Hi, I'm glad I found this group….

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Hello, I found this site by googling what might happen if I stop taking ambien abruptly. I have been taking ambien for 6 years, nightly, to get to sleep.Insomnia started when I stopped smoking cold turkey (successfully). 4 years ago, I also started taking lorazepam for anxiety. In 4 years, I have gone from taking 2 mg per day, to 1 mg per day (.05 in the morning, .05 in the afternoon) I want to stop completely. I want to feel normal again. I recently went from taking 1.5 mg daily to 1 mg . I seem to be okay on this dose for now. As for the ambien, I stopped cold turkey with that a few nights ago. The first 2 nights, I went to sleep with no problem, but last night, I only slept 3 hours. I joined here last night and was reading success stories. The description by many people of the horrible withdrawal symptoms really scared me. I was not aware that ambien was in the same class of drugs as lorazepam. Now I'm wondering if it was a mistake to stop cold turkey. My husband is a doctor, and he has been prescribing these medicines to me for the past 6 years. He is a cardiologist and does not know much about benzo withdrawal. He has been telling me for years that I should cut down and stop taking these meds, but I have always convinced him to keep calling in refills. I am so ready to stop and I am turning to you all for help and support. Thank you.

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Hi desert rose Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

I am so glad you found us as well. Neither benzodiazepines or "Z" drugs such ambien should be stopped suddenly.  You have been on both for many years. In my opinion a slow withdrawal will minimize withdrawal symptoms. 

 

You might like to check out The Ashton Manual it is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms,.

 

Please feel free to post to any of the dedicated boards, we have a wonderful community of people here, who will give sound advice. Members have been through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal and are more than willing to share their experiences.

 

General Taper Plans

 

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Again Welcome! 

 

benzosrcruel

 

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Hi, I can't offer any advice as I'm a newbie here and at the start of my own journey off benzos. But good luck, hopefully we can beat this horrible addiction. Good luck! 

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desertrose, Do not stop the ambien CT, it is so important to taper off ambien. I CT ambien 5 months ago and suffer from harsh physical and mental WDs. I wish I would of tapered off. Never Ct any of these drugs, read Ashton manual, and taper safely, that will do the less harm do your CNS.