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@audriana

I don't want to be rude. I just want to comment on my experiences with Melatonin, chronic insomnia/anxiety connection, and communication. Considering that everyone is different, my sleep specialist told me how to take Melatonin:
• take it two hours before I expect to fall asleep
• it doesn't work "as needed"
• it has to be taken at least 6-8 weeks to take effect
• don't exceed 6mg/night

I appreciate doctors who are open to a variety of resources. Also, the sleep specialists told me that meds such as Belsomra, Lunesta, and Ambien are not effective for chronic insomnia...in a recent 2021 study, researchers indicated that the 3 main sleep meds help a person fall asleep 6 minutes earlier than the control group.
In my case, Belsomra did not keep me asleep--1.5 hours and then I was awake. On Ambien, I sleep-eat, sleep-drive, sleep-text, sleep-shop...you get the point. Lunesta was ineffective.

My psychiatrist referred me to a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and we're working on an individualized plan for me related to the chronic insomnia/anxiety connection.

Talk to your doctor. Recently, I had the guts to ask my primary physician to talk to my endocrinologist. That was a very effective intervention. And I asked my psychiatrist to talk to my Spravato provider/ Pharmacist & vice versa.
Communicate! What a great concept!

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Replies to "I don't want to be rude. I just want to comment on my experiences with Melatonin,..."

I've never been on any of those medications but I appreciate your response. I'm in constant contact with my Dr. No issues there. Just looking for people to share their experiences tapering from ativan.

Thanks for the great info!

Lots of good points, @audriana.
I did try a prescribed sleeping pill many years ago but I found that I didn't like the morning after feeling, I was sluggish.

I would also be concerned about the prescribed medications for insomnia. Are they not habit-forming and I thought you were only supposed to take them for a limited amount of time. I could be wrong on that, as I said my experience was so long ago that I am really not clear on it.

I have read that anything over 3mg of melatonin can cause disturbing nightmares. I have never taken more than that, plus I find that it does not get me through the night. It was suggested to me that when I wake up in the early morning hours I might want to take a second one to help me get through the rest of the night.
JK