Anyone take zolpidem/Ambien here?

For the last 3 months I have been consecutively taking zolpidem to help me get to sleep. I started with the 10mg dose and is now currently on the 5mg dose version, just so if I do wake up in the middle of the night I can take another 5mg. I have tried going without them (or replace with malatonin) but I ended up having a much harder time getting to sleep, if ever.

Now that I am on the 5mg version, what are the alternatives for weaning/taping off my dosage at the same time maintaining my ability to get to sleep? It doesnt look like they offer a 2.5mg version, and the pill seems to be too small to split.

My ENT is worried that I would get addicted to zolpidem when I mentioned to him but my family doctor was not too worried- how much of a risk is it?

Thanks

When you want to taper off, you might need the help of a clinical pharmacist, who can work with your doctor to create a plan to taper off while minimizing side effects. This is what happens if a chronic pain patient improves and does not need narcotics, or can get by with a lesser dosage. Unfortunately I don't know if that's available for your medicine.

Different people have different problems. "Addiction" is a term that refers to aberrant behavior while chemically dependent on a medicine/drug. You may develop a dependency, but that doesn't mean you will, for instance, illegally seek more medicine.

Unfortunately, there's no way to know how you and your body will react.

Do you know why you have had to take this medicine? Discovering the root cause for this change and working on that is probably the best coarse of action you can take.

Pharmacists should be able to cut the small ones for you - they have special cutters and would understand.

ronragus wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 22, 2020 2:29 pm

how much of a risk is it?

Risk of dependency will vary with the individual. Some people get dependent within a short period of time and others might never get "dependent" on it.

There's always a risk vs rewards situation with any medication we take.

ronragus wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 22, 2020 2:29 pm

My ENT is worried that I would get addicted to zolpidem when I mentioned to him but my family doctor was not too worried- how much of a risk is it?

Thanks

your ENT has a valid concern.
i've seen 3 people use Ambian personally. it has not gone well at all for two of them.

taking it and not going to sleep leads to amnesia. total blackout, lights on, nobody home.
i dated a girl who used it for a few monhs. an RN. complete blackout, no recollection of
what she did. some interesting discussions were had. we parted company. she had taken
it one night, and inadvertently set her hair on fire trying to light a cigarette.

there is addiction, and tolerance. tolerance is a function of most anything you might take,
not working the same over extended periods of time. and ambien is not approved for long
term use.

addiction is another thing entirely. Ambien has a very high abuse potential. very high.
i've worked with people trying to get off of it. very bumpy withdrawl lasting several months.
it would be an excellent idea not to use it. ever.

i've never take it personally. i've not had anything stronger than asperin since early 1984.