I suffered with sleep issues for many years. I was on Flexeril for TMJ for almost 30 years and began relying on it for sleep. An oral surgeon wanted me off it and my pcp agreed. Tried trazadone but that affected my liver enzymes.
I was then diagnosed with ovarian cancer and my pcp suggested lorazepam in 2020 because I was a mess. Got through surgery and chemo and began relying on that for sleep. A very low dose of .5 mg. Started struggling again with sleep, (I’d take benedryl at 3am), saw a sleep medicine doctor who wanted to wean me off the lorazepam and saw a sleep therapist and tried cognitive behavior therapy. Helped a little but not enough. Lack of sleep was causing dizziness, depression. Started taking lorazepam again but not helpful. Finally saw a different therapist who suggested doxepin, trazadone or mirtazapine. I slowly weaned off lorazepam and began taking 7.5 mg of mirtazapine. It has been life changing for me. I finally feel like myself again,
In writing all this, I am not recommending any particular approach or medication. We are each different. I chose not to increase lorazepam but go with a different class of medication based on research I’ve done and talking with many professionals. Each of us is different so what works for me may not work for you. Best of wishes to all reading this. Insomnia is horrible.