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ambien

I have been taking ambien every night for the last two years.  I have pvc's, pac's and every once in a while I go into atril-fib.  Of course now the ambien is not working so well.  I just need to sleep at night so I can handle the arrhythmias during the day.  I do not get arrhythmias at night. How do you get sleep without meds, and how do you get off without going cold turkey and not sleeping at all.  any suggestions.    susie
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996946 tn?1503249112
So dale, did you quit cold turkey?  I tried that....didn't work.  So you must be taking some supplement?  Please...enlighten me!  I would like to get off of it for good.  I always end up going back to it.  It is the only thing i have ever taken that has actually made me sleep.  But I just don't think it is good for me.
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1929318 tn?1323237123
i've been taking ambien for 11+ years without going one night without it.  I'm going into day 6. tonight and I feel great. I think I can help others. Please read my post (dale49). If you have a question I will answer it. Thanks, Dale.
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996946 tn?1503249112
I take it also but my ins. pretty much insists on the generic Zolpidem.  It doesn't work nearly as well as it did when I started it 8 or 10 yrs ago andwent from Ambien to the generic.  For awhile it was ok, then it seemed like the strength changed.  I was wondering if any of you feel the generics are leaving something out or if they seem too mild and don't work nearly as well as the name brand Ambien?  
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Avatar universal

I am in the same boat - palpitations (PAC/PVC) kept me up until I tried ambien... 5 or 10 mg  nightly - best night sleep with no after effects that I notice.  Been on it for two years.  There are withdrawl strategies on internet - some suggest using melatonin and 5mg Ambien and slowly taper off the Ambien....  good luck.
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1929318 tn?1323237123
Hello Suzy,
I am having the same problems you are. I have heart disease, been in a-fib a couple times and had a couple angioplastys. I've been on ambien for 11 years and tonight will be my 1st night in 11 years without it. I put a post up on here a couple hours ago looking for the same advice you are. From the few responces I did get tappering off`is most recomended. I hope things work out for you. Dale
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Avatar universal
Ambien becomes less effective over time, or if you take it often.

What you could try is to titrate down over time...like splitting a 10mg to 5mg over a few days.

Sometimes with the sleep meds, you need a "drug vacation" and get some of the stuff out of your system.  
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61536 tn?1340698163
Ambien doesn't have a high dependency profile.  Personally, I can't just go to bed and sleep.  I have to be either exhausted to the point of delirium, or I read.  I prefer reading.  Thirty minutes of lying in bed with a book calms me immensely.  Try it :)
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