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Medical cannabis vs Ambien?

Posted by patriciaschulz1950 @patriciaschulz1950, Oct 11, 2025

I am 75 years old - using 5 mg of Ambien (successfully) at night to help me sleep for six hours. I have chronic neuropathy pain in my feet , ankles and calves. I have been using for about 12 years and it lets me sleep through pain for 5-6 hours. I am tired all the next day. Cramping pain in my legs and feet usually wake me up or assuming the 5 mg of Ambien are leaving my system. I used to wake up refreshed and able to take on chronic pain for the day, however now I am so tired the next day. I would like to wean off Ambien and try pill or edible cannabis hoping this would work equally or better and give me more energy next morning. Thoughts? Any insights? Thanks!

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laura1970 | @laura1970 | Dec 10, 2025

Have you tried the long acting ambien?

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phoenixcholla | @phoenixcholla | Dec 11, 2025

Hi, Sorry for your health situation.
I long for sleep with my TMJ. Try gummies with THC. I get the sleep but I do wake up tired in the mornings and have fatigue crashes during the day.
The fatigue crash could be something else for me. The cannabis with no THC, just the CBN and other CB's didn't provide the sleep I need. Best of luck.

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phoenixcholla | @phoenixcholla | Dec 11, 2025
In reply to @mtmred12 "@maricopajoe2 I am 72 years old. And throughout my life every time there is a substance..." + (show)
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@maricopajoe2
I am 72 years old. And throughout my life every time there is a substance that helps with pain that is not pharmaceutical or taken over by the government they make it illegal. I also do not believe regulators of pain medicine should be left up to people that have experienced nothing more than a stubbed toe or a scraped knee. Shatter their leg or break their back then they can talk.

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@mtmred12
I want to invent a pain watch that records the pain sensations and let the doctors wear it for 5 minutes so these doctors can "feel my pain."

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ccrsphx | @ccrsphx | Dec 15, 2025

Hi I’m on my way 10 mg of ambien and 200 mg seroquill. I only have two hours of sleep. After that I’m wide awake.

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bilt4pain | @bilt4pain | Dec 16, 2025

I had taken ambien cr 12.5mgs. They use to work great for me over 14 years. But has not worked well this during the last quarter. My impending divorce could have something to do with that as well.
Merry Christmas!

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lisamonti1 | @lisamonti1 | Dec 19, 2025

I take about 3 hits of pot right before bed and I sleep so great! I've tried the various sleep meds and they always wear out and stop being effective. I have no fatigue or any other problems during the day unless I am having a fibromyalgia flare.

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bilt4pain | @bilt4pain | Dec 20, 2025
In reply to @lisamonti1 "I take about 3 hits of pot right before bed and I sleep so great! I've..." + (show)
Profile picture for lisamonti1 @lisamonti1

I take about 3 hits of pot right before bed and I sleep so great! I've tried the various sleep meds and they always wear out and stop being effective. I have no fatigue or any other problems during the day unless I am having a fibromyalgia flare.

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@lisamonti1
Can’t smoke anymore but 80 mgs. Thc and CBN does the job.

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lisamonti1 | @lisamonti1 | Dec 21, 2025
In reply to @bilt4pain "@lisamonti1 Can’t smoke anymore but 80 mgs. Thc and CBN does the job." + (show)
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@lisamonti1
Can’t smoke anymore but 80 mgs. Thc and CBN does the job.

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@bilt4pain
I would love to have the ability to get and afford a way to get the THC and CBD into my system at bedtime. Seems like smoking is the quickest, cheapest way. I am open to suggestions.

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phoenixcholla | @phoenixcholla | Dec 21, 2025
In reply to @lisamonti1 "I take about 3 hits of pot right before bed and I sleep so great! I've..." + (show)
Profile picture for lisamonti1 @lisamonti1

I take about 3 hits of pot right before bed and I sleep so great! I've tried the various sleep meds and they always wear out and stop being effective. I have no fatigue or any other problems during the day unless I am having a fibromyalgia flare.

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@lisamonti1
Gummies with 10mg of THC provide the relaxation to get some sleep.

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bilt4pain | @bilt4pain | Dec 21, 2025
In reply to @lisamonti1 "@bilt4pain I would love to have the ability to get and afford a way to get..." + (show)
Profile picture for lisamonti1 @lisamonti1

@bilt4pain
I would love to have the ability to get and afford a way to get the THC and CBD into my system at bedtime. Seems like smoking is the quickest, cheapest way. I am open to suggestions.

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@lisamonti1 That depends on where you live and what’s legal. Where I live Medical THC is legal in every form. Smoking is the fastest acting, but I’ve yet to see THC & CBD in flower or vape form. Only in gummies. I do find like most Med users that CBD is vital as straight THC can be slightly anxiety producing and CBD balances that out. I can get fast acting NANO gummies that work in 20-30 minutes, but Start with a Rove Vape. It’s about $60 for battery and cartridge.
Nothing about this industry is cheap.

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