Help communicating with doc

[DigitalScript]

BEFORE I MAKE THIS THREAD: I would like to clarify I am not making this to ask people how I can get drugs from my doc the easy way. (As it states in rules.)
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I have terrible insomnia. I don't sleep for days on end sometimes. My doctor has me on 50 mg trazadone every night, and sometimes I take 2 or 3 because that's what works; and it does make me sleep, but I get nightmares so I have obviously stopped taking it. On the other hand, I have self medicated with 2 kinds of benzos (Xanax, klonopin) and I slept amazing. (I did not use them for recreational use, I was so desperate to sleep I took what my friend gave me.) I feel as if one of these two drugs would be super beneficial to me catching up on my sleep, but I'm nervous to ask my doctor due to my history of abuse, I don't want him to think I'm a junkie. Besides that, do you guys know of any anti-anxiety/sleeping pills that my doctor would be more likely to prescribe that work well? I'm open to all suggestions so please throw them down below.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and thank you if you are going to give me advice.
Much love

 

[PriestTheyCalledHim]

I've had insomnia as well. Just be honest with your doctor about it, and how you have taken benzos before. Tell him or her what you posted here about having anxiety, nightmares, etc. it may be more than just insomnia.

Some people find zolpidem tartrate/Ambien, or other GABA drugs to be helpful for insomnia. They can be addictive for people; but are not as addictive as benzos are.

 

[DigitalScript]

I've had a history of abuse at with ambien, even though it has little to no recreational effect, I was young and naive and would take anything that would make me loopy/hallucinate

 

[thelung]

I take Trazodone. It is a great non-narcotic sleep med.

 

[F'Loki]

Be honest as everyone is saying (that usually starts with yourself, which is tough, but you can do it). It's really important you are brutally honest, don't hold back any feelings.

To be honest if it was the UK they would offer you therapy as the UK is shifting away from benzos and z-drugs and pills in general to cure insomnia and I personally think that is a good thing. Try anything and everything they throw at you therapy-wise: CBT, 1 to 1 counseling, psychotherapy, meditation. Give it all a really good go before resorting to drugs. Herbal medication is something you can also look into; It works just don't expect miracles from them. St. John's Wort, Skullcap are all pretty powerful especially if used in combinations and you can definitely feel an affect just don't expect them to knock you out like benzos, you have to make lifestyle changes along with them.

Just don't let it simmer and don't self-medicate. This is how I got myself into a hole with benzo addiction and then opiates and heroin - it's not a road you want to go down.

If you really need pills after trying all this, get an opinion and second opinion from a few doctors and sleep specialists and psychologists if possible - I do accept some people require them like those with deep rooted mental health problems. Everyone is different.

I know what it's like: I have had serious suicidal thoughts my insomnia got so bad.

Good luck and you'll be fine. The hardest part is just walking through the door and telling a doctor you need help - no one likes admitting they need help, especially mentally as their is still so much stigma around it (though this is changing pretty rapidly). But once you do I promise you'll feel loads better, because then you can focus on building support from people and addressing your problems.

F'loki

 

[herbavore]

Are you trying non-drug therapies for the anxiety in general?