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Weaning off zolpidem (Ambien)

Sleep Health | Last Active: Oct 1 7:53am | Replies (460)

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@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

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Replies to "@earl66 Hi, I think until your friend makes a conscious decision to stop these meds or..."

@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.