Hard core Insomniac, I am out of treatment ideas....

[livia1881]

I am out of ideas! I have had insomnia ever since I was in grade school. In 2nd grade I used to sleep during the day at my desk because I didn't sleep at night. I quit school when I was 16, it just wasn't working out. I started taking hypnotics in 2008. I think that my insomnia is worse than it has ever been. It affects my life, I fall asleep in the morning hours and sleep well into the afternoon. I currently take 200-300 mg trazodone, 1.5-2 mg clonazepam, and 10-20 mg zolpidem. What else is there for insomnia? I was on 100mg seroquel for insomnia. I hate the way it makes me feel; but it does work. I am now going back and forth with the pharmacy that dispenses the seroquel; I get mine through the AZandMe free meds program. Of four prescriptions that my doctor has written, the pharmacy has yet to fill even one. The last time I had my seroquel was filled was September of last year. In the past I have taken melatonin, Zanaflex, valerian, 5-HTP, GABA, Phenibut, Soma, triazolam, Benadryl. I think that the zanaflex was the most helpful. If I could choose I'd pick the zanaflex but my doc will not rx non-psych meds.

I see my psychiatrist in two months, what are some alternatives that I can discuss with my doc? Has anyone ever had a doc. say it is ok to take 20mg zolpidem? I have been on this drug for the shortest amount of time (2 months, going on 3) but I feel that tolerance is already an issue with ambien, but apart from another benzo or non-beno z-drug what else is there? If 10mg zolpidem won't put me out would it be of any use to try ambien CR? 6.25 mg. is not going to put me out...that's is for sure.

[kooky1776]

I agree with allmymarbles - get a good endochrinologist and a comprehensive hormone profile done to start. Hormonal issues are common. You can also test for type 2 hypothyroidism as that is very common.

[allmymarbles]

You are treating symptoms, not causes. What is causing you not to sleep? For me it was lack of iodine.

I was an insomniac for 30 years. It got so bad that I was losing short-term memory and was in a zombie-like state. Then I developed a craving for clams and a light bulb went on in my head. IODINE. So I started to take iodine and started to sleep.

You have to find out why you are not sleeping. Don't listen to anyone who says it is psychological. That is lazy medical practice. If they don't know what is causing your insomnia, they say it is all in your head. Have your whole endocrine system checked. Something is physically wrong.

[livia1881]

Oh and to add...even on all my current meds I still only average about 5 hours of sleep each night.