Question: Good afternoon, Doctor,
I was wondering if you might have any insight for me re: the sleep medication, Belsomra, as opposed to Ambien, which used to really work well for me (I think I built up a tolerance to Ambien, when I had to increase my dosage of Klonopin - see below).

The thing is, I have had GAD for many years and panic attacks since age 12 (I was never medicated for the PAs, until I was age 19/20, since I successfully used cognitive therapy on myself, learning techniques from a self-help book, on how to modify or even completely 'shut down' a panic attack, once I felt its onset). However, while I used Ativan in my early-mid20s, in small doses (successfully) and very intermittently, when I hit age 25, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, and my GAD and panic attacks came back with a vengeance - and I was never able to gain full control over them as I had previously. So I was put on a daily dosage of Klonopin about 15 years ago, and, for the most part, have been on it since (I've been at a consistent 3-4mg/day for over a decade - I'm 45 now). Therefore, I think that since my tolerance is fairly high when it comes to benzodiazepines, and hence, Ambien, as compared to BEFORE I was regularly taking Klonopin (I realize it's a 'pseudo-benzo).

So my question is this: is Belsomra in a completely different category than Ambien? (which I know is like a pseud-benzodiazapine). And do you think it's worth a try for me? Thank you in advance for any info/insight you might have!