Weaning off zolpidem (Ambien)

I have been on 12.5 Ambien CR for years. I’m never rested when I wake up, I have crazy dreams (not the good kind) every night to the point I don’t even want to go to sleep bc of them. I’m wondering if Ambien is the cause of the dreams. Anyone else have this?

If it's not working....why don't you switch to something else?? You say you never feel rested..

I’ve tried Lunesta-it work well for about 4 hours, tried Melatonin too.

Yah...the doctors don't like to prescribe the sleep meds that really work....Triazolam or Flurazepam work great! Lorazepam works pretty good too.

You should maybe get a stronger dose of Ambien...

I’m on 12.5-I think that’s the strongest one.

Ok....so you want to wean off it right? Have you talked to your doctor about that? Maybe they could offer you some alternatives....have you ever tried CBD? Not sure it works for everyone though. Or I've heard Trazodone works for some people for sleep.

i've been diagnosed w/hypomania on bipolar spectrum w/no depression but lots of anxiety. i'm also a post-covid long hauler and the insomnia for the first 2 yrs. was relentless but i'm 77 and used naps during the day to catch up. have been on temazepam, 1/2 klonopin and progesterone for years and even those meds didn't help w/the horrid insomnia. melatonin did 0 for me. i live in az so marijuana is legal and on advice of someone at the marijuana pharmacy, he suggested healing resources cbd/cbn/cbg (no thc as that's an activating component) and i don't need that being hypomanic already. just cbd didn't work but this gummy w/3 ingredients really helps calm me and now i can get 7-8 hr. sleep every nite, but that's also w/the 3 other rx i've been taking for years. you can order healing resources brand online since there's no thc in it.

I would doubt that melatonin would take the place of Ambien. I took it years ago and it helped me fall and stay asleep for the most part but did nothing for my anxiety. I would wake up soaked in sweat curled up in the fetal position often. I stayed drowsy enough I could change night clothes, put a big towel in the bed, and fall back to sleep. I don't recall bad dreams. When my sleep med was changed to Klonopin, it was like a miracle drug and I slept well regularly until my psychiatrist said I couldn't have it anymore. After almost 20 years I was experiencing terrible insomnia. I now take 7.5mg Remeron, but I don't think it helps. I sleep or I don't, but a CBD/THC gummy works pretty well. Good luck - work with your healthcare professional.

long term use of lorazepam is not recommended for long term use.