getting off ambien

[Amy]

I had sleep problems with my 5 pregnancy and used melatonin and then unisom. Still did not sleep well. sometimes falling asleep at 2. Then after the birth, I only slept 1 hr the first night, so the next night they gave me ambien. The next night at home, I only dosed for 1 hr, and that next night ended up in the ER with shaking, etc. I thought it was because of not sleeping, but it could have been from the ambien. So anyway I got a prescritption and started takingit 10 mg. A few weeks later, I was able to knock it down to 5 mg, but now at 3 and 1/2 months, I am taking 7 mg (cutting the tablet) at night before bed, then when I wake up I take more.

I tried going off with natural stuff, melatonin +, but at 2 am, I caved in and took the ambien. I thought my reaction was because of not sleeping, but now I realize that it is the medication. It is really scary.

my problem is that I am also nursing, so there is a limit to what I can take. ambien is considered safe, since it is out of the breast milk in 3-5 hrs.

I really want and need to get off. I think I will try to taber off for now, still the lack of sleep really kills.

I am going to a clinic for help the end of the month, but still I will have to withdrawl.

Any comments will be appreciated

[CMC]

Hi Amy. Please see the threads below. There is a lot of support there for you on this topic. Lots of people helping each other through the same problem.