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blackersheep, I had problems getting to sleep and also getting back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night. You say you can't take antihistamines like benadryl, but have you tried Unisom with ingredient Doxylamine? If not, you should try it. It's not an antihistamine..... it's an over the counter sleep aid that works pretty good. I now am prescribed Lorazepam and Amitriptyline for sleep/anxiety/mild depression and it's working great for me. The benzos (Lorazepam) are extremely hard to get prescribed to you. My doctor had me try many other sleep meds, like Trazodone, Ambien, Lunesta, etc...and none of them worked. Maybe I should have tried a higher dose of Lunesta, but doctors don't like to prescribe a high dose of a sleep med. So finally he said he was going to have me stop taking the anxiety med I was taking 2-3 times a week, (valium) and have me try 1 medication that I would take daily for my anxiety and sleep issues. That sounded good to me. That medication is Lorazepam. I was already prescribed a benzo (diazepam--valium) so maybe that's why he was willing to prescribe me a benzo. Frankly, I think he really wanted to find a solution for me too. Thank god. You have a severe long-term issue with insomnia... so why isn't your doctor continuing to try and find the medication that works for you?? The medication that is hands down the best sleep medication is Flurazepam--30mg. If you can get your hands on it, I believe it would work for you. They stopped manufacturing it in 2022, but I've heard it may be back on the market. Ask your doctor about it. And keep pestering your doctor for a solution to your insomnia. Do not give up, and be persistent with your doctor. Sleep is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for a person's overall health. When you get good sleep, everything else is better. (whatever issues you may have) My fibromyalgia, my mild depression, my anxiety, all were better when I got a good night's sleep! Please go back to your doctor and insist on finding the sleep med that works for you. If you have any other questions for me, feel free to ask. Good luck to you!
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Cindisue, I am glad to have a another who can appreciate the challenges insomnia present. They take their sleep for granted. I am sorry for suffering. I know this is hell for you, too.
I have not tried Unison yet and will try it.
My Dr has tried many different meds. I have a cabinet full of his failures.
You are lucky to have gotten the hypnotics (sleeping pills) and benzos. I dream of those, or I would if I could sleep. I think he resists because I am bi polar and is afraid I might and try to commit suicide. I'm not at suicidal, never have been.
I'm on ability and lamotrigine for that and they don't help my sleep. Incidentally, when I am manic I have revved up everything, so ultimate exhaustion is a hint I'm coming down. The last time I had hypnotic drugs was when the emergency room gave me some. I had exhausted myself to the point I was having panic attacks, etc.
I recently was prescribed tizanidine, an antispastic drug by my pain doctor. It is indicated for MS and spinal cord injuries (I don't have those problems). I got it for the nerve pain and muscle pain due to a very messed up back. Pain is another sleep killer.
Tizanidine works for sleep for me. Two of those do it. For now I'll use those till I can't get them.
I have to be careful, as alcohol is another of my issues. It doesn't do well with many meds. It is self medication and not recommended for anyone. It helps calm the occasional mania and with sleep to a point. Always have an excuse, I say. Another reason I can't get the good pills, most likely. If could sleep maybe I could stay quit. Four months sober until last couple months of insomnia...... Another excuse, I know.
I have rambled on enough for now. I didn't I had that many problems until read back through my list. Unfortunately I got me some more problems, too.
Again, I will give the Unisom a try. Thanks for being willing to share your story. It helps to know I'm not alone, yet makes sad to know someone else is in this kind of pain too. I am literally in tears. Don't tell anyone, tough guy thing.