I am an addict... and I need help!

[marquisdesade]

I started taking Ambien & Prozac in Oct 2009. I started building a resistance so my doctor prescribed for me Restoril, that didn't work so she started me on Lunesta. After I started building a resistance to the Lunesta my doctor prescribed for me Ambien CR 12.5mg. It's now March 2010 and I need 4 or more Ambien CR to sleep. I can't sleep without it!!! I haven't taken the CR 12.5mg in 24hr and I have the common addiction symptoms. When I'm without it (Ambien CR) I can't sleep it's like I'm wired all the time, I have a horrible bladder infection, my head is killing me, and when I try to sleep I can't breathe and my heart pounds like a Juggernaut. I can't get anymore until 3 days from now and it feels like a lifetime away. If I had known that this medicine would have such an adverse effect on me I never would have taken it. My doctor never told me of the possible side effects and prescribed me more. When I had clear side effects, of the Ambien CR, my doctor didn't even know it. I'm not passing the blame to her because I should have paid more attention to what was going into my body. I wish that I had done more research on sleep aids before I thought of taking it. All I need to know are some pointers on how to deal with the withdrawal. I have 4 refills left and I really don't want to put anymore poison into my body... but I feel as though I can't live without it. I need help!!!

[marquisdesade]

thanks you guys, that really helped.

[GA Guy]

Ambien and Lunesta are both known as "Z" drugs. Though not benzos in the traditional sense, they act on the same receptors and have the same problems as traditional benzos. The people I have seen get off of them have tapered slowly and found another drug to help with sleep until sleep normalizes. Slowly reduce your dose and try a non-narcotic sleep aid such as Rozerem or Trazodone.

[Weathergal79]

  Hi Marquis--first off, cool alias-love your name. second-I don't know what to tell you, but leaving you unanswered is just wrong.
   I'm an opiate addict-I cant sleep either cause I'm detoxing-but-the docs had me on ambien, it just never really did the trick. Benzos(klonopin), did, but that nonsense is worse than what your on now.
    In my very humble and inexpert opionion, I'd suggest telling your doctor exactly what you told this forum. You can't sleep without 4 of those suckers, your sick of the poison and want to break free of it. She should understand that, these folks are pro's-they've seen it all.
    What I can't help but wonder though, is if theres some interaction or change in your antidepressant?? THOSE can wreak all sorts of havoc on so many levels-especially with drug or alcohol interaction....antidepressants are almost like puzzle peices....theres so many and it takes alot of trial and error sometimes to find the right fit for the right person....
   I wish I could give you more solid advice, but I really think you should just talk to your doc on this one.  Best of luck to you though! Maybe someone on the forum will know more soon. Hang in there. Lotsa Love, Lori