My new Dr stopped writing my rx for ambien and refused to continue any sleep medications.He did not offer weaning down, simply said to stop and I will only have rebound insomnia and that I will "get over it". I have not slept since Friday night and fear severe withdrawals. I asked a question about this previously but do not see it listed so forgive me if this is a repeat. I was on 10 mg ambien every night for the last 5 years to help with insomnia and it was working fine, with no adverse effects. No night walking or grogginess as I have read could happen. No problems til now. A young Dr out of med school decides he wants control.I can't live like this..it has disrupted my daily living. Advice please.
thanks
runnermom
Abruptly stopping ambien?
Question posted by runnermom56 on 13 Jan 2013
Last updated on 3 May 2021 by wisewoman
7 Answers
wisewoman
3 May 2021
I am afraid it begins with the overt dependence on the medication for what is causing your great distress. Perhaps for the better part I can explain. I am dependent on Ambien for sleep. It caught up with me. I wish I had never started taking this medication. Seems like the "Control" freak doctor is really looking after your better health. Have a discussion with this doctor. Ask him why he withdrew you from Ambien. Try to steer from emotional mind and ask questions from the reasonable mind. Meanwhile I continue to try to sleep. I pray that we both overcome the dependency by using a healthy dose of Wiseman.
Needsleep63
28 Feb 2018
A new Phys. Assistant in my doctor's office decided to cut my rx in half with no notice. I am very upset. She talked him into reducing my dosage. He's been my doctor for years and she is brand new. I am now out for a few days. They don't realize that you can't just stop this suddenly, there has to be some kind of plan!
lkaw1954
28 Feb 2018
Sounds like mine. The PA wanted me to try something else, I did and was wide awake for each day I tried it. I am telling her, not asking ,I need a script for Ambien because I want to sleep. I see her again next week. Thank goodness I still have Ambien.
Needsleep63
28 Feb 2018
I'm out of mine currently. Why why why are they so afraid to prescribe to someone for whom IT WORKS, and has no negative side effects, just because they have been on it for some time? Ambien is a godsend for some people, and I guess others are just terrified of it.
lkaw1954
28 Feb 2018
Have you tried the over the counter sleep aid by Kirkland? Costco used to carry it but the last few times I bought it, I ordered it from Amazon. It worked for quite awhile then after a couple of years it didn't.
It's worth a try. My sister uses Benadryl. I can't because I have high blood pressure.
Anibal16
7 Feb 2014
Hi runnermom,
I have used Ambien 5-10 mg every night for the last 31/2 years and noticed that it was making me have brain fog, memory issues, and even depression. I just haven't been feeling like my old self and so I decided to get off and did some of my own research online... I cut my does down to 2.5 mg. for a week and then my Dr. switched me to Lorazepam to help with any withdrawal symptoms. After a week of that I stopped taking the Lorazepam too and have had a very rough few days experiencing panic/anxiety attacks, crying spells, and severe blues. The Dr. wrote me a prescription for Wellbuterin, but I don't want to take any more pills!!! I now realize that Ambien is for short term use to take under extreme stress, not every night as a sleep aid. I really know how you feel because I haven't slept now for 5-6 nights and honestly thought I wouldn't make it through the week.
I switched to some natural sleep aids that contain GABA, melatonin, etc., and of course after Ambien they have little to no effect, but I "rested" a little better last night and feel pretty good today. If you can, please get of Ambien and any other prescription sleep medications because they are all horrible in the long run and only treat your symptoms temporarily. Then you could be left with some nasty side effects... I have cut all wheat products out of my diet and am trying to get at least 45 minutes of cardio exercise daily to lift my spirits... It is not easy but I am slowly feeling better and hope to be sleeping normally again soon!
Good Luck.
Anibal16
lkaw1954
28 Feb 2018
I've taken a sleep aid for over 10 years. Most of the time it has been Ambien. The only time I took an over the counter was because I didn't have insurance. It worked most of the time but sometimes I had to take more than one .Now that I do have insurance, I've taken it for 4 years. the only side affect I've had is an occasional headache. I take 1/2 of my prescribed dose. If I don't fall asleep within an hour, I take the other half. It affects everyone differently and I hope that runner mom takes your advice with a large grain of salt and finds a new doctor.
Inactive
1 Sep 2013
5 yrs is a long time to be on this type of medication. Its is usually prescribed for much shorter length of time. I am quite surprised that it continued to work for you for that long. It is Saturday night where I am so you really haven't missed any more than a nights sleep. It will not take long to get it out of your system as it is a short acting med. Going to bed and getting up at same time, regardless if you sleep or not, will help reset your internal clock and sleep should be pretty much back to normal soon.
lkaw1954
23 June 2017
I've been on a sleep aid for almost 3 times that . Your advice is terrible
Needsleep63
28 Feb 2018
Agree. Terrible advice.
susannah3
31 Aug 2013
Get new doctor--- go for a female doc.
Needsleep63
28 Feb 2018
Female docs can be ever worse than male docs in this regard. I think male docs are more reasonable and logical.
kaismama
13 Jan 2013
I'd find another new doctor fast. He's heartless. I wonder how new docs bear up to malpractice suits. He lets you go into withdrawal with that miserable attitude and he could be in for trouble. If not you, then the next person he pulls that stuff on.
Inactive
13 Jan 2013
Hello runnermom56. I agree with the fear that the withdrawls can be harsh to say the least. I suggest if you become so uneasy, uncomfortable, you go to the nearest ER, along with copies of your perscriptions written over the past years. A doctor working the ER likely will perscribe you a perscription or at least several nights dose to bind you over. Regards pledge
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- Ambien prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
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