Ambien - question

[ElizK]

I was prescribed 30 days of Ambien after my surgery last month because I couldn't fall asleep without taking something (usually 1/2 a Benadryl). I have not taken an Ambien every night since I got the prescription, but when I haven't I have trouble falling asleep and even more trouble staying asleep.

Any words of advice? I almost feel like I've become dependent, though I don't know if that's possible. The most I've taken is 4 days in a row. I've got to get some sleep!!

 

[Pamlur]

I have taken an Ambien every night for the last ten years or so. I probably wouldn't sleep if I didn't take one, but then I didn't sleep before I started taking them so it wouldn't be any different.

ETA: There *are* nights that I don't take one. If there is any possibility at all that I'll need to drive anywhere (i.e. illness in the family) then I don't take one. I have dealt with things in the house with no problem, but don't want to take any chances.

 

[locolala]

Have you tried setting a routine for going to bed? The best advice I've gotten was to use your bedroom only for sleeping and... well other bedroom activities with your significant other. Nothing else. That way, your brain associates bed with sleep. You might also want to try cutting them in half (assuming they aren't the time release ones) and weaning yourself off like that. I suffer from severe insomnia.. I'll go 2-3 days on about 4 hours of sleep. It's rough.

 

[MushyMushy]

I take ambien and make sure to take a break from it every once in a while. I'll go weekends without and that's usually good enough. My doctor had said he thinks you can get dependent, but I don't care at this point. I just love the fact that I can sleep well and not wake up feeling "hungover" like you can with other sleep meds!

 

[ElizK]

Thanks for ya'll's responses. I don't know what else to do.

I do have a very definite bedtime routine -shower/teeth/read in bed until I'm falling asleep, but can't go to sleep after I turn off the light.

I go back to the doctor in a week for my 6 week checkup after surgery. Guess I'll ask him, though I don't have high hopes for any help from him. I just want to be able to sleep again. Feeling kind of desperate at this point.

 

[Feralpeg]

I took Ambien for about six months. I had to stop due to a bad allergic reaction to the drug. After I stopped, it took me about a week before I could get a descent night's sleep. I still have a lot of trouble sleeping, but won't be able to take Ambien again.

OP, sometimes, taking something like an Advil will help you relax and get to sleep.