need advice getting off Ambien

cuttingirl · Post by **cuttingirl** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 4:41 am

I've been taking Ambien on and off. I'm ready to go off this medication. I'm not afraid of sleeping anymore and I have really made progress with the program. My doctor says, "just stop takng it". That was a disaster. I only made it two nights, having slept naturally for 10 minutes in about 50 hours.

Has anyone done this? What worked for you and what helped? How did you do it? Did you try tapering? (The pills are really small - it seems like this would be hard to do but I haven't really tried). Did you try gradually adding something natural such as melatonin? Did you take a week off work to just let your system clear it? Are you sleeping normally now?

Any help, advice, or resources are appreciated!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 7:24 am

Hi cutting girl,
My doctor pharmacist told me to go ahead and try breaking them in half. She said try to taper off by half a wk. and then everyother day until You are sure your getting the sleep you need. If the pill breaks up into tiny pieces try to take the bigger pieces first. Hope this helps

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 8:02 pm

Ok I am going to try this. Thank you SO much for your reply!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 2:14 am

Hello cutting girl,

I have not slept well in years. I had a bad break-up with a college girlfriend about 10 years ago and this seemed to start my anxiety. I am know happily married but I still have not been able to sleep well. Recently the doctor presribed me ambien and I have been taking 10 mg per night. I have been sleeping better but I am anxious at what price. Any advise?

Thanks
Bogey

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 1:44 pm

Hey Bogey, I really don't want to say too much because I am not a doctor and there are too many things to consider... such as side effects, other medications you take, how bad is your insomnia, did your doctor prescribe it for short term or long term use... lots of things to weigh... if you are not rested and chronically sleep-deprived it makes it hard to work on anything and be in your right mind. On the other hand you develop a tolerance and dependence, then you deal with rebound insomnia and tapering... For me it helped for a time but I wish I never needed it. My perspective is not balanced on this one, as my sleep issues go deep and are tied in with fear and control... forcing myself to stay up all night as a small child... it goes on and on for me... do some research and ask yourself how badly do you need it and be honest. In my opinion, short term only and even then every so often. I'm in a pickle, having used it so long. And it is expensive even though it's a generic.