Ambien: How can I sleep without it?

@tdot
I have sleep problems too but decided to stop taking anything for it. If I sleep fine or if I don’t that’s fine too.
I wake up around three 3:30 every day. Some days I go back to sleep some days I don’t but I take seizure medication’s and I don’t actually wanna take those but I don’t have any choice if I want to stay conscious. When I was having more trouble falling asleep, my doctor suggested I take a walk in the evening.
I personally don’t believe that taking sleeping medication’s long-term are going to benefit you.
Take care & sweet dreams,
Jake

Thanks for the advice. However, I use an elliptical machine everyday in the morning instead of a walk. It is difficult to walk outside on really cold days or really hot days. I exercise everyday on my elliptical in the morning, and some small weights at night, but I found walking in the evening kept me awake before trying to go to bed to rest and get some sleep. Also, 3-1/2 years ago my doctor told me I had pre-diabetes. I didn’t want to take medicine and my doctor agreed, because I could handle it with going to a nutritionist and change what I eat and exercise everyday on my elliptical and it has worked. I go to the doctor every 3 months for an A1C check and you are not supposed to get over 7 on your A1C and I have kept my A1C continuously at 4.8 which is great. I also keep a journal of every meal I eat and not the calories are really more important than keeping track of the grams. I hate taking medicine if you can fix your life with a different lifestyle which includes less and better food along with exercise. I probably gave you information you probably didn’t need. I just want every one to know that medicine is not always the answer. I just have to figure a way not to take an insomnia medicine. I have spent a lot of time trying to refine my life without meds. For me, it is taking one problem at a time and finding a doctor who would rather not give meds, but to treat you with wholesome food.

I will stay on ambein...I am over the age of 65 and will take it ..I know how it feels to not sleep..sometimes you just have to do what makes your life better and we are need sleep

Have a couple of questions. First, have you tried reducing the dosage of Ambien? Second, what dosage of melatonin have you tried such 1 mg or 3 mg. The higher doses cause me to have nightmares.

The melatonin I tried was Goli chewies in which on the bottle it suggested taking 2 which was 10 mg and I remember having horrible nightmares and the next morning getting up feeling like a zombie for most of the day. I haven’t tried a lower dose of Ambien because 10 mg is what my doctor prescribed. I will talk to my doctor about possibly doing that. Thank you.

I’m 77 take 300 mg Gabapentin for neuropathy in evening
1/2 (5mg) Zolpidem
Gotta sleep

I am not playing "Can You Top This", but I have had a serious sleep problem since the year 2000. I did not know what caused the sudden change in my bedtime routine for two years...then I found out. My OBGYN put me on "Prempro" years ago ( 15 years on it) for hot flashes. Every time I tried to get OFF that drug, my Doctor would say, "My wife is on it, isn't that good enough for you?" Anyway, the same (stupid) Doctor called one day, and said, "Do Not Take Another Pill, I have new information!" So, I quit cold turkey instead of ( that I found out later) going off gradually. (Sorry, I am making this so long). From that night on, I had trouble sleeping. Did not connect at first. I thought going ON a new pill would cause that, but not going off! I have had problems ever since. I have had a serious "Sleep Study", have gone through all kinds of routines, different pills. and still have a constant problem. I do take Zolpidem (10mg) every night. I have tried to quit. I DO NOT sleep without it. No matter how much I walk or exercise during the day...same thing! I am on other medications as well for BP problems. I cannot find another answer, but have really tried!!
So, just know you are NOT alone! Let me know if you find a solution, and I will do the same!
BTW...Happy Holidays!!

I have been using Zolpidem (Ambien) for several years and have increased from 5 to 10 mg, and I also take 50 mg of Benedryl every night to sleep. I want to wean myself off of Zolpidem. Years ago, I was put on a program that added Valium while decreasing the Zolpidem and then tapering the Valium. It worked for me, but I can't find the program online now, and my PCP does not like the idea. It worked, and unfortunately, I started back on the Zolpidem.

I’ve been taking 5 mg Ambien ( generic ) for 5-6 years or so . I have horrible chronic digestive disorders for 10 years.
I also take gummy melatonin 5 mg w/ it now . I just can’t sleep more than 2 hrs w/o waking up , then having my gut issues through the night . I sometimes wake every hour on the hour . I was just given an RX for Trazodone 50 mg to switch for Ambien . I haven’t tried it yet , but I will .
I have tried many diff sleep aids for short periods of time .
Ambien did work first couple years but not anymore.
I have Klonopin 1 mg ( I break in half ) I take as needed for anxiety but I don’t take it at night and mix the two .
I’ve seen 6 Gastro Drs and have 7 diagnoses and over 20 tests but I’m a medical mystery for years now .
I get up at 7:30 am , I do a lot of things too 1 pm then I’m so wiped out but cannot fall asleep 💤 to nap in day so the fatigue is bad ( w/ the gut from 1-4 pm daily ).
It’s a vicious cycle for sure .
We all need good sleep to function well . 🙁

My rheumatologist suggested tizanidine at bedtime. I take three, plus the Ambien, and I sleep very well

Without the meds, I am a hardcore insomniac. I’ve tried many medications, sleep hygiene training and counseling. You may not need as high of a dose as I take.