insomnia......????

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For about 2 years I have been taking Ambien for sleep....the highest dose possible 12 mg.
I continue to read scarey things about it and am afraid that I am addicted to it....developing a tolerance.
I have read that it has very serious side effects and is very difficult getting off/ discontinuing...that the withdrawl is horrible....that it causes rebound insomnia.

Here is my question for you fine people:
How many hours do you sleep a night? Is this enough?
HOw many of you suffer with insomnia? or sleep issues for that matter?
Have you ever tried sleeping pills/aides before?
If you can't/won't take them how does your not
sleeping interfer with your life.
Does this insomnia make you manic?
HOw do you deal with not sleeping?
Do you hold a job...have to get places the next day?
I ask all of this because I worry about taking this med.
Have tried other meds, restoril, lunesta, benadryl, melatonin etc.
I already know that if I don't take an ambien then I can't sleep.
I wonder how long that would last....
Has any one successfully tapered off a sleeping pill and how are you sleeping now?
bizi
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