Posted by Greg on February 1, 2002, at 17:54:40
In reply to Major addiction to ambien---heLp!!!, posted by Dona on February 1, 2002, at 17:03:59
Hi Dona,
I'm am an insomniac and like you have taken Ambien for years. I can share with you only my personal experience and what I've been told about it. I try to shy away from the technical info on my meds as it only serves to confuse me and makes me worry about potential side effects.
I've had several doctors and my psychologist tell me that the potential for physical addiction to Ambien is extremely low. They say this is because is disapates from your system so quickly (4 hours or so I've been told). I rarely take more than 10 mg (very occasionally 20) at bedtime. But there have been times when I've gone three or four days without taking it, usually when I've forgotten to call in my rx and my psych is out of town or it's over a weekend. I've never felt a physical withdrawal from it, but I certainly have had psychological ones. Psychological withdrawal can be as powerful as physical ones in my experience. I wouldn't be surprised if this is what you're going thru especially with doses you've been taking. Ambien is also notorious for causing short term memory loss, if you're going to take it during the day, stay home! Getting behind the wheel of a car is a very bad idea.....I understand the attraction of liking to space out during the day, but when you put your life in danger it's just not worth it.
Dona, it's your decision to make, but I would definitely talk to your pdoc about this and I wouldn't waste any time in doing it. It's always best to have a doctor's guidance in these matters.
I hope this helps you some, but remember it's just my experience, your best answers are going to come from your doctor.
Good luck,
Greg> I have taken ambien for years and gradually increase the dose to 30 mg a night or more. There are days when I just take it all day long and sleep the day away, but sometimes I do things I forget--and twice almost crashed my car. I take prozac for depression. I do not want to go into a treatment center. I need something at night for sleep because of pain from osteoarthritis and fibromylagia. I confessed myproblem to my husband and gave him my ambien and he is going to just give me one a night. I hope that works. Is ambien physically addicted or am I just psychologically addicted. I just love days when I can space out and not worry about things. I know I should confess to my pdoc but I want to try to handle this on my own. Help!!! And thanks
poster:Greg
thread:92531
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020131/msgs/92546.html