can symptoms from taking Ambien stay forever???

[[tu...]]

Will it really all go away someday?  Or can you have permanent brain damage from this stuff (Ambien)?

 

I took Ambien (5-10 mg) for 6 months.  Experienced dizziness, panic & anxiety (never before experienced prior to taking Ambien) in the daytime about 4-5 weeks after starting drug. 

 

Stopped taking Ambien almost 5 weeks ago.  My withdrawl symptoms (including insomnia) have ebbed and flowed (windows/waves) since going off.  This week the dizziness (with mild panic) and anxiety have returned.  While I know to expect their return, I am still so disheartened.  Have I permanently damaged myself?  Will I ever really be whole and me again?

 

Please share your experiences!!!

[[...]]

Hi there,

 

Yes , turtlegirl it will all go away one day, and you will again be the person you once were.  I took Ambien, and Ativan for almost three years, and I am completely healed now, after going cold turkey. 

 

When we are suffering from the reality of withdrawals it seems as though the word healing is non-existent.  Trust me, it does happen, and it will happen to you.

 

pj

 

[[tu...]]

PJ

 

Did it take the full 15 months to be healed or did you see some worthwhile healing take place earlier than that?

[[...]]

PJ

 

Did it take the full 15 months to be healed or did you see some worthwhile healing take place earlier than that?

 

turtlegirl, not to worry. 

 

 

Your symptoms will be long, long gone, way before 15 months.  It took me that long because I did a cold turkey from Ambien, and also Ativan; so I really got slammed hard.

 

I began to notice some healing after 7 weeks, but because I was dealing with about 30 different symptoms; old ones would move on, and I would get new ones.  That's the way it was for all that time.

 

I would bet that your symptoms are all gone in time for you to enjoy the end of Spring, and a beautiful summer.

 

take good care of yourself

 

pj

 

 

 

 

[[tu...]]

thanks PJ, you are always so encouraging and kind

[[...]]

thanks PJ, you are always so encouraging and kind

 

You are very welcome.  And, thank you for the kind words.  

[[bl...]]

I took it for eight years. 

 

Coming off was much, much easier than it's been coming off of Xanax. Not even comparable! I tapered very lightly and that was that. Thank goodness too. My original insomnia came back, but I expected that would happen. Good luck!

[[Ca...]]

PJ,

I just read you encouragement to turtle. Your words have given me hope also.

I did a 6 week taper and have been suffering greatly. 30 rotating symptoms etc.

Like all of us I'm also worried that I may be different and that mine won't go away.

Thank you for continuing to support here now that you are free.

Carol

[[...]]

PJ,

I just read you encouragement to turtle. Your words have given me hope also.

I did a 6 week taper and have been suffering greatly. 30 rotating symptoms etc.

Like all of us I'm also worried that I may be different and that mine won't go away.

Thank you for continuing to support here now that you are free.

Carol

 

Hi Carol,

 

When I was in the darkest days of withdrawals, I too, used to think that this was going to be my fate, and I would feel this way forever.  It took 15 months for the last symptom to give up, and disappear, but it did happen.

 

These withdrawal symptoms can make us believe some strange things.  Given a benzo, even a huge elephant could be led to believe that it was a mouse.

 

take good care of yourself

 

pj

 

 

[[Ol...]]

Hi pj,

 

Is this your  blog?

Dave

[[Ol...]]

Sorry Turtle girl,

I see now it isn't pj's blog.

While I'm here I wish you a big welcome.

Dave