How Do I ween myself off abien

[MerryWidow123]

I have been taking Ambien for three years now.  I want to get off of it.  I have been weening myself off for a week now.  1/2 tablet before sleep, but the nights are restless, horrible dreams, restless legs, tired, etc.  How is the best way to do this myself.  I hate to take another drug to get off one.  I take 20 mg of Prozac every day.

[Suri123]

Hi, thanks for sharing your thoughts and your experience. It is always better to taper the dose of Ambien and to reduce the frequency of drug taken over a period of time under supervision of a doctor. Not every one will get the withdrawal effects but better not to give a chance. The factors responsible for sleeplessness can be different in different individuals, so one needs to address those things to possible extent. As a general guideline one can follow the above mentioned healthy sleep habits? Your thoughts will be helpful. Take care.  

[Chi_Chi_Lover]

I understand how you are feeling about the Ambien and wanting to wean off of it. I was there and going through other things in my life. All the **** Surri is telling you might be fine if you were off and had been off ambien trying to get into a normal sleep pattern again. I have been off of it for a long time and I'm trying to find something natural that might help when I'm going through these patterns of no sleep. I will NOT take a prescription sleep med ever again.
You can talk to your doctor but first you will have to taper your dose over several weeks then go completely off of it and your doctor may be able to give you something to help during the first part of being without the ambien. I'll private message you a website and you are welcome private message me. Just click on my name Chi chi

[Suri123]

Hi, You are correct in saying there could be possible withdrawal effects of Ambian if stopped abruptly and also sleep disturbance can become troublesome. Before giving it up or starting on other new sleep drugs, it is always better to consult a doctor. I said you earlier also, Ambien is meant for short-term use. It is better to address the aggravating factors or those factors really causing the sleep disturbance, which may be beneficial in long run rather then continuing a drug for months or years. You can also try without medication of getting rid of sleeplessness. Following few things may help you like going to sleep and wake up at about same time every day. Avoid caffeine contained in tea, cola, and chocolate prior to sleep. Prefer small meal or snacks to late heavy meal. Do regular casual exercise, concentrate on some fine work like reading a book, listening to soft music, take warm shower and gentle body massage, and keep temperature in your room at a suitable level as extremes can disrupt your sleep. Avoid musical clocks, very bright and blinking lights, and very tight clothing or bedding. Take care.

[Chi_Chi_Lover]

I took ambien for 6 months during a really hard time in my life and I'm telling you it is a bad drug. doctors are prescribing this drug for months and years and it should never be used more than 10days to 2 weeks according to manufacture websites. I have been really researching this medication along with some others like Lunesta. What you are experiencing is Withdrawals from this medication and it will take you weeks to get over it once you are completely off of it. Look up Ambien withdrawals under google.com and read you will understand what you are going through and what others have gone through. I have been having long terms with no sleep and was looking into taking ambien again but NO WAY or any other sleep medication. Too risky

[Suri123]

Hi, hope you are keeping well. You are required to take these medicines to have proper sleep. If you want to stop Ambien, do so but there are alternative drugs to Ambien. One of it is Elavil/Endep. It has sedative effects and is non-addictive. Ambien is intended for short-term use. You can discuss this with your doctor and ask for substitute drug as you want to do off with this. Also get a sleep test done to know present status. Do continue taking Omeprazole. Keep updating your thoughts. Take care.