... tab. On day 2 and so far doing fine. Next month (or sooner) I will taper down to a half. I will let my doctor know I want only a 5 MG prescription when my script needs renewed. Then hopefully taper down to a quarter or none. Has anyone else tapered down like that?
Ambien - I have been taking zolpidem for 20 years at 10mg. I decided to start tapering by a quarter?
Question posted by Ellyboo on 3 March 2024
Last updated on 15 April 2024
Answers
kevinb1953
5 March 2024
Hello. You will not kick that addition doing that without lots of very severe withdrawal. Trust me, I've been there.
The best way to get off that medication is to take it VERY SLOWLY. Cut your intake by 10 % for 10 to 14 days. Then cut your intake by another 10% for another 10 days and so on. Remember you might have to keep taking a small amount forever because you were subscribed to it for some reason.
This is the best way to assure the best results without withdrawal and relapse(s)
Best regards,
Kevinb1953
PS: Taking Ambien (zolpidem) every night for an extended period can be potentially harmful. Prolonged use of Ambien can lead to tolerance, dependence, and an increased risk of adverse effects.
Ellyboo
5 March 2024
Thanks Kevin for the taper updates. Very much appreciated! Trying to go slow but looking forward to kicking the habit.
Ellyboo
16 April 2024
Hi Kevinb1953. I can't tell you have valuable your answer was. I did as you suggested on the taper
schedule. We weighed the 10mg ambien on the scale (2 grains). So I tapered down .2 grains every 10 days or so. Now I am on .8 grains which is less than 5mg of ambien. The pills are very small and it is getting harder to cut them down, lol. In a month I will ask my doctor to give me a prescription for 5mg. I think I can probably within a month or two totally taper off. Thanks again for such a helpful suggestion. ❤ Ellyboo
debsneedssleep
3 March 2024
I am trying same. Also been on Ambien 20 years but it is no longer putting me to sleep. It stays in my system and makes me feel horrible. I am trying to taper off as well. Let me know how it goes!
Ellyboo
4 March 2024
Well, day 3 last night, not so hot, lol. I got about 5 hours of sleep but was determined not to take
any more ambien (Zolpidem). I'm going to stick with it and report back. Good luck to you, debsneedssleep .
debsneedssleep
4 March 2024
What will you do to help you sleep when Ambien is no longer in the picture? I have tried different sleep aids and nothing seems to work for me. Will you just not sleep to just get off it? I am trying to be strong like that. I want to be able to tell myself just stay up all night and don’t sleep if I decide to get off it completely which is my goal.
Ellyboo
5 March 2024
Well, on day 4 of my 3/4 dose of 10 mg Ambien taper schedule. (I cut the tab into quarters). Last night was much better than the night before. I went to bed at midnight after taking 1/4 of a 10mg dose. Then at 2pm woke up and took another quarter of the 10mg dose and then at 5am woke up and took the last of the 3/4 quarter 10 mg dose. I think at 5am I took a half of the over-the-counter Unisom sleeptab (25 mg with Doxylamine Succinate). One of the chat groups said that is really a good one. I woke up at 8am and felt tired and went back to sleep, got up at 9:30 am. I'm very shocked I slept so well. I do however feel slightly drowsy from the Unisom I think. Ambien never makes me feel drowsy. But now an hour later, feeling pretty good. Each time I got up I went back to sleep again in about 5 minutes. I'm feeling pretty good and think I can really taper off. In a week, I'll try the 1/2 tab of 10mg Ambien (5mg) and hopefully continue on my way.
I wanted to give an update as I progress. Good luck to you all and thanks for the comments and kind words. Will continue with my updates.
Ellyboo
5 March 2024
Hello debsneedssleep, I've posted updates so far (on day 4 lol). I hope that encourages you too to have faith and know you'll kick the habit. Updates will continue
debsneedssleep
5 March 2024
Sometimes, when I try to fall asleep without it, I have what I call mini seizures. I usually have two or the back of my head jerks all the way down to my leg. And then I get aroused and I’m fully alert. Other times, I will start drifting into sleep, only to feel like I’m falling and have a panic attack. It is pretty serious stuff. I too have been doing like you and cutting little pieces and taking it every few hours but I am going to try and just stop that. I think I am going to just stick with 5 mg and if I wake up then I will just stay awake or let my body eventually fall back asleep. It sounds like our sleep patterns are very similar to eventually cut that 5 to 2 1/2 and then nothing.
Related topics
ambien, doctor, prescription, tapering, taper
Further information
- Ambien uses and safety info
- Ambien prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Ambien (detailed)
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