Ambien Withdrawal??

Sunshinegirl · 07-20-2007, 12:27 PM

I've taken Ambien for over a year now, 10 mg per night and it works great for me. As long as I take it right before sleep, I notice no side effects or grogginess in the morning and I sleep great. Problem is, I intentionally overdosed on it last week and haven't taken it since Wednesday, so I've been off of it for a little over a week. Any of you who have followed my posts know that I have been detoxing off vicodin since mid April and the depression and anxiety have been horrible.

Anyway - I cannot sleep. They gave me something in the hospital for nausea that helped me sleep, but I don't know the name of it, I think it's Federgin or something like that. But I feel like maybe I'm experiencing withdrawal symptoms from not having the Ambien and feel horrible. I'm experiencing cold sweats again and my legs are super creepy crawly. I can't see my Dr. until Monday, but I can get the Ambien - brand name, not generic because it doesn't work for me. Any thoughts on the withdrawal symptoms from Ambien?

reachout · 07-20-2007, 12:37 PM

South

Sweetpea. it does, indeed, sound like withdrawal from the Ambien. I am sorry for the crudy feelings, I really am.

I would suggest you call the ER room and ask to speak to someone. Ususally, in my area at least, they call after a release just to check in. because you had a stay, that routine call might not come. it is PERFECTLY alright, though, to either call the floor where you actually stayed on an admit or the ER room. It is done ALL the time, this is a solid truth. Honey.

Come back later and update, okay?

hugs
reach

Sunshinegirl · 07-20-2007, 12:49 PM

Thank you Reach. Should I call to ask what they had given me for the nausea that helped me sleep??? I may be able to get the brand name Ambien from the psychiatrist on Monday as they dispense meds there and I thought in the meantime I could just have the pharmacy fill a few nights worth of the brand name Ambien until I can see the doc. This is horrible! I cannot detox off another drug right now........I have to find work and make arrangements to move. I'm so sad right now. Thank god my daughter is home from the Navy, at least I'm not completely alone in this house right now.

I have Trazadone for sleep, but if I take that will I still continue withdrawals from the Ambien?????? I can afford the Trazadone, it's $4 at Walmart for a month supply. I am such a mess right now. Thank you for your help.

tattoogirl · 07-20-2007, 02:07 PM

Hi- Southbeachsun1,
They gave you phenergan for the naseau. It is often used for cancer patients and people withdrawing from substances. I was on 20mg of Ambien for many years. Had to stop within a week. 20 mg to 10 mg to NOTHING. I had quite a bit of panic and the cold sweats. The sweats lessened within a week but the panicky feeling however took quite a bit longer. If you stop just try and stay stopped. Sleeping might be crappy the first few weeks until your system gets back in sync. The detox for me was no where near as bad like other substances I abused. It's just getting over the initial hump. And the panic of not having the drug available. And be careful the intentional overdose is not good. In 2003 I drank alot of Vodka and swallowed a whole bunch of ambien. I ended up in cardiac arrest and woke up a few days later on a breathing machine.Good luck.
Bella

Sunshinegirl · 07-20-2007, 02:32 PM

Tattoos - thank you....... I'm curious about how long the panic/anxiety lasted??? The night sweats I can handle if I have to, but this paranoia and feeling crappy is really getting me down. I don't know how I can possibly start a new job feeling this way. The vicodin was ruining my life - almost has, but the Ambien helped me sleep with no side effects, so for now I think I need to stay on it until I get my life straightened out.

I think that even if I take the Trazadone instead of Ambien, which drys my mouth out so bad it wakes me up several times a night, I will still experience withdrawals from not having the Ambien. The last couple of nights I took Unisom and then tried Tylenol PM and they did nothing for me, plus I still had the night sweats and felt horrible the next day. Uggghhhh!!!

I wish I didn't have to take anything!!!!!