1. < Sleep Health

How can I get off ambien and still sleep

Posted by sashaabrams @sashaabrams, Dec 24, 2023

I am a 63 year old woman very recently widowed. I have had insomnia my whole life. Since childhood. I have been on and off ambien for many years. The past 6 years I have been taking it continuously. When I don’t sleep I feel sick with flu like symptoms. Lately, I have am experiencing cognitive issues. Confusion, clumsiness, forgetfulness, etc…my doctor doesn’t seem to be worried. I read that these signs of dementia are reversible if I stop the drug. But how can I sleep without it? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Sasha

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rjjacobsen | @rjjacobsen | Mar 25 2:00pm
In reply to @susanjane77 "The sleep specialist immediately put me on Lunesta. I questioned this as to why I am..." + (show)
@susanjane77

The sleep specialist immediately put me on Lunesta. I questioned this as to why I am not tapering off the Ambien. He said there was no need. I thought that odd. Lunesta did not even make me drowsy. 3mg no less. So back to Ambien. If you state that it takes a long time to taper off, I refuse to do such. I am a poor sleeper to begin with and I cannot take any more nights of no sleep.

Thanks for trying to help.

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SJ: I think you should gather information from reliable sources on the internet to verify what I stated.

Based on what you said, I would also strongly recommend getting a second opinion from an experienced sleep med doctor.

Sleep well.

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