Anybody else been on Ambien (or other sleep meds) for long periods of time?
By abovewater
@abovewater (36)
United States
February 5, 2007 7:16pm CST
I have been on ambien for over 5 years and would love to stop taking it. Everytime I try to lower the dose I can't sleep. I've tried so many different things, stress relievers, warm showers, warm milk and so on and nothing helps. Have any of you taken one of these meds for long periods of time then successfully come off?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@Gigglygrrl (362)
• United States
6 Feb 07
I have been on and off Ambien for 8 years. I can usually stay on it for a year or two then it stops working for me. I have tried or been on Soma, Sonata, Halcion, Restoril, Amatryptiline (sp) Ambien CR, Lunesta, and now Seroquel. Everything stops working for me and we have finally had to go in a totally different direction with the Seroquel. In larger doses it is a heavy medication for psych things.
I too have tried to go off my meds, deciding that I no longer wanted to have insomnia, and have had two stretches where I was up for two weeks. I can tell you that it is no fun, auditory and visual hallucinations suck. Don't go off your meds.
Go to a sleep center, if you haven't already, and try to find the root of your insomnia. For me, I have done 4. They can find no reason for my chronic insomnia. And I have both the problem falling asleep and staying asleep. IT SUCKS!
But, try to make it work for you. In the last 7 years I have co-owned 2 businesses, taught full time, raised twins, been married, got my master's degree, principal's license, as well as completed my course work for my Ph.D. and my superintendent's license. I am about to begin my dissertation and will make it work for me there as well!
I wish you well! None of the holistic or anything else worked for me as well. Every once in a while when I am in a pinch I can take 3 or 4 Benedril and that will put me to sleep. I got that tip from my friend who is a nurse. Although you cannot do it long term! Good luck!
• United States
6 Feb 07
I use benedryl now. I was on Ambien for awhile, but it made me feel as if I was not getting good sleep. I would try taking half of the pill, and drinking it with chamomile tea. It could help alot better than taking the whole thing.
@wmg2006 (5381)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I have never been on anything to help me sleep, but there are plenty of times I wish I was. I do have a friend who has been on some type of sleep aid for years. She is an insominiac and when she tries to get off the meds she never sleeps and can't function without the sleep. So it may be best to stay on them or ask your Dr. to help you get off them.
@abovewater (36)
• United States
9 Feb 07
You're probably right. And on my way home from his office I need to buy myself a new mattress! Really.
@MLLanser (162)
• United States
9 Jul 07
I have been on and off ambien for about 13 years now. The last time I have had them was quite a while ago, maybe a year. Not that I dont feel that I need them, just that I have no insurance to see my doctor to get them. This evening I went over to my sisters house and I know she takes them. So I got her to give me a couple of them, just so I can get a few nights of sleep.
