Zolpidem weaning

Posted by patriciaschulz1950 @patriciaschulz1950, Oct 5 2:31pm

I have been on zolpidem (5MG) for over 20 years. I was prescribed it to help me sleep through chronic neuropathy pain. It works - gives me 5-6 hours sleep, sadly though my neuropathy pain is getting worse as I age. I am 75 years, and I do feel zolpidem makes me lethargic next day, which apparently I didn’t notice when I was full time working, and so busy during the day, plus my neuropathy has worsened over the last five years. I figure I won’t know if I don’t try to wean off if the lethargic , tired, just want to sleep feeling will go away. Possibly all aging and the result of dealing with chronic pain. Any natural or holistic approaches to better sleep? Melatonin - open to suggestions and comments. I would like to have a plan, an alternative aid before I attempt this. Thank you.

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patriciaschulz1950 | @patriciaschulz1950 | Oct 8 7:27pm

In reply to @lizjlb "sultan?" + (show)

@lizjlb zolpidem

laura1970 | @laura1970 | Oct 9 4:32pm

In reply to @lizjlb "@laura1970 do you use it for onset insomnia or staying asleep or both? I have onset..." + (show)

@lizjlb both, I have insomnia due to chronic pain and prefer sleep meds to opioids

lizjlb | @lizjlb | Oct 15 9:51pm

try Ramelteon. not habit forming 10 times stronger than melatonin.

janflute | @janflute | Oct 16 5:03am

In reply to @laura1970 "Some alternatives that know of may work. They aren’t as strong as ambien so may have..." + (show)

@laura1970 very interesting .Ambien ususally works for me but I have read that it prevents deep sleep, Looking for something that will allow me to get in all the stages of sleep

patriciaschulz1950 | @patriciaschulz1950 | Oct 16 5:49am

In reply to @lizjlb "try Ramelteon. not habit forming 10 times stronger than melatonin." + (show)

@lizjlb never heard of that. I will look it up. I just want some energy next day.

patriciaschulz1950 | @patriciaschulz1950 | Oct 16 5:59am

In reply to @lizjlb "try Ramelteon. not habit forming 10 times stronger than melatonin." + (show)

@lizjlb any side effects? Drowsiness? I want to feel awake the next day. Ambien never made me tired the next day, so I am beginning to think it’s age related.

laura1970 | @laura1970 | Oct 16 11:56am

In reply to @janflute "@laura1970 very interesting .Ambien ususally works for me but I have read that it prevents deep..." + (show)

@janflute to my knowledge all sleeping pills, with maybe the exception of melatonin, disrupt sleep architecture. Ramaleton is simply an extraction of the active compound in melatonin.

Melatonin is broken down in the liver to several compounds. One that promotes sleep and, ironically, one that hampers it. Rameleton is the compound that promotes sleep. It has been over a decade since I researched it. At that time it was quite expensive, and only on the rare insurance formulary. I expect that has changed but back in the day it was reserved for patients who didn’t get any response to melatonin due to price. It’s possible that it’s generic now

patriciaschulz1950 | @patriciaschulz1950 | Oct 16 2:24pm

In reply to @laura1970 "@janflute to my knowledge all sleeping pills, with maybe the exception of melatonin, disrupt sleep architecture...." + (show)

@laura1970 thanks - Good RX is less than my insurance. 90 pills for $74 .00
This information is helpful. I will discuss with my PCP

lizjlb | @lizjlb | Oct 25 12:17pm

my doc prescribed it even tho it wasn’t covered my my drug company, but they approved it? It is also actually thru good rx.

lizjlb | @lizjlb | Oct 25 12:20pm

I am presently trying to go off of ambien so downsizing them and plan on using Ramelteon 2-3 times a week to see if that works. Only took twice so far due to a flareup so haven’t really given it a good try. plan to tho.

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