Ambien should always be tapered off if used for any length of time. She could call her doctor and ask for just enough refill of pills to accomplish that. The doctor could give her the exact schedule for tapering the medication. I have been on and off Ambien a couple of times and had little trouble by tapering the dose even after a long period of usage. There is going to be some problems establishing a normal sleep pattern again, though. It depends how long the medication has been used and what her initial sleep problems were. If she is honest with the doctor and expresses that she wants to quit using the Ambien, I don't imagine the doctor would mind prescribing the necessary medication. Not wise to quit cold turkey.
Ambien...Can anyone help?????
by mama1119 13 Replies latest jw friends
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nsrn
Ah, Ambien...I have had a lifelong problem with sleeping, and Ambien is the best sleeper I've found. Lunesta left me with a terrible taste in my mouth. But for me, Ambien works great except it wears off early (2 a.m.), and then I'm tempted to take more in the night. Then I could run out too early in the month and not be able to refill my rx.
I avoid this by taking 1/2 at bedtime and saving back the other half to take if I am awake in the night for any length of time, but no later than 2. (This is with my doctor's full knowledge and approval). He hates for me to be dependant on something for sleep, too, but appreciates that I have to sleep sometime! I have tried lots of herbals and diet changes prior to this regimen. I also tried the Ambien CR formula, but was unimpressed by any difference.
However, I am wide awake tonight as I am on Mom's couch. She fell and broke her other shoulder so I stay here every other night to help her to the bathroom. That way my dad can take HIS ambien and sleep, and neither one of us go too many nights in a row without!
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My MILs worst nightmare, a nonJW
Ambien is closely related to a family of drugs called benzodiazepines. These drugs cause sedation, muscle relaxation, act as anti-convulsants (anti-seizure), and have anti-anxiety properties.
I would also check and make sure that she is not also taking any other Benzos. She may be too embarrased to tell you. Benzos are highly addictive and overprescribed. They are meant for short term (less than 30 days) use, but are often prescribed indescriminently. As CRAZYBLONDEB pointed out after a tolerence is developed they then have a serious daily rebound effect. In the case of my very good friend she was originally prescribed benzos (Xanax and Klonopin) for panic attacks. After using them for about 5 months she began having the rebound effect (mini withdrawels as the drug wore off) on a daily basis. The drug they originally prescribed to halt panic attacks actually began to cause them. Plus, she was taling Ambien. She thought she was losing her mind and it took her a long time to confide in me because of embarrassment. We did a slow taper (absolutely no cold turkey) that worked really well and she is back to her old self.
PARTIAL LIST OF BENZODIAZEPINESDiazepam (Valium)
Lorazepam (ativan)
Oxazepam (Serenid-d)
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Medazepam (Nobrium)
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Clonazepam -- Klonopin (Rivotril)
Bromazepam (Lexotan)
Clobazam (Frisium)
Clorazepate (Tranxene)
BENZODIAZEPINE--HYPNOTICS-Temazepam (Normison)
Nitrazepam (Mogadon)
Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)
Flurazepam (Dalmane)
Loprazolam(Dormonoct) -
mama1119
Thank you everyone for the info, I really appreciate it!