Weaning off zolpidem (Ambien)

Posted by lusia @lusia, Dec 9, 2017

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

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

@tennbee

I don't have any side effects that I've directly attributed to the Zolpidem. I do think the 10MG dose might be a little to much for my 74 year old body to process.

Jump to this post

HI, @tennbee - will you talk more about the 10 mg dose being a little too much for your body to process? What have you experienced at this dosage? Interestingly, @earl66 also talked about feeling a 10 mg dose was too much, and maybe can explain further what he experienced.

@clutch - how's your sleep going after tapering off the zolpidem (Ambien)?

REPLY
@lisalucier

HI, @tennbee - will you talk more about the 10 mg dose being a little too much for your body to process? What have you experienced at this dosage? Interestingly, @earl66 also talked about feeling a 10 mg dose was too much, and maybe can explain further what he experienced.

@clutch - how's your sleep going after tapering off the zolpidem (Ambien)?

Jump to this post

I have to get up at least 1 time, if not 2, to go to the bathroom during the night. I feel unsteady on my feet so I'm extra careful. This has just started to happen this year. I've tried breaking the 10MG in half but most nights I'll get to sleep but don't stay asleep very long.

REPLY
@lisalucier

HI, @tennbee - will you talk more about the 10 mg dose being a little too much for your body to process? What have you experienced at this dosage? Interestingly, @earl66 also talked about feeling a 10 mg dose was too much, and maybe can explain further what he experienced.

@clutch - how's your sleep going after tapering off the zolpidem (Ambien)?

Jump to this post

Thank you Lisa.
I was able to wean off the Ambien pretty easily, but traded the witch for the devil by doing so. Had to depend on benzos for sleep. I actually think I should have tried it the other way around. Anything has to be better than weaning off benzos. Wouldn't recommend them to anyone for anything, except in very extrememe anxiety disorders.

REPLY

I find Ambien 5 milligrams is the least harmful way to fall asleep and at 70 I’m not worried about being addicted. If it’s not one thing, it’s another!

REPLY
@clutch

Thank you Lisa.
I was able to wean off the Ambien pretty easily, but traded the witch for the devil by doing so. Had to depend on benzos for sleep. I actually think I should have tried it the other way around. Anything has to be better than weaning off benzos. Wouldn't recommend them to anyone for anything, except in very extrememe anxiety disorders.

Jump to this post

A friend of mine has been doing benzo's for a long time....he is mid 60's and literally can't get off of them. He can't sleep. He use to do ambien and was fine. He lives around finding his script or he is going to have a heart attack

REPLY
@earl66

A friend of mine has been doing benzo's for a long time....he is mid 60's and literally can't get off of them. He can't sleep. He use to do ambien and was fine. He lives around finding his script or he is going to have a heart attack

Jump to this post

@earl66
Hi,
I think until your friend makes a conscious decision to stop these meds or the doctor puts a stop to it there is little that can be done.
I do believe there are better sleep aids than Benzodiazepines in my opinion anyway. I told my doctor after getting of Klonopin when she tried to give me another Benzo drug “If your so fond of them you take them. Benzodiazepines are the drug of choice but it depends on how you take most drugs as to how safe they will be. Your friend shouldn’t rely on any medication to sleep on a nighty basis. There are other things that aid sleep.

No tv
No music
No cell phone use
No computer use
Sleep in a cool room with fresh air
Get plenty of light during the day to help your body efficiently use Melatonin
No caffeine at least 4hrs before bed
Go to bed and get up at the same time
Don’t nap
cognitive behavioral therapy.

I hope your friend can get off these meds and rely on his own body to do what it can do better than these drugs given the chance. But his body needs help. If he needs to do things that are conducive to sleep. We tend to take advantage of our bodies and expect it to function perfectly when we abuse it. Ain’t Hanna happen I’m afraid.
Good luck to your friend,
Jake

REPLY
@jakedduck1

@earl66
Hi,
I think until your friend makes a conscious decision to stop these meds or the doctor puts a stop to it there is little that can be done.
I do believe there are better sleep aids than Benzodiazepines in my opinion anyway. I told my doctor after getting of Klonopin when she tried to give me another Benzo drug “If your so fond of them you take them. Benzodiazepines are the drug of choice but it depends on how you take most drugs as to how safe they will be. Your friend shouldn’t rely on any medication to sleep on a nighty basis. There are other things that aid sleep.

No tv
No music
No cell phone use
No computer use
Sleep in a cool room with fresh air
Get plenty of light during the day to help your body efficiently use Melatonin
No caffeine at least 4hrs before bed
Go to bed and get up at the same time
Don’t nap
cognitive behavioral therapy.

I hope your friend can get off these meds and rely on his own body to do what it can do better than these drugs given the chance. But his body needs help. If he needs to do things that are conducive to sleep. We tend to take advantage of our bodies and expect it to function perfectly when we abuse it. Ain’t Hanna happen I’m afraid.
Good luck to your friend,
Jake

Jump to this post

@jakedduck1 - Hi. FYI - after using Ambien (5 mg) and Xanax (.25] religiously for many years, I made a decision to wean myself from these drugs. You may read my journey on this blog. I worked with a cognitive behavioral sleep therapist for 5 months. I practiced all the aids you mentioned. Bottom line, I now take 37 mg Trazodone nightly and sleep pretty well. My PCP is thrilled that I am off the other meds. Without this amount of Trazodone, I spent weeks sleep deprived. Understand, not everyone can sleep without some help, even practicing all you suggested. Trazodone seems to be the drug of choice of many psychiatrists.

REPLY
@sndishpr

@jakedduck1 - Hi. FYI - after using Ambien (5 mg) and Xanax (.25] religiously for many years, I made a decision to wean myself from these drugs. You may read my journey on this blog. I worked with a cognitive behavioral sleep therapist for 5 months. I practiced all the aids you mentioned. Bottom line, I now take 37 mg Trazodone nightly and sleep pretty well. My PCP is thrilled that I am off the other meds. Without this amount of Trazodone, I spent weeks sleep deprived. Understand, not everyone can sleep without some help, even practicing all you suggested. Trazodone seems to be the drug of choice of many psychiatrists.

Jump to this post

@sndishpr
I agree many have sleep issues but I believe there are reasons people can’t sleep and those issues need to be addressed. Trazodone is a good choice if someone is depressed or has anxiety problems. To often doctors don’t investigate the reason for sleeplessness. I hope your being treated for the actual reason why your having these issues.
Jake

REPLY
@jakedduck1

@sndishpr
I agree many have sleep issues but I believe there are reasons people can’t sleep and those issues need to be addressed. Trazodone is a good choice if someone is depressed or has anxiety problems. To often doctors don’t investigate the reason for sleeplessness. I hope your being treated for the actual reason why your having these issues.
Jake

Jump to this post

@jakedduck1 I am not depressed or have anxiety issues. My sleep therapist and PCP agree that some people are miserable sleepers and that Trazodone is their drug of choice for me.

REPLY
@sndishpr

@jakedduck1 I am not depressed or have anxiety issues. My sleep therapist and PCP agree that some people are miserable sleepers and that Trazodone is their drug of choice for me.

Jump to this post

@sndishpr
Hi
I hope you sleep like a baby every night!!!!!
💤 💤,
Jake

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.