[gsdmom]

I’m trying to get off of zolpidem before starting CBT/sleep restriction. I was a bit impatient and weaned off a bit quickly. Was taking 5-10mg per night many nights for 2 months, built up a tolerance and not very effective. Did 2.5mg 1/2 pill for 3 nights then 1/4 pill for one night, they had no effect on sleep. Been sleeping about 3.5 hours per night, but last night maybe 2 hours. Yesterday was 2nd night of no zolpidem, do you think I’m having rebound insomnia? What was your experience stopping this medication? Any withdrawal symptoms, how long did they last? I did not want to start CBT until off meds as they are supposed to be taken earlier in the evening and I think my starting sleep time would be 12:30am because I wake up at 6am.

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to the forum, gsdmom. It’s quite likely that you are experiencing rebound insomnia — but it’s worth giving yourself a few more nights before jumping to this conclusion.

The problem with trying to come off sleeping pills before starting CBT-I is that, since sleeping pills don’t cure insomnia (because they don’t address the root cause of insomnia), insomnia will almost always return when you stop taking the medication.

It may be a better strategy to start a course of CBT-I and then start to taper-off the sleeping pills (with your doctor’s approval) so that you are taking steps to address the cause of your insomnia while quitting the sleep aids.

Studies have found that CBT-I is effective regardless of whether you are taking sleeping pills or not. The only time pills can be a problem is if you take them contingently.

I recorded a short video about this here: Does cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) work if you are taking sleeping pills?

I hope this helps.

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