Ambien Withdrawal and Headaches

[Sara]

I've been off Ambien for 2+ yrs. Sinus issues were the worst while on Ambien but once I got off, they went completely away. A few posters have commented on sinus infections so just wanted to let you know my experience.
I still feel my brain is not processing well. Vitamins are helping some especially Fish Oil.

[Laurie Mann]

I've had sinus problems, on and off, for many years. Since getting off of Ambien, I haven't noticed any new problem with my sinuses.

I've only had one non-sleep related side-effect since getting off of Ambien - a real craving for carbs. But, while I was on Ambien, I noticed I was eating slightly less. So, I think in this case, Ambien "returned me to normal," which was not a good thing. Between a lot of stress and travel, I've gained 8 pounds recently. Ugh. I'm still averaging 2 miles of walking a day.

I've been off of Ambien for nearly three months. Most nights, I do get 2-3 solid hours of sleep, and then wake up and, usually, fall back asleep rapidly, and get about 4-5 hours a night. Some nights though, I can be awake for up to 1 1/2 hours before falling back to sleep, which is a little more like my insomnia was pre-Ambien.

I currently take Valerian every night, and am not sure I"m getting any benefit but understand it can take a month before that has any impact.

I take Nyquil once a week and actually slept 7 hours the other night, for the first time in probably a couple of years. Have just bought my first ZZZZquil.

[Sara]

My sleep is still a little inconsistent but not taking anything other than vitamins.

Laurie, I lost weight when on Ambien and have put all of it back on. I agree with you about it being a return to normal. I think Ambien took my appetite away, that and my memory was so bad I'd forget to eat.

I'm sure not the same person I was before Ambien but am able to function.
People here give me hope that it will get even better. Praying.

[Laurie Mann]

Sara wrote:

My sleep is still a little inconsistent but not taking anything other than vitamins.
Laurie, I lost weight when on Ambien and have put all of it back on. I agree with you about it being a return to normal. I think Ambien took my appetite away, that and my memory was so bad I'd forget to eat.

My short term memory goes from bad to worse due to lack of sleep. Any night I get at least 6 hours of sleep, my memory is pretty good the next day. I didn't notice any difference with my memory on Ambien.

But it is interesting that some people have worse impulse control on Ambien (sleep eating and the like) and some of us have better impulse control on Ambien.

[Bear]

Hi all. Hugs!
Bear

[Mary]

Have you asked your doctor about lithium. It helps 'too much' mental energy.

[Maggiecolusa]

Mary wrote:

Have you asked your doctor about lithium. It helps 'too much' mental energy.

Mary,not sure just who your comment was directed to, but, the goal most most of us here is to get off all drugs if possible so as to let our bodies heal.

[Rae]

Anton wrote:

Hi,
Has anybody in this blog, who has taken ambien for a period of two month or longer developed problems with the sinuses, or symptoms in the nasal area. Like for example a swelling in the nasal chonchae.
greetings

YES. Been taking ambien for almost 10 years. Lately have been going through a months prescription in 2-3 weeks time, so I'm basically withdrawling every month. Tension headaches due to anxiety about NOT having ambien with added actual WITHDRAWAL headaches I'm sure... Plus sinus headaches that seem to come and go.

[Sleeping Drug Free]

Checking in to see how everyone is doing. I've been doing really well after 5 yrs. of nightly use. I've been Ambien free for 3 yrs. It's a challenge going through withdrawal but so worth it.

Rae, You can end the misery by starting a taper program and getting off Ambien completely. My brain was fried from this nasty drug. We're heading into Christmas and it's great to be healthy and have the energy to enjoy the holiday. On Ambien I wanted to die every day. It makes us believe we can't live without it, but trust me and others on this forum who have stopped. It can be done.

Happy Holiday's to all, especially my dear friends here who helped me through the most difficult days!

[Shawn]

SDF: wonderful to see you checking with us. Thank you so much for your support. I am now only in my 10th month since I quit CT and I have severe nasal congestion symptoms. Hope they will go away someday. I know it took you 2year and 2months to feel well again.

Happy Holiday for you! Hope you're painting again.

Hugs to all.

[Arkguy]

OK, I have to vent. Last night a friend gave me some Xanex, the good stuff and I have taking the small one before but never the bars. I did fall asleep but I had the most horrible nightmares that I have ever had, and they lasted all night. I woke up this morning and wanted to fight someone, it did not matter who. I went into work and almost got into it with one of my employees, really wanted to beat him to the ground. So I took a drive because I was so upset and that is when I figured out that I have not taken anything "lunesta/Ambien" at all. I think my body was upset and made me have those dreams and it is also why i am so upset. Its 1pm here and I am almost calmed down. SO this is just a note to whoever is reading this. Do not just stop taking these pills cold turkey! You will have a very bad day. Thank you for listening.

[Jan]

Wow... I'm not alone. I'm so hooked that I order it online with paying a crazy price. Also, three different doctors. This is my 2nd day being off and last night was horrible with only one hour. My question is how long will this last? And does the fish oil work. Thank you in advance for any thoughts

[aras]

Jan,

This is a thread for people who want off and are willing to work hard doing it, as well as for people who have completed that journey and are willing to help support the ones who do want off.

So, which is it for you?

Do you want off this stuff or just want to keep taking it?

[Jan]

aras wrote:

Jan,
This is a thread for people who want off and are willing to work hard doing it, as well as for people who have completed that journey and are willing to help support the ones who do want off.
So, which is it for you?
Do you want off this stuff or just want to keep taking it?

I want off. I have been for only 3 days now. After reading the post it gave me more courgage. My withdrawl symptons hasnt been as bad as the others on here. Either though I did black-out for a few minutes and lost memory. Also, the headaches and restless leg symptoms. Curious of how long this will last.

[aras]

You need to enlist a doctor's help. I don't know how much you have been taking but there is a possibility of seizures.

Are you taking any other meds in particular benzos?

No one knows how long the withdrawal will last when they start. Some people will have just a couple days of rebound insomnia. Others will have major benzo withdrawal symptoms that can last for months or even longer.

Read this - it will give you an idea of what symptoms might be caused by withdrawal (ambien acts just like a benzo)- of course any serious symptoms need to be evaluated by your doctor. The link is chapter 3 but you might want to read the entire manual.

http://benzo.org.uk/manual/bzcha03.htm

[Robert]

Well guys, I'm not going to lie. I have been off the wagon for a few weeks. I dont know what it is about the lure of this medicine!!!!!!!!!!

If you think taking it for only a week or so wont give you withdrawals when you have already been addicted, think again. I've been out since Saturday night, and am feeling it again. The daytime has actually not been so bad this time. I dont have all the panic that I did before, but the last two nights (especially last night) have been awful.
I am going to an AA meeting tonight.

[Maggiecolusa]

Robert wrote:

Well guys, I'm not going to lie. I have been off the wagon for a few weeks. I dont know what it is about the lure of this medicine!!!!!!!!!!
If you think taking it for only a week or so wont give you withdrawals when you have already been addicted, think again. I've been out since Saturday night, and am feeling it again. The daytime has actually not been so bad this time. I dont have all the panic that I did before, but the last two nights (especially last night) have been awful.
I am going to an AA meeting tonight.

hang in the Robert, you will get off eventually. hopefully sooner than later, but, just don't give up!!! we are all pulling for you!

[Robert]

Maggiecolusa wrote:

<quoted text>hang in the Robert, you will get off eventually. hopefully sooner than later, but, just don't give up!!! we are all pulling for you!

Thank you! I feel physically MUCH better this evening.... I just dread the very long night. I am fairly certain I will not sleep much. Those hours just drag on and on and on...

[Maggiecolusa]

Robert wrote:

<quoted text>
Thank you! I feel physically MUCH better this evening.... I just dread the very long night. I am fairly certain I will not sleep much. Those hours just drag on and on and on...

have you considered getting rid of any ambien so you can't give in when the urge strikes? might be what you need to do to finally break free from it.

[aras]

Maggiecolusa wrote:

<quoted text>have you considered getting rid of any ambien so you can't give in when the urge strikes? might be what you need to do to finally break free from it.

it is more than getting rid of it - you have to do what it takes to make sure you never have it or any benzo in your hands

I knew as long as it was in the house I would keep taking it - I gave into it many times over the 2 times I tried to taper off. I finally said ENOUGH.

I had to flush mine - I kept out enough for that night and flushed the rest and I wasn't even keeping it in a place that was easily accessible.