Zolpidem weaning

Posted by patriciaschulz1950 @patriciaschulz1950, Oct 5 2:31pm

I have been on zolpidem (5MG) for over 20 years. I was prescribed it to help me sleep through chronic neuropathy pain. It works - gives me 5-6 hours sleep, sadly though my neuropathy pain is getting worse as I age. I am 75 years, and I do feel zolpidem makes me lethargic next day, which apparently I didn’t notice when I was full time working, and so busy during the day, plus my neuropathy has worsened over the last five years. I figure I won’t know if I don’t try to wean off if the lethargic , tired, just want to sleep feeling will go away. Possibly all aging and the result of dealing with chronic pain. Any natural or holistic approaches to better sleep? Melatonin - open to suggestions and comments. I would like to have a plan, an alternative aid before I attempt this. Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sleep Health Support Group.

laura1970 | @laura1970 | Oct 5 3:43pm

Some alternatives that know of may work. They aren’t as strong as ambien so may have to take more than 1. I’m in the same boat as u, take sleeping pills to avoid narcotics.

Valerian root is relaxing, for me doesn’t work on its own
Magnesium glycenate has many benefits besides sleep so it’s a good one to have in your cocktail.
I used to take melatonin every night but read some studies that dissuaded me away from this. I think it’s best for jet lag, shift workers syndrome or occasional use.
CBD and/ cannabis I have had good luck with, go to a dispensary and tell them you have neuropathy and want to sleep. There are many strains
I would recommend against long term Benadryl use
Chamomile tea
Tart cherry, I don’t like the taste
Try lavender essential oil on your pillow. Just a little
L- theanine

Other avenues to try include meditation, avoiding naps, limiting screens before bed,

None of them gave me a full nights sleep, but they help. I’m now on belsomra

jdake | @jdake | Oct 6 2:23pm

There is a 12.5 mg extended release zolpidem available - maybe cut those in half?? I have been on zolpidem (alternate between 10 & 12.5 mg, but mostly 10mg) and don’t see any reason to quit - it works better than anything I’ve tried and I see no side effects. IMO, the idea that “natural is always better” is comical - some of the most deadly known toxins occur naturally 😬

patriciaschulz1950 | @patriciaschulz1950 | Oct 6 3:08pm

In reply to @jdake "There is a 12.5 mg extended release zolpidem available - maybe cut those in half?? I..." + (show)

@jdake I know - it helps me sleep period enough to mask neuropathy pain - I could not have worked before without the help. I am so tired and lethargic in the mornings - however , that could just be age. If I don’t feel “more awake” after weaning off - I will go back on it unless in meantime I find something that will work. I am tired of trying to resolve this feeling. Ha!

lizjlb | @lizjlb | Oct 6 8:01pm

In reply to @laura1970 "Some alternatives that know of may work. They aren’t as strong as ambien so may have..." + (show)

@laura1970 how is belsomra working for you? better than ambien. ? onset insomnia or waking up type?

laura1970 | @laura1970 | Oct 6 9:27pm

In reply to @jdake "There is a 12.5 mg extended release zolpidem available - maybe cut those in half?? I..." + (show)

@jdake I think that long acting ambien has a coating on it. Splitting it just turns it into short acting ambien

laura1970 | @laura1970 | Oct 6 9:29pm

In reply to @lizjlb "@laura1970 how is belsomra working for you? better than ambien. ? onset insomnia or waking up..." + (show)

@lizjlb ambien stopped working for me altogether so belsomra is better than that. It isn’t all it’s hyped up to be. But on the 15 mg I don’t have many middle of the night waking

lizjlb | @lizjlb | Oct 7 8:42pm

In reply to @laura1970 "@lizjlb ambien stopped working for me altogether so belsomra is better than that. It isn’t all..." + (show)

@laura1970 do you use it for onset insomnia or staying asleep or both? I have onset insomnia.

patriciaschulz1950 | @patriciaschulz1950 | Oct 8 9:48am

In reply to @lizjlb "@laura1970 do you use it for onset insomnia or staying asleep or both? I have onset..." + (show)

@lizjlb I use it nightly to sleep I only have insomnia because of the excruciating pain for my neuropathy. So the sultan help me go to sleep and I can count on six hours usually enough to let me function the next day. It’s the only thing I found that lets me sleep at night.

lizjlb | @lizjlb | Oct 8 5:57pm

sultan?