

Interestingly, the biggest epiphany I had regarding my insomnia was having a baby -- when babies get overtired it's HARDER for them to sleep. Well, adults (turns out) are the same way. If I stay up much past 11pm, it means I will probably spike a lot of adrenaline and have trouble sleeping. Yep, tonight is one of those nights. But just realizing this has made me pay more attention to when I'm actually feeling tired instead of staying up later (even if it's to get things done). I know it sounds simplistic, but it really is key.

OP - I am 48 y.o., and could have written your exact post. Like the other posters I also tried Trazadone. It does work - and doctors don't mind prescribing it because it is not addictive, and really does make me tired. My problem isn't falling asleep, but every night at 4 I am awake.

Trazadone doesn't always work - but I also LOVE xanax. My PCP prescribed it for me - because I wake up anxious, and the xanax totally calms me down and I can then get back to sleep. I have pills that are .5 mg, but I break them in 1/2.

Good Luck.

Magnesium has helped somewhat and it also helps my chronic constipation.
Trazadone didn't do anything for me.
I have Ambien CR for occasional use and take it maybe 3 or 4 times/month.

OP,

I empathize b/c I've struggled with insomnia since I was a kid.

I haven't tried melatonin, but have take pills with Valerin in them. They are kind of stinky so I used to store them in the freezer. They are an OTC supplement.

I also like this tea: http://www.yogiproducts.com/products/details/bedtime-tea/
You can find it at just about any grocery store these days.

Anonymous wrote:Magnesium worked miracles for me.

Not OP, but do you take this at night?