I have been taking 10 mg of Ambien for the last ten years. I have tried melatonin but it did not work for me. I understand that it is important to be under a doctor's supervision when you cut back on Ambien. Anyone here who has been successful in terms of cutting back/quitting Ambien?
I too take ambein 10mg for over ten years..I have no desire to stop.I remember how horrible it felt not to sleep..had sleep study..results were I had the worst results ..I will continue the ambein ...sleep is better then no sleep....
I too take ambein 10mg for over ten years..I have no desire to stop.I remember how horrible it felt not to sleep..had sleep study..results were I had the worst results ..I will continue the ambein ...sleep is better then no sleep....
I have tried many different "solutions to get a full night's sleep! I finally decided to go back to Zolpidem. I worked pretty well for about 2 months... I would wake up about 5:00 or 6:00.
Now I wake up at 3:00, every single night, when I go to bed at 11:00. What strength do you take?
I tried staying up until Midnight, but that did not help. It's like I have an internal alarm clock!
Any ideas?
You must set a nighttime routine and stay consistent..I go to bed at ten but do not fall right asleep usually by 11pm I fall to sleep..I get up every morning between 7 and 730..i do not drink caffeine after 3pm..turn off computer screen at 830pm..try some deep breathing and take your ambien same time each night ..I hope this helps ..I know how frustrating it can be....good luck and I hope you can find a solution
You must set a nighttime routine and stay consistent..I go to bed at ten but do not fall right asleep usually by 11pm I fall to sleep..I get up every morning between 7 and 730..i do not drink caffeine after 3pm..turn off computer screen at 830pm..try some deep breathing and take your ambien same time each night ..I hope this helps ..I know how frustrating it can be....good luck and I hope you can find a solution
I seldom watch TV until a couple hours before I go to bed. That might be my downfall. I heard that "warning" before, but hated to believe it. ..best I try that and read instead! Thanks for the reminder!
Hi all
I’ve been reading all the posts on this forum and have decided to contribute a comment.
First, thank you .
I’m encouraged and feel somewhat supported.
Hi @annepym
I have been on zolphidem for 6 - 7 years now at 10 mg a nite. Lately taking an extra half as well.
Have been getting extra on the internet to supplement my prescription .
All the cues for dependence , I now realise.
I’ve been getting bad anxiety and terrible brain fog too.
I’m now tapering 25% a week and have just got to 50%.
I would like to hear from some who have managed to stay off this drug longer term and if their anxiety goes or there memory and functions return .
Thanks everyone.
Good Morning!
I read all the messages here and yours seems closest to my situation. Please tell me what you think.
I'm 64 years old. I've been on 5mg Ambien for 6 months. I had trouble falling asleep and staying asleep after having a bad case of Covid. My dr. suggested Ambien. It worked like a charm. Now I want to stop it because of bad dreams and not wanting to get up in the morning. For 2 months I've taken 1/2 a dose. Now for the last week none. I'm taking an ayurvedic sleep aid but doesn't seem to help me fall asleep. It takes me about 1 1/2 hrs to fall asleep, then I do sleep well the rest of the night. It's just falling asleep that is the problem. Any suggestions? Thank you.
I am a long term ambien user, 14yrs and wanting to get off. So far taking 3mg of melatonin and 1/2 of my 5mg ambien has been doing great. Used nothing but melatonin last night and got good sleep.
As for taking 1 1/2 hrs to fall asleep... have you tried reading books. I always read before I go to sleep until I start getting drowsy. I also listen to audiobooks. Then I go to sleep with a wonderful sleep story from calm.calm which is an app that is worth every penny. They have tons of sleep stories and sleep "clinics" to help you fall asleep, along with meditation, healthy breathing and many other things. I definitely cannot fall asleep without my sleep stories.
Hi @annepym
I have been on zolphidem for 6 - 7 years now at 10 mg a nite. Lately taking an extra half as well.
Have been getting extra on the internet to supplement my prescription .
All the cues for dependence , I now realise.
I’ve been getting bad anxiety and terrible brain fog too.
I’m now tapering 25% a week and have just got to 50%.
I would like to hear from some who have managed to stay off this drug longer term and if their anxiety goes or there memory and functions return .
Thanks everyone.
Hello. I took Zolpidem (5mg) on a regular basis for 20 years. It didn’t help me in later years as it had earlier on. Last spring my dr said I should taper off because it is now linked to dementia. Last June I started tapering off at two week intervals. One every other night, then one every 2nd night, then one every 3rd night and on like that until I was off. I’m actually now sleeping fairly well. I get to sleep but wake up 2 or 3 times. It’s not perfect but I’m not feeling sleep deprived. I do feel that my mind is clearer since stopping. However I never found that it helped with anxiety.
Hello. I took Zolpidem (5mg) on a regular basis for 20 years. It didn’t help me in later years as it had earlier on. Last spring my dr said I should taper off because it is now linked to dementia. Last June I started tapering off at two week intervals. One every other night, then one every 2nd night, then one every 3rd night and on like that until I was off. I’m actually now sleeping fairly well. I get to sleep but wake up 2 or 3 times. It’s not perfect but I’m not feeling sleep deprived. I do feel that my mind is clearer since stopping. However I never found that it helped with anxiety.
Thanks for your reply.
I too have been getting less hours sleep without zolphidem .
But I do seem to be fine with it so far.
Plus a little more motivated in morning.
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I too take ambein 10mg for over ten years..I have no desire to stop.I remember how horrible it felt not to sleep..had sleep study..results were I had the worst results ..I will continue the ambein ...sleep is better then no sleep....
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have tried many different "solutions to get a full night's sleep! I finally decided to go back to Zolpidem. I worked pretty well for about 2 months... I would wake up about 5:00 or 6:00.
Now I wake up at 3:00, every single night, when I go to bed at 11:00. What strength do you take?
I tried staying up until Midnight, but that did not help. It's like I have an internal alarm clock!
Any ideas?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsYou must set a nighttime routine and stay consistent..I go to bed at ten but do not fall right asleep usually by 11pm I fall to sleep..I get up every morning between 7 and 730..i do not drink caffeine after 3pm..turn off computer screen at 830pm..try some deep breathing and take your ambien same time each night ..I hope this helps ..I know how frustrating it can be....good luck and I hope you can find a solution
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI seldom watch TV until a couple hours before I go to bed. That might be my downfall. I heard that "warning" before, but hated to believe it. ..best I try that and read instead! Thanks for the reminder!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi all
I’ve been reading all the posts on this forum and have decided to contribute a comment.
First, thank you .
I’m encouraged and feel somewhat supported.
Why do you want to wean yourself off it, please?
Hi @annepym
I have been on zolphidem for 6 - 7 years now at 10 mg a nite. Lately taking an extra half as well.
Have been getting extra on the internet to supplement my prescription .
All the cues for dependence , I now realise.
I’ve been getting bad anxiety and terrible brain fog too.
I’m now tapering 25% a week and have just got to 50%.
I would like to hear from some who have managed to stay off this drug longer term and if their anxiety goes or there memory and functions return .
Thanks everyone.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI am a long term ambien user, 14yrs and wanting to get off. So far taking 3mg of melatonin and 1/2 of my 5mg ambien has been doing great. Used nothing but melatonin last night and got good sleep.
As for taking 1 1/2 hrs to fall asleep... have you tried reading books. I always read before I go to sleep until I start getting drowsy. I also listen to audiobooks. Then I go to sleep with a wonderful sleep story from calm.calm which is an app that is worth every penny. They have tons of sleep stories and sleep "clinics" to help you fall asleep, along with meditation, healthy breathing and many other things. I definitely cannot fall asleep without my sleep stories.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHello. I took Zolpidem (5mg) on a regular basis for 20 years. It didn’t help me in later years as it had earlier on. Last spring my dr said I should taper off because it is now linked to dementia. Last June I started tapering off at two week intervals. One every other night, then one every 2nd night, then one every 3rd night and on like that until I was off. I’m actually now sleeping fairly well. I get to sleep but wake up 2 or 3 times. It’s not perfect but I’m not feeling sleep deprived. I do feel that my mind is clearer since stopping. However I never found that it helped with anxiety.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThanks for your reply.
I too have been getting less hours sleep without zolphidem .
But I do seem to be fine with it so far.
Plus a little more motivated in morning.