[Takoba66]

Hi Sazza,

I live in Japan and saw my doctor once every two weeks and then once a month and he just checked on my taper and prescribed what I needed and I cut the tablets myself. I don’t know where you live but maybe you can get the zolpidem from an online source?

The main thing is to keep at the taper and don’t give up hope. If absolutely necessary, you could go faster with your taper. I have been in touch with some who have gone faster successfully. I’ve been off for about 18 months or so now (it seems like so long ago and, happily, seems like almost another life that I don’t even know exactly how long it’s been).

Life is infinitely better now that I’m off and I don’t worry about sleep anymore. Chee2308 gives some very wise advice above on this forum thread, I advise reading and re-reading their words!

[Takoba66]

Thanks, Ryan. However, I don’t want to add on another drug. I’m trying to cut them out.

[Takoba66]

Hi Chee2308 and Angeli,

Thanks for your kind posts.

Chee2308,

I love your mantra about dropping all effort and not even thinking about poor sleep. I am getting better at this. Alas, my sleep is not getting better yet.

Actually, I am becoming more and more convinced that the ambien is actually harming my ability to get better because I am so horrified that I am even on this medication. I hope I am not fooling myself…

Angeli,

You wrote elsewhere that “withdrawing the medicated drugs took a long time.” May I ask how long it took to get off Ambien?

[Takoba66]

Thanks for your replies MelH89 and Chee2308.
I am very grateful!

About your question MelH89,
I am taking Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol). I live outside the US.

Thanks for your encouraging words Chee2308.

You are right, I have been unhealthily and unproductively obsessed with sleep since this issue started. I know now I should just drop all my efforts, relax and not worry about how much or little sleep I get.

I’ve done all the reading and studying about sleep and cbt-i etc. For me, at the moment at least, worrying about sleep hygiene, meditating everyday, looking at possible supplements to try (after I get off zolpidem), worrying about everything I eat etc. is driving me nuts.

I have made this into a bigger challenge than it need have been but at least now I have some perspective and am less obsessed and more accepting.

Thanks again.

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