Couple of questions

[[le...]]

I was on TRAP forum and now I am here.  I started using klonopin because I had complication from sinus surgery that effected my breathing and made me anxious and an insomniac.  I stopped using Klonopin after 1.5 year withdrawl using the ashton method last april.  The thing is I am still a chronic insomniac.  I only get about 3 or so hours of sleep a night.  So I found myself caving and taking ambien for a few weeks here and there.  The last bout was for a couple of weeks and I stopped 12 days ago. I promised myself that was the last ambien I would take on 3/4/12.  I had some questions for anyone who knows?

 

How bad did the ambien use set me back?

Is marijuana or GABA supplements bad for those recovering from a benzo addiction?

 

Maybe it just takes a really long time IDK

 

Thanks

[[Co...]]

Hi leogeo,

 

Welcome to BenzoBuddies.

 

I am very happy to approve your membership and your above post, but you might first wish to read our guidelines concerning addictive substances: http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=25835.0. Please reply that you understand are happy with our position on these matters, and we will approve your account shortly thereafter.

 

You have my sympathies regarding the protracted insomnia. I too suffered terrible and protracted insomnia. It did, however, improve - eventually. What helped me was to totally abstain from drinking alcohol - even the very occasional single drink seemed to make it much worse. When I totally abstained, my insomnia would improve after a few months. I went through this (alcohol occasional use / abstinence) several times, and there was a definite correlation for me. As you may already know, alcohol affects GABA receptors, so this should not be altogether surprising.

 

My doctor eventually prescribed me Atarax - which I used short term. This helped me with the most acute and debilitating episodes, but it was the total abstinence of alcohol that helped me in the longer term.

 

Good luck,

 

Colin.

 

Edit: typo.

[[ma...]]

Hello leogeo

Welcome to benzobuddies you will get a lot of support here

Have a look around others will be along shortly to welcome you

keep posting

 

Magrita

[[Ch...]]

Welcome leogeo,

Glad you found this site.  I found this info on Ambien:

 

Zolpidem (Ambien, Stilnox) is a prescription medication used for the treatment of insomnia, as well as some brain disorders. It is a short-acting nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic of the imidazopyridine class [2] that potentiates gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter, by binding to GABAA receptors at the same location as benzodiazepines.[3] It works quickly (usually within 15 minutes) and has a short half-life (2–3 hours).

Zolpidem has not adequately demonstrated effectiveness in maintaining sleep (unless delivered in a controlled release form); however, it is effective in initiating sleep.[4] Its hypnotic effects are similar to those of the benzodiazepine class of drugs, but it is molecularly distinct from the classical benzodiazepine molecule and is classified as an imidazopyridine. Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, which is used for benzodiazepine overdose, can also reverse zolpidem's sedative/hypnotic and memory impairing effects.

 

After my issues with benzodiazepines, I'd personally avoid taking medication for sleep.  It works for awhile, but when you stop taking it the insomnia comes back.  I've struggled with insomnia since my late twenties and the only long term cure has been to wait it out.  Eventually your body should restore sleep naturally.  Hard to go through, I know.

 

Marijuana is said to cause anxiety in people in w/d or post-withdrawal.  GABA supplements, from what I've read here and online, are not effective.  Time heals the GABA receptors. 

 

For what it's worth...and someone may come along with different opinions. 

 

Challis

 

[[le...]]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the responses

[[Sh...]]

Hi. I agree on the alcohol. A surprisingly small amount wrecks me for days. This is hard on the social life, but it is what it is. Marijuana is thought to be calming by some, but it can also cause anxiety, ruin sleep and is just not a good idea for everyone. Have you tired sleeping with a humidifer on along with your HVAC system?

[[le...]]

It has been two weeks since last ambien and I get just 1-2 hours a night sleep.  It seems like my mind can't handle any more of no sleep but it never gives out. Again my situation is I was klonopin free in April but would dabble with ambien few weeks on and off since.  3/4 was my last one.  Since then I have been toughing it out but cant handle much more.  I wanted to cave last night and take one but i took a unisom instead and did not even work.  Really at my wits end

[[Ch...]]

Insomnia is the one side effect of withdrawal that seems to hit almost everyone.  It's terribly annoying, I only slept a couple of hours last night, too, but this has been going on for awhile.  You might want to check on the insomnia threads for help:

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?board=83.0