My experience getting off of Ambien... and tips for what you can do...

I figured my experiences may be of help to others reading this site. I have been taking 10 mg's for over 3 years. Yes, I have felt the guilt of what this drug makes us do... or not be able to control. Here's how it has been so far: Night(1)- up until 5:30AM and then slept in 20 minute incriments for 4 or 5 hours, extremely anxious, panicky, headaches, depressed mood. Miserable! Night(2)- went to bed at 12:00 and lay awake for hours while my head tingled and I felt like I may crawl out of my skin. From experience, I know this was very similar to trying to sleep after a night of partying on cocaine & ecstasy. It was really scarey and I had to wake my husband up to calm me down. I did finally sleep for two hours before going to sleep. This night, I discovered something that helped me sleep - making myself yawn. I had to force myself to do it, but it really helped. Yawning is connected to several of our neurotransmitters. Night (3,last night)- the creepy feeling left my body, but I must admit that I am just plain afraid of not being able to sleep. I finally just turned off my light, laid down, and closed my eyes. I woke up several hours later and then slept later that night for 7 hours. Today I am just tired, but SO glad I am doing this. I'll keep you up to date on how it goes later this week.

Well, it's been about a two weeks now. Honestly, once you make it through the first two nights the physical withdrawal symptoms go away. However, it has been taking me some time to get used to falling asleep unassisted again. I went through several nights of just being nervous that I won't be able to sleep. It's getting easier though, and I am not sleep deprived.

I agree, if you just hang in there, it gets better.

okay...tonight is night 3. last night was better than night 1. I actually slept a few hours here and there. I am doing a lot of research on helpful and healthful methods of falling asleep without medication. I have found that staying positive is a major factor. I have started a nightly journal to write my next days task so I don't have to worry about remembering them...I turn the clock around so I won't do the math all night about how long I have been up or how long until I have to get up or how much sleep I am not getting (it actually was a great relief last night) also positive talk with a close friend. I can and will do this and so can you :) Good luck and god bless all affected by this curse.

LOL! I am totally blogging to myself here but hey whatever helps me get through this ; ) Last night (night 3) I only got up once. I feel proud about my decision to see this through. Tonight is #4 and I have hopes for another night of natural sleep and ultimately one day I will be able head to bed without any anxiety or elaborate plans to help myself relax. The clock thing has really helped me and staying positive keeps me from caving in again (thanks scott!) I wish everyone a good night tonight and I will be back tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow (shakespeare humor/macbeth)

Sounds like you are doing better already. Keep up the good work.

k8ekat -

LOL - Keep blogging! This is my first night to this page - I found the Ambien Withdrawal page two nights ago. Last night I cut my dose of Ambien CR in 1/2. Did not sleep all night, but I was mentally prepared not to sleep. I just relaxed and contemplated painting a bathroom. No rough spots. Today - No headache and I had enough energy (despite not sleeping at all) to paint the bathroom and put it all back together again. My projects look so much better when they are not Ambien induced! Tonight, I'm going to go with the same 1/2 dose. Hope all went well for you....

Hi all! Last night was bit rough but still okay. I am looking forward to the anxiety going away...it gives me horrible nightmares which equals waking up in sweat soaked sheets. Spoke with my doctor today and he said to keep my spirits up because the hardest nights are behind me and that day 12 is the magic number for most. The healthier you are the quicker you recover is his theory so I have been eating clean, no alcohol and a bit of exercise each day. All and all after my visit to the doc I feel good about what I am doing and the info he gives me helps me to understand what I am experiencing and why and how long it will usually take to get through it. Despite a bit of trouble sleeping I am feeling over all much better w/o the ambien; it is as if I have been living in a fog and the past few days my skies have begun to clear. At night when it is toughest I try to remind myself that a lifetime free of crippling medication is worth a week or two of tossing and turning. Good night and a prayer for sweet dreams to all :)

I have been on Ambien for off and on for 6 years due to my work scheldule. I work the Graveyard shift and have a really hard time getting to sleep all the time. What else can I do for this and I would really like to get off of them for good..

I have been taking only 5 mg on and off for about a month with these past two weeks every night. I tried to not take it the other night and laid there til 3:30 then gave in. I understand from reading these blogs that it takes time and I will have a couple of nights where sleep won't come, but then it gets better...so I will start tonight. Wish me luck!

Good luck Becky! You can do it if you go into it knowing it will be tough the first few nights but I promise that night one was the worst (no sleep) but each night has gotten better. The big thing is not to freak yourself out because then you definitely won't sleep...try to stay positive which actually helps you stay relaxed going into bed time. Also my advice is to get out of bed at a regular time in the morning even if you haven't gotten much sleep. Routine is important more than ever as you try to find your nature sleep cycle again. Last night was night 5 for me and while I tossed and turned a bit I actually blame that on work related stress...I had a major deadline today and new project starting Tuesday. I also have found that while I usually have a glass of red wine every night that sleep is actually better when I don't drink right now as my body is trying to regulate and expel the ambien toxins. Best of luck to all tonight. And remember that even after the darkest night a new day will dawn.

Hmm - I'm going with the gradual approach, but it's still taking it's toll. Last night was my second night on 1/2 my normal dose and I got about two hours of sleep. (none the first night). No problems - just whipped. Tonight will be night 3 on 1/2 dose. I'm praying for enough sleep to get me through my day tomorrow. k8ekat - thanks for sharing. I've also stopped my red wine chaser for the time being. Nighty nite...

Well maybe I've gotten lucky - no problems last night. Of course I drank enough liquor to stop a bull and smoked a bowl of weed - but that's not something I do often so we'll see how it goes tonight.

I also have a prescription for seroquel. I don't like it, but it will knock me out. It's an idea for you guys to give a try. At least tha way you might sleep while you're de-toxing.

I do plan to continue to use ambien, PRN, but no more than 2 to 3 at the most nights a week.

Of all the things I've ever been prescribed, I think pot has worked better and is safer. It's a strange world.

AHHH - I've gone 3 nights on 1/2 dose. Still no sleep! No major symptons as others have described going cold turkey, but I'm still not sleeping! My headaches have gotten better - and I still feel very positive about deciding to get off this stinking drug (I've been on it for 7 years and now in the constant cycle of having too many nights left at the end my prescription). I'm on the PTA and I'm addicted to a drug! This whole thing is so sad. I'm so stinking tired, but I keep pressing forward through my day. I'm going to try to just go without any tonight - I can't believe that my body would seriously not fall asleep without aide after having no sleep for 3 nights... Good luck everyone - sleep tight..

I have been on ambien for about 18 months, and when i try to quit taking it i can go a week with out any sleep at all, not sure if its the drug or my body

Weeeeeeee - I Slept!!! I slept hard for FOUR HOURS!!!! I'm so excited! I had hoped to go cold turkey last night, but went with 1/3 of my normal dose. I woke up at 6 AM and wanted to jump on my bed! Detox is possible!!! I can see the light - it's a dim light - but it's still a light!!

This forum and the other links on Topix re: Ambien motivated me and made me feel like I wasn't alone. Thank you everyone for sharing.

Dougdeg - It is the drug! To get off of it, you need to plan on not sleeping for 3-4 days. Many people have had major withdrawal symptoms going cold turkey. I've been doing the gradual approach and haven't had any symptoms other than not sleeping and headaches are much better.

It will be interesting to see if I sleep at all tonight. I'm overjoyed that I am finally getting off of this stupid drug!

k8ekat - where did you go? How is it going? Your posts encouraged me! Hope you are sleeping tight and have purged Ambien from your thoughts.

Dougdeg -

Just reread your post. A whole week cold turkey and still no sleep - that's rough! I've tried going cold turkey in the past too. After a few days of no sleep - I eventually went out of mind and took a double dose to knock me out.

I'm still pressing forward on the gradual approach. I suspect that it will be a few weeks before I can sleep on my own.

Good luck to you.... you are not alone...

Alas my weekend was restful in many ways but sleep was tough. My boyfriend was in town and it was different to share a bed on top of struggling with sleep issues. He snores and cuddles a lot which is hard when I am knocked out with the power of meds. However I love him and found that ear plugs work :) I have made it a week without Ambien and find that once I am out of bed and going the next morning that I fully capable of getting through the day on a little less sleep. I am about to start my nightly routine for tonight so I can get as much sleep as possible as I head into another work week. I will be updating on a daily basis for the rest of the week as I conquer week two and stay focused on my goal of day 12 (doctor's theory about sleeping normal again) The only thing that has made this possible is not having the meds available to me and positive support for others. We can all do this...it is scary and tough but for the best. Sweet dreams to all!

Well if it's any consolation to anyone - I think if you catch this early you're OK.

I've been fine for 3 nights now. But I will NEVER, absolutely NEVER take this pill more than 2 nights in a row or more than 3 times in any given week again.

My one experience with withdrawal was like seeing the devil. It shook me to my core, and I have a new level of understanding of what addicts struggle with. I always knew it was bad, but I had never felt it until then.

My advice to anyone just starting to take this drug is to remember that it's like fire: a fearful servant but a terrible master.

ahhhhh...last night (#8) I slept well! no nightmares!!! I think I am definitely turning the corner here :) Like Jason said I too have a new understanding of what addicts struggle with. I can't believe I am still learning things the hard way but at least I am still learning. I wish us all a good nights sleep tonight.