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Ambien: How can I sleep without it?

Posted by rachel123 @rachel123, Jan 20, 2019

I have been taking ambien for over 10 years, and daily for the past year. Unfortunately, I now cannot go to sleep without it. Have gone to counselor for sleep therapy and now filling out a form about my sleep. What time do I go to sleep, how many times do I wake up, how long am I awake? I can't even remember because I can't sleep without it. Any comments, I am very challenged by the situation I have gotten myself in, and have anxiety because I cannot remember things.

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lauralouisenelson | @lauralouisenelson | Feb 8, 2023
In reply to @sugarloaf65 "I have been using Zolpidem (Ambien) for several years and have increased from 5 to 10..." + (show)
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I have been using Zolpidem (Ambien) for several years and have increased from 5 to 10 mg, and I also take 50 mg of Benedryl every night to sleep. I want to wean myself off of Zolpidem. Years ago, I was put on a program that added Valium while decreasing the Zolpidem and then tapering the Valium. It worked for me, but I can't find the program online now, and my PCP does not like the idea. It worked, and unfortunately, I started back on the Zolpidem.

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Isn't taking benedryl every night ill-advised? I'd get rid of that first. I also agree that, unless you can limit to 2 weeks, using benzos to get off Ambien is ill-advised, trading one dependence for another. Need a very slow taper, some have used trazadone during this time, not sure the benefit, but doctors seem more willing to go that route. Unfortunately many, as myself, do not tolerate traz. - hypotension.

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patriciacb | @patriciacb | Feb 10, 2023

I was also on Ambien for approximately 10 years. My doctor retired and my new doctor refused to prescribe it. Instead, she recommended Trazadone (100 ml) along with 10 ml of melatonin. I went off Ambien cold turkey. The 100 ml of Trazadone made me feel loopy the following day, so it was cut to 50 ml. Slowly I began sleeping better and better. After about 2 weeks or less, I am finally getting a good night's sleep almost every night! I had forgotten what it feels like. I hope this information is helpful for you and that you will find what works for you.

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advpntsys | @advpntsys | Jul 22 9:26pm

I have been taking ambien for a long time and am having the same symptoms. The focus, anxiety, and memory loss are the worst. Maybe Trazadone is the way to go.

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berekann | @berekann | Jul 26 7:52am
In reply to @rachel123 "Thank you so much for the encouragement and hope. I have started on the forms, even..." + (show)
Profile picture for rachel123 @rachel123

Thank you so much for the encouragement and hope. I have started on the forms, even tho since I am still taking the ambien, I really don't know when I go to sleep but with Ambien most of the time it isn't very long. Unfortunately when I wake up I just take more because I need my sleep, as we all do. I have tried to cut back on it and sometimes it works and then I end up taking it in the middle of the night. If it were not for problems with my memory I would not be concerned with the ambien because it has worked well for me for years. I have no idea if it is the ambien or something else that is "challenging" my memory. Keeping the log is also helping me to know and be more aware....some of the log of course is a guess. I have tried melatonin & trazodone and it did not work at all for me.....but that has been a couple of years . The most recent drug that I tried was sonata ---and it did not work either.

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@rachel123 I find that I do the same thing 5 mg put me to sleep and then later on I’ll take another 2 mg or so and then maybe some more so lately I’ve been waking up with some dizziness and nausea and I definitely cutting back starting tonight. And will try and get in to see a sleep doctor.

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