Dealing with chronic insomnia

ejohnson10186

hi ladies! Hoping someone out there might be able to help.  I've had chronic insomnia for 10 years, before getting pregnant I had it controlled and had a prescription for .5mg of lorazepam as needed to stay on track (usually one or twice a month id take it).  I'm 11 weeks now and haven't been able to fall asleep since 9.5 weeks.  I'm averaging two-three hours a night and have tried every OTC safe sleep aid recommended for pregnant women.  I've called my OB and GP and neither have any solutions to replace my lorazepam.  Has anyone else found a successful OTC or prescription replacement for lorazepam? I've ordered Calms Forte but it hasn't arrived yet.  This is becoming unbearable, I'm hanging on by a thread. 

cd92007

Have you tried unisom? Also, I have an app that I've used a handful of times... sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It's called "Relax & Rest". It plays relaxing music and has a woman that talks to you in a calming voice. 

ejohnson10186

I've tried unisom and some other apps but I'll try that one too, thanks! 

LizaKate1213

That's a really low dose of lorazepam to cause enough sedation for sleep. I would think 25mg of unisom or benadryl would be much more sedating. 

mtgreen21

When I was pregnant with my surrobabe my doctor prescribed  Ambein 5mg for sleep she asked if I needed it this time around but I haven't had issues with sleep yet.

ejohnson10186

I'll try unisom again tonight.  I've been prescribed ambien 5mg in the past to get back on track I'm not sure why they won't consider that. My SIL is a pharmacist and told me that would be fine to take once in awhile but my doctors are being extremely conservative, I worry that that daily stagnation from exhaustion isn't good for the baby either

dochoax3

Ambien worked for me. 

ladyshark311

Unisom gives me Restless Leg Syndrome, it's freaking bizarre because I don't suffer from that at all but it's BAD if I take that. Hopefully you have better luck with it.

Blonde1817

I struggled with insomnia for nearly 15 years (mostly trouble falling asleep).  Last year I started taking melatonin and it helped, but I don't think you can take it while pregnant.  I stopped taking it to start TTC and it sucked at first!  But I've found other ways to manage and I never thought I could sleep this well.  To be honest, what has finally worked for me is actually doing all of the shit everyone always told me to do and I didn't give a fair chance because I *knew* it wouldn't work for me.  Only one cup of coffee in the AM, eat well (less sugar, whole foods) and exercise, go to sleep and wake up at the same time EVERY day, turn of the lights at night, less electronics in the evening, create and stick to a bedtime routine, etc.  I use lavender essential oils in a diffuser and make sure it's dark in the room.  I've found a specific meditation that really helps, the app is Stop, Breathe & Think and the meditation is the body scan.  Also, this goes against typical advice but I always watch TV in bed, but only shows I've seen a lot of times.  I turn the brightness and volume way down and close my eyes and listen to it (after my meditation). It helps me not get caught up in my crazy brain.  Anyways, that's what has worked for me, good luck with your insomnia!  I know how much it sucks!!

mothernorth

When I was pregnant with DD in 2011 I was allowed to take melatonin, but I don't know if it is still considered safe or not. From my experience with it, it only kept me asleep for 3 or 4 hours anyway. I was a miserable sleepless zombie with DD unfortunately =/ day time napping when possible was my only hope. Sorry that probably isn't much help, I hope you find a solution!

queen_frostine

I suffered for most of my life until I discovered Melatonin. I weaned myself way down (I was taking 5mg per night at one point, started cutting them, got down to 1/4 of a 3mg tablet or .75mg). I couldn't get down further without having the same problems again. My doctors both said it was fine. Now, of course, I keep waking up at 4-5am and not falling back asleep before our alarm at 7:30. Not sure why =/

I also agree that having some kind of background noise with a pattern but not engaging helps a lot. The white noise machine is too steady for me. I do this for naps, not night, because I don't like earphones and it would disturb my husband, but it helps me focus on something that lets my brain drift instead of all the stress.