Ambien

[Midton]

I've been taking this for about 2 years. Initially 10mg and now 5mg. I generally take it every weekday night about an hour before bed and have a great sleep. In this time there have been 3 periods when I was out of the country, on vacation so relaxed, and didn't have the drug so I took nothing and I was totaly ok. But when at home I do like the guarantee of a good sleep.

I have no apparent problems taking Ambien and even after 2 years have no need to increase the dosage. I also have no desire to stop it given its benefits.

Why is Ambien considered a short-term drug? And How safe is it for me to continue taking my nightly 5mg?

[sicraw]

You say you have been off 6 months.  When did you feel that you had mostly conquered the wd's?  I am only two weeks - I have good days and then, like today, had a small panic attack, stomach hurt and my lower back really hurt.  It came out of no where.  My husband's job is a little rocky for him and usually when we talk about it, I'm ok.  But today it really freaked me out and so I guess it will be some time before I can deal with that kind of stress again.  Before Ambien, I have always been pretty calm and not rattled by stress, but the last few weeks have been crazy.

[kid123]

ambien is highly addictive and again you don't know you are addicted until you try to get off it.  11 years on - now clean for about 6 months - going off wasn't a piece of cake - probably the hardest thing I have ever done

[K Todd]

Hi,

I have been on the 12.5 Ambien CR (Plus I triend Lusnesta), for about 4 months now.

I have one thing to say...every one is different, but as for me, when I take it, I am okay.

As soon as I stop, I go through intense withdrawals, and I'm also now just starting to catch myselft doing things in the middle of the night (while being 1/2 asleep).

I tried to go 2 days without, and I got hit so hard, back to the doctor I went. He prescribed me 1/2 the dose (6.25 CR) and 10mg of Valium so I can quit.

As for me, I am getting ready to walk completely away, because the longer I am on it....the worse the withdrawals and need for it are getting)

I never knew that I was addicted, until I tried to to come off it! - To me, all those  New so called "Safe" sleepinng medications, all derive off older medications back from the 80's.  They are all "Sedative / Hypnotice Drugs"

To me, these meds are worse than Benzo's - Just "Google the Ambien" and "withdrawals" and you'll find out, what type off med you actually on!

Tommorrow, I plan to get off these, and FAST!!!

Hope this helps, and DON"T be Deceived by their misleasing Marketing Ads!!!

God Bless,

Todd

[Midton]

Although I initially was prescribed by a doctor.  I now live abroad in a non-English speaking country with no one to discuss this with.

I just don't feel any side-effects only the benefits but am scared that I may be addicted and what to get an idea of what the long term impact of Ambien could be.

The first time I got Ambien was after the stress of living/working abroad caused anxiety which led to a massive panic attack, which terrified me (I have always been a bad sleeper also). Since taking Ambien I've had no more panic attacks, little anxiety which I believe is the result of getting a good nights sleep.

Is taking this long term realy harmful for everyone or just for some?

[desertgirl]

I really don't know much about ambien, it never worked for me, perhaps you can direct your question to your doctor or take a look around on the internet and see if you find any info.