Loved one having probs with my insomnia - Sleep Disorders Message Board

clubdiva · 11-12-2003, 03:43 AM

I have been taking Sonata for about 4 years with good results but, recently, I've found they don't do the trick. I went to my doctor and asked for Ambien, which he has been refilling since June.
The problem I've had with Ambien is that, used as prescribed, they work great but sometimes I take more than one and black out, proceeding to take even more without even remembering.
The boyfriend says this is "killing my mind" and thinks the Ambien is the reason I have a dim outlook on my less than perfect life these days. (I disagree). After much internet research he has found that this is a drug to not stop cold but progressively lower in dosage and he seemed fine with that. However, he has changed his mind. He has now flushed my most recent script down the toilet in an angry fit and has threatened to leave if I don't quit immediately.
I am in hell. He will not buckle and neither will I. I cannot get a refill until December so he has won that battle but refuses to deal with the consequences of my sudden withdrawal. Now, in addition, if I don't quit permanently he says he will leave. However, if I DO quit I am facing countless sleepless days AND nights alone.

Anyone else have a crazy situation like this?!

SusanS · 11-18-2003, 10:06 AM

My husband was taking Ambien for a few months. Then his doctor decided it was addictive and did not prescribe more. It took him less than a week to lose any dependency. Now to get to sleep, he either takes tylenol p.m. or benadryl (he has sinus problems). Both work ok.

clubdiva · 11-18-2003, 11:34 AM

So...you've never had this problem, then?
And YIKES - your husband takes Benadryl and Tylenol PM to sleep at night?! That's bad stuff. All the research I've read states that OTC meds contain a lot of caffeine and anti-histimines to speed up your heartrate and that they are worse to take long term than any script. (I have sinus problems too but OTC meds do nothing for that.)

I've quit Ambien and it took me over a month to get thru the withdrawals. I would shake beyond control, have such phobias of closing my eyes to the point that I couldn't keep them shut to sleep and I would only sleep for about 2 hours every day - it was hell. I believe Ambien is much more a mental addiction than physical but if it weren't for Trazodone I wouldn't have made it through.

Jenna22 · 11-23-2003, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clubdiva

So...you've never had this problem, then?
And YIKES - your husband takes Benadryl and Tylenol PM to sleep at night?! That's bad stuff. All the research I've read states that OTC meds contain a lot of caffeine and anti-histimines to speed up your heartrate and that they are worse to take long term than any script. (I have sinus problems too but OTC meds do nothing for that.)

I've quit Ambien and it took me over a month to get thru the withdrawals. I would shake beyond control, have such phobias of closing my eyes to the point that I couldn't keep them shut to sleep and I would only sleep for about 2 hours every day - it was hell. I believe Ambien is much more a mental addiction than physical but if it weren't for Trazodone I wouldn't have made it through.

Hey Clubdiva,
i totally feel your pain and the addiction.I'm 23 years old and started using Unisom every night 2-4 and black out and have a good night sleep.My bf found out that i was still taking them and wasn't really happy about that.He said that he will never have kids with me cause of birth defects and he said my liver will look or maybe looks like garbage.I can't give them up.I'm used to it,i depend on them.But if i want to have kids one day and be healthy i need to stop.It will be hard.I can't just go to bed and fall asleep,it will be a long process but please if you found a way to quit please let me know.Thanks