Ambien withdrawl

I've been taking ambien CR for about 3 months now every night as prescribed, 12.5 mg. I ran out of my precription 3 days ago and won't be able to have it filled until tomorrow due to the holiday.(if my Dr. even approves it) The past 2 nights I barely got any sleep and when I did I woke up completely saturated from head to toe in sweat to the point I had to change my clothes and the sheet. Has anyone experienced this? After reading these forums I wonder if I should just try to stop?! I also had horrible dreams and have headaches during the day. I'm getting scared of what this could be doing to me. I am also on Lexapro for anxiety and OCD. Just wondering how long I could expect these withdrawl symptoms if I do indeed stop tking it?

hi Jill,

I've been on the Aust version of Ambien on and off for the last few years, and even though I only ever took half a 10mg tablet each night, it's definitely enough to get you hooked.
The other night I decided I have had enough of Ambien related amnesia and all the other out of character things I got up to while on it, so I quit. First night was same as you, didn't sleep and sweated heaps (it's winter here). Second night, still no sleep, and itchy as all hell, I felt like I was coming off heroin or something. Last night was third night, fell asleep within the hour, but didn't last long. No sweats, no itching but still no sleep...
I feel like such a junkie. I mentioned it to my psychiatrist and she didn't seem too impressed that I tried to quit, and said I should switch to Fluvoxamine (antidepressant) which may help with sleep. I've got the script but I'm too scared to pick the drugs up.
And yes, I used to have terrible nightmares while on Ambien too...
If you can deal without it (I'm going back to a naturopath soon), I probably would suggest not to stay on it for too long. I'll keep you updated on my withdrawals if you like..

Best of luck..
xx

I have had severe nausea while on Ambien, but thought I had the problem solved when I discovered that it didn't happen when I was wearing a 'sea sick' patch. Just came off 22 nights of Ambien (plus the patch) and although I left the patch on 5 nights after I stopped the Ambien (and I had no problems except interrupted sleep and sweats), the day after I removed the patch I was flat on my back with nausea, extreme weakness and no energy or stamina. It's been 2 weeks and I feel better, but still am weak and haven't been able to do much. I know it says 'do not discontinue Ambien abruptly without consulting your Dr.', but my Dr. hasn't been much help pinning down my symptoms to stopping the use of Ambien. Anyone else had the same problems? I'd hate to blame it on the sleeping pill when I might have something else wrong with me.

hi no everything about what you say is right as im still going throu this ,its only been a week i was taken 10 ambien a day,of the internet,cos my doctor stopped my pills one day suddenly after 10 years.im sweating now as i type,hav nt slept for a week,can hardly write this now as i really hav nt got the energy,cant lift a finger ,just for anybody whose goin to go throu withdrwl from this ,make sure you have someone who cares there cos when alone its the really really bad,much more worse than coming of drink.wish i never ever styarted taking it in first case,the only thing that takes the edge off is vodka,at least 1 bottle a day will do this,its helping me nowm,by the way sorry for any bad spelling its taken me 3 hours to write this as im so ill,and the stupid thing is wen they are delivered in the post ,hopefullly tomorow it will be like christmas morning wen i take just 1 half of tablet and will go through hell again wen i run out,agauin for the 3 rde time,wish i haddent started .

It sounds like all you people have addictive personalities and taking ambien can be addictive. As with any addiction once you admitt it to yourself and then WEAN yourself off the drug, you will still have withdrawal symptoms. For HELEN of the UK, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING..? You know your addicted and your getting the medication through alternative means and you write on here admitt your problem and you still want to take the drug? When you don't have it you turn to a bottle of VODKA a day.....!! You NEED HELP....!!!
I am a recovering prescription drug addict and yes I take ambien to sleep since I am on high doses of prednisone due to another illness. I know I am hooked on ambien, or I guess I am hooked on the sleep it provides me. Yes I have had side effects and have run short so I guess I'm addicted to another medication. Aren't prescription drugs fun? I am on two blue pills a night and have had to use sometimes three or four, my metabolism goes through drugs in my system like water. When I have operations it take three times the normal amount of anesthesia to put me out, then I wake up in fifteen minutes and fully awake within a half hour!
Be careful of any pill, good luck.

I had a severe headache and nausea when I tried to quit

i can share this i have had insomina all my life as a teen it began and has continued.I have had every sleep med you can think of.Ten years ago i was given ambien and it was the best sleep i have ever had.However i can take this med and do all things like cook,eat and drive...so i take a higher dose than most.It truns off all my switches and all the worries of life and i relax within mintues.I have gone thru periods when i did not take it at all we are talking weeks months ..no withdrawls at all .No sick feelings ..just plain insomina so use to it.I guess everyones body is so not the same.