Aa
How can I get rid of Zolpidem dependency???
Dear doctor,
My name is Rouzbeh, I am 38 years old, male. I have studied IT. I work as a freelancer (customs clearance) and I live in Iran (Middle East).
I have been using ZOLPIDEM more than 2 year. About 2.5 years ago my father got sick and passed away and since then I have used Benzodiazpines so that I could sleep well but after awhile I have got to know Zolpidem. Now I am using 50-60mg per day. I have to take a nap in the mid day (4-5pm till 6-7pm). I use 20mg at 4pm, 20mg before bed and 10-20mg in the mid night. If I wouldn’t use it I would get anxiety and unrest and a bit of shaking. It is very difficult for me to not sleep in the mid day.
I am treated now for 3 months. I have gotten psycho medication (Venlafaxine and Perphenazine) because I am suffering from anxiety and depression and I have mood swings frequently.
So the question is: how should I get rid of Zolpidem. Tapering it off is very hard but I think if I could use an alternative drug in place of Zolpidem for a little while, it would help. What is your suggestion?
It would be a relief for me to hear from you soon.
(My email:***@****)
My name is Rouzbeh, I am 38 years old, male. I have studied IT. I work as a freelancer (customs clearance) and I live in Iran (Middle East).
I have been using ZOLPIDEM more than 2 year. About 2.5 years ago my father got sick and passed away and since then I have used Benzodiazpines so that I could sleep well but after awhile I have got to know Zolpidem. Now I am using 50-60mg per day. I have to take a nap in the mid day (4-5pm till 6-7pm). I use 20mg at 4pm, 20mg before bed and 10-20mg in the mid night. If I wouldn’t use it I would get anxiety and unrest and a bit of shaking. It is very difficult for me to not sleep in the mid day.
I am treated now for 3 months. I have gotten psycho medication (Venlafaxine and Perphenazine) because I am suffering from anxiety and depression and I have mood swings frequently.
So the question is: how should I get rid of Zolpidem. Tapering it off is very hard but I think if I could use an alternative drug in place of Zolpidem for a little while, it would help. What is your suggestion?
It would be a relief for me to hear from you soon.
(My email:***@****)
Consult a Psychiatrist!
Clonazepam has a much longer half life and works well for sleep. Im betting that is what they would use. Trazadone would not be a bad choice either. However, titrating down very slowly could help.
As for continuous mood swings... Maybe Lithium or a different antidepressant? It is hard to say.
Clonazepam has a much longer half life and works well for sleep. Im betting that is what they would use. Trazadone would not be a bad choice either. However, titrating down very slowly could help.
As for continuous mood swings... Maybe Lithium or a different antidepressant? It is hard to say.
@Rouzbeh - I am not a doctor, but thought I could give you some feedback.
First, making adjustments to medications like this should always and only be done in consultation with YOUR doctor. You are taking a very high dose of the Ambien, and you may be on a path where the dependency gets worse if you do not establish a plan for titration with your doctor. If your doctor approves it, you might consider titration alongside supplementation with melatonin--I've had some success there.
Your situation, in which you are taking other psychiatric medications, makes this consultation all the more important. I understand that this is time consuming and frustrating, but--the sooner you address this the better for your health.
Unfortunately, I cannot give you any advice on managing insomnia beyond what you probably already know about distractions, bright lights, caffeine, and all of the token things that have never worked for me. I can only speak to the importance of never making medication changes to benzodiazepines or Z-drugs without speaking with your doctor, especially when you are taking such a high dose.
Best of health to you going forward.
First, making adjustments to medications like this should always and only be done in consultation with YOUR doctor. You are taking a very high dose of the Ambien, and you may be on a path where the dependency gets worse if you do not establish a plan for titration with your doctor. If your doctor approves it, you might consider titration alongside supplementation with melatonin--I've had some success there.
Your situation, in which you are taking other psychiatric medications, makes this consultation all the more important. I understand that this is time consuming and frustrating, but--the sooner you address this the better for your health.
Unfortunately, I cannot give you any advice on managing insomnia beyond what you probably already know about distractions, bright lights, caffeine, and all of the token things that have never worked for me. I can only speak to the importance of never making medication changes to benzodiazepines or Z-drugs without speaking with your doctor, especially when you are taking such a high dose.
Best of health to you going forward.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Sleep Disorders Community
Healing home remedies for common ailments
Dr. Steven Park reveals 5 reasons why breathing through your nose could change your life
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
