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1690584 tn?1340297472

AMBIEN HELP!!!

I have been on Ambien for 4 years and have gotten to the point where I take more then I should. I have been off it for 2 nights UGGHHHH but I am definitely needing it. Is it possible to go from overtaking it (2 10mg tabs at bed) to just 1 and be able to stay on it? I am pregnant and can not go without my sleep as I am already in danger of preterm labor but I need sleep and it is the only thing that works....Please hekp
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Avatar universal
I'm 39 weeks pregnant and on Ambien for the entire pregnancy. One a night.  My genetic obgyn said it was ok. Also klonipon. 5mg 2x a day. I was able to ween off klonipon. Now i take only when needed. I'm due Monday 4/4. In having a c section . My genetic dr told me my baby was perfectly healthy and her development is perfect. I got pregnant ob these meds and i was told I could not stop them as i would risk harm to the baby or miscarriage. When you hear - alls ok-; from a genetic dr you tend to feel alot better!!! I have been a nervous wreck for 9mos. I pray for her everyday. I cant wait to hold her! !
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Avatar universal
I would definitely talk to your OB about the Ambien to determine if it is safe for you to continue taking.  I know my cousin did have Ambien for a couple of nights when she was pregnant - however, she was in labor already, having a tough time of it and hadn't slept in a few nights, so her situation could be very different from yours since you are not as far along in your pregnancy as she was.

If your OB says it's ok to continue taking the Ambien, definitely do your absolute best to not go above the 10mg - unless your doctor can give you the Ambien CR, which is 12.5 mg.  That's a controlled release version of the Ambien, so you may find that wuld work better for you - not only to help you get to sleep, but to sleep longer.  Whatever you do, if he does put you on the CR, do NOT break, crush or damage the pills in any way - since they are controlled release, to do so could mean you get wya too much of the med at once.

You're very right about your sleep being very important and if you're not getting enough, yoru risk for preterm labor is increased, however, the dilemma is to find something that helps you sleep, but is not harmful for your baby.

I, also, suffer from insomnia and have for years, however, I also suffer from several chronic health and pain issues which plays a huge role in my inability to sleep.  I've been on Ambien for many years.  Some nights it works pretty well and other nights it's like I've taken a tic tac - however, there are some nights where nothing short of getting hit over the head with a sledgehammer is going to help me sleep!

Talk to your OB - he/she would be the best person to decide what medication is best for both you and your baby.

Best of luck!
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1690584 tn?1340297472
I have tried to go off the medication on at least 10 different occasions but my insomnia is severe. Without medication I go 4 days with no sleep and then start seeing things that aren't real. I have tried all of the recommended things such as warm milk, warm bath, melatonin, relaxing music, no tv, no caffiene but I still toss and turn all night trying to sleep. My mind races and I just can not fall asleep on my own. It has become such a problem that it affects my normal everday life if I do not sleep and my contractions seem worse because I am stressing so much about not sleeping. This has been a problem with me all my life and my 15 year old daughter suffers like I do. I don't want to seem hopeless but insomnia is really destroying my life. I don't want my daughter to go down the same path so I tell her that as long as she is laying there resting and getting a few hours it will be ok. This is a family trait and is nothing new for y family but it is so frustrating trying to fix a problem that I don't know if it even can be fixed. Ambien and xanax have been the only things that help but I am pregnant and can not take xanax. I just don't know what to do
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
e
The actual effects of Ambien in pregnancy have not been studied and is recommended for use only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Also, it is best to not cross the recommended dose of 10mg/day. So, try to wean yourself f the medication.

You should stop becoming anxious and try to relax. Try to have a warm bath before sleeping. Have a glass of milk or read a book before trying to sleep. Don’t watch TV or do exercise before sleeping. Condition yourself that you can relax and that you can sleep well.

Hope This Helped and Do Keep Us Posted!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Not too sound like a know it all but maybe you have become dependent on it  to sleep, I had that happen to me with Tylenol PM I was working odd shifts so my body was not used to sleeping different times each day after my shifts went back to normal I could not sleep without it.  Eventualy I had to let myself sleep out of exaustion until my body developed its own schedule again. Thats why they say those meds Are for short term use
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