Sleep meds for insomnia, mania, mixed, etc

A lot of us suffer from chronic insomnia or just need something to put ourselves to sleep, so let's discuss sleepy meds of any sort (e.g., ambien, seroquel, remeron, trazodone, etc.) I know some people use benzos (e.g., klonopin, Ativan, Xanax, Valium, etc.)

I could use one right now.

I have taken Sonata when I have had sleeping issues. Not too well known, a "z" drug in the same class as Ambien. The thing is with Sonata is it lasts 2-4 hours. So if you are someone who has issues waking up at night, you can take one and as long as you give it the 4 hours, there is no hangover affect or groggy feelings ( at least not for me). Its fast acting (about a half an hour) but it doesnt knock you so cold that you can barely make it up the stairs, or need assistance getting in the bed from someone. You will feel sleepy and go to bed. A word of caution though: Its best to take it just as you get into bed to avoid any calamities, and I have found that you build up a tolerance really easily- more so then the other z drugs.

I know there are people who rely on benzos for sleep but my concern about that is if you are also prescribed them for panic attacks and anxiety then when you take one during the day, wouldnt you then feel sleepy? Is that how one wants to avoid or quell a panic attack?

Important topic. Thanks, bluebicyle!

In my history, I only really had insomnia when I was some level of manic. All the other times, I got 6 to 7 hours sleep, on average, or more if depressed. Generally when manic, I didn't really mind not sleeping. I was happy to have the extra hours to be "up to no good", working on projects, or having some blast.

I guess Seroquel and Seroquel XR have been my longest term sleep aids/mood meds. I think Zyprexa knocked me out well, and likely one or two other antipsychotics. Geodon was very sedating in the very beginning, then after some months it was neither able to fully prevent or control my manias, nor help with sleep adequately.

I have taken a mini dose of 0.5 mg Klonopin for years. In the very beginning (9 years ago), I remember 2 mg being very sedating. I was depressed when taking that dose. But I am not sure how sedating 0.5 mg is/has been. I am on it like a prisoner. My psychiatrist won't take me off. Ativan does not over sedate me during the day, but has sort of worked as a sleep "booster" at times. That's a PRN med I avoid taking, if possible. I had been dependent on that, too, but my psychiatrist got me off of it.

The only other type of med I can think of was hydroxyzine aka under brands Vistaril or Atarax (an antihistamine) I was once prescribed for anxiety. That did little for me, but make me drowsy. I wanted off of it quickly. It was prescribed during the day, too. I forget if it gave me other side effects.

Before accepting my bipolar diagnosis, I drank alcohol until I passed out. I do NOT recommend that, and definitely not in combination with medications. It can be dangerous! Plus, eventually the sleep became disturbed.

I take klonopin and hydroxyzine if I'm having trouble sleeping, and prazosin to stay asleep (it stops PTSD nightmares). In the past Depakote, zyprexa, seroquel have helped me sleep although that wasn't their intent. Trazodone helped me fall asleep but it gave me weird dreams that woke me up.

took sonata back in the day..it stopped working. was switched to ambien...it stopped working. now...

I'm older, life is less chaotic, etc., the only thing I seem to need is a bit of gabapentin now and then to unwind, in the PM...then I sleep OK.

Restoril (temazepam) was -extremely- helpful for me, for a lil bit...but I needed the big 30mgs one, and its ideally a short term fix...