Ambien

blank,

come join the withdrawal and headaches thread

I am just starting the weaning process of Ambien after taking it for 8 months after my father's death. I would put myself in bed and take 10mg but still would get up and wander, eat and bump into walls and never remember. Having conversations with my husband which I do not recall. The clincher was 2 days ago when I decided to take a walk down the street in the dark. Thank goodness my husband saw me and brought me back inside. Sometimes you just need to be scared straight. Last night was tough but I am determined.

aras wrote:

kristy,
come join the withdrawal and headaches thread

and we have a small new yahoo group called ambiendependent

I have been taking ambien for 10 years.I am addicted to it.After a couple of years on it to sleep, I noticed one afternoon I was having a hard time thinking and could hardly function.I happened to have a bottle I just filled in my car. I took half of one and felt normal again. I`m taking 14 a day now and can`t live with out it. If I don`t get it I cramp, can`t think or talk and will go into seizurer.I have been through detox 3 times but it is not long enough. I`m trying to drop off one a month on my on now.Can anyone help?

Bobby Jackson I'm in the same mess. I'm going to a sleep study this week to see if they can help me figure out a successful way to wean, as I am in the process of moving, changing jobs, etc. and cannot afford to play this game once again. Withdrawal does hinder cognitive functioning in subtle ways; this is what keeps us coming back, despite vows to get off the stuff again and again.
Sometimes rehabs, as great as they can be for alcoholics and other drug uses, just deprive the ambien addicted person long enough with sleep deprivation that that the minute they're released they get a new RX , and are as hooked as ever--even more so--not because they want to be, or because they learned nothing in rehab, but because their biochemistry was quite simply aching the whole time, and just waiting for its chance to get what the suffering brain had been demanding (this goes for long term users especially).
Some ideas: Ask your doctor for a sleep study, and ask about the Ashton taper method, and ask about meds that can at least stop the withdrawal symptoms as you cut back.

Bobby Jackson Ms wrote:

I have been taking ambien for 10 years.I am addicted to it.After a couple of years on it to sleep, I noticed one afternoon I was having a hard time thinking and could hardly function.I happened to have a bottle I just filled in my car. I took half of one and felt normal again. I`m taking 14 a day now and can`t live with out it. If I don`t get it I cramp, can`t think or talk and will go into seizurer.I have been through detox 3 times but it is not long enough. I`m trying to drop off one a month on my on now.Can anyone help?

see my post in the thread, in response to what you wrote--Tess -- nobody warns us about this drug, it's quite different from all the others. I've seen people get off Crack and Oxy easier than Ambien. I think it's because people like us just want to sleep, don't realize how strong the stuff is as a result...then it can creep up during the day when a mini-withdrawal anxiety starts...vicious cycle, but we've gotta beat it! Anyway, read my post; I didn't reply correctly onto your message but made a new one. just wanted you to see it.

a sleep study is to diagnose a sleep disorder - many times Obstructive Sleep Apnea - it isn't to deal with addiction problems

aras wrote:

a sleep study is to diagnose a sleep disorder - many times Obstructive Sleep Apnea - it isn't to deal with addiction problems

True, generally, but as I live alone, I guess the doc wanted to rule out sleep apnea since I have such consistent sleep problems (Ambien CR worked perfectly for years, but with greater stress at work, it seemed to stop working for long and I ran out of Rx's too quickly--very embarrassing and costly and stressful.

Personally I doubt that I have apnea, but I wake up so frequently every night that I have begun to wonder if there's a subtle problem (my father had it). I'm not overweight and have no breathing problems that I know of, so I realize it's a long shot. But if it could all be cured with a C-Pap machine: heaven!

BTW, any idea if cutting zolpidem (10mg) in half and taking with a low dose Xanax (.25) for a few nights might help me to taper?

I'm so completely disgusted with my sleep disorder, would love to get off everything but don't want to start any new problems, as I'm in the midst of a huge transition the next two months.

I have taken ambien now for ten years. It has
taken 2 months for me to get it out of my system.
I used it because of long shifts in the medical field and needing good rest the night before. However, it has nearly ruined my life with family, work, memory, and two charges of driving while impaired. Enough of a good thing...

Want to get off Ambien looking to find out what is the best way, have been taking it since Jan after developing insomnia after a 14 hour surgery.

I feel my doctor should have stopped prescribing these for me a long time ago but I have to take responsibility for my own body. I am trying to get off ambien after about four years of taking every night. I have never had severe side effects from taking them, but now I realize I don't want to "have" to take them. I am just a few days into my abstinence and I am very tired and a little "dizzy" The first night I had terrible dreams and the second night I had very little sleep, but did dream a little toward morning

sleepy wrote:

I feel my doctor should have stopped prescribing these for me a long time ago but I have to take responsibility for my own body. I am trying to get off ambien after about four years of taking every night. I have never had severe side effects from taking them, but now I realize I don't want to "have" to take them. I am just a few days into my abstinence and I am very tired and a little "dizzy" The first night I had terrible dreams and the second night I had very little sleep, but did dream a little toward morning

Sleepy, This isn't an active thread. You're going to need support during the withdrawal process and you'll find it on the thread at the bottom of this page "Ambien Withdrawal and Headache". There are thousands of posts from people like you who unknowingly became addicted to Ambien. You'll find help from wonderful people who've been where where you are. Good Luck to you!

Ambien is an amazing drug,

especially for those like myself who desperately need it. I am a 35 year old woman with Insomnia and Anxiety disorders. I have uses Ambien nightly for just over three years. This year I've begun to taper off as I am hoping my body can relearn how to sleep over the next six months.

I am grateful to my doctors for allowing me to stay on this medication. Just before being prescribed Ambien I developed complete insomnia, became severely exhausted, dealt with chronic sickness, and was thoroughly out of ideas how to cope with daily life. I felt driving was dangerous.

Yes, there are side effects with this medication. Memory loss always (just after taking till just after waking), hallucinations when waking sometimes, becoming more aggressive etc.

However, I will bundle all the side effects and gladly tell you they are completely worth the relief that Ambien will bring to people like myself. The alternative was far more hellish. Those who truly suffer and are at wits end will fully understand what im saying.

There's ways to cope with the side effects. People who truly care about you will understand the memory loss, the crappy midnite meal you cook, and the wacky conversations you'll be having. Because those same people will know you were a deadly looking, skinny, and a hopeless zombie before this medication.

Weening will make you irritable for a few days. But that too will be fine. If you need the medication use the medication. Just deal the best you can.

Good Luck, Sweet Dreams.
:)

This drug zolpeidum excellent i am using near 4 yrs 10 mg it is sleeping pill but also work as best carminatve for dyspepsia for expulsion of gas i dont want to discotinue but taken serously any alternative is better than zolpeidum

David wrote:

Ambien will destory your short term memmory

How didd you get off it.... My friend is struggling very badly, and I believe it's Ambien.