Med-free Z's!

fischee · Post by **fischee** » Fri May 02, 2008 3:04 pm

Although I feel I've had significant progress since beginning this program, I've never started a post in this forum. However, I wanted to share this success.

For the past few years i've been taking Ambien or Ambien CR nightly. On Sunday when I went to pick up my monthly meds, I learned my script for Ambien CR had expired and could not be filled. Since my psychiatrist is semi-retired, the pharmacy hadn't been able to reach him (last I checked was Tuesday).

Long story short, I've slept (and well at that!) for the past four nights without the Ambien. I have been taking passion flower and drinking Natural Calm about 1/2 hour before bed, but both are natural and I even though this has been somewhat of a fluke I'm still proud of myself!

Since I've been taking this med for so long, I'm a little worried about withdrawl (I know cold turkey is not the way to go). I think when I see my psych. on Tues., I'll ask for reg. Ambien and do a taper schedule.

Any comments,experiences, or suggestions on this?

jk55 · Post by **jk55** » Sat May 03, 2008 4:23 pm

Good for you!!!! It is possible that you had yourself convinced that you couldn't sleep w/out the meds but now you know different. Natural alternatives are great, I am glad you found something. It probably isn't good to quit cold turkey but if it's been 4 days and you haven't had any problems, you may be ok. good luck to you!!

Jocie22 · Post by **Jocie22** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:42 pm

Good for you! I struggled with the same issues fro awhile too only like 3 months then a stint of one month. I used to take a really small dose of xanax and then went off. I agree with jk55 you may be ok to go off of them all together since youve been fine the past 4 days. Its probably out of your system. Ask your doctor though to be sure and to avoid unnecessary anxiety. i am really proud and hope you are still doing well! Good Luck!

vegas girl · Post by **vegas girl** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:48 pm

Hi Fischee good for you! You should celebrate your success!! Where did you find the passionflower and the naural calm drink?? do they make you feel druggy at all and are there any side effects?

fischee · Post by **fischee** » Sat May 03, 2008 8:32 pm

Thank-you everyone for your kind comments- it sure feels good

!

Vegas girl- I order my passion flower on-line from globaldnasolutions; it's called Body Calm Supreme. I actually found this through a taper program called <A HREF="http://www.theroadback.org" TARGET=_blank>www.theroadback.org</A>.
I bought the Natural Calm at my local healthfood store but have even seen it in the natural section of grocerie stores.

Neither make me feel loopie or have the toxic or addictive side effects of meds, but I do know that when I ordered the passion flower it said to only take one every four hours- though you can take two at bedtime. My siblings have also tried their tart cherries (capsules) for insomnia and swear by it.

Hope this helps... you are welcome to pm mme if you have other q's. Sweet dreams to everyone!
fischee

*Jenii* · Post by ***Jenii*** » Sat May 03, 2008 10:13 pm

HI FISCHEE!

Everyone's right. If it's been four days, there's no reason that you'd feel withdrawl effects. I've experienced withdrawl effects several times myself and they usually begin 1 - 2 days after I've stopped the medication.

If you've found a more natural means to get to sleep I think that's great. It may work out even better than the Ambien. As an opioid-class drug, it can have bad side effects while you're on it, by chance, but then again, you may not have even had them. So, uh, yeah, my point was just that it's great you've found another means to get a good night's sleep. Dreaming is so important.

Talk to you soon!
xoxo

bevhembree · Post by **bevhembree** » Sun May 04, 2008 2:37 pm

I want to jump in and congratulate you and say that if you've gone 4 nights without meds, I certainly wouldn't start them and a taper schedule. When I had to quit them cold turkey last year twice last year, the first few nights were the worst, but you've already gotten past that point! I am on them again, sad to say. I'd hate for someone to go back to them if they didn't have to.