Trying to get off Ambien

That's awesome

Not the best night after all. I have to body scan more often. Anxiety got out of control. Started experiencing signs of panic attack. Used diaphragm atic breathing while I waited for the minipress to kick in. Also took .5 mg of Ativan. I probably could have used more of that, but was unwilling to take more. Did a breathing meditation on my tablet then put my talk radio which is usually turned way down low and pretty soothing,but the guest on the show sounded like she was almost yelling in a high pitched voice--- oh how bad anxiety makes things sound. Apparently my brain a d body were in over drive at the same time. Turned of the radio and read a chapter of a very low key book I am reading on resilience. Things got somewhat better.

So wanted to use more minipress but did not dare to because I hadn't discussed this idea with psychiatrist. Will definitely have that discussion this week. Still got to sleep around 12:30 or 1 am. Awoke at 9 am but feel very tired and not clear headed at all. I just had no energy for a shower this morning so will try for one tonight. I asked my Alexa to remind me later on. I definitely don't fee! safe to drive even up the street. Just soooo tired and kind of crappy feeling. !uckily not too discouraged.

As you wean yourself off of the Ambien, your body's physiology will adjust and the panic attacks are part of the body's physical response to the decrease in the Ambien dosage.

Just keep a daily journal of your dosage as you decrease it of the Ambien, and write down the physical and mental responses from your body as it adjusts to the weaning process. It will get worse before it gets better, unfortunately, where medication titering is concerned. If you're body's been dependent on Ambien for ten years, it's going to take your body time to adjust to the lack of it. Just hang in there.

I agree. It is Deejay14's decision. I also think it's important to recognize that for some people melatonin can cause depression. For me, it did.

It's also worthwhile knowledge to know that benzos are not opiates.

I'm not criticizing you, cielpur. I am just adding to this thread by sharing some of my experience and knowledge.

I believe that the most important step Deejay can take is to discuss this with her pdoc. While we can be supportive, we cannot provide medical information.

Deejay, I hope that going off the Ambien works for you. When will you speak with your pdoc about how your withdrawal from Ambien is going?

Good night last night. Extra body scanning helped with anxiety,took the 5 mg of minipress (prazosin) when I became aware of tingling in my arms which is usually one of the first signs of panic attacks or just a more severe anxiety. It really helped along with diaphramatic breathing. I was able to get a shower in before I settled into bed with the cats and 60 Minutes. Reading before bed has been a good transitional activity to do for about 30 minutes a night right after I have taken 15 mg. of Ambien. Put radio on after reading and right to sleep. Slept til 7 am. It was a good night. Tomorrow is another planned decrease of Ambien to 12.5 mg.

Talked to doc this AM. Melatonin- I can try it if I think I need it but most nights I am getting to sleep. Still will have some on hand because if it helps me especially if I start not to sleep why not? He said I can use Ativan if I want to on decrease days because I have alot of anxiety on those nights. I have a self imposed limit of 2 night a week for the Ativan. I asked if I could take minimises for day time anxiety since it is working so well at night for me. We agreed on a 2 mg dose during the day if needed.

Also have been using Dame Heather Ashton's web site which has been helpful. Because I will need to make smaller decreases, might have,to change the ambien to an equivalent dose of diazepam and continue reducing from there. Luckily there is a chart that gives you 10 mg diazepam equivalents of benzos and Z drugs. Think I can do this last 2.5 mg decrease in ambien before I do that.

Got through exercises this morning but unable to do ad many reps. I chalk this up to changes in me while I am decreasing meds.

Getting off just about any psych med is major. I'm glad you're in touch with your pdoc. Valerian root can also be helpful for sleep. Also, what about ZZZQuil? I realize it's a "medicine", more or less, but herbs also are medicinal. ZZZQuil can be used for a week or 2 to help transition from a stronger sleep med.

I tried Valerian root previously. Not only did it not work for me, I found the smell horrendous. Never again on that one😊!
Tried Z quil and Nyquil which did nothing for me. Seroquel even at a low dose was too much for me...literally fell over. Trazodone only worked for a few nights. I already take Remeron as an anti depressant but that doesn't make me sleepy. I have pretty much run the gamut on meds for sleep, but in the end if I need something will ask to try doxepine because I slept a whole week away at the beach when I had to take it during the day! Missed the whole point of being at the beach!

Yikes. That's rough. Not getting sufficient sleep is bad enough, but if one has mental illness, loss of sleep can be downright dangerous.

Not a bad night of sleep. Very productive day so far but now getting tired. Planned decrease down to 12.5 mg of regular Ambien tonight. I have lots of anxiety on decrease nights so if needed will take a .5 Ativan which I have to think about carefully because I will now only use them no more than about twice a week. Made lots of progress over the last three weeks. Hoping the 5 mg of prazosin continues its magic. The radio hasn't been yelling at me so that is good. Expecting melatonin tomorrow to take if needed. The doc says we can try Gabapentin if needed but not up for adding a new med and I took Gabapentin once from my PCP and made me very weak....so that's a big maybe but not today.

Did the planned decrease. Tired t today but not so bad that I shouldn't drive. Thought I slept most of the night. Slept from around 11-7 am. Choosing not to let myself sleep past 7 am so that it will help me sleep the next night. Last night's meds: 12.5 Ambien, 5mg prazosin .5 ativan. Tonight plan is for no ativan.

My first night without sedatives tonight. Quitting Ambien 10mg (after being on it for 4 months) and seroquel 50mg (after being on it for 2 and a half years). Cold turkey. This is my Plan A. Plan B is to use Ambien to quit seroquel and titrate of Ambien afterwards. This, feels like the most important step, decision, ive taken to a promise of a healthy life. I'm excited. I'm gonna do it, no matter how hard it is.

Sunny, I hope you are successful. Going cold turkey can be rough. I know for me it would not have been doable. Been on them too long and lots of anxiety in general. Being mentally ready for it is key. I think you got this!!

Got 4 and a half hour of natural sleep. it wasnt consistent. was more like i took 2 or 3 long naps. had the sweetest dreams ive had in a long time. just woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window. Anxiety feels somewhat turbulent. but thats okay, im sure as the sleep falls back to its natural state, it'll level off. basically feeling proud of myself. and a little stupid, coz now i keep thinking i should have done this long time before and saved me a whole lot of hell that these meds put me through. anyways, never too late,like they say. One small positive step towards a better health. gotta quit coffee today. lol. thats a lot of quitting. i've ordered a bottle of melatonin. thought it couldnt hurt to try.

thanks for the support.. you guys are a big inspiration to me..

Good for you Sunny! Not the best night but not the worst on the 2nd night of 12.5 mg. Melatonin should be arriving today.j will try that tonight.

Hang in there Deejay, you're getting there. my sleep was longer by 1 hour and deeper more consistent than yesterday. although it might be the antihistamine i took last night coz of an allergic reaction to dairy. gotta cut out all dairy now that ive stopped seroquel. sigh:

slept well last night. I can tell because it was way easier to do my exercises today. Last night just took 12.5 mg regular Ambien and 5 mg prazosin. I am so happy because I was feeling mentally shaky last night. I did some research into alternate sleep remedies. One remedy was to take 200 mg of magnesium and 600 mg calcium at bed time. Because i feel better when I have options on hand, I bought some this morning. If this works 4 months of nightly use will only cost 13.00 so worth a try. I couldn't buy it in a smaller amount. Overall going well. I also have to remember not to get to revved up if I don't sleep because I have 2 or so nights a month that I won't sleep no matter what I take. Keeping as busy as I can during the day. He,t seek I will be down to 10 mg. That will be huge for me!

Sunny, I am very impressed. I think you are going to be successful!! Keep at it!

Hi deejay, Magnesium is calming to the nerves. It will help. You can't go wrong with that. Totally worth a try.

You know I went for a medium paced power walk of 1 hour yesterday evening, and boy did I sleep great. I felt this exhausting tiredness masquerading as sedation completely knock me out. So hard to wake this morning. I had to summon every last bit of strength to pull myself out of the bed that I felt glued to. I know you mentioned exercises so I know you workout, but Maybe you could give power walk a shot, might help.

Sunny, it's hard to go for a power walk on a walker. Went to bed at 10:15. Fell asleep by 11:00. Woke up around two for a bit. Back to sleep til 8:00 am. Last night I took the 12.5 of ambien, prazosin calcium 600 mg, 300 magnesium. Calcium to magnesium should be at 2:1 ratio.

Last night: 12.5 mg regular Ambien, 5 mg prazosin, 600 mg calcium, 300 mg magnesium. Went to bed at 10 pm. Woke at 1 am but able to get back to sleep in short time. No anxiety, or rebound insomnia.

It pains me to know that. I dont know what to say.

Sunny no worries! I have had CP since birth and have led a pretty normal life in many respects. I worked for 40 years, went to college met my professional goals, got married (and still happily so). I do have some hope that things will improve since in the last few weeks I have been able to do the stairs with a railing. It has been a real test forms after having a severe fall six years ago. So now I am trying to get rid ofvmeds I needed but now think I can do without.

Please don't feel bad. There's nothing to feel bad about

you're a tremendous human being deejay. Living with depression has tainted and molded my whole view of life. My mind is always gathering what it refers to as "evidence" to constantly convince the part of my heart that wants to believe that life is kind and fair, that it's delusional and utterly stupid for believing in that. it's been a relentless struggle, but over the years depression has worn my heart down, and left me with bitter resentment against life for being unfair, unreasonable, unkind to good decent people.

I find solace in what you've told me about your life, the happiness, and the contention youve found in it. I will draw strength from the resilience of your spirit that carries you through the thick of life. I pray for wellness and kindness to fill your life.

Disappointing night ...took the meds in the previous night dosage. As I said titled into bed spouse snapped at me to settle down. What he had heard just before while I was in the bathroom,is that the cats knocked over some stuff in their night time hijinx. I tried calming down using my skills but being a Sunday night which is always hard for me. After two hours I gave in and took tonight's dose of ambien, too. Like I said not proud of me. But I will learn from this.

Tonight I start the 10 mg dose of Ambien along with the prazosin, magnesium and calcium. Fingers crossed!!

Minor setback. happens to the best of us. hope it gets better for you soon.

i've been sleeping like a drunk baby..lol.. feels unreal , never thought id be able to sleep without meds again