Coming off sleeping pills

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upup

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I always had some sleeping pills on me, use mostly when I sleep at a strange place. Then at home I start to use it, and now use half a pill every day. Is there a way to come off it. Like last night I did not use it and at 3 o'clock use one as I could not find the dream land train. The pills I use is stillnox
 
Prolonged use of Zolpidem (a.k.a. Stilnox/Ambien, etc) is not great for your health. I'm convinced I developed sleep apnea as a result. Went through life in a fog, especially in the mornings. Just stop taking them. Even if you don't get to sleep easily for the first few weeks, I'd rather be a bit groggy from natural sleep deprivation than living in a chemical haze. IMHO they should only be used in unusual circumstances for brief periods.
 
If you have the strength, throw them all away and wing it.

If not, take half a pill daily, but of something with a lower dosage.

My friend has let hers get out of hand. Now she has a permanent headache unless she takes something. Very hard to get back from here.
 
Take monday off. Stop on friday and deal with any insomnia over the weekend. Get some exercise.
 
What kind of irresponsible doctor is continually giving you a prescription. A family member of mine is literally a drug addict on sleeping tablets and it is as if the doctors don't give a flying eff so long as they can charge for a consult to prescribe some tablets
 
Steamy Tom said:
What kind of irresponsible doctor is continually giving you a prescription. A family member of mine is literally a drug addict on sleeping tablets and it is as if the doctors don't give a flying eff so long as they can charge for a consult to prescribe some tablets
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I don’t understand it either. In my case my doctor was virtually forcing them on me, offering a repeating prescription with every visit, telling me I should take them as I’ll feel better with sleep. Some time after I switched doctors I heard she was in rehab and no longer practicing. Very weird.
 
Don't stop cold turkey, wean off for a couple of weeks until you're eventually off them.

And fix your flippen sleep hygiene.
 
Cold turkey ambien could kill OP. Please at least Google this before suggesting that.
 
garp said:
I don’t understand it either. In my case my doctor was virtually forcing them on me, offering a repeating prescription with every visit, telling me I should take them as I’ll feel better with sleep. Some time after I switched doctors I heard she was in rehab and no longer practicing. Very weird.
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This family member was at times finishing a months supply in 2-3 days along side alcohol, it's unreal.
 
upup said:
I always had some sleeping pills on me, use mostly when I sleep at a strange place. Then at home I start to use it, and now use half a pill every day. Is there a way to come off it. Like last night I did not use it and at 3 o'clock use one as I could not find the dream land train. The pills I use is stillnox
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Over a week cut it down to a quarter. Then even smaller if you can. Don't stop those suddenly. My mom was on sleeping tablets most of her life - and managed to wean herself off. Good luck.
 
Been taking purata for a while, on the last one, alcohol is a good replacement, just make sure you wake up early the next morning to delete all your facebook and forum posts.
 
Sort of in the same boat.

Worked night shifts about 7 years ago. Would work 5 night shifts, have 5 days off, then 5 day shifts, then 5 days off, etc. Had issues sleeping (duh), so doctor prescribed Zolpidem. Half a pill became a whole as my body built up resistance to it, but the foggy feeling the next day made me decide to come off it. Tried other OTC meds, but nothing had the desired effect. Tried natural supplements, but nothing could make me fall asleep, so was back on the S5 stuff.

Stopped working nights, and when my body had cycled back into "normal" hours, I started weening myself of the pills. Still couldn't fall asleep (would literally toss and turn until the sun came up) - so went back to the OTC stuff. But it was at that stage that I realised what the REAL problem was: I had developed adrenal burn out. TL;DR diagnosis: "tired but wired".

Pretty ****ed up, but fast forward 7 years, and I can count the number of nights I've slept without "assistance" on one hand. And I'm at a loss on how to reset my circadian rhythm, and just get a good night's sleep on my own.

Remember, guys, it usually says it on the box: for short term us ONLY.
 
Stlinox is hectic. Used it when i had knee surgery. Could not sleep without it anymore after 2 months. Cold turkey didnt work. Went for over the counter somnil. A full tablet became half a tablet then nothing. Perhaps try that
 
Hmm been on Zolpidem for 5 months now but only taking it when I haven’t slept for 2-3 days.. so the Zolpidem might be why I’m not sleeping properly at all :|

Geez man
 
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