Why can't I sleep while taking TiZANidine?

After I went to lie down in my bed, early morning. At first it was fine, I was getting sleepy. But then strange thoughts were in my head, hard to shake off. I tried to sleep, probably forcing it. I had to get up due to another panic attack. I just fought it (the sleep) although I felt so sleepy. I tried to walk it off so I would not disturb my elder relative. I felt like I was in a trance like state (a zombie, if you please). And, I only took a half of a pill (my medical provider suggested I do that after I explained to her what happened the first time I tried it), and it still gave me that effect, but just could not sleep this time). I really need something. I may have to call my med provider again for something new. I probably should stick with the buspirone. I read it takes about 2-4 weeks to show any results. I have been taking it now for a 1 week and a half. It, at least, doesn't make me feel the way the Tizanidine does. Any suggestions as to what may be better and safer? I did try Xanax some years ago. It was the only medication that helped me. It also takes effect in just about a few hours when taking the pill. I tried a few years ago and asked for it by another then provider, who told me he did not want to prescribe it to me. I was shocked. I told him it really helped me. He said he did not want to prescribe it at the time. At that time there was some controversy regarding Xanax and it's use on the streets, people abusing it and selling it. He knew I would not do anything like that. The people who really need it (the right way) have to suffer due to a few abusers. Even my now provider would not give me the actual Xanax. Said they could only prescribe the generic of Xanax. Didn't help as well as Xanax.

I normally research my meds before I take them just because I'm a nerd and I like to know exactly what I'm taking but this time I neglected to do so. The next morning I immediately googled tizanidine and found out there was some slight different between the capsules and tablets. But, the bonus was I found that eating with tizanidine increases the side effects of tizanidine. So, when I got my refill bumped up from 4mg to 8mg, I found out that it doesn't come in 8mg but my doc was unaware. The tablets only come in 2mg and 4mg and since I had that terrible night with the 6mg capsules, I had the doc re-write the script for 2 4mg tabs to equal the 8mg. Now, when I wake up in the morning around 8am, I eat a small breakfast and take my meds right after or at least within the hour of taking it and I get very sleepy and I doze right off for about 3hrs and since I'm on disability, I can sleep whenever I want. (yay) Bit, what I'm getting to finally is that if I eat at least an hour before or after I take it, I get super sleepy and the amount of sleep I get is contingent upon how much I eat. I no longer binge eat at night and I've started eating during the day, needless to say, I've lost a considerable amount of weight, which is great with me. And just to be sure that it was the food making me sleepy and not the increase in oxycodone, I started taking the OxyContin and tizanidine at different times. And every single time that I take it without food inside awake. This was a crucial find for me since I also have insomnia. Ambien doesn't work for me anymore since I've been on it so long. Now, I plan my dosages around my bed time and it has completely changed my horrible sleeping and eating habits, actually more than it helps the muscle spasms. Sorry I took so long to tell my story but I really wanted to share it with you all. So, my question is... have you tried it with food? Any food will do but it has to be more than just a snack nor does it have to be a full meal. A sandwich or salad will do just fine. Try that and see what happens. Hope this helps.

https://www.drugs.com/sfx/tizanidine-side-effects.html

Talk to your Dr. perhaps you can take it in the morning.