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Ambien: How can I sleep without it?

Sleep Health | Last Active: Feb 10, 2023 | Replies (53)

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@groovemon

There ARE helpful psychiatric medications out there. Ambien isn't one of them. I've been taking it for insomnia for several months now, and
I admit I enjoy the "hypnotic feeling" I get as soon as I take it. I get REM sleep, but during the day I'm mentally fuzzy, angry, confused ... In a word, stupefied.
It isn't normal. I don't feel myself. Please give me some advice for stopping. And for God's sake, DON'T tell me to change doctors, get
new referals, switch meds, etc. I don't have any money. I can't afford rehab. And I'm not going to a "free one." And my poverty health insurance barely pays my doctor, so he could care less.

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Replies to "There ARE helpful psychiatric medications out there. Ambien isn't one of them. I've been taking it..."

Hello @groovemon, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sorry you are having a hard time getting help. As members we cannot offer medical advice but we can share personal experiences and related information. I'm sure you are not alone in trying to taper off of Ambien. There is another discussion that you may find helpful to learn what others have shared.

- Weaning off zolpidem (Ambien): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/weenoff-ambian-with-melatonin/

I know you said your doctor could care less, but have you tried asking him how to taper off of Ambien?

@groovemon
You say "There ARE helpful psychiatric medications out there" meaning you somehow already know of one or more that would be better than Ambien. If your doctor could care less (far from an optimum situation but oh well), is it possible he also would not care whether he prescribed you something different than Ambien? Maybe just ask him to get you off Ambien and onto a different med., one that you feel would be better for your situation.
Best, Hank