I am sleep disordered and I have learned many techniques to help me get the rest I am in need of. First off many people have OSA and are not even aware of it. If you are taking any kind of medicines that have a relaxing effect on muscles it can contribute to the airway relaxing and becomming obstructed. That will give you the sensation of soffocating. A sleep study might be in order if you snore or have this sensation or if you find yourself waking up frequently during the night. Also if you seem to sleep for a good bit of time but do not wake up rrefeshed.

Aside from my Cpap I also meditate daily. I keep my room as dark as possible (you can also use a sleep mask), Keeping the room cooler at around 65-68 degrees is ideal. Try not to nap more than 20 minutes a day and not after 4pm.

There are natural sleep aids such as melatonin or tryptophan or valarian root that can be used alone or together to help promote sleep but make sure to check with your doctor and/or pharmasist before using any of them. A ritual before bed is a good idea as are set bed times and wake up times.

For anyone interested there is an online site for sleep disorders called Talkaboutsleep.com.

Klonopin
 

I am exhausted during the day. I am now up to 2mg a night to get to sleep, but then I'm completely out of it all day long. I feel like a zombie. I have tried not taking this, but it is the only thing allowing me to get some sleep. The doctors just keep telling me you are tired all day because you haven't slept in months and your body just needs to catch up on sleep...once you catch up you will be fine. I have not found this to be the case yet. I'm usually scared to drvie because my reaction time is slower and I don't feel like putting myself in more danger. Hopefully new Drs will have new advice. Thanks for the advice on the half life. I still don't like taking the Klonopin, but I DO like sleep. I also don't like that it is a Benzo which is very addicting. I just don't know what else to do.