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How can I get off ambien and still sleep
I am a 63 year old woman very recently widowed. I have had insomnia my whole life. Since childhood. I have been on and off ambien for many years. The past 6 years I have been taking it continuously. When I don’t sleep I feel sick with flu like symptoms. Lately, I have am experiencing cognitive issues. Confusion, clumsiness, forgetfulness, etc…my doctor doesn’t seem to be worried. I read that these signs of dementia are reversible if I stop the drug. But how can I sleep without it? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Sasha
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I took Ambien (Zolpidem) for around 6 months when you are supposed to take it for only a short time. I ended up getting angry a lot, stressed, heart palpitations and agitated and anxious. Believe it or not those are the side effect along with a host of others! It was tested only on men and then advertised to both men and women. I was taking only 5 mg!!! Take 2 Advil PMs and a melatonin (10 mg) several hours before bed and you’ll be fine. Learning to relax is half the battle.
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1 ReactionI take 2 pills of Alprazikan 0.5 mg each, and it works for me
They say Lunesta is less addicting than Lorazepam....but if you read up about it.....it's really just as addicting!
It’s not addicting, in my experience.
Do you take it everyday? Things can only get addictive if you take them everyday....so if you do, try going a night or 2 without it and see if you can sleep ...
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1 ReactionI think you mean....Alprazolam ( Xanax) right? That's a benzo so yes, it's going to work good!
I have been taking it for 5 or 6 years, at first 5 mg but like 2 x week . Then my insomnia got worse, so took it 5x week . I still take it , sometimes 5 mg and sometimes 10 mg .
I don’t always fall asleep w/ it . Lately the falling asleep part is getting harder and harder . My heart ♥️ feels like it’s stopping a few seconds as I’m drifting off to sleep, then jolts me ! This can go on for hours . I’ve had pvcs on and off my whole life but this is different.
For you , I’d say wein off , take it every other night ( try gunny melatonin or pill version ) then every 3 rd night etc, til you can get off it .
Easier said than done ☑️ I know .
I try to stay at 5 mg … I also have 10 years of gastrointestinal issues that go hand in hand . Ugh I’m sorry you are experiencing this . I’m 62 and life just keeps getting harder.
Yes. Lunesta isn’t addicting. Ask for 3 mg. It’s like night and day from 1 mg.
jlduck, I personally believe any sleep aid you take every night is addicting....I bet if you tried not taking it one night, you wouldn't sleep..... because your body is used to the Lunesta putting you to sleep. But thanks for the tip....on the 3mg Lunesta. I wonder why my doctor didn't want to try that....but it would be better than taking Lorazepam every night. Thanks!
You’re welcome.
My insomnia is helped enormously by sleep aids. Some are addicting to me and some are not. Best wishes to you.
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