I know this is an old post, but just noticed it and I am in the same boat with you since 1995. Saw a top sleep specialist in NYC over 20 yrs ago and he convinced me that a lack of sleep is far worse for the body and mind than having ambien in your system. With a lifetime chronic anxiety disorder to deal with, not getting sleep exacerbates that condition and weakens the immune system, nervous system, heart, lungs and makes one more susceptible to virtually every degenerative and infectious disease.