Comparing Belsomra vs Zolpidem

For Insomnia I have been on Lunesta for approximately 10 years. Lunesta has it's ups and downs, but my doctor suggested trying something that was not a hypnotic. So, I stopped Lunesta for one month and went on 15, and then 20 mg of Belsomra. As best I can describe it, the Beslomra was interesting. Interesting, in that when I could fall asleep, it did feel much more natural. I would also wake up in the morning feeling tired and just wanting to lay in bed and relax. That is not a bad thing. However, it simply would not put me to sleep on most nights. Moreover, the tiredness feeling I experienced tended to linger all day. It was not a drugged feeling, but just a tiredness I could not shake. So, I went back to Lunesta. Not perfect, but does it's job well!

For Insomnia Was really disappointed. I started at 10mg (have taken Ambien IR 10mg for 2yrs). It actually worked great - maybe the first sleep aid that made me feel genuinely, naturally sleepy, not drugged and sedated. But after I went to sleep, I had 3 hrs of horrible, vivid nightmares that woke me up every 5 minutes panting & sweating. I also experienced sleep paralysis for the first time in my life. It was absolutely terrifying. I tried to keep at it for a few nights as several people have said the side effects go away quickly, and even tried only taking 5mg, but it was intolerable. Too bad. It is maybe worth noting that I take a handful of other meds including Seroquel, Klonopin, Lamictal, etc.

For Insomnia I had been sleepless forever when a P.A. talked me into trying Ambien. I loved it! For the 1st time I was able to fall asleep and stay asleep. Then my insurance changed to Kaiser and my new Dr. said, “Ambien! We’re going to have to change that. You’ll sleep when you get tired enough.” So I went back to life without restful sleep. Having known what life was like with a good night’s sleep, I changed my Dr. and he put me on Trazadone which worked fine for a couple years. Then I started getting anxiety when I didn’t take it. My doc said to wean off of it slowly and we would try something else. It took about 6 weeks, then we tried Mirtazapine. The Mirtazapine didn’t help at all and by week two I was feeling very out of sorts. Something was not right with the Mirtazapine. Then I learned that Mirtazapine was another anti depressant! I had insomnia not depression! I am now back on Zolpidem and sleeping without side effects.

For Insomnia I suffer with sleep duration insomnia. Mostly I fall asleep naturally for two hours then perhaps drop off naturally once more for an hour; after that I wake and cannot fall asleep without zolpidem. The insomnia seems to be caused by general anxiety and a mind that will not stop holding internal conversations even when I am exhausted. I take 1/4 x10mg zolpidem which at best gives three hours sleep; I repeat this at least once over the night. It's been like this for some years with no side effects, tolerance, addiction or rebound insomnia noticeable. Overall this is the best sedative for me as it leaves no drowsiness the next day. My wish would be for a longer sedative action.