I have consulted a sleep specialist about my concerns. He feels that there is no problem with me taking 10mg per night as long as it works for me. I have seen him regularly for the last 2 years. I also discuss the situation with my family doctor. He also doesn't feel there is any reason to discontinue. I, on the other hand, want to get off of it. The doctors think it would be too stressful to try to withdraw and don't encourage it. Presently, I am trying to get off of my antidepressant drug, Effexor, with the help of my family doctor. Maybe I should get over the Effexor withdrawal before attempting the ambien, but I do want to find out how best to go about it.
Hi Arachel,
I sure wouldn’t try going off Effexor and Ambien at the same time. I would do the Effexor first...slowly if possible. You’ll need your sleep because the side effects are trying. Then if you want to get off the Ambien wean yourself off that with the help of a sleep specialist.
This was a special on Lynne Ling Show on CNN recently. You may want to watch. and talk to your doctor.If you or anyone you know is taking a benzodiazapine medicine, this is a 'MUST SEE?HEAR'.
Pls! Please watch this to the very end! GOTO: https://youtu.be/Yh54uj6qH98
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Oct 28, 2019
Hi, @arachel - wondering how you are doing? You mentioned going back on venlafaxine (Effexor) and cutting back on Zolpidem (Ambien) instead. Is your sleep still restless?
Hi. Am new to Connect. I’ve been on ambien (5 mg) for years. Absolutely a security blanket. I also take .25 Xanax and a melatonin. My doctor wants me off the ambien and Xanax and thinks therapy to reduce stress and anxiety is the answer. I have no stress or anxiety at this time in my life, I couldn’t be happier. However, If I don’t take the ambien at bedtime, I eventually take it hours later after not sleeping, Need help in weaning.
Sorry, I bumped a button and lost what I started. Basically, take one pill and crush it - then mix / shake it with 3 mg of water - use two syringes [ 1mg. and a 3mg. ] to measure out 1/100 reduction per day until you get down to 0. It will take 100 days. You will have to make a chart with your reduction schedule. Double check your math! Log each day and the reduction on a calendar. You should talk to your doctor first. This is the only way to slowly wean off very slowly. Your brain may fight the reduction and you may not sleep from time to time. Remember, this is hard, a pain in the butt. It will work. I will be working on a table of measurements sometime this winter and post it to this site (if allowed). Good luck.
Some excellent points Georgette! I made a commitment to myself that when I quit drinking and smoking that I would not make an effort to tell everyone I saw doing either what great harm they were doing to their bodies and that they could quit if they really wanted. Life choices must be made by everyone for their life and it is not our place to judge, but I will offer support if anyone asks because they are attempting to make a lifestyle change. I think your making a choice that is best for you and your health, regardless of what anyone else thinks, is admirable.
Dear Gary, your response is a couple years old so I have no clue whether you will receive this or not, but I have been taking Ambien (5-10 mgs)for about 20 years and am currently confronting a significant side effect due to my extended exposure to the drug, which is why I am on the board looking for best approaches to ween myself off completely. The reason I am investigating this is because Ambien is destroying my memory. I am in my early 40s, am on no other meds, am healthy (exercise 5x a week), have my Masters degree, and am a card carrying member of MENSA. My intellectual capabilities have enabled me to thrive my entire life. Over the last 5-7 years, my memory has slowly gotten worse and worse over time. I use to have an encyclopedic memory and was untouchable at games like Jeopardy and Trivial Pursuit. Now, it seems like answers are just beyond my grasps. I have an extremely hard time remembering any new info I have to process. Meeting new people is a nightmare. I have built in as many crutches as possible, entering names, instructions, details of anything I am told into my phone, but it’s hardly the way I want to live my life. I am terrified that the damage I’ve done to my brain cannot be fixed & gradually over time I will develop dementia. Honestly, if I was single I would probably accept this fate because I am terrified of the insomnia that awaits once I start trying to ween myself of Ambien. However, I have 3 young sons, and I can’t imagine not being able to watch them grow up and Build families of their own. All that being said, please do not take Ambien for an extended period of time. The last handful of years are a blur and even my old “hardwired” memories are fading. You don’t want to deal with the memory challenges I am confronting, and if anyone is reading this and has successfully weaned yourself off of Ambien, please share your story.
Im in the same boat. Been taking ambien for many years at the top dosage 10 mg, wven after they changed the recommendations that women ahould take less, my dr had no problem with me taking the full 10. Im trying to wean myself off as i have begun abusing it by taking small amounts during the day after accidentally realizing that it takes away all my anxiety, something i have been struggling with after trying to wean from and ultimately reinstating effexor. On a slipperly slope, ive admitted this to doctors and asked for something else and am told "just don't take it during the day" which is about as helpful as telling an alcoholic to just not drink. I feel like the ambien actually exacerbates anxiety and depression but in the moment, it helps it, so its hard not to take it.
Hi. I’m sorry you are having such a battle; one I know only too well. You mentioned you have been taking it many years at the top dosage. How many years?
I have been taking it at least fifteen years at 12.5 and I believe that is the highest dosage. I have tried numerous different things : other drugs, antihistamines, edibles came closest to anything that worked. I have had two sleep studies and they recommended that I stay in in the Ambien because I had tried so many different Pharmaceuticals.
What did you mean about “women taking less?” Was a reason given?
Right now I am trying, again, a CPAP machine. It just might work this time. It’s a lot more comfortable than it was seven years ago, when I gave up trying. It’s supposed to help (maybe get off the Ambien) also with clenching (teeth) during the night, which is a real problem for me.
Let me know how you’re doing.😊
Hi. I’m sorry you are having such a battle; one I know only too well. You mentioned you have been taking it many years at the top dosage. How many years?
I have been taking it at least fifteen years at 12.5 and I believe that is the highest dosage. I have tried numerous different things : other drugs, antihistamines, edibles came closest to anything that worked. I have had two sleep studies and they recommended that I stay in in the Ambien because I had tried so many different Pharmaceuticals.
What did you mean about “women taking less?” Was a reason given?
Right now I am trying, again, a CPAP machine. It just might work this time. It’s a lot more comfortable than it was seven years ago, when I gave up trying. It’s supposed to help (maybe get off the Ambien) also with clenching (teeth) during the night, which is a real problem for me.
Let me know how you’re doing.😊
I was told to reduce my 5mg by cutting it in half which really doesn’t work because the pill is tiny anyway it’s never the same anyway. Wondering if I took half of Ambien which is a about a 2.5 and 10 melatonin
Our Medicare supplemental coverage refused to cover Ambien due to memory loss issues. I am 72, and take 1mg. of clonazepam, and things seem fine. Much has been written about clonazepam, and nearly every other medication, but it works for me. I have hope for those with medical and pharmacological issues, but I continue to be flummoxed by those who self taper off of prescribed medication, in many instances without the oversight of a physician. Antidepressants and anti anxiety meds can be very disabling. I had a very bad experience with an antidepressant, new to the market and highly touted. I was prescribed it by a board certified psychiatrist with 30 years experience. The drug and physician are both good, but the drug was not good for me. Brain chemistry is not an exact science, and I am hopeful people will defer to their physicians. This forum is wonderful, but not a substitute for one on one medical supervision. Climbing off my soapbox...
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Hi Arachel,
I sure wouldn’t try going off Effexor and Ambien at the same time. I would do the Effexor first...slowly if possible. You’ll need your sleep because the side effects are trying. Then if you want to get off the Ambien wean yourself off that with the help of a sleep specialist.
This was a special on Lynne Ling Show on CNN recently. You may want to watch. and talk to your doctor.If you or anyone you know is taking a benzodiazapine medicine, this is a 'MUST SEE?HEAR'.
Pls! Please watch this to the very end! GOTO: https://youtu.be/Yh54uj6qH98
Hi, @arachel - wondering how you are doing? You mentioned going back on venlafaxine (Effexor) and cutting back on Zolpidem (Ambien) instead. Is your sleep still restless?
Sorry, I bumped a button and lost what I started. Basically, take one pill and crush it - then mix / shake it with 3 mg of water - use two syringes [ 1mg. and a 3mg. ] to measure out 1/100 reduction per day until you get down to 0. It will take 100 days. You will have to make a chart with your reduction schedule. Double check your math! Log each day and the reduction on a calendar. You should talk to your doctor first. This is the only way to slowly wean off very slowly. Your brain may fight the reduction and you may not sleep from time to time. Remember, this is hard, a pain in the butt. It will work. I will be working on a table of measurements sometime this winter and post it to this site (if allowed). Good luck.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionDear Gary, your response is a couple years old so I have no clue whether you will receive this or not, but I have been taking Ambien (5-10 mgs)for about 20 years and am currently confronting a significant side effect due to my extended exposure to the drug, which is why I am on the board looking for best approaches to ween myself off completely. The reason I am investigating this is because Ambien is destroying my memory. I am in my early 40s, am on no other meds, am healthy (exercise 5x a week), have my Masters degree, and am a card carrying member of MENSA. My intellectual capabilities have enabled me to thrive my entire life. Over the last 5-7 years, my memory has slowly gotten worse and worse over time. I use to have an encyclopedic memory and was untouchable at games like Jeopardy and Trivial Pursuit. Now, it seems like answers are just beyond my grasps. I have an extremely hard time remembering any new info I have to process. Meeting new people is a nightmare. I have built in as many crutches as possible, entering names, instructions, details of anything I am told into my phone, but it’s hardly the way I want to live my life. I am terrified that the damage I’ve done to my brain cannot be fixed & gradually over time I will develop dementia. Honestly, if I was single I would probably accept this fate because I am terrified of the insomnia that awaits once I start trying to ween myself of Ambien. However, I have 3 young sons, and I can’t imagine not being able to watch them grow up and Build families of their own. All that being said, please do not take Ambien for an extended period of time. The last handful of years are a blur and even my old “hardwired” memories are fading. You don’t want to deal with the memory challenges I am confronting, and if anyone is reading this and has successfully weaned yourself off of Ambien, please share your story.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsIm in the same boat. Been taking ambien for many years at the top dosage 10 mg, wven after they changed the recommendations that women ahould take less, my dr had no problem with me taking the full 10. Im trying to wean myself off as i have begun abusing it by taking small amounts during the day after accidentally realizing that it takes away all my anxiety, something i have been struggling with after trying to wean from and ultimately reinstating effexor. On a slipperly slope, ive admitted this to doctors and asked for something else and am told "just don't take it during the day" which is about as helpful as telling an alcoholic to just not drink. I feel like the ambien actually exacerbates anxiety and depression but in the moment, it helps it, so its hard not to take it.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi. I’m sorry you are having such a battle; one I know only too well. You mentioned you have been taking it many years at the top dosage. How many years?
I have been taking it at least fifteen years at 12.5 and I believe that is the highest dosage. I have tried numerous different things : other drugs, antihistamines, edibles came closest to anything that worked. I have had two sleep studies and they recommended that I stay in in the Ambien because I had tried so many different Pharmaceuticals.
What did you mean about “women taking less?” Was a reason given?
Right now I am trying, again, a CPAP machine. It just might work this time. It’s a lot more comfortable than it was seven years ago, when I gave up trying. It’s supposed to help (maybe get off the Ambien) also with clenching (teeth) during the night, which is a real problem for me.
Let me know how you’re doing.😊
My doctor said it can cause some memory loss for seniors I am 73
I was told to reduce my 5mg by cutting it in half which really doesn’t work because the pill is tiny anyway it’s never the same anyway. Wondering if I took half of Ambien which is a about a 2.5 and 10 melatonin
Our Medicare supplemental coverage refused to cover Ambien due to memory loss issues. I am 72, and take 1mg. of clonazepam, and things seem fine. Much has been written about clonazepam, and nearly every other medication, but it works for me. I have hope for those with medical and pharmacological issues, but I continue to be flummoxed by those who self taper off of prescribed medication, in many instances without the oversight of a physician. Antidepressants and anti anxiety meds can be very disabling. I had a very bad experience with an antidepressant, new to the market and highly touted. I was prescribed it by a board certified psychiatrist with 30 years experience. The drug and physician are both good, but the drug was not good for me. Brain chemistry is not an exact science, and I am hopeful people will defer to their physicians. This forum is wonderful, but not a substitute for one on one medical supervision. Climbing off my soapbox...
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Helpful -
Hug
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