Insomnia Forum Posting

Posted by khatman on June 22, 2002 at 12:36:59:

In Reply to: ambien for 2 yrs-brain damage? HELP posted by rachel on June 22, 2002 at 03:48:55:

Hi Rachel, Sorry to read ofyour stressful situation with the ambien. Not to sound like a redundant cliche but I feel your pain. You have a serious situation that should be monitored by a doctor but it sounds like it is completely reversible and I would expect you should start feeling more normal in a couple months. I am no doctor but here is what most likely has taken place.
Ambien is a drug similar in action to benzodiazepines though chemically structered a little differently. Because of the shape of its molecule, it does not readily attach to all the benzodiazepine receptors in the brain. Yes, you have benzodiazepine receptors and they hungrily suck up drugs like xanax, valium, halcion, etc. But there are several sub-groups of benzo receptors and ambien really works best on the ones that lower arousal and induce sleep. When you take a drug like this for such a pro-longed period of time, your brain actually makes even more receptors. This is true of other types of drugs including anti-depressants. It is not uncommon with meds that affect the CNS. By the way, Searle (developers and manufacturers of ambien) recommends not more than 7-10 continous days of use and not to exceed 10 mg maximum dose. You took this drug for I believe you said 3 years. By discontinuing it here is what I believe has happened. You are obviously going through withdrawl and the type of withdrawl will be similar to that of valium, xanax, any benzodiazepine. The reason you are not sleeping much and may not yet feel tired is what is termed "rebound insomnia". The recommended and safe way to discontinue such a medication is to taper down under the guidance of a physician. Even tapering down, "it ain't easy", but you'll get there. You may have a rough 6 to 8 weeks but remember you were on this drug an incredibly long period of time. Make sure you get treated for this stat! Hang in there. Hope to read a good report from you in a few weeks.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Re: ambien for 2 yrs-brain damage? HELP rachel 21:30 6/26/02 (2)
  • Re: Re: Re: ambien for 2 yrs-brain damage? HELP Abby N 12:32 6/27/02 (1)
    • Re: Re: Re: Re: ambien for 2 yrs-brain damage? HELP bettz 20:43 7/02/02 (0)

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