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Weaning off zolpidem (Ambien)

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

That’s good you don’t have underlying medical issues. I haven’t taken it long but I have been weaning for a few months and I am finding the key is slow and steady. For me: I gave my sleep to the Lord, I bought a pill cutter and a CBT-I program. I also went to counseling at my Church for a couple of months. I started with half a pill then a quarter pill then an eighth of a pill now down to micro dosing. I am taking my time with each downgrade and if you have to restart a night or two it’s ok just go right back to the program. Do the downgrades when you feel good and there isn’t a ton of stress. And remember you can go at whatever pace you need. At each cycle you might adjust right away or you might take a week or so. Then when you are sleeping good star into the next downgrade. I sleep better with less medicine and I take a little melatonin. It is more psychological for me. Give yourself grace and take your time.

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Replies to "That’s good you don’t have underlying medical issues. I haven’t taken it long but I have..."
jeffkboyce | @jeffkboyce | Mar 25, 2021

Also - I meant to say my primary Dr. suggested that if I felt withdrawals then to go slower. It would be easier if it was the pills were beaded then you could just go bead by bead.

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lmcoff | @lmcoff | Mar 25, 2021

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for sharing your experience and advice. I have my pills cut into halves, 3/4 and smaller increments right now. Not feeling particularly stressed right now but just got my first dose of Moderna vaccine. We'll see how that sorts out. I have enough to stretch out tapering for about a week and a half. CBT does help, has your experience with it been good so far?

I can't use melatonin, any size dosage gives me horrible nightmares and night terrors. Tried Benadryl but it made me jittery. I don't want to take any other prescription sleep stuff, some people have good results with Trazadone but I tried it twice and it made me really sick.

We'll see how this goes, like I said if I can't get to a normal level of sleep (5-6 hours a night at least) I may have to go back on the Ambien. Until I started taking Ambien I would seldom ever sleep more than 5 hours a night, often 4 or less. For my entire life up until using Ambien, and I had no idea how sleep deprived I really was until the first week of a solid 7-8 hours a night!

Thanks again, have a great evening!

Lynn

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