Hello,
I have been suffering from chronic primary onset insomnia for more then 10 years. I’ve also recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I have taken several over the counter and prescription medications with varying results. I was at one time on the non-benzodiazepines like Sonata, Lunesta or Ambien. I found them to be rather effective. However when I moved I was unable to get my new Dr to prescribe any of them. One of my Dr’s told me she’d rather have me stare at the ceiling for 8 hrs a night then take those medications. So since I’ve moved I’ve been on all sorts of meds, non of which have proven to be as effective as the non-benzodiazepines. I’ve taken everything from tricyclic antidepressant to anti-convulsants and benzodiazepine. I’ve also had to start taking stimulants to counteract the daytime sleepiness caused by the sleep aids. It seems that it would just be easier, safer and more effective to simply prescribe the non-benzodiazepines, but I digress.
Anyway my main problem now is that I still suffer from Insomnia and now lack insurance. I have just run out of my meds and am now desperate for relief. I have tried many of the over the counter products. I am not a fan of the antihistamines which are found in OTC sleep aids like Unisom, Nytol etc as they are not very effective, not for long term use and cause undesired side effects. So I have also tried other "natural remedies" like Melatonin, Valerian, Chamomile, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), catnip, passionflower, and hops among other, with no success.
I simply cannot function. I am currently sleeping every other day and am desperate for a good nights sleep. I was laid off 6 weeks ago (thus uninsured, damn COBRA is too expensive @ ,200 month) and am looking for a job, right now I am barely functioning, there is no way I could go back to work like this.
I was up all last night and spend most of the night online searching for something, anything that might help.
Some of them look promising, but perhaps it’s the sleep deprivation talking…. So I figured I’d ask the Yahoo Answers Community for some guidance before I waste my limited resources.
I know it’s not the same for everyone and what works for one will not work for another, but I hope that someone with a similar condition may provide some guidance. Which my main problem is like I said chronic primary onset insomnia, which means that I have chronic trouble falling asleep, for me it seems I can’t relax, I can’t turn my mind off, I have tried meditation, yoga and relaxation and it doesn’t work. But once I am asleep I have absolutely no trouble staying asleep.
I’ve already wasted about on the "natural" remedies, so I’d prefer not to waste more.
So here are some thoughts.
First thing: Sirius Sound/Light Mind Machine

http://www.mindmodulations.com/prodsiriu.html

Seems rather sifi, new age, hocus pocus, but I was surprised at the reviews on amazon.com and other sites. People really said that it helped them reach a deep relaxed state and fall asleep. Even those, like me who have trouble relaxing on their own. So does anyone have any experience with this or similar products? It’s 0, so I’d like a little more info before I buy.

I don’t have a product, and can’t find the site again but users had rated sound machines second in effectiveness after Lunesta, it was even slightly higher rated then Sonata and Rozerem. But again, before I throw down my 0 or so, I’d like to hear from some others that may have used one.
Other things, light therapy(either morning or evening), dawn simulation, various sleep CD’s, this thing: http://www.amazon.com/NightWave-Sleep-Assistant-Light-Night/dp/B001C3H4FI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1251131091&sr=8-1 , and anything else you can conceive of, I’m desperate here….. Obviously.
Aromatherapy. I’ve read several reviews on high quality lavender oil. it’s cheap enough, , so I’ll give it a go, if it doesn’t work I’m only out . But it will make my bedroom smell nice anyway.
I have not seen any other OTC remedies that may work, well except I did find some interesting stuff on Magnesium deficiency, so again cheap enough so I’ll give that a go too.
So is there anything else? I am tempted to go to my Dr and pay the open rate and see if he’ll give me an Rx, hopefully I can talk him onto a non-benzodiazepines, although w/o insurance these can be an expensive option. I’ve done some reading on prescription sleep aids and I’ve read that Soma off-label has been rated highly effective and more cost effective then the Lunesta/Sonata and may also help with symptoms of fibromyalgia. Anyone try Soma?
And just to note I have also tried sleep hygiene, herbal tea, warm milk, warm shower 1 hour before bed, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, exercise, light snack before bed, avoiding food/beverages before bed and have tried to maintain regular sleep/wake cycles all with little or no success.
Love your answer sweetnfoxychick.
Although I am extremely intolerant to cannabis. I did read that it was very effective, but it makes me violently ill, so that’s a no go. But I like how you think.
And hell, I’m so desperate that I’ve even considered GHB. Yes it’s illegal, but I haven’t slept for 2 days, do you expect me to be thinking rationally? It’s marketed as Xrem and is highly effective, though while GHB is rather cheap Xyrem is upwards of ,000 a month, only in America will a pharmaceutical company find a way to make huge profits on the "date rape drug". But hell if it helps me get a good nights sleep……. lol
I am kidding people. Though I am desperate, I do intend on staying on this side of the law.