That's very interesting, @blazytracy. Glad the lavender oil has been helpful with getting some sleep. Are people with allergies and asthma generally okay with oils like that?

@robbinr — that's too bad about the doctor also becoming more hesitant on refilling prescriptions. I imagine it's frustrating to have found something that helps and then potentially lose access to it.

The sleep study sounds like an excellent idea. Fingers crossed that you get some really good information from that.

Also interesting that you will be doing some CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) to try to change your sleep cycle. Will you report back about how that goes?

Oh YES! Especially for people with allergies and asthma!!

I posted this reply when I first started to withdraw from Effexor and looking forward to the day when I could eliminate ambien from my daily cocktail of drugs. After 6 months of gradual withdrawal from Effexor, I'm back on it. Severe withdrawal and decreased levels of serotonin are to blame. Therefore, I am still dependent on ambien for sleep. I don't know if I can even attempt an ambien withdrawal until and if I can get myself back to some sense of sanity from the effects of withdrawing from Effexor. I am very upset and depressed right now so I don't plan to change anything else right now.

I seem to recall that Effexor is very difficult to withdraw from. And I have friends that had severe withdrawal symptoms after skipping just a few days. I quit Effexor when it stopped being "Effective":} But I remember starting on Cymbalta at a low dose while reducing the Effexor. It does send one into a tailspin doesn't it? Have you ever tried 5-HTP? You might talk to your doc about it, if you are still talking to a doc. Buck up bucko! I expect you to overcome this bump and move on to greater discoveries. What is the big deal about Ambien? Has there been new research that indicates it contributes to Alzheimer's or something? I don't get it. I can't sleep without it. RR

Looking for information on how to stop taking Ambien as I've been taking it for about 18 years. Anyone have any ideas?

Welcome to Connect, @peajayiam
You'll notice that I moved your message to this discussion about weaning off Ambien. I did this so you could meet others talking about getting off this drug, like @robbinr @blazytracy @bernese53 @arachel and others.

Peajayjam, click VIEW & REPLY to see the previous messages posted.
While we wait for others to join in, would you mind sharing why you've decided to get off Ambien now? What led to this decision?

@robbinr Totally understand. I have yet to find anything to help w/ restful sleep or, at times, even fitful sleep. Any idea what causes your insomnia?

I had been on Ambien on and off for roughly 15 years. I was so addicted that I went to a primary care doctor who was truthfully not very good, but I went to her because she gave me Ambien. I had no problems with Ambien in the begining. However, I began to get these stomach pains if I took the Ambien for more than a few days straight. Sometimes I took the Ambien and dealt with the stomach issues because I needed to sleep I had to work. I told a friend at work about my insomnia and she suggested I try marijuana. She gave me some; and I found that it helped. I then started using it and it helped so I only took Ambien when smoking didn’t work. When I moved to another state It was more difficult to get the Ambien, and I was having more and more tummy issues and when I had an episode where I woke up one morning with a frying pan and the left overs from last nites dinner and potato chips in my bed I knew it was time to stop and I did. I smoke nightly to sleep, And once in a while I will take an Ambien. It’s not a perfect solution, But at least I get some sleep; which I need in order to help me with my Hypothyroidism, IBS, and Srogens That’s pretty good for hard-core insomniac like me.

Never helped me, but you might as well try and see if it helps you. Everyone is different.

I will chip in..my Doctor is balking at prescribing it for me. It is a monthly struggle to get her to provide the prescription. Robbinr

I also have taken Ambien for years – in the beginning i was told that it was the most commonly used sleep aid for the elderly because it was so safe. It really changed my life, I take 1/2 of a 10 mg. when I go to sleep, and if I wake up again at 3 I take the other half. However, in the past few months I noticed that I was running out of my 30 day prescription a few days early – eventually I ran out 4 days too soon. This could only mean that I was often taking another half ad didn't remember. when I ran out four days early I just had to suddenly do without, it was a horror show….I didn't sleep for three days or nights, I hallucinated, I did sleep in fits and starts by the third day but never left the house. Eventually, I started taking little bits again as I was still have so much difficulty falling asleep. The entire experience made me realize how dependent I am, and that if I were suddenly cut off it would be a nightmare. Throughout this I also have realized that I have begun drinking another glass of wine each night as a kind of soporific.

I came on this site looking for a way to quit or at least get by on 3 or 4 a week, and I decided today that I will try supplementing with Melatonin and see where that takes me, based on others' comments. This was very helpful.

Hello @lpole, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm glad you found this thread on Ambien and transitioning to melatonin. Sorry to hear you have had troubles with sleeping but also glad you can connect with others that are here on the search to unite with people in the same struggle.

I'm interested in following your journey- would you mind keeping us updated on how you are doing? Did you pick up your Melatonin today?