alprazolem and ambien cr

I started taking Alprazolem for anxiety 15 years ago.  Since then I only take .5mg at night to help me relax and fall asleep.  I now find the the 1 pill at night is not helping me sleep. So I started taking Ambien CR and stopped taking the Alprazolem.  I'm sleeping  great, but feel terrible in the morning.  I feel nausea and tingling numbnest in my arm and face. Do you think its from the Ambien or from me stopping the alprazolem.  Any advice?  Thank you

[donewitis]

It is very important to taper the ativan, not go c/t! You could have a seizure and the signs of tingling, numbness concern me. I hope someone else gets here quickly because this is serious. It might be a good idea to go to the ER. Then talk to your Dr. about a taper process.

[tomskat]

I agree...taper taper taper first!!! However the ambien can make you groggy/hungover/etc in the morning. It may be safer to stay on the alprazolam but increase to 1 mg. I know the others will kill me for suggesting that but it doesn't sound like you have a problem with the meds,do you? Ambien is a pretty strong med (so is xanax/alprazolam) and both are addictive if used improperly so please talk to your doctor about how you are feeling physically after the ambien. Good luck to you~A

[donewitis]

When did you take the last alprazolam? Real concerned about you now...

[lincoln9200]

I took .5 mgs alprazolam sept 5,2011 did not sleep at all.  Took ambien cr on Sept 6,2011 slept 7 hours.  But today I cant eat very nausea and jumpy

[donewitis]

I am tapering xanax presently under Dr. supervision. I have read extensively (Actually here) about the necessity of taper of benzos. You are on a low dose...which is good BUT you have been taking for what? 15 years so..again the tingling, numbing sensation is worrisome. I'm no doctor or medical professional..but do call your dr., tell him/her your symptoms..get their advice..maybe a script for .25mg? I really don't know...but please call them.

[deadgamegrrl]

I came off the same dosage as you 12 weeks ago, except I also quit the ambien at the same time.  I was prescribed the .5 xanax for sleep and took it at night only.  Well, eventually I needed 1mg to sleep,and at the same time I was experiencing rebound nausea, anxiety and all sorts or weird feelings during the day, due to the short half life of xanax. The ambien had also stopped helping me sleep after several months of usage on and off.  I tried to not take it every night so as not to build up a tolerance to either drug but in the end they got me anyway!

Since I was not using them every night or at a high dosage I did not taper, I am not saying that was particularly smart or that you should do the same.  I would talk to your dr about tapering.

The 1st week my rebound insomnia was severe, and it took a lot of time for the other xanax w/d's to subside.  The jumpiness and other anxiety symptoms were pretty severe too. But now, 12 weeks out I have something resembling a normal sleep cycle, much less overall anxiety and am starting to feel much better.

Good luck!

Good luck!

[gnarly_1]

HI xanex is a real mother to come off of you will experence withdrawals for a wile it hits its own brain receptor I came off this drug and wouldent wish it on anybody it is best to taper off a little at a time .5 dosent sound like much but it is with this med it comes in .25 also you can have your doctor step you down then go off it slowly good luck and God bless.......Gnarly