Ambien anyone?

[Addict63]

I posted about my present detoxing experiences on another thread and thought I might as well post it as a separate subject and get what info I can.

Is anyone detoxing, or has detoxed, from any of the drugs in the Ambien (zolpidem) family?

I withdrew off the opiates and thought I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. The light turned out to be a freight train. I started taking Ambien, mostly less than prescribed, when my Dr gave it to me as needed because my pain wouldn't let me sleep.  I took 1/2 to 3/4 of a 10mg tab for only 10 months. I simply got hooked on a good night's sleep.

After detoxing from vikes I felt it's time to quit Ambien next. I didn't think much of it as being a problem (?) I was wrong again!

My doc's taper program has been going on for 3 weeks now. I have 2 weeks left. The fun includes abdominal pain, cramping, dry throat, dizziness, teeth grinding, tingling scalp, headaches, buzzing in the ears, low energy, depression, not to mention lack of sleep when I'm on the low dose night. My dosage of Vikes were easier and quicker to detox from than this sh!t.

It's only meant to be used for a 10 day course at the most, but some folks take it all their remaining lives. My 85 year old mom was on 5mg per night down in FL. until she passed away. Doctors feel it's useful in some cases. But I'm here to tell our little corner of the world that full Ambien addiction is a disaster to get off of. If you want or need to use it, look it up and learn all you can. I think you'll quickly change your mind.    

[Addict63]

I totally agree. I'm done being addicted to anything on the "addict do not take" list. I went 25 1/2 years clean and sober in AA and then blew out my back 2 years ago. After talking with my AA sponsor, I started up on my Doc's hydro script for the pain.

And then, like a typical Alcoholic/Addict I felt I had a license to start taking other scripts. I asked my Doc about sleep problems on Hydro, and of course he is going to suggest Ambien. My Doc knows that I'm in recovery.

I'm looking forward to getting my complete life back.  

[vicki595]

Yes,clonidine helps a lot of folks. I've never taken it. I was not addicted to opiates.
Barbiturates were my former love.  Oh..Lord....
Sounds like you've got a good doctor...smart!
I wish you the best...keep posting as to how you're doing.

Vicki

[Addict63]

My Ambien tapering plan has been: alternate days: 10 to 7.5 first 2 weeks, and then 7.5 to 1/2 3rd week (which I'm finishing up right now) next week will be 1/2 all week, and then 1/2 every other day. And then I get to stop and not sleep for a few days! I'll live...

I've been on light BP meds for a few years.  My Doc added 1mg Clonidine at bedtime, and then reduced and switched my regular BP med (Plendil) to the morning. I think the Clonidine has helped me. I've seen others on here suggesting it. It's a good assisting med for WDs, at least for me. The pharmacist said she has doctors prescribing 4 - 1mg tabs of Clonidine a day for AHDH in school kids. So it's not bad stuff, I guess.

[avisg]

my personal opinion is we have had many here highly addicted to ambein they struggled to  get off it just like any other DOC I would stay far away from them but thats just my opionion.

[vicki595]

Hi~  I'm glad you posted this.  But,sorry for what you're going through...
I am not a fan of Ambien. Although I think sleep meds and anti anxiety meds have their place, not one is useful long term.  Ambien has some very weird side effects for many people. I've witnessed this first hand.  My Mom took it for a brief period until I flushed it!!  She was doing some strange things in the middle of the night...anyway...

Some folks need help with sleep,RLS etc..during withdrawals.  Life goes on..and doctors do prescibe this and others for short term,over the hump purposes. I think that's a little slippery with addicts but...it works for some.

I hope you get to feeling better soon.  Can you say what your tapering plan is?  
Do you think you dropped too low,too quickly?


All the best~
Vicki