Sleep aids and advice

I have to get this out here. And when it comes to health related issues I come to you guys.

Since Saturday I haven't slept at all. Not the 'few hours of sleep, then tossing'. It's the full blown not sleeping at all kind of insomnia. I've had troubles with sleeping before, if I'm stressed, upset, the typical triggers. But this time it was different. I would previously have trouble sleeping then fall asleep hours later, but not have trouble falling to sleep period.

In about 4-5 days I haven't slept at all, so I went to the walk in clinic and saw a local doctor. He said my insomnia is caused by the death of my cat. I know a few people who would get a chuckle out me losing sleep over a dead animal, but he took it seriously.
He knows me, since he's in the same clinic as my GP, and he saw the difference in me. No interest in music, shows, tv, books, anything. No appetite. Extreme crying bouts. Extreme numbness. Then a sudden onset of insomnia. So he prescribed me Ativan, 1mg, for 10 days.
I know this is a strong med. He said he didn't want to put me on something that I would become dependent on, and that the drug will help me get the rest I need and it may start my system back up again.

I know that there are some breathing techniques, teas, warm Epsom bath, calming music, maybe even therapy. Is there anything else available to me? I just don't want to find out that the pills work and 10 days later I'm back to square one.

I've dealt with horrific grief before, but that has never effected me as much as it is now.

Xanax works well especially for the anxiety associated with IBD.
It's addictive, of course, so I've never taken more than one as needed.
My doc says he'd rather have me on xanax as needed rather than anti depressants that you have to take long term.

Is Unisom addictive at all?

I also take generic Unisom, the active ingredient in each Unisom SleepGel is 50 mg of diphenhydramine HCl. Almost every drugstore has their own generic version of this. I prefer the gel pill over the tablet. Some are in the 25mg and others in the max dose of 50 mg.

Once you know what the active ingredient is you can look on the box and see what is in it. You'll pay much less for generic (half price) than a name brand like Unisom or Tylenol PM or others. I've taken it for years with no side effects however my DH doesn't like to take it because he feels groggy in the AM, I don't at all.

Sibby, I'm so sorry for your loss. Besides getting some sleep relief you really need therapy or group grief counseling because this is more than insomnia it's emotional and affecting your life.

Thanks all for the tips. I'll definitely keep them all in mind. :)

I've researched melatonin for a report in college this year. But I didn't know what dose someone should take at the beginning, any suggestions?

I swear by a product called "Lunasom" (you can google it). Only thing is, it's a small outfit and it seems they were having production problems (company problems?). It is great stuff though, a proprietary blend of herbs and stuff. I still really have no idea why it actually seems to function as the replacement for my autonomic nervous system, which evidently seems to have been fried exactly when I got UC.