posted
I have been taking ambien to help with my sleep since 03/08/06 when my Lyme took a turn for the worst. Is there a possibility of addiction and or withdrawal. I try so hard to sleep on my own lately and cannot do it and end up taking an Ambien. I want to try to sleep on my own but lately with herxing I don't see how. See this site below. It scared the hell out of me. Maybe my problem is looking to much stuff up but I was left to diagnosis my own lyme so I guess it become habit after awhile.
posted
I don't think I'll "go there"!! [the site] I've been on Ambien off and on for several years. I still have trouble sleeping, but only have to take 1/2 pill most nights.
I also take melatonin and trazodone for sleep. You could also try neurontin to help you stay asleep.
I got off Ambien very easily about 2 yrs ago and then had to go back on. I had NO TROUBLE whatsoever stopping it. And I don't really remember why I had to go back on....just couldnt' sleep, I guess.
[I think I was off it for almost a yr.]
I think everyone is different when it comes to addiction. I've heard of others who said they had no trouble going off it.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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arg82
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 161
posted
I was on Ambien for a long time (about six months) a few years ago and I did become dependant on it and eventually required a higher dose to work as well. I also was having some side effects (such as anxiety) which can be related to dependence according to my LLMD.
So I was weaned off it and started on Neurontin at 400mg a night but found I needed something else to help me fall asleep so I added 5-HTP (natural sleep aid and mood enhancer) at 200mg a night.
I also now have an Rx for Lunesta which I take every once in a while when I really need an easier time falling asleep and I use sublingual melatonin 3mg sometimes, too, and that helps and is a bit of an easier thing for me to use than the Lunesta.
Hope you're able to find a combo that works for you!
posted
I had a terrible experience with Ambien - even though it is supposed to not be addictive, I was definately addicted to it. I began to require a higher dose to achieve the same effects after a few weeks of using it.
It takes 72 hours for it to leave your system after you stop taking it and the rebound insomnia is the worst experience ever. Both times I used it and tried to stop I was unable to sleep for three days straight. I love the effect of it in terms of sleeping but the side effects were rotten.
Also, it caused me to have black outs during waking hours: I had a PICC line put in, two ultrasounds, a few doctors appointments (all that I drove myself to) and many, many phone conversations that I have absolutely no memory of but that other people assured me that they occured. Apparently I was completely lucid. Scary stuff.
I have not found anything that works as well in the natural realm.
Posts: 98 | From MA | Registered: Dec 2005
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
By the way I have had trouble sleeping since I was a kid,, Its not so much an addiction to ambien , its an addiction to taking something to sleep.
Even when I used to go out drinking I would have to take a benadryll to sleep.
posted
Greg has been on Ambien for about 2 years now and can't sleep without it. If he wakes up soon after taking it, he's "loopy". Luckily he hasn't had any of the side affects listed in the newspapers (getting in the car and driving, raiding the refrig, excessive appetite). Seems funny, but right now ambien addiction seems the least of our problems! He'll take whatever he has to to get a good night's sleep.
Posts: 64 | From MA | Registered: Mar 2006
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luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
I was treating yeast and had an amazing thing happen.
I have dealt with insomnia off and on pretty much my entire life. Had lots of energy and was just pretty much a wired person.
When I began homeopathy for lyme, I began sleeping solid 8 hrs and it was really good sleep.
I stopped the homeopathy in January this year and gradually the insomnia returned. I also developed Leaky Gut Syndrome and yeast problems.
A homemade remedy for a vaginal yeast infection is to insert a clove of garlic wrapped in gauze just as you would a tampon. The first night I did this, I slept like a baby. That was about 4 weeks ago. I did the garlic thing 3 nights in a row. My sleep has been fantastic ever since. My yeast appears to be resolved too. (I altered my diet and take double dose of probiotic as well).
You may have yeast issues that are keeping you from sleeping. If you are a girl, try the garlic remedy to see if it helps you sleep. I am told not to do it more than 3 nights and I used a fresh clove each night.
Sounds nuts but it worked.
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
I have significant neuro involvement, and have taken Ambien on and off for years, and recently have been on it for months. I haven't ever had any side effects. I think the key to stopping (like any drug that has a sedating effect) is to wean off of it and not stop "cold turkey." I can understand having rebound insomnia from stopping immediately.
To me, it is more important for my body to get rest than to be free of dependence on sleep meds while I am in treatment. With all the herxing these treatments cause, it seems it is crucial to get good sleep.
Good luck.
Posts: 393 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jun 2005
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
breaking this up for us neuro lymies to read...
quote:Originally posted by Nukegirl:
I have been taking ambien to help with my sleep since 03/08/06 when my Lyme took a turn for the worst. Is there a possibility of addiction and or withdrawal.
I try so hard to sleep on my own lately and cannot do it and end up taking an Ambien. I want to try to sleep on my own but lately with herxing I don't see how.
See this site below. It scared the hell out of me. Maybe my problem is looking to much stuff up but I was left to diagnosis my own lyme so I guess it become habit after awhile. http://www.addict-help.com/ambien-addiction.htm
I've been taking ambien for about a year now and have been able to cut my dose in half because I did find a melatonin that works very well. The brand/type does make a huge difference in effectiveness. Source Naturals Timed Release is the only brand that works for me. You can find it on sale here.
IMHO, being able to achieve restful sleep is of far greater importance than the concern of addiction right now. Our bodies rejuvenate themselves as we sleep and restful sleep is imperative to achieve a functioning immune system. Again, this is just my opinion, not medical advice.
Good luck and take good care of yourself!
-------------------- Posts: 703 | From Almost Heaven | Registered: Aug 2004
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I said the "heck with this" and took one last night because I have got to get some sleep if I'm going to start to heal. I will try what some of you suggested with the brand Melatonin or Neurotonin. The yeast thing is quite interesting. I do have a high yeast factor, however; usually when it is to much I start to itch and I am not itching right now.
Posts: 204 | Registered: Jan 2005
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Your wrote: A homemade remedy for a vaginal yeast infection is to insert a clove of garlic wrapped in gauze just as you would a tampon. The first night I did this, I slept like a baby.
Is this safe to do? Did you ask your doctor about this? Just wondering.
Posts: 204 | Registered: Jan 2005
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luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
I have long heard of using garlic to resolve vaginal yeast but never tried it before. My chiropractor told me how to do it. My LLMD who practices integrative medicine is also up on it.
I would love to see the face of a regular physician if I told him of that treatment. Ha-Ha!
It is much safer than Diflucan.
Are you aware of the spit test? First thing in the morning before you put anything in your mouth, spit into a clear glass of water. Let it set for 20-30 mins. If long stringy stuff and cloudy sediment appears, you have yeast.
I had it bad before I changed my diet. I was taking Diflucan and probiotics (far apart from each other). Finally I tried the garlic trick and now my spit water is clear as glass. I give credit to all the above but feel the garlic dealt the final blow. I was just so amazed at the effect it had on my sleep. I wasn't even aiming at that.
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Ambien can be addicting. have you tried Melatonin Valerian root etc. ?
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I got off Ambien very easily about 2 yrs ago and then had to go back on. I had NO TROUBLE whatsoever stopping it. [/QB]
Hey gang, guess what?? I just stopped the neurontin AND the Ambien. No problems stopping either, except now I wake up about 6 hrs after falling asleep and then I have trouble going back to sleep.
Eventually I do, and then sleep a few more hours....So far, so good!!
I'm still taking the trazodone and the timed released melatonin by Source Naturals. It's one of the best I've found. Go to www.vitacost.com for the best price.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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HEATHERKISS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6789
posted
You know............
It is kinda funny about the ambien news lately.
I've finally put 2 + 2 together. I've gained 10 lbs since using ambien regularly. Every other day or so. No more than 3 days in a row.
After I take the pills I do get an urge to snack just before falling asleep. I also wake up hungry.
Somehow for me it stimulates snack mode. I'm going to quit and try something new. Unfortunately it took the news on ambien lately for me to figure this out.
-------------------- HEATHER
Posts: 1974 | From ABERDEEN, NJ 07747 | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
I only took Ambien twice. A low dose did nothing, and the next dose got me sent to the ER because I was hallucinating so badly from it. The same thing happened to my sister when she took it. I ususally stick with Benedryl now, because it seems to be the only thing I can take without side effects.
Posts: 19 | From Georgia | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
Heather, I've gained some unwelcome weight also. I had to start taking the Ambien regularly after that nice hospital infection screwed up my body last summer. For some reason, the sleeping problem got worse.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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