Ambien for pain and sleep. i am stuck.

[jvaaz]

i've been taking ambien for sleeo for 20 years. 10mg/night.
about 10 years ago i had a bad intestinal virus that left me with chronic abdominal pain.my ambien went up to 2/night, i was up and down with norco for years. i eventually kicked it when the negatives outweighed the positives. before i kicked i noticed that  10mg ambien taken in the daytime really works in relieveing the pain. so i used the ambien to help me get off the opiates,  why?  kicking opiates was fine, but i still had the pain.
now i have increased my ambien between pain control and sleeping to 10 10mg / day. i have never had side effects from ambien. but i am now at the point where docs don't want to deal with me, and i am spending half my life scrounging around and lying to get the drug. i'd like to get off, but i have nothing else for the pain. btw, i've had all kinds of mri's and ct scans and blood tests and injections. anyone else using ambien for pain? i need a brother/sister to help me.

[GA_need_help]

I do agree with NorthEast, going CT isn't an option.  I was wrong in writing that.  I didn't think it through.  I love the way you are tapering.  I am in a tough 4 month taper from Opana ER, so I know all about that.  However, if you stay in pain, I would see if your doctor would prescribe Lyrica and Savella.  Taking them together has resulted in a great deal less pain for me.  I hope you can find some relief, as I know what a miserable place you are in!
Big Hug,
Marie

[GA_need_help]

What is rebound sleep??? Is it poor sleep because of taking ambien?? I have taken it a while for sleep.  I don't know if it makes me wake up more in the night.  I appreciate the clarification.

Thanks,
Marie

[selfinduced]

I too used to take ambient for pain post surgery's as I couldn't take pain meds (boy did I master that!), anyway, years later as I was w/d from pain meds, I took about 3 a day to ward of w/d. It only worked as long as I kept it up. Once my script was done, I was screwed. It was the anxiety that got me. I agree with the above poster to wean down to 1 pill at nighttime. Now I will take a luniest now and then and it seems gentler on me, less rebound sleep loss post use. Hope this helps.

[Back2Me]

I take it in the daytime at work. It really does help with the pain, even moreso than paink killers most time. I was taking two a day to get me off pain killers they really mask the withdrawl. Now I am down to one per day no problem. I want to eventually take nothing so I am teasing with the idea to stop the ambien totally. Does not seem to give me any of the crappy opioid side effects though like why stop it?   But 10 sounds very dangerous. I would ween down to one a day if I were you.

[ImDONENoMore]

Agreed - find a new Dr., someone you can talk to, and let them help you wean off safely.  I think if you're honest and tell the Dr. how badly you want to stop, they will help you.  I have never met a Dr., well a GOOD Dr., who didn't want to help a patient get off a drug they are addicted to..

Good luck to you and congrats to you for deciding to quit.  :)

[vicki595]

I have to second the above comment!  Do not stop ambien abruptly...it's dangerous.  As I said earlier, seek professional help and good luck.

[NorthEast213]

Im not a Doctor by ANY means but I would NOT go CT off that much Ambien.


Ive been taking ambien for close to 3 years now off and on. 2-3 weeks every night then none for a month etc.  Ambien is such a fickle fickle drug and affects people SO SO SO differently I would insist on you talking to a doc regarding this.  For me it was a god send for my horrible sleep issues.  I know that there can be some substantial risks quitting CT on ambien especially for someone who has taken it for soooooo long.

Talk to a new doc!!!! You will find one eventually who will help you. I wish you much success

[GA_need_help]

I think you could look at the taper or CT from Ambien the way we all look at our drugs.  I have only come across 3 people tapering or going CT from Opana, so I understand how isolating it can be.  My situation was so different from each of theirs, so  we didn't really support each other.  I would just get the support you need as if your med was like everyone else's'.  I know it isn't always realistic to go to a doctor, and discuss this.  Although we all know it is the best idea.  So, let people support you.  If no one comes forth on the same drug, please don't let it turn you off from posting and interacting.  A drug is a drug.
Big hug,
Marie
PS  I am tapering on Opana still.  You can always Private Message me.

[vicki595]

Given your current situation, I think it was safer to take opiates! Anyway, I understand it helps your pain but it's an awful lot right now. You're going to have to taper off of this very slowly and you need a doctor to help you.

This is a huge burden for you and the stress of trying to procure the amount you need is probably affecting your life in many negative ways. Get some medical attention for this and some pain management,as well.

Good luck and keep posting!