Insomnia - Advice/Ideas needed

[2theleft]

Ok...I have been REALLY struggling with Insomnia for about a year. Related to my anxiety - just can't turn my mind off. I take Lexapro, which for years has helped keep my anxiety under control. It's a very low dosage. This past year, not so much. We are working on my dosage. I have a "rescue" script of Xanax for the really bad days, and while if I take it at night, I will sleep, I don't really want to get in the habit of taking it all of the time.

So, my doc and I have worked on a number of things... tried a number of different meds, melatonin, etc. Some stuff will work for a bit, some not at all, but nothing consistently. Exercise has really no impact, other than I will just be more tired while I can't sleep. Even while doing the Insanity series earlier this year. No sleep.

So, anyway, in an effort to try to shut off my brain, I have been trying some meditation for relaxation before bed. First night, really helped. I feel asleep before the app was even done. Some mild success since then.

To add to the insomnia, I have been struggling with cluster headaches for the past 3 weeks. No OTC meds scratch the surface when they are bad. 80% of the time they are more like a bad "normal" headache. Then the remaining 20% of the time they are horrid. Major pounding in the head, sound sensitivity, etc. I've had a shot at the doc and was given Fiorinal to take for 3 days to "stop the cluster cycle". Well, it worked for about 3-4 days, and now they are back.

I still have the Fiorinal, so have taken that a few times at the worst points. That can make me pretty loopy, sometimes sleepy, sometimes just "drugged". I've been trying to function without the fiorinal and using excedrin migraine during the day when needed. Anyway, last night, I take the Fiorinal because the headache was at a very bad level. Then I do my meditation app. I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't move. Like, not at all. I know I was awake, because my dog woke up and was looking at me, and licked my face. I had these episodes happen years ago before the anxiety was diagnosed, and talked to my doc about them. Something about the natural way your body wakes up - body first, mind second...with sleep paralysis, your mind wakes up, and it takes a bit for your body to wake up. It is very freaky.

I know that is a lot of rambling info, and I apologize in advance if it doesn't make a ton of sense...I'm exhausted, but can't sleep, brain is like mushj...I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience with either insomnia or the sleep paralysis. If so, what helps for either?? This sleep paralysis stuff is NOT good for my anxiety. It is very scary. And yes, first thing on Monday I'm calling my doctor for another appointment on the headaches and the not sleeping. Just looking for any ideas or tips I can talk to him about.

The worst part of all of this is this effect lack of sleep has on the anxiety. I really, really, need to break this no sleeping cycle!!!