Tapering Ambien (Zolpidem) and Benzodiazepine Withdrawal with Medications for Insomnia

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Dr. Pagnani of Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates discusses tapering of benzodiazepines and other sedative medications, when a patient has taken them for long periods of time, and at escalating doses. Often patients are put on medications for sleep (with good cause), but providers and patients should always be considering whether the medication is doing more harm than good, or whether the medication can be decreased or tapered off. In his example, a patient's dose of Ambien had escalated to the point where they were physiologically addicted to the medication being in their system throughout the day (leading to withdrawal anxiety during the day, and leading to their night time doses). Physiologically, this is very similar to alcohol withdrawal, in an individual who drinks daily, throughout the day.
Dr. Pagnani is the founder and medical director of Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates, an Instructor at The Johns Hopkins Hospital for the Department of Psychiatry, he supervises psychiatric residents at Jefferson Hospital, he serves on the Young Professional Board of Uplift, the Center for Grieving Children and he maintains a private practice of Psychiatry in Philadelphia where he sees patients for one-time psychiatric evaluations and second opinions. He is a licensed physician and surgeon in NJ, PA, NY, MD, DE, FL and CA and can provide consultations to individuals via HIPAA compliant Telehealth visits living in these locations.
Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates is a private practice of psychiatry consisting of about 25 psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychotherapists with physical locations in Philadelphia and Paoli, PA and serving all of PA, NJ, NY and FL virtually via HIPAA compliant tele-psychiatry. Individuals seeking not only evaluations but long-term psychiatric care, can contact Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates directly.
These videos aim to increase awareness and discussion of mental health topics and to encourage struggling individuals to schedule an appointment directly with a mental health provider. Mental health needs to be normalized, and simply speaking about mental health topics openly, is an important first step.
Dr. Pagnani and Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates are NOT advocating for or against the use of any mentioned psychiatric medications for any specific individual. Additionally, any side effects mentioned are not a complete list of potential side effects or contraindications to taking any mentioned medications, and all risks and benefits of a medication should be discussed with an individual’s provider at an appointment, before starting, stopping or making changes to a medication regimen.
This video is INFORMATIVE ONLY - NOT MEDICAL ADVICE.
If you are researching a specific topic, please view our RU-vid channel, click all videos and use the search function. Please also visit and follow us on instagram and FB: @RittenhousePsych.
www.RittenhousePA.com
www.ChrisPagnaniMD.com

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29 дек 2022

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Комментарии : 195

@magamaga1827 2 месяца назад

About 5 years ago kicked a 10 yr addiction cold turkey. Suffered from back/neck pain so ambien was really only way to sleep. After a few years, needed to add mg's by ordering pills online from black market as one 10mg legit ambien would have no effect. Then started adding alcohol. lol. Total mess. Sadly my mother developed Alzheimers/Dementia and needed full 24/7 care between me and my dad. I moved back to parent's house and cut out the ambien cold turkey. Had to. No choice. My mother was up at all hours of the night so would have been a waste of time. Low and behold, after 2 weeks, I reverted back to normal sleep patterns, usually falling asleep on my couch watching Tv late at night then moving to the bed. I still don't sleep great nowadays but I can get by without the Ambien. Sadly my mother passed but I believe her getting sick was a blessing in disguise from God to save my life.

@ncuzas760n 2 месяца назад

@magamaga1827 Yours is the most valuable comment I have found here. I admire you, for your strength, confidence and determination. If you get to sleep 4 or 5 hours on your own, without any medication, you're my hero. You're brave. 💪❤ Sorry for the loss of your mom. I agree on a God's blessing in disguise, to free you from that drug. 🤍

@Mythics1 3 дня назад

You might be able to answer a question for me. I’ve been taking 12.5 mg of Ambien at night for 10 years now. In the last few years I’ve been having debilitating anxiety and depression, I’ve cut everyone out of my life. Is it possible that the GABBA released after taking a tablet teaches your brain to not release this relaxing chemical during the day so anxiety and depression actually get worse? Did you experience anything similar after long time Ambien use. I just feel really bad and I can’t figure out why.

@magamaga1827 3 дня назад

@@Mythics1 Can't say I had depression or anxiety. I'm surprised the Ambien even works for you still after 10 years. I grew resistance to 10mg after a couple of years only. That's when I started buying more off the black market. But when you're dealing with a drug that effects the brain, who knows what kind of side effects people can go thru.

@dingskydongsky Год назад

getting off alcohol is child's play compared to benzodiazepines.

@RittenhousePsych Год назад

Thank you for your comment and I agree that it's very important that people understand that these medications can be very difficult to come off of. It's important to discuss tapering with a provider who has experience doing so as well. Thank you again.

@scuzznado6540 Год назад

Ambien is a sedative hypnotic. I have to disagree about the benzodiazapines. By choice I don't drink alcohol but I do take benzos occasionally for a 1 month or no more than a few months. I do well when it comes to stopping a med once the therapy benefits have been achieved.

@keithmurf426 Год назад

I Stoped both at the same time last week 😮

@scuzznado6540 Год назад

@@garysimone4977 A doctor that prescribes you a benzo for more than 3 months is sadly an idiot.

@keithmurf426 Год назад

@@garysimone4977 I am feeling great. I can’t express enough how well vervain works to calm down the nervous system. Also been using holy basil and that is fantastic as well.

@stevenjames2160 5 месяцев назад

So I was on ambien for 3 years straight. I as able to stop for a week but went back. My latest I got drunk one night and forgot to take it. I continued not taking for the next few days. Honestly it was brutal. I didn’t really sleep for two days. I continued to fight it. It’s been 3 weeks clean and been a struggle but I think I got it. For those out there just try fighting it for two days and you can do it Ps. Def feeling less depressed by not using them

@Spork123able 5 месяцев назад

I've been taking 10mg for about a year now, I can definitely feel the effects during the day. Going to try and physically exhaust myself.

@stephaniesteed7653 4 месяца назад

@stevenjames2160 how are you doing so far? I am been on ambien 10 mg for 5 months but I want to stop taking it and was concerned how I would react to stopping. Thought about talking with a psychiatrist about it and seeing if they could suggest a taper since my regular physician isn’t any help.

@hew195050 4 месяца назад

You CANNOT go cold turkey. This is emphasized over and over again with professionals.

@stephaniesteed7653 4 месяца назад

@@hew195050 you didn’t read the comment about how the guy got drunk and forgot to take the ambien and then he continues to not take it. It can be done and it might be uncomfortable but don’t come on here and make anyone feel like they can’t stop cold turkey. I only take as prescribed and it’s been five months. I refuse to allow that fear to take over me where I don’t do anything about it. Screw that! I would rather feel like crap without sleep for a few days than torture myself staying on a med that makes me feel like a zombie inside. It’s a medication that has depressed me and I hate it.

@Spork123able 4 месяца назад

@@hew195050 everyone's different, I'm gonna try and go back to 5mg and then get off of it, but sure it's not gonna be easy.....I have terrible insomnia

@JohnAdams-rm7zm Год назад

I was prescribed 2mg Xanax for sleep I was taking as prescribed for 10+ years. As of today I’m 12.5 years free from the Xanax handcuffs. It was very tough but well worth it ✊

@megansiew4309 Год назад

Did it thin your hair

@JohnAdams-rm7zm Год назад

@@megansiew4309 No it did not, I’m turning 65 on Saturday 3/4 with a full head of hair. 👍🏻 I’ve had many broken bones and surgeries so I still have a problem with not sleeping from pain. But now I use cannabis to help with pain and sleep. 😇

@RittenhousePsych Год назад

Thank you so much for sharing, and it's great to hear that you have done well coming off this medication (especially after taking it for such a prolonged period of time). Wonderful! - Dr. Pagnani

@JohnAdams-rm7zm Год назад

@@RittenhousePsych Thanks Doc, it is something we all are looking for, To be understood and to understand ✊

@JohnAdams-rm7zm Год назад

@@rameshlumb4003 Yes I am 👍🏻

@juliarobinson9829 5 месяцев назад

I’m only 22 and I’ve been taking ambien since I was like 17. I’m really only addicted to the good feeling I get when it kicks in even though it doesn’t last long. I want to try to stop

@Mythics1 3 дня назад

Me too. I think it teaches our brains not to release GABA when we are stressed or depressed through the day because our brain learns it will be artificially released at night. Making for depressing and anxious days.

@scuzznado6540 Год назад

I took 18 over the pat 5 days. Taking them correctly is not emphasized nearly enough. I feel drugged, anxious, hostile, have had terrible nightmares, and other effects I don't care to discuss. Please be careful people.

@RittenhousePsych Год назад

Thank you for your comment, and it 's incredibly important that people out there realize that this medication can have very serious side effects.

@scuzznado6540 Год назад

@@RittenhousePsych you are welcome. I did go into the hospital with some acute poisoning. It exasperated underlying anxiety disorder and caused panic attacks. I went to a hospital for a psych check so I and everyone else would be safe. I don't drink alcohol and it could very well be the panic attacks but I did feel like if I died from this I wouldn't be so shocked. I'd argue that if you have issue sleeping then meditate, read a book, watch a lecture on sleep study, and get yourself Into that sleep routine. I can tell by the effect ot it in a surprisingly low dose has the potential to cause great harm to yourself and you to others. Wait until you've exhausted all your options then get guided from a trained professional on sleep. I really hope the message I can send out there leads to better restrictions on this drug. I hope you all have wonderful weekends and sleep well!

@vector1classified685 5 месяцев назад

I've been on zops for 6 yrs, I take 30 mil a day, feel like killing myself after 3 days trying to get off

@michellekelly5897 5 месяцев назад

Thank you so much for this video. You did a great job, by the way. My dad is severely hooked on Ambien. It's such a real thing. He's withdrawing before his next dose. He's been so out of it and is using it more for pain relief to knock him out. We think it's causing his pain and making him worse. It's very scary. He's 75. We're trying to get him into treatment however, it might not be possible. He might not be ready yet. 🙏🏻

@taniahummelgard2290 4 месяца назад

Switch out Ambien with an SSRI??Thats like trading seed oils for Doritos! All I want is sleep and anxiety reduction from childhood trauma! Yeah I was prescribed Paxil and gained like 50 pounds. Paxil is like the hardest thing to wein off of but I did it why? Because i hated the weight gain, and I wasn’t depressed! People deserve a healthier solution!

@harbinger2838 Месяц назад

In senior citizens home, they prespribe paxil like caramel.

@imnotusingmyrealname4566 Месяц назад

I'm on Trazodone (SSRI) and if I stopped taking it I'd probably get 10 hours of sleep over the course of a week. I'm dependant on it and now as my well-being worsens it doesn't do anything anymore, I can't sleep even though I'm taking it. I also got premature ejaculation from it, truly a lovely drug. I'm going to talk to my doctor about geting off it and to start treatment with Zolpidem so I can actually sleep while I'm not doing so well. Interestingly Zolpidem is only approved in the EU for a 4-week treatment including tapering because it's such a high risk for dependancy and addiction, but it's prescribed off-label for longer periods.

@taniahummelgard2290 Месяц назад

@@imnotusingmyrealname4566 my personal experience with Zolpidem, I wish I never started taking it. I’ve been dependent on it for 16 years. I’ve recently been trying holistic options. Here’s my take aways: 1: Exercise. A LOT. After you get a work out in, work out again, like a really long walk. Or do a ton of yard work. Work until you’re exhausted. 2: Get a lot of Omega 3, I get mine from cod liver oil, krill oil, chlorella and Spirulina. 3: Get rid of flouride, I installed an RO drinking system and wow what a change in mental clarity in the first week. 4: Drink hibiscus tea before bed. 5: Get your vitamin D and K2. Doing these things seem to help me get to sleep, stay asleep, have a nice low BPM while sleeping, and seem to achieve deep sleep. My guess is that our hormones and endocrinology is all messed up with environmental toxins, food toxins, etc. I’m still not off my meds but seeing changes is promising and will continue educating myself on healing through functional medicine

@MidnightVentures Год назад

You left out difficulty breathing... hyper-ventilating... headaches, nausea, flu-like symptoms, and body twitches, especially in the legs. And good luck trying to sleep. You're basically incompasitated until the withdrawl is over which can take months from Benzos. Nobody should ever be made to stop benzos cold turkey. You must slowly taper over a period of around a month or more. Depending on the person.

@sl4983 Год назад

EXACTLY!!!

@sl4983 Год назад

The person needs to WANT to and be ready to.

@RittenhousePsych 9 месяцев назад

Thank you so much for your comment. You are correct, there are many possible withdrawal symptoms with Ambien (Zolpidem) and a slow titration, allowing for someone to adjust to each small adjustment is prudent. I absolutely would never recommend someone stop "cold turkey" if they are physiologically dependent, as this can actually be quite dangerous. Thank you again, - Dr. Pagnani

@stephaniesteed7653 7 месяцев назад

@@RittenhousePsychI plan on going cold turkey during Christmas time. It’s only been three months that I have taking it. Are you saying that isn’t doable?

@stephaniesteed7653 4 месяца назад

@@RittenhousePsychcan you respond to me. I have only been on ambien for five months and was going to stop cold turkey which I have actually heard some success stories of those who do but as a doctor your comment kind of worries me. I don’t want to be discouraged like that because I want to stop the sleep med. Should I consult a psychiatrist about an easier way to taper off of ambien?

@santaclause3487 Год назад

I get 10mg a day. Work 3 12hr shifts a week, night shift traveler. I been on ambien for like 15 years, on and off. Would say I spent 9 years total on during that period of time. So have stopped taking it 4 different times. And as u get older, it gets worse. I would get them to adjust schedules working night shift. But would abuse them too, its nice to just take some if u want to sleep. Then take another if u want to sleep longer. I would abuse first week i got refill, take like 2-3 on days I didn’t work. Then just try to take halves after work nights. I would always save a half for for days I worked. Well I left some in a hotel, couldn’t recover them. I had none saved up and had like 10 days until refill. It was awful. Just so agitated and short tempered. And I’m like the most non confrontational and easy going person. I had none to sleep in between work nights, no chance of falling asleep longer than a few mins at a time. If u come off ambien, just don’t plan on getting any sleep until ur completely exhausted. And don’t listen to much music before. Cause I literally hear songs playing over and over in my head. I randomly picked Amityville on a RU-vid suggestion, and omg it’s awful. Just kept hearing Eminem say, “mentally ill from amityville” then would be able to recite whole song in my head and heard it once in last 10 years. Guess the call it earworms. I don’t ever remember having withdrawals before. Maybe hangovers from taking too many, never did I feel so depressed or angry like this. And I don’t remember songs and sounds messing with me. I can see how people go crazy and do some sick stuff from abusing drugs. I feel as u get older ur mind becomes weaker and more vulnerable. And it’s not the getting high part that creates mental illness, its the detoxing part.

@nucklegame77 Год назад

Wow man I can totally see myself heading that way. What did you do have you made any progress

@davidkruse4030 Год назад

That’s a common withdrawal symptom

@BenWinder108 10 месяцев назад

@connerhowe2🤦

@judithwilliams3147 7 месяцев назад

I heard songs too. It was like a radio playing in my ears. You're the only other person I've read about that heard them too. I was so crazy.

@williampatrick2971 7 месяцев назад

It’s so easy to take more than just one. I’ll take one and promise myself that that’s all, then as soon as it starts to take effect, I want more. It’s also tempting to pop them throughout the day and stay up on them, walkin’ around feelin’ the effects. I can understand why people take them all the time

@ChrisDIYerOklahoma 5 месяцев назад

Ambien and melatonin and wake up perfect and perky. No side affects, deeeeep REM sleep is what the body needs. Like eating a healthy salads, vegetables, good diet, exercise...meds like Ambien can offer a healthy nights rest. Works for me.

@thatjusthappened7773 2 месяца назад

Been on 10mg Zolpidem for about 10 years. Started by using a pill splitter to cut in half to 5mg, added an otc “Unisom”. Now I’m at 5mg, currently splitting that, plus a Unisom. First few nights after each reduction was rough, but that passed. Hoping to eventually get off sleeping aids completely.

@sl4983 Год назад

Ssri's cause a strange feeling. They mess with you mentally. Ambien doesn't do that.

@RittenhousePsych 9 месяцев назад

Thank you for your comment. Medications like SSRI's can be very helpful for some individuals, but also problematic for others. This is why a thorough psychiatric workup and monitoring of response and side effects is so important (with any psychiatric medication). Thank you again for sharing, - Dr. Pagnani

@janetmcguffey1394 2 месяца назад

I also get spacey feelings from ssri....like I am not in touch with myself...it was actually scary...

@HurricaneIrene07 Год назад

Wow, thanks. Didn't realize this was addicting. Thanks.

@RittenhousePsych 9 месяцев назад

I'm glad to hear that this was helpful. Best, - Dr. Pagnani

@ogeesmastinos7751 9 месяцев назад

I find myself in that same scenario what should I do ?

@svetlanaivnitskaya3504 8 месяцев назад

I s there a chance to get off Zolpidem while having to take Methimazole for Hyperthyroidism?

@chryst9876 5 месяцев назад

I'm currently experiencing insomnia from Xanax withdrawals. I went to a doctor and he prescribed ambien for 10 days and melatonin for 30 days. He also told me to keep cutting down my Xanax dose. I took the melatonin last night and I'm still up. I'm scared to take the ambien because I dnt want to be dependent on it too. Would you suggest that I take the ambien while going through Xanax withdrawals because my main symptom in insomnia?

@jacquelinemarquis6782 Год назад

I wish you were my doctor ! Cold turkey abien and Ativan . I have Akasthisia from an ssri and have to taper klonopin . I’m in gods hands now ! Great videos !!!

@RittenhousePsych Год назад

Thank you for the kind words and watching. I hope that you get the care that you need. Sincerely, - Dr. Pagnani

@ambernord2892 4 месяца назад

Ambien is a sedative hypnotic, not a benzodiazepine. However, it works on the gaba receptors very similarly to a benzo. Just felt like it is important to clarify that.

@davidkruse4030 4 месяца назад

You are actually still not right. Just thought I would point that out

@jamess.6767 2 месяца назад

@@davidkruse4030hi. Why so? This has always been confusing to me. A psychiatrist will tell you that it is a benzo, but from my understanding, it is a sleep hypnotic. I believe that this psychiatrist and others are calling it benzo derivative.

@KevanDelaney 2 месяца назад

I never experienced zolpidem withdrawal, it's pretty weak. Klonopin and Xanax withdrawal are insane. I even withdrawaled off estazolam.

@ThingsToTalkAbout1 6 дней назад

i have gone cold turkey off ambien. i am on day 2 of no sleep with no bad symptoms . how many more days and weeks will this last?

@rafaelsolorzano700 11 месяцев назад

Is an SSRI like celexa a good replacement for lorazepan and ambien?

@RittenhousePsych 9 месяцев назад

Celexa is an older SSRI that works very well for many individuals for anxiety and/or depression. Sometimes when someone is anxious, and their anxiety resolves with a medication like Celexa, then their sleep improves and they will not need a medication like Ambien (or a lot less of a sleep aid). Everyone is different, so discussing directly with your provider is very important. If someone is bipolar, it should be used very cautiously. I hope that this is helpful! Best, - Dr. Pagnani

@carbonunit 8 месяцев назад

Is it possible to do a water dilution taper with ambien

@heatheral-hammadi3046 5 месяцев назад

Yes. Like volumetric dosing?

@stephaniesteed7653 4 месяца назад

@@heatheral-hammadi3046 Do you have a link to that water titration method please?

@harbinger2838 Месяц назад

I abuse. I'm taking 50 mg per day (24 hours). Once I stop and afte around 4-6 hour I break out in a cold sweat and then the fun begins. I've never seen it through but how long is this terrible withdrawal and then what happens??I'm sure you can free speak on utube.

@johnlacey3857 15 дней назад

OMG sounds awful man 😢

@aphunt12 Год назад

Woah woah woah! 1k views?!? I have Never seen you before and I think you’ve explained “it being in your system” perfectly. It may help you fall asleep, but the amount and speed in* which (*not an English major lol) it’s processed, will change how you are feeling when you have to wake up. You physically don’t have withdrawals because your brain still has trace amounts. I think 💭

@RittenhousePsych Год назад

Thank you so much for the comment and discussion! - Dr. Pagnani

@germanshepherdmom1143 Год назад

My late friend was an alcoholic. He used to go to detox. He said they gave him a medication that made him sleepy. I wonder if it was a benzodiazepine like Valium ? I guess I’ll never know.

@kenofken9458 10 месяцев назад

It was probably chlordiazepoxide aka Librium. I think they also sometimes use Clonazepam or Valium.

@RittenhousePsych 9 месяцев назад

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend. There are several medications that can be used in detox for alcoholism (but many of these medications can have serious adverse effects, and need to be monitored very closely). Again, I'm sorry for your loss. Sincerely, - Dr. Pagnani

@pablodg72 9 месяцев назад

@@kenofken9458 I'd say clonazepam/ diazepam because it's half-life time is way longer than any short acting benzos such as alprazolam. It's easier to get off them because you don't have to dose every 5-6 hours like you do with xanax.

@KevanDelaney 2 месяца назад

Probably Ativan or librium

@Tilr701 Год назад

I cted from klonopin a year back was on it for 3years. My another med for sleep, seroquel stopped working. I am still on seroquel 100 mg. I have not been able to sleep. What should I do? I need sleep to function.

@sl4983 9 месяцев назад

Good luck, doctors don't care

@RittenhousePsych 9 месяцев назад

Thank you for watching and your question. I couldn't know what's best for someone without evaluating them, but there are many other options for sleep. There also may be additional workup, to make sure that your sleep difficulties aren't caused by something medical. I'd recommend discussing all of the above with both your primary care provider and also your mental health provider. Sincerely, - Dr. Pagnani

@athomeskincare8346 5 месяцев назад

Valerian Pharmacy gaba

@athomeskincare8346 5 месяцев назад

Valerian Pharmacy gaba

@stephaniesteed7653 4 месяца назад

Should I make an appointment with a psychiatrist to help with my taper off of ambien? I have been on 10 mg of ambien for five months but I want to stop but worry about rebound insomnia.

@jenniferlee9029 4 месяца назад

Did you take it everyday night?

@stephaniesteed7653 4 месяца назад

@@jenniferlee9029 yes only as prescribed. My anxiety is so bad because of it. My cousin stopped taking it cold turkey and she is fine but I am worried about what kind of reactions I would have.

@stephaniesteed7653 4 месяца назад

@@jenniferlee9029 I thought I responded to you but I guess it did not go through. Yes I take it as prescribed every day but my anxiety is so bad from it. I want to stop but I am worried about withdrawals if any. My cousin stopped taking it and she is fine.

@Adaisy45 Год назад

I’ve been on .5 mg Klonopin for 20 years unfortunately. Could you recommend a doctor in the Greensboro, NC area that would be helpful with a slower taper? I take a 1/2 in the morning and the other half at night. I’ve never had any issues with needing more but obviously am dependent on it.

@RittenhousePsych Год назад

We currently do not have any providers licensed in NC, but I would recommend outpatient psych at a place like UNC. Something that individuals could consider as well, is discussing with their primary care provider utilizing a local compounding pharmacy. Compounding pharmacies can often decrease doses by very small increments, allowing very slow tapers (that are exact). Someone could also call a compounding pharmacy directly, and ask if there are providers that are local who they have worked with, who might be open to this type of treatment.

@PWEIcom 6 месяцев назад

Switch to 10-15 mg of diazepam and then reduce 1mg every 2-3 weeks. Take Zolpidem tapentadol zopiclone methadone cannabis gabapentin or pregabalin when it is tough to sleep. Using cannabis while tapering is probably the best advice. Do it yourself, don't use doctors. It will just cost money and the majority of doctors are clueless

@kennethpastore5178 4 месяца назад

Benzo Coalition website for more information 😊

@Eileen-bv4gu 3 месяца назад

Re Valium . Is a compounded liquid taper better than compounded capsules? Ty

@easyreader66 2 месяца назад

I’m on lunesta and want off. I’m not half as scared of stopping lunesta as I am seroquel.

@sl4983 Год назад

So, what if someone has been a long time user of a sleep med, it works absolutely perfectly for them, no side effects, completely restful sleep upon waking. Why should they stop?

@keetonplace Год назад

@sl4983...That's me. I have taken Flurazapam for years strictly for sleep. Now it is discontinued and I have not slept in 4 months but a few hours. I am crazy. I am old and just want the sleeping pill back as I have never been good at falling asleep naturally. Very anxious. It comes back in December. I don't know what to do. I have several, so I take a half and get a little sleep. Takes the edge off this crazy. Then I'm back to same next evening. I wish the Dr. would answer this.

@huckingfappy Год назад

@@keetonplace if you can get hold of valium, you could switch on to that. The approximate efficacy/ valency of flurazepam 15 mg is 5 mg diazepam (valium). Please do not go cold turkey. Try looking up Ashton manual if you wish to taper off. Both of the above benzos have long half life, which means it tends to stay in our blood stream for a longer period . Hope you will able to procure the needed medication as soon as possible.

@sl4983 9 месяцев назад

@@keetonplacehave you considered ambien?

@RittenhousePsych 9 месяцев назад

Great question! If someone is stable on a medication, for an indication that is is approved for, does not have any side effects, takes it as prescribed and it works well for them, then it may be very reasonable to continue. While this may be the case for some, others may want to decrease a medication like this (especially if they are having side effects that are problematic, or they have other issues with it). Thanks again! - Dr. Pagnani

@jenniferlee9029 7 месяцев назад

Do you take it everyday?

@ryanweston9677 Год назад

How specifically should someone ween off of Ambien, and how long should it take usually?

@santaclause3487 Год назад

Idk. Depends on how much ur taking a day. If ur taking it as prescribed ull be fine. My guess would be a couple weeks and it shouldn’t be too bad.

@LouellaMagtajas 10 месяцев назад

Hi have you ween off your ambien? how did you do it and were there withdrawal symptoms?

@sl4983 9 месяцев назад

@connerhowe2where?

@RittenhousePsych 9 месяцев назад

Thank you for your question. Treatment has to be tailored to the individual (there's unfortunately no one-size-fits all for tapering this medication). As a general rule, if there's not an urgent reason to come off of it, and a patient isn't abusing it, I'll try to make small decreases and then wait for a patient to completely come back to a new baseline (no withdrawal for example) before making another drop. It's not uncommon for someone who's taken the medication for years or decades, to require a small decrease every month or so, to tolerate coming down or off of it. One item important to know, is that if someone's taking it consistently, and they decrease it too rapidly, it can cause serious side effects (similar to alcohol withdrawal). Starting, stopping, increasing or decreasing this medication should always be done under the supervision of a medical professional. I hope that this is helpful, and thank you again! - Dr. Pagnani

@stephaniesteed7653 7 месяцев назад

@@santaclause3487have you stopped taking ambien? I would love to hear about your process and did you experience withdrawal s?

@thebellcurve3437 9 месяцев назад

So a few months ago I started taking 12mg Ambien Extended Release to sleep. Then developed a tolerance where I was using 1.5 pills to sleep and I'd wake up 4 hrs later and take another half pill to continue sleeping. When the withdrawals hit during the day, I would take half a pill every five hours so I was consuming 3.5 pills or 42mg every 24 hours, every day for a month. That was two weeks ago but now I'm tapering down. I'm down to two pills every 24 hrs. right now (half a pill every six hours). Reducing daily intake by 1/4 pill every day. Is that a good taper plan? The only symptom I'm feeling is malaise but exercise makes most of it go away.

@gabriellerusso9630 Год назад

Do you believe this is how most psychiatrist would approach this situation this way? I'm in the same situation. Though I'm on probably closer to 8mg every night. My PCP has prescribed it for 6 years I was dealing with a lot of heavy stuff in my life. They knew I was dependent. I told them I wanted to work on getting off because I want to work on getting pregnant by the end of the year. they switched me to the 5mg tablet. Once I did that , either wasn't sleeping or only sleeping two hours. I went back in , and was super upset, they told me my beavior worried them and I needed to see sleep specialist or a psychiatrist that could help. Im super anxious about the whole situation. I have a appointment with a psychiatrist next week and I'm so nervous about what they will say. Originally when I went to my PCP about the situation a didn't sleep for 3 days straight, I'm worried about going back to that or worse. When you look up zolpdiem withdrawals all these addiction centers pop up staying you should never go cold turkey, but I'm scared that's what will probably happen. I don't want to end up in a psychiatric ward over this. Is there a way you recommend I deal with the situation or how to approach this with the new psychiatrist? Thanks! Sorry for the word vomit

@davidkruse4030 Год назад

You aren’t on that much. Just go threw it. You will sleep eventually.

@RittenhousePsych Год назад

Thank you for watching, and I appreciate you being so open about your treatment. I would never know what is best for someone without a full evaluation, but in general, I've found that may providers do not taper medications slowly enough. With that said, I've also seen the opposite (someone trying too slowly, and it causing someone to stay on a medication, and be dependent for longer than necessary). The approach that I take, is generally to make a small decrease and wait until any withdrawal symptoms completely resolve. I take note of what any withdrawal symptoms are, and how severe they are as well. That gives me a great deal of information on "how" dependent someone is on a medication, and how sensitive they will likely be to future decreases. It also helps me to make decisions on the length of time that I'll wait between decreases. You are right, stopping a benzodiazepine or similar sedative can be dangerous. It's very important to always be under the supervision of a medical provider for a taper. There are medications (like gabapentin) that can be used to decrease withdrawal of benzodiazepines for short periods after a decrease (this could be something to discuss with your provider), and if someone isn't tolerating decreases, I also would recommend discussing utilizing a compounding pharmacy, to help with custom doses for the taper. For example, while I would usually taper by 2.5 mg with someone on ambien, I'll sometimes have a compounding pharmacy make capsules or tablets with doses that decrease in increments of 1 to 2 mg adjustments. However, for most patients, this would just prolong the taper, and not be necessary. I hope this is helpful. Again, it's not meant to give you specific advice, beyond to consider discussing some of these options with your provider directly. - Dr. Pagnani

@anniesshenanigans3815 Год назад

stopping a benzo will create more anxiety. If you taper, and you do it in small increments, it should not be as horrible as going cold turkey. For me, the hardest part of quitting was the last 1/4th of that pill.. I think it was .625mcg. or something like that. At that point I think it was more mental anxiety than physical. Good luck!!

@sl4983 Год назад

How is it going?

@sl4983 Год назад

I would be upset and emotional too if I was sleep deprived and you're trying to get help from a doctor and they gas light you.

@sl4983 Год назад

What do you think of 12.5 mg?

@RittenhousePsych 9 месяцев назад

The 12.5 version of ambien is the controlled release version. For some individuals, this can be helpful for sleep throughout the night (as opposed to sleep initiation). Medications like ambien (zolpidem) can be helpful for some individuals, but for others, they can be problematic (especially as it can cause physiological dependence and has abuse potential). It's always best to discuss risks and benefits with your provider. With all of this being said, the 12.5 CR version is approved by the FDA and certainly does help some individuals. Thank you for your question! - Dr. Pagnani

@corneliabruckner490 2 месяца назад

I took zoplicon 4 weeks because if my ssri withdraw. I could not sleep! Absolute insomnia! After stopping zoplicon i had no withdraw at all. The worst was the ssri withdraw! I would never take this shit again!

@stephaniesteed7653 7 месяцев назад

If you only been on ambien as prescribed for three months can you just stop cold turkey?

@hew195050 4 месяца назад

Nooooooooo!

@stephaniesteed7653 4 месяца назад

@@hew195050 not sure why you responded that way because I just talked to a few people that said they stopped taking it cold turkey though they had a few rough nights they made it through and are sleeping better than before. My cousin has been on it for five years and she stopped cold turkey too. Rebound insomnia would definitely be something that would happen but it’s not a crazy benzo withdrawal.

@KevanDelaney 2 месяца назад

Yes you just won't sleep well

@stephaniesteed7653 2 месяца назад

@@KevanDelaney I started my taper already and I am actually doing better than expected. I added magnesium Glycinate. Down to 5 mg and then 2.5 then I am off. I am more than ready because I swear that med has made my skin look congested. It’s not real restorative sleep at all.

@KevanDelaney 2 месяца назад

@@stephaniesteed7653 I take 25 mgs. Of the controlled release. It never gets easier. Magnesium is good though for anxiety.

@donquihote6023 9 месяцев назад

This here is what programmed, legal Drug, addiction and trafficking does and is...

@sumatishrivastava1883 10 месяцев назад

Ambein worked for me but it screwed my brain up to the point that i was suicidal for 4 days . Lorazepam works well too but it has got terrible withdrawal. Either ways i am gonna smoke weed .

@RittenhousePsych 9 месяцев назад

I am sorry to hear that you had that response with Ambien. I appreciate your honesty and comment. Best, - Dr. Pagnani

@badguacamole3709 6 месяцев назад

SSRI, non addictive?.... Bro ... Isn't that an oxymoron?

@BenWinder108 10 месяцев назад

Here in Canada i find over the past 10 or 15 years doctors have become very aware of the dangers of dependence for the z-class drugs. My question is what are the major dofferences between zopiclone and zolipem. Other than the terrible mettalic taste and hangover with zopiclone. I have never seen anyone given ambien here in canada. Zopiclone seems to be the go to Z class drug. Ambien can be purchased over the counter in a lot of European countries and that's where I tried it. It just seems a lot better and less side effects.

@PWEIcom 6 месяцев назад

It's much stronger than zopiclone but much more physically addictive (easier to become physically dependent)

@hew195050 4 месяца назад

Good intentions? I’d say doctors who are thoughtless.

@atmamanifesta9749 11 месяцев назад

take this drug off the market. my sister is at 40 mg now and sleepwalking. dangerous.

@kenofken9458 10 месяцев назад

It's absurdly high doses like 40 mg that make it dangerous.

@sl4983 9 месяцев назад

Fake comment.

@sl4983 9 месяцев назад

No one is rxd 40 mg. 🙄

@atmamanifesta9749 9 месяцев назад

well 40 mg spread through the day i guess. she told me 40...

@RittenhousePsych 9 месяцев назад

Thank you for your comment. For some, it is certainly problematic. If your family member is struggling with this medication, taking more than is prescribed, or prescribed 40 mg, it's important that she talk to her provider about her difficulties and wean off of it. If someone does have sleep walking as a side effect, the medication can also be very dangerous. - Dr. Pagnani

@harbinger2838 Месяц назад

You've just skimmed the surface on withdrawal and shame on your for this feeble effort.

@virgenfigueroa6864 Год назад

doctor with all dye respect ...I have the same issue except I can take up too 200mg of ambien a day 😢being on ambien since 2002 I tried stopping n lowering n I get seizures I don't even know how to start a treatment 😢I get them from difernet resources including international buying....I never drink smoke weed or had any other addiction...my addiction actually started when I had covid and my kidneys one stop functioning they wanted to entreated me and I sign to leave the hospital so I said to my self I will go through this am a sleep it off. so o would take at night at least 5 of 10 mg. then I notice massive gittering and anxiety shakiness diareah etc. so I would take another 5 around 12 noon so I can sleep it off I was attributing these effects to covid took me a long time to heal from covid to end up catching again exactly 3 months after I was already addicted to ambien this time the 2nd time 5 ambien 3 or 4 times a Day were not working anxiety thru the roof couldn't concentrate I had heart surgery before my arrhythmia was full to 300 beats pm. so I increased the ambien ...since then i take 8.5 of 10 mg at least 5 times a day ...am tired of this I want my life back I don't know how to start 😢 any recommendations to who should I speak my doctor she is really not smart to have not noticed this problem I see a therapist and a psychological doctor. I went with hopes that they will treat my anxiety. well she has given me diferent meds none opiods like zoloft ecsitalopram etc. that won't work on me I need to get off ambien treating the source of my anxiety she's treating me depression n I agree am depressed but it's the addiction and the massive anxiety I get. she can treat my depression later I had not being honest with her about how much ambien I take. but she does know I have a chronic insomnia since child hood I had tried everything onn the book to help me sleep n only ambien helps. I will like to keep my ambien after my recovery bc I know 1 10mg works well for my sleep. I just abused it while going thru covid not in a million years I tought it would be this dificil to stop it and start my normal dose....please help suggest me a treatment suboxone methadone tamper what ever am willing . am actually looking for a program in patient bc I know the anxiety is so bad that I need help

@williamthomas7284 10 месяцев назад

Find a detox clinic, God bless you.

@robfair8118 8 месяцев назад

It was good to read this. I am literally in the same place as you. I am down from 10/10mg a day to two or three a day. I keep relasping though. The anxiety is insane. I feel guilty when I cheat myself.