Ambien user

[[Bu...]]

Thanks for accepting me. I've been using ambien every night for over 15 years, started with 10 mg then reduced to 5. It concerns me to be so dependent on the drug. I weaned myself off last year, but wasn't sleeping well. Decided I'd rather be addicted than not sleep and went back to using 5 mg every night. A close friend told me he thought I should discuss ambien use with dr because my friend thought it was causing me to forget things. (I think I don't always concentrate 😀). Haven't spoken to dr.

 

I decided to stop again, and started on 1/1/17 with 3/4 of 5 mg tab for 10 nights, now down to 1/2 tab. Wake up several times during night. Bad dreams. Headache in morning. Almost ready to start full dosage again.

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum!  We're glad to have you as a new member.  Ambien is a z-drug, which are in many ways similar to benzos, and a slow taper as described below is the best way to get off them.

 

You'll find plenty of information and support here.  Our members have gone through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to see  people who understand what you're going through and can tell you what has worked for them.  For those who are currently tapering, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days, and some taper even slower than that.  One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster than that.  Having some withdrawal symptoms is normal, especially near the end of a taper and for a month or so after discontinuing the medication.  The most common symptoms are anxiety and insomnia, but these are temporary and will go away in time.

 

Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

Withdrawal Support Board

 

The Ashton Manual 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 in Chapter III, and there is also a section with withdrawal/taper schedules.

 

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!

 

 

 

[[El...]]

Hi and welcome, I've been on ambien 5 mg since 2010 -2011 I developed tolerance without knowing for at least the last two-three years and was hit with several symptoms that the doctor couldn't put a better label on than stress.

I tapered in 2 weeks, a bit fast but I just wanted to get of them when I realized they where the reason for all my mysterious symptoms. First 4 weeks was ok, then the insomnia wave came with all kinds of other symptoms, after nearly three weeks I started to get my sleep back, though very broken in the beginning, now I have like 4-5 hours some nights.

 

Feel free to ask me anything and many people here will be very supportive and help you too.