Have sleep aids ever helped you in the past? Maybe something over the counter or melatonin? If not, have you been able to speak with anyone about the cause of your anxiety? Maybe trying to beat it at the source.

Yes, Dingle. First, so sorry to hear this. Very sad, but if it's any reassurance many of us have experienced what you are going through. Including myself. And it's no fun.

But the good news is I'm here to tell you it's OK to let go of the worry and terror and fear of not sleeping. It's OK. You'll be OK. Here's why.

Your mind and body's requirement for sleep is so strong it will eventually at some point overpower whatever fears you have or whatever insomnia you have and you will sleep. Guaranteed. You can believe that because it's true.

Sleep is like breathing. We can't not do it. At some point it becomes automatic.

So, for tonight, maybe just for tonight, tell yourself it's OK to let it go and just relax and think pleasant thoughts for just a little while.

See what happens if you do that.

One more thing Dingle. If you or anyone else ever has thoughts of hurting yourself and you want to talk to someone right now, try this:

call 1-800-273-8255
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

tehdreamer - Melatonin doesn't work as well as prescribed medication. I've used it and it's okay but it just gives me a placebo effect, I think.

Hypnos07 - Thank you. I'm just hoping to see a doctor tomorrow.

I know what it's like to go without a good nights sleep for days on end...in fact I have been a chronic insomniac for years. I have been through almost every sleep medication available, along with tranquilizers and anti-anxiety meds and antidepressants. These drugs have helped temporarily, but my body always becomes accustomed to them after taking them for a while. About a year and a half ago, I took too many Klonapins and Benadryl in an effort to tranquilize myself and avoid life. I was suicidal and depressed and very afraid of life. I had been fired from my job, and the drugs were my way of escaping. My husband found out about my overdose and admitted me into an addiction recovery facility, which really didn't help at all.

Since then, I have experienced insomnia on and off, and am now taking ambien and Seroquel every night to relieve the symptoms. I know these medications won't work forever, and I have stopped placing my trust in them. I know with all my heart that Jesus is the answer, have started to confess His Holy Word as it applies to my life, and I know in my spirit that this is the answer. Have you ever received Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Do you know how much He truly cares about what you are going through? Every hair on your head is numbered, He knew you in your mother's womb, and He came and died on the cross so that we might live! His word says that we can cast all our cares on Him, for He cares for us! It also says in the book of Psalms, "when I lie down, I shall not be afraid; yes I will lie down and my sleep shall be sweet." David was confessing this during a time when he was running for his life from Saul, who was hell bent on murdering him. So he obviously dealt with fear around sleeping. I have started to confess this truth over my life, and truly believe that Jesus came to set us free from the anxiety and care that fearing sleep brings. Please consider Jesus as your Lord, and know that He truly cares...about every aspect of your life. That, to me, gives me hope that I may one day be free from insomnia for good! If I can just believe His Holy Word, that tells me that by His stripes I am healed and set free! Free from addiction, free from insomnia, free in every way imaginable. And he/she who the son has made free, is free indeed. Jesus loves you dinglehopper, and He cares.

I finally got some decent schedule of sleeping, BUT only w/ prescription Melatonin. Like others i tried OTC, but i think they had more sugar than Melatonin. I have similar anxiety issues & also relied on the anti anxiety meds or Flexeril to make me sleep. Since i started w/ prescription Melatonin I've a LOT EASIER time getting some sleep. I would make an apt ASAP & ask for meds, especially if you haven't tried prescription Melatonin

I become extremely anxious about insomnia as well. It's a bad place to be because the more anxious you are the less likely you'll sleep well.

If you get to the point where you might become suicidal though, I'd always have some kind of a sleeping medication on hand just in case you start to get sleepless.

The good news is, outside of that one night, you were sleeping fairly well for a while so that's awesome. Wish I could say the same. Anyway, don't wait until you have more insomnia, get the medication and just have it handy.