Connect
← Return to Ambien: How can I sleep without it?
Discussion
Ambien: How can I sleep without it?
Sleep Health | Last Active: Feb 10, 2023 | Replies (53)Comment receiving replies
Ambien has a "black box" warning- meaning it can be hazardous to seniors 65+. I had been taking it for years. Last year I started sleeping hours and hours per day. I became dis-oriented. Then I started hallucinating- seeing people or things that were not there. I went to the hospital for this and they could not figure anything out. So I googled Ambien and learned it could cause disorientation and hallucinations in those over 65! It was a miracle that I could just get off it suddenly. The company that makes Ambien should be held accountable.
Replies to "Ambien has a "black box" warning- meaning it can be hazardous to seniors 65+. I had..."
How did you get off Ambien "suddenly?" I've been unsuccessful getting off of it gradually or any way(after many years on it). I have no negative side effects from it; in fact, it's been very helpful. However, I realize doctors are being encouraged not to prescribe it long term and so have been trying to anticipate that and get off of it myself. Everything I've tried involves a lot of sleep deprivation which triggers my depression and anxiety. Not fun.
Connect
Ambien (zolpidem) is a two-sided coin with its benefits and side effects. It should generally be used briefly and in smaller doses for elderly patients. There is so much good information out there about non-drug solutions to sleep problems. I've read plenty of them and one of the best is one I recently read, Sleep Through Insomnia, by Brandon R Peters, MD.
I hope you are doing better off the Ambien and sleeping well.