Zolpidem and benzo combination usage

[[Kh...]]

Hi all. I've been reading this forum as a guest for a while now, finally registering because I very much need help and advice.

 

I am 52 years old, male, was prescribed zolpidem and seroquel (very low dose) for sleep. Dropped the quetiapine, and was given a prescription for dormonoct. This all started around 20 January 2016, with my main issues being insomnia, as well as Adult ADD which was crippling me at work.

 

I' was also prescribed a variety of other meds, but mostly stuck to a combination of 5 mg zolpidem and 1mg dormonoct per night for sleep. Over the last few weeks I've asked my doc to switch the dormonoct to diazepam, because I've read extensively on the internet that this is the way to go, to eventually taper and stop completely.

 

Am currently on 10 mg zolpidem and 10 mg Valium per day, with very poor sleep and very high stress and anxiety levels

 

Will gladly share more history, but will stop there now as this is already a long introduction.

[[be...]]

Hi  Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

I am glad you found us today.The recommended reduction rate is 5 to 10 percent every two weeks. You should only taper one medication at a time. I personally would start with the Valium as the Zolpidem might help with some of the 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. 

 

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

Withdrawal Support During Your Taper

 

 

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! 

 

benzos-R-cruel

[[Na...]]

Was this recent? And were you crossed over to Valium from A, or directly switched?

[[Kh...]]

This was fairly recent, during the last two weeks or so. I have been on 10 mg zolpidem and 10 mg Valium. My doc suggested I up the Valium to three doses a day, maximum 20 mg at a time, but currently I'm afraid of his advice, in terms of deepening my dependency, so ma still trying to stick to meds at night only - it gives me 4hrs of sleep.

 

I'm not sure where to start - do I try and get off the Valium first, or the zolpidem? Dr Ashton says that zolpidem has such a short half life, that one suffers withdrawal every day, anyway. I have received one comment suggesting I start with the Valium, as zolpidem could support that withdrawal.

 

I appreciate all inputs, but think I am suffering quite bad zolpidem inter dose withdrawals, tremors, shakiness, muscle twitches, lethargy, complete loss of appetite, lethargy, Sky-rocketing fearfulness and anxiety.

 

 

 

[[Na...]]

IMO, it's best to taper the Z drug first.........and that's because of the short half life, like Aston states.

Reason I asked if you were crossed over of directly switched is because V takes a bit to build up in your system. The Valium's long half life will cushion the Zolpidem taper.

 

Also, I'm somewhat confused in your stating the Dr wants you to up the V dose?? 3 X a day to 20 mg each dose? Or you mean 20mgs/day total and splitting the doses. If he's telling you to go up to 60mgs/day I'd be concerned. Your now at the equivalent of 1mg of A, which is 10mgs of V, which may take a bit for your body to adjust to depending on how you were crossed.

[[Kh...]]

HI, it's 20mg total he wants to got to, 3 split doses, morning 5, afternoon 5 and evening 10.

Currently, I'm on 10 mg Zolpidem + 5mg Valium at night time only, but inter dose withdrawal from Z has been brutal over last three months or so.

[[Na...]]

JMO,

But i don't think doubling your benzo dose is a very prudent decision. Unless your wanting to get caught up in the benzo cobweb even more. The Dr is trying to manage your symptoms with more drugs.

IF you were directly switched from Ativan to Valium, then your going to be in a rough acute state.

An Ashton cross over is the preferred way of crossing to V. My wife was directly switched and it took 6 weeks to stabilize.

IMO I would hold until you get stable.......then a slow Z drug taper.