I have a history of addiction myself, so I'm limited by what I can take for sleep safe drugs are: Trazadone, Remeron, Rozerem(didn't work for me), Benadryl. The one benefit of not being able to take certain drugs, is that I have to find more "pure" methods for sleep. I know you've heard it before, but, since I've started doing 30min of cardio/day I have been sleeping better. Exercise is also the best anti-depressant. Good Luck !
Thank you very much for the trazadone suggestion. I just recently confessed my addiction/abuse to my doctor, so at least he knows about the situation. Perhaps he will prescribe me trazadone to help get off Ambien. I tried last week to check myself into rehab, but basically they thought I wasn't bad enough to start an inpatient treatment, so I'm back to square one -- trying to taper on my own at home. Anyway, at the treatment facility, they said a doc there may prescribe trazadone if needed. I tried to make a mental note about that, but had forgotten the exact name of the drug until you reminded me. So thanks again for the reply. I apologize for rambling.
Try Trazadone, it is absolutely non-habit forming
I totally know what you're going through with the ambien. I've been on it every night for a few years and know I have a problem. I'm also in grad school and feel worried it will start to affect my grades. I have been doing a program I found on the internet called theroadback.org to help me get off the medication. I am taking the suggested herbal supplements and hope to taper off the pill slowly. Unfortunately, I take more than prescribed, so I'm going to run out soon. It sounds like maybe that's what you did. Is it just awful without it? Are you getting used to being off of it or did you go back on it? Good luck with it all. Please let me know if anyone has tips for getting off of this crazy stuff. I'm so ready to be free of it! Thanks.
Just one more thing, you are just 25 which is quite young and with exercise, vitamin, mineral supplements etc, you will make it through and then get a great life withe some work, know that there is always hidden powers in us n they come to aid when really needed. it will happen for u as well, bye, keep posting, ppl are always there to help ...
It's actually good news for you that you have gone three days without the pills even though you haven't been able to sleep because clearly you have developed tolerence and physical dependence on these medications. So, it would be best if you continue not taking these medications, sure for maybe 4-5 days more, the Withdrawal from the Detox will last but once you are over these things completely you can hunt for and try to treat the actual causes of your sleep issues using therapy or whatever works for you, as for Withdrawal's and Detox, I would suggest that you hop over to the Addiction Substance abuse forum, the ppl there are great and will help you with questions regarding the addiction to Codeine and the other medication and will motivate you as well ... Best of Luck, make sure you carry on staying away from the pills not just for urself but ur kids and husband as well ...
Another option, as I mentioned in another thread, it to use a natural substance called melatonin to replace your ambien. It has the same effect. You take it at the same time. And two things I really love about it. It's dirt cheap and it's over the counter. I have heard great reviews about the melatonin but be aware, as with anything, it's not a cure all and it may not work. I, myself, have no aid from taking any form of sleep inducing drug, natural or synthetic. With your dependency issues to the Ambien, I would take the transition slow so your body does not freak out and see if it works.
Hi,
It is sooooo frustrating when you cant sleep. I've suffered from terrible insomnia for a number of years. Heres the deal with Ambien. Contrary to what a lot of doctors will tell you, this drug is similar to a lot of the anti-anxiety drugs such as Valium, Xanax, or Ativan. These drugs are incredibly easy (and fast) to get dependent on both physically and psychologically. You can become dependent on Ambien with 2 weeks very easily. If you read some of the fine print there is mention of this with these prescriptions. The trick is to not take this long term or take only when really really needed--maybe a few times per week, max. Unfortunately you took for a long time and will have to push through your body and mind dealing with the discontinuation (fancy term Dr's use for withdrawal)--call it what you want, but there are way too many people with the same experience. One the common problems of stopping Ambien is a sort of rebound effect where your insomnia is worse than ever. This will pass eventually but doesnt seem that way when you are laying there night after night wide awake. A good Dr will put you on a low dose of another type sleep aid to get you off the Ambien then work to get you off the new drug to something lighter or no drugs at all.
Please hang in there. I feel for you--it sucks, only way I can put it. Know you can and will get through this.
Creston