Ambien helped me more than anything else when I had severe insomnia. Since starting on Lexapro, though, I have slept much better and haven't needed the Ambien. Of course, meds don't always have the same effect on everyone. Like you, I tried trazodone first since it's non habit forming, but it didn't help me much at all.

Hope you get some relief soon. It is terrible not to be able to sleep!

Maybe the Trazadone is keeping you awake. I know sleep aids and sedatives sometimes can have an adverse effect on people and actually make them feel more awake then sleepy. When I take Xanax sometimes if I wait to long after I take it to try to sleep I end up awake in bed forever till its effect wears off.

I totally understand what you are going through. Its completly horrible. I am on Ambien. I have been for years. If I don't take it I can't sleep. I will stay awake for days or only sleep a few minuites at a time. I am slowly lowering my dose of it so I don't take it so often. I have no other advice for you other than call your doctor and try to get ambien.
Hang in there.
:)
Merrie

thanks for replies..i have taken trazadone for awhile now maybe i'm immune..might have to try ambien again, insurance company fights me on it though..couple hours sleep is just not enough..take care everyone!!

Hi Barbara.
Your trazadone may need to be increased. Your body adjusts to the amount and then it needs to be adjusted/up'd. My mom takes trazadone and has had to increase her dose after a while...I tried it as I also have severe insomnia but it made me feel loopy in the mornings. The only thing that works for me is 1/2 klonipin. Ambien did nothing for me. Call your dr. because I think you just need your dose increased. How many pills do you take? My psychiatrist started me on a low dose but I think he said I could take up to 3-4 of them. Check into it. If it use to work, it should work again.

I take a whole one..it is divided into 3 and was told to take 1/3 but that didn't work so i take the whole thing! hope i can sleep tonight go back to work tomorrow night and tired of looking exhausted after days off! I'll check with dr and see how much i can safely take! have a good night everyone!

I have to agree the ambien is alot of help. I feel for you Barbara. Right now I'm dealing with being sleepy but working and not being to do that. We're all here for you and each other.
MONICA

I sing songs in my head cuz if I think of my stress Ill never sleep, just want to tell you I no your under stress when I have weird dreams Im going into a big Flare, so try to unstress. I no its impossible, Im sorry!!!! Take Care

lordy i hope no big flare coming! just now feeling good just tired but then i got that wonderful shot last week again..lol..when i say strange dreams i mean strange like horror movie strange and i don't watch those..lol..

I take a combination of 100 mg trazadone 1/2 hour before bed and 50 mg and 1-2 hours before. The trazadone makes you sleepy and the amitriptiline keeps you asleep. I still wake often but from pain and usually go back to sleep' A lot of people just take the 25 mg amitriptiline. hugs

I usually read book if I can't sleep, I think that help. Find the most boring or complex book to read on.
I always dream a lots and I remember most of my dreams, wonder if that's why I always wake up tired and not refreshing.

when i have trouble sleeping i break out my mp3 player and download an audio book... then i lay there with my eyes closed and the book going at the lowest volumn that i can still hear... usually before the first chapter is over i'm out. I think its the voice talking softly in my ear about something non stressful that relaxes me and allows me to go night nights. Kinda like white noise. And if i can't fall asleep at least i'm doing something relaxing... lol.

I feel you on this subject. I can't sleep at night at all but sleep about 6 hours during the day. Even when I take my sleep meds, I still do not sleep. I may ask for Ambien again.

I love Leanora's idea about loading the mp3 player with a book and listening to it while sleeping. Great idea!

I take a combination of Endep (Amitriptilene) and Pariet (for stomach cramps and digestive disorders) before hopping into bed. I keep the room reasonably warm and always read. After about half an hour, I can't keep my eyes open and I sleep like the dead for the next 6 hours (I am an incredibly early riser, and don't require much sleep). I rarely sleep during the day, but do split my jobs into "groups" and have a sit down between activities....hope you find some sound sleep soon...It really does help get you through.