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Weaning off zolpidem (Ambien)

Posted by lusia @lusia, Dec 9, 2017

taking 5mg ambian for 20 years can melatonin help to ween me off

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maryshipley | @maryshipley | Sep 19, 2018
In reply to @bernese53 "I have been taking 10 mg of Ambien for the last ten years. I have tried..." + (show)
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I have been taking 10 mg of Ambien for the last ten years. I have tried melatonin but it did not work for me. I understand that it is important to be under a doctor's supervision when you cut back on Ambien. Anyone here who has been successful in terms of cutting back/quitting Ambien?

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Yes. I hav cut down 20 mg to 5mg and still going. I am using melatonin. I am weaning slowly as there is a mental part to this. I also use a teenybopper bit of ambien if my mind will not shut off. Good luck.

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ronabelle | @ronabelle | Sep 21, 2018
In reply to @maryshipley "Very very proud of you. I will be off in 2 weeks. I had to sweat..." + (show)
Profile picture for maryshipley @maryshipley

Very very proud of you. I will be off in 2 weeks. I had to sweat off. I am sleeping better also. Yeahhhh to both of us.

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How did u do it?

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ronabelle | @ronabelle | Sep 21, 2018
In reply to @annied "I have been taking ambien 10mg and melatonian for a number of years. I have struggled..." + (show)
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I have been taking ambien 10mg and melatonian for a number of years. I have struggled with insomnia since I was a child. My doctor wants me to stop ambien and suggested a low dose of Elavil (25 mg). I've been concerned about the effects of long term use. Elavil is an anti depressant but they have found that low doses help with sleep and symptoms of fibromyalgia. I decided to give it a try. I've been taking it for a week. I have been a little disappointed that the elavil doesn't "turn of my brain " like ambien does. I have felt like I was more awake and have been more restless in bed. But. I have been alert and not tired at all. So, I'm going to continue with the elavil. I've decided to remain calm and not freak out when I wake more in the.night. as long as i continue to function during the day. I wish you all the best of luck!!
By the way, it took months for me to wean myself off effexor. Started with 1/2, then1/4. Then little tiny bits until I didn't feel withdrawal symptoms. Keep trying! You can do it!!

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This is nice

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Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Sep 22, 2018
In reply to @ronabelle "How did u do it?" + (show)
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How did u do it?

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HI, @ronabelle - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

You were asking @maryshipley about how she did it. Are you wondering about how she has successfully cut down her dosage, how much melatonin she is taking or about what she referred to as the mental part to the weaning off Ambien process?

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maryshipley | @maryshipley | Sep 22, 2018

Now using Trazodone. Down to 2 mg of Ambien. I am planning on always having Ambien, in case I on a trip or business trip. This will only be once in a while. Ambien is designed for about 3 days every once in a while. Good luck.

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linda66 | @linda66 | Sep 24, 2018

I have added 3mg of melatonin at night about 30minutes before I sleep since I am tapering off of quetiapine and have experienced some sleep problems at night. This has helped me fall asleep and stay asleep. I was getting up at least three times at night and now I wake up only twice but fall asleep right away. It is only early but I hope that this will last until the next dosage reduction of quetiapine.

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sookie | @sookie | Oct 3, 2018
In reply to @medicmikey "Was on Ambien from May 2004 till May 2017. Started at 5mg and at one time,..." + (show)
Profile picture for medicmikey @medicmikey

Was on Ambien from May 2004 till May 2017. Started at 5mg and at one time, was taking 70mg (yeah you read that right) a night. I was on 12.5mg er when I had just had enough. It is easy to form a dependency or even an addiction to Zolpidem and have your life or lifestyle depend on it. Currently, I take one Tylenol pm, 1 10 mg melatonin and smoke some cannabis about an hour before bed. If you are going to break a long term dependency on Ambien, cannabis is key in my opinion. It treats anxiety, depression, insomnia and has anti-inflammatory properties and the CBD’s help with memory and nerve repair and have been known to kill toxic cells like cancer. Cannabis has no “next day grogginess” and comes in raw form or edibles, drops, mist and can even be rubbed on ( transdermal ). The LD50 ( lethal dose that it takes to kill 50% populous) is 1500lbs consumed in 24 hours which is just about impossible. It’s worth a try if it’s available to you. Moderation as always is the key.

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Medicmickey. Somebody please please help me Ambien 10mg is making me panic attacks really really bad during the day anxiety I'm coming out of my skin right now. I've tried everything I have a vape that someone gave me with 87% THC medic Mickey I've tried it before and it didn't work tell me what to do somebody please help me I am losing my mind I need help bad please please please somebody help me

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maryshipley | @maryshipley | Oct 3, 2018
In reply to @sookie "Medicmickey. Somebody please please help me Ambien 10mg is making me panic attacks really really bad..." + (show)
Profile picture for sookie @sookie

Medicmickey. Somebody please please help me Ambien 10mg is making me panic attacks really really bad during the day anxiety I'm coming out of my skin right now. I've tried everything I have a vape that someone gave me with 87% THC medic Mickey I've tried it before and it didn't work tell me what to do somebody please help me I am losing my mind I need help bad please please please somebody help me

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What helped me was Trazodone. The only problem was I did not sleep the whole night. I have started to take 5 mil with Trazodone and that is helping. Would see a Doctor however. Hope this helps.

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maryshipley | @maryshipley | Oct 3, 2018
In reply to @bernese53 "Be gentle with yourself. I have been taking Ambien since 9/11. I can’t sleep without it..." + (show)
Profile picture for bernese53 @bernese53

Be gentle with yourself. I have been taking Ambien since 9/11. I can’t sleep without it and have decided that it is okay to continue to take it. You may reach a different conclusion but please be gentle with yourself in terms of thinking about your insomnia.

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Started taking a little Ambien again. Nothing else would let me sleep more than a few hours. I have decided I am OK with some Ambien.

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sndishpr | @sndishpr | Oct 3, 2018
In reply to @maryshipley "Started taking a little Ambien again. Nothing else would let me sleep more than a few..." + (show)
Profile picture for maryshipley @maryshipley

Started taking a little Ambien again. Nothing else would let me sleep more than a few hours. I have decided I am OK with some Ambien.

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@maryshipley, I am planning to see a therapist who specializes in insomnia and he understands that I am hoping to wean off Ambien. Going on a vacation out of country for two weeks and will see him after. I totally rely on my meds to sleep. 5 mg Ambien, .25 Xanax., 5 mg melatonin and 2 Benadryl.. If I wake up at 2 or 3, I take another 5 ambien, It is so wonderful to sleep at night, but my doctor is insistent that i wean off ambien and the Xanax. Can’t imagine doing without.

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