Help Taper Ambien CR please

[[Iw...]]

I'm joining BenzoBuddies because I will be taking myself off of Ambien CR soon but I am not sure how to proceed.

I am currently taking Ambien CR 6.25 mg, and just did a quick taper off of  Ativan 0.5 mg.

Ambien CR - 2 months and 1 week (approx), Ativan - I took it for 5 weeks and quit two weeks ago with a quick taper.

My doctor and sleep doctor told me I can cut the Ambien CR in half to taper, but i have bad anxiety and just thinking about quitting gives me horrible anxiety.

 

I still have around 30 Ativan 0.5mg pills left if I need to use them to help get off of the Ambien CR

 

My main Question is how will I taper off of the Ambien CR, my anxiety is terrible even when I merely think about quitting...can I safely cut the Ambien CR pills in halves, quarters?

 

I'm unsure if any of the following info makes a difference but just in case...

I'm a mid 30's man who is in physically great shape. I exercise 5-6 days per week and i eat right. I have a lot of discipline, especially when motivated.

 

Thank you for any advice you can give me!

[[me...]]

If you cut the Ambien CR in half, it is just plain Ambien (breaking the controlled release coating). I seriously doubt you will get any sleep on 1/2 of an Ambien CR (3.125 mg). Below an effective amount, Ambien keeps you awake rather than promoting sleep.

 

Your best bet is to take the Ativan .5 mg, just quit the Ambien CR, then taper the Ativan down. Any withdrawal you have from the Ambien will be covered by the Ativan, and you'll probably be able to get some sleep. Things should improve rapidly after you quit the Ambien.

 

Why are you so nervous about quitting the Ambien CR? Are you afraid of insomnia?

 

 

[[Iw...]]

If you cut the Ambien CR in half, it is just plain Ambien (breaking the controlled release coating). I seriously doubt you will get any sleep on 1/2 of an Ambien CR (3.125 mg). Below an effective amount, Ambien keeps you awake rather than promoting sleep.

 

Your best bet is to take the Ativan .5 mg, just quit the Ambien CR, then taper the Ativan down. Any withdrawal you have from the Ambien will be covered by the Ativan, and you'll probably be able to get some sleep. Things should improve rapidly after you quit the Ambien.

 

Why are you so nervous about quitting the Ambien CR? Are you afraid of insomnia?

 

My anxiety has been extremely bad for about 7 months (which is how I got in this mess in the first place) and while it's better than it was, I still experience irrational and severe anxiety about my health...I'm worried about withdrawal symptoms, not minor ones, it's the seizures, etc. that scare me (even though I know they're extremely rare). Otherwise I would just cold turkey quit because I could most likely deal with the anxiety and insomnia that comes with Ambien withdrawal.

[[me...]]

Iwant, if you use Ativan as a "back up", you could do a quick taper off of Ambien--3/4, then half, then one quarter, perhaps a couple of days at each dosage. It really is overkill, but feeling comfortable and keeping anxiety down is half the battle with getting off these drugs. I think with the Ativan back up you would still be able to get some sleep.

 

If it is any consolation, I've looked at over 30 people on this forum that have done a cold turkey or rapid taper (1-2 weeks) of Z-drugs. Not one has had a seizure, or even severe withdrawal effects that necessitated a visit to emergency. Please bear in mind that it is a different kind of drug as you read on this forum.

 

You usage is low dose and very short term at this point. Thus the faster you get off, the less chances for protracted withdrawal. Hopefully that doesn't make you more anxious, just want you to know that you have to weigh the pros and cons of getting off, versus staying on. It is also very possible that the Ambien itself is feeding your anxiety, and that you will do much better with it out of your system.

[[Iw...]]

Iwant, if you use Ativan as a "back up", you could do a quick taper off of Ambien--3/4, then half, then one quarter, perhaps a couple of days at each dosage. It really is overkill, but feeling comfortable and keeping anxiety down is half the battle with getting off these drugs. I think with the Ativan back up you would still be able to get some sleep.

 

If it is any consolation, I've looked at over 30 people on this forum that have done a cold turkey or rapid taper (1-2 weeks) of Z-drugs. Not one has had a seizure, or even severe withdrawal effects that necessitated a visit to emergency. Please bear in mind that it is a different kind of drug as you read on this forum.

 

You usage is low dose and very short term at this point. Thus the faster you get off, the less chances for protracted withdrawal. Hopefully that doesn't make you more anxious, just want you to know that you have to weigh the pros and cons of getting off, versus staying on. It is also very possible that the Ambien itself is feeding your anxiety, and that you will do much better with it out of your system.

 

Thank you for the responses.

 

How would I use the Ativan as a back up. Do you mean if I cant sleep or get terrible nighttime anxiety take an Ativan?

 

Thank you again.

[[me...]]

No, take the Ativan every night, continuously, then taper off just like before. The Ativan will help you sleep with reduced Ambien, and will help fend off any withdrawal symptoms such as increased anxiety. As I said, I don't think the 1/2 Ambien on it's own will work very well for you. You could give it a try, but eventually you are not going to be able to sleep much, if at all, with pieces of Ambien only.