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Re: ambien addiction

Posted by chanze on August 19, 2001 at 09:32:18:

In Reply to: Re: ambien addiction posted by SMR on August 18, 2001 at 18:26:46:

I began by cutting them in half (10mg into 5 mg). I knew I had to get off of them because I was using them as an escape. (My husband and I were just married, so if we had an argument I took a pill and fell asleep in 15 minutes-- so much for not going to bed angry). Also I was beginning to associate the dancing wallpaper with sleep-- bad news. When it was time to visit the doctor he put me on celexa (didn't work) and then anitripylein (poor spelling). This was better because they made me drousy but didn't turn my brain off. There were some nights when I had a hard time getting to sleep (going to bed at 10:00, not sleeping until 12 or 1--and then getting up at 5:30 for work-yuck) However, I found some things that worked for me- while taking the antidepressent:
1. Being prepared as possible for the next day. Part of my fear was over-sleeping and being late, so lunch was packed, clothes laid out, dishes were out for breakfast--you get the idea. My doctor said I was a little obsessive-compulsive, but that is preferable to sleepless.
2. On weekends I had no trouble sleeping-so during this time I would focus on what my brain was doing naturally and tried to relive it during weekdays.
3. Take medicine one hour before bedtime so I'm sleepy before I go to bed.
4. Never lay in bed for more than 30 minutes. Get up and watch cartoons or reruns- nothing exciting.
5. resist the urge to nap or sleep late on non work days. Sometimes I struggled with this because I figured one hour in the late afternoon is better then none at night. However, naps always caused problems.
6. Exercise-- particuarally in the sun (I tire myself out)
Last June I stopped with the anti-depressents and havn't taken a pill all summer. If I'm restless, I read or play on the computer, then try again in half hour or when i start yawning a lot.
My goal now is to remain off pills- I threw them away so I wouldn't be tempted when school starts.
Why are you not sleeping to begin with? How long?
What were your symtoms before your doctor put you on ambien?

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