Stilnox (aka Ambien, Zolpidem) Dependency(-Experience?)

[pauleddy]

I have been using these to sleep for nine years, normally taking two 10mg tabs before bed, and sometimes in order to nap in the afternoons.

 

On a number of USA advice sites, some people say they stay on this drug for years with no problem, but some don't. One famous rap singer managed to get off the drug about five years ago.

 

I tried to stop again last week, although I had mild DT-type effects within 24 hours. My dependency derives from not being able to sleep well in LOS or any hot country. I know that the drug is bad news, and I am trying to get away from it.

 

Can I say here that I know about Tapering off using Benzos, The Cabin (which I can't afford), The BKK Cabin (ditto), NLP, relapse support, The Temple with the horrible drink, Bumgrad etc etc etc ad infinitum (I am an RN amongst other related qualifications).

 

What I really need to hear is personal experience i.e.

 

Have you ever got off Stilnox, and how?

Do you have any friends or relatives, ditto?

Could you point me to any REAL addiction doctor as a personal recommendation  (and where located)?

 

(I once saw a psychiatrist at a well known but non-central hospital. A nice, lovely, kind man but trained in the days when ECT was still popular and F. Lobotomies routine! No idea about tapering or N.A.)

 

thx

 

Eddy

Edited August 22, 2016 by Sheryl
removed references to illegal activity

[manarak]

Quote

My dependency derives from not being able to sleep well in LOS or any hot country.

does setting the aircon lower work ?

 

I am also taking zolpidem, but only occasionally, something like 5mg twice a month or something.

 

 

[oswald18]

Well 9 years of using Zolpediem (Stilnox or Ambien Brand) would definitely give you withdrawal symptoms once you try to stop it. I've been dependent on it (Stilnox to be exact) like 5 years ago, along with some other drugs (painkillers). The only way I was able to get rid of the habit was professional help...being confined in a hospital for two weeks (to be able to ease myself of the withdrawal symptoms) and lots and lots of self-discipline after that. One thing that helped me a lot is doing a lot of physical work during the day, so that I can doze off easily at night. I avoided taking substitutes like alcohol and any other sleeping aids and believe it or not, up to this day I can sleep normally without taking anything.  

[Sheryl]

Well I can definitely point you to a "REAL addiction doctor" but he is at Bumrungrad which you seem to indicate you do not want to hear about. He also has hours at Manarom

 

He is very, very good and has assisted a number of TV members in getting off meds. US trained and specializing in addiction.

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Pichai-Saengcharnchai

http://www.manarom.com/dr_pichaieng.html

[pauleddy]

Thanks to everybody.

 

I will definitely consider all of those options. I hate to depend on anything for nine years! I'm fed up rather than ill, but I start to feel bad when I can't sleep, so it has been a vicious spiral...

[Sheryl]

Dr. Donna is an excellent GP but that is not what the OP needs or is looking for. The most she could do would be to refer him to an addiction specialist as I have already done (and I am willing to bet she'd recommend the exact same specialist as I did).

 

 

[evilebxxx]

22 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Dr. Donna is an excellent GP but that is not what the OP needs or is looking for. The most she could do would be to refer him to an addiction specialist as I have already done (and I am willing to bet she'd recommend the exact same specialist as I did).

 

Absolutely a specialist are needed, others doctors are clueless in benzoic withdrawals  

 

[ghworker2010]

I feel sorry for anyone who has to take the pills that are described above as they can be so addictive. I too have insomnia issues and resort to taking melatonin. 

 

Ive heard of Stilnox before but in was in the case where it was used to treat a guy that had a stroke. 

 

 

The family of the victim crushed the drug up with water and gave it to the young guy who woke up out of the stroke. 

 

To the OP.... have you ever thought about doing hard core exercise around 4 or 5pm each day. You need to wear out your active mind. Its the best way to sleep. Spend 30min running around a football pitch and you will not need a pill to sleep....

[ghworker2010]

part 2 of the videos shows the effects of stilnox on the stroke patient

 

 

[evilebxxx]

Lifted from somewhere - long-term Stilnox user may experience withdrawal symptoms, including:

• Muscle and stomach cramps
• Sweating
• Drowsiness
• Irritability
• Shaking or tremors
• Panic attacks
• Anxiety
• Seizures or convulsions
• Psychosis
• Hallucinations

Stilnox withdrawal symptoms are not as severe as those caused by withdrawing from benzodiazepines, which are known to cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Nevertheless, withdrawing

[Sheryl]

Off topic you tube clips have been removed.

 

Please stay on topic, which is zolpidem dependency, not benzos