ambien side effects

[slippedup]

I got off of pain meds back in april 09 and couldnt sleep so I went to the doctor and got ambien. I take a 10 mg pill every night. After reading some posts I am wondering if the ambien is making me tired and more depressed during the day. I need to go see a therapist as i stopped my aftercare too soon and didnt have the right fit of a therapist. I am going to taper the ambien down to 5 mgs a night for a week or 2 and then maybe 5 mg every other night for a week or so. I was wondering what to expect in terms of side effects from quitting.Anybody out there been through this? I think i see now why the addiction psychiatrists wont prescribe ambien.....my gp doc did that, and yes she knew about my addiction to the pain meds.

[GA Guy]

Ambien, although "technically" not a benzo, acts like one in almost every way. That includes withdrawal symptoms after long term use. The healthcare community is finally waking up about these so called "z" drugs now, much like they are with tramadol. The facts are that they are addictive, and can be problematic for addicts. What withdrawals will you have? I honestly don't know. Some people have bad withdrawals, some have none. The fact that you took it for a relatively short time coupled with you not taking more than the recommended dosage bodes well for a fairly painless detox. Rebound insomnia will probably be an issue, so try not to go back if the insomnia stays around for a couple of days or more. It will never get better until you get some time under your belt sleeping naturally.

[slippedup]

I am not sure if my last reply went through so if it didnt just wanted to thank you for your reply. I knew when the psych doc wouldnt give me ambien i shouldnt have taken it from my regular doc but the trazadone he gave made me feel like a zombie. Better just to try and cope with no meds at all if we can.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

i didnt take the Ambien long enough to have "habit" issues with it - - - but I certainly had the benzo type affects.  Its still a joke with my family regarding the ambulatory sleep with strange activities while under the influence of ambien. I fell asleep with a portion of a cheeseburger hanging out of my mouth!!  I also ate a portion of some bacon grease in an iron skillet and complimented my wife on her efforts in cooking that dish!  Ambien is some very strange stuff...................................

[slippedup]

I too have eating issues with ambien.Very wierd........ eat like a pig after i take one which is another reason to get off of them. Just wanted to let you know also that you have been very helpful to me in your earlier posts as well and i really appreciate it.I cant thank you all enough for the support and replies

[Brian67]

I was on ambien 10mg for a couple years. I took that with flexeril too. I ran out and couldn't afford more. I'm glad that happened. I still take other stuff that I'm suffering with now. I will say the only thing I found with ambien was lack of sleep. That will pass and the best thing to do if you're not already is to walk, run, bike, whatever. The exercise will help you sleep. I still have troubles sleeping and found melatonin a big help. Yes, it does work. It may not the first few days because your body is used to the ambien. The sleep issue will go away after a few days. It's a matter of your body learning how to make you sleep, rather than depending on the meds. I didn't have any other side affects other than a little panic when night time came, but that went away after a few days. Good luck and you've come to a great place for help.

[animallover9]

I used to take ambien all the time, but never noticed withrawals after quitting.  I stopped because the are TERRIBLE. I would say and do things in my sleep - I would wake up exhausted. For some, they are fine, but my advice is that they are dangerous pills.  Stay away.