Hi - (posting for my spouse) History - 40 years ago during college chronic insomnia required hospitalization. Since then tried many forms of therapy (CBT, acupuncture, etc. without positive outcomes) and various cocktails of sleep aids. Insomnia and more specifically severe sleep anxiety has carried through to the present. Acute sleep anxiety occurs when trying to relax in the evening, with racing thoughts and heart rate, centered on the fear of not being able to fall asleep. For past 10 - 15 years have relied on 10 mg zolpidem with paxil, supplemented as needed with melatonin and less often benedril. While this cocktail has worked with about 85% success, health care providers are reluctant to continue prescribing 10 mg zolpidem for a woman in her mid sixties. Now contemplating tapering zolpidem to 5 mg in order to appease prescribers. Simply thinking about the tapering is a source of additional intense anxiety. Have already consulted with PCP and APRN. APRN prescribed clonodine but insurer denied coverage. APRN prescribed trazadone, which had also been tried in the past, but caused excessive sensation of inebriation. Looking for proper medical supervision for the taper with management of meds to overcome the anxiety. Need help identifying the appropriate medical specialty to consult with, in the Hartford CT area. Any advice is welcome.
1 Like