Wondering If Anyone Here Withdrawing From Cymbalta Have Taken Ambien.
#2
Posted 17 February 2014 - 09:49 AM
Been there done that. Ambien withdrawal is not an issue as long as you are NOT on benzos at the same time. Things like Xanax, valium, lorazepam, etc. Both ambien and benzos attach to the same neuroreceptors and compound each others withdrawal. Just go slow when reducing the ambien. Are you on the capsules with beads (time release) or just the tablets?
#3
Posted 17 February 2014 - 09:58 AM
Fishinghat. .I'm on the 10mg tablets of ambien for 10 years now. You said something about benzos! I do take a 5 mg of valium once or twice a week..Don't know if that cause problems...Been there done that. Ambien withdrawal is not an issue as long as you are NOT on benzos at the same time. Things like Xanax, valium, lorazepam, etc. Both ambien and benzos attach to the same neuroreceptors and compound each others withdrawal. Just go slow when reducing the ambien. Are you on the capsules with beads (time release) or just the tablets?
#4
Posted 17 February 2014 - 10:20 AM
That won't be enough benzo to greatly complicate things. Just keep your dosage of valium the same as it is now until off the ambien. The chief problem with ambien withdrawal is going cold turkey. You will need a good clean razor blade. The idea is to remove a tiny bit more from your tablet about every 3 days or so. (say twice per week). It doesn't have to be exact. You should pace yourself to be off the med within 4 or 5 weeks. Now you can come of this medicine in 2 weeks with tapering faster BUT you will have a real bad case of insomnia that you really won't like. By going over a 4 to 5 week period this gives your body a chance to adjust. You have been on this a long time so your body may still have trouble sleeping. Even with the 4 to 5 week program if you develop bad insomnia you can take small doses of diphenhydramine or doxylamine (both over the counter meds) about an hours before bed. BE SURE TO CHECK FOR COMPATABILITY WITH YOUR OTHER MEDS BEFORE USING THEM. They do react with several anxiolytics and antidepressants.
When I came off ambien I reduced the pill by small amounts each day for about 3 weeks and came off with little side effects other than feeling sort of crungy. With your history though I would think a little slower is better.
Let us know how you are doing along the way.
#5
Posted 17 February 2014 - 10:27 AM
One special note....if you have cats or dogs or other pets that roam freely in your home, be sure to cleanup, wipe away, all the scraped off ambien.... We don't want any sedated fur friends.... ;-)
#8
Posted 17 February 2014 - 02:36 PM
Fishinghat. .lol lol..I do have a little princess; cat..lol lol..Never thought of the scrapping getting onto the floor...Then again my little princess could use some calming down..lol lol. She is extremely hyper..Although I haven't found out how to do the shavings yet..But I love the Cat Nip quote..lol lol..you brightened up my day..ty c)"One special note....if you have cats or dogs or other pets that roam freely in your home, be sure to cleanup, wipe away, all the scraped off ambien.... We don't want any sedated fur friends.... ;-)"
Talk about cat nip! wow
#9
Posted 17 February 2014 - 02:47 PM
Fishinghat. .ty..I will have to save this somewhere. .I am planning to move in April. Therefore, I have many issues to attend to from today forward like selling my home, getting movers (who will pack for me), find extra srorage, and all the stressful things which go along with moving..Being an agoraphobiac where I can't leave the house makes it more stressfull..Therefore I'm planning to get off ambien in May..I'm hoping I can handle this task while living alone..That won't be enough benzo to greatly complicate things. Just keep your dosage of valium the same as it is now until off the ambien. The chief problem with ambien withdrawal is going cold turkey. You will need a good clean razor blade. The idea is to remove a tiny bit more from your tablet about every 3 days or so. (say twice per week). It doesn't have to be exact. You should pace yourself to be off the med within 4 or 5 weeks. Now you can come of this medicine in 2 weeks with tapering faster BUT you will have a real bad case of insomnia that you really won't like. By going over a 4 to 5 week period this gives your body a chance to adjust. You have been on this a long time so your body may still have trouble sleeping. Even with the 4 to 5 week program if you develop bad insomnia you can take small doses of diphenhydramine or doxylamine (both over the counter meds) about an hours before bed. BE SURE TO CHECK FOR COMPATABILITY WITH YOUR OTHER MEDS BEFORE USING THEM. They do react with several anxiolytics and antidepressants.
When I came off ambien I reduced the pill by small amounts each day for about 3 weeks and came off with little side effects other than feeling sort of crungy. With your history though I would think a little slower is better.
Let us know how you are doing along the way.
- bronxbomber likes this
#11
Posted 18 February 2014 - 06:02 PM
Did start with calming teas today and will start with sleepy time also to get my sleep hygene in order..which will take a few months to get myself ready for this...
Any help is greatly appreciated. .
#12
Posted 18 February 2014 - 07:10 PM
Hi Carleeta. Yes, you just shave some off one end. If a razor blade is too hard to safely handle then you should be able to shave a little off the end with a steak knife. But you are right most pill cutters will just cut them in half. The pharmacies here have special pill cutters that are like a handle where the razor blade slips in the end sorta like a box knife. Easy to hold on to.
#15
Posted 19 February 2014 - 01:05 PM
Dry eyes this am..feel lightheaded and a bit sore (relating the soreness to the attempt to snow shovel yesterday. .lol)
Head feels full and lightheaded, although I've had the feeling for some days anyway along with the horrible headaches I've been having for over a week...Have been taking advil cold and sinus daily..Seems to work.
Today I felt the headache again so I took Advil cold and sinus.
Trying not to take the 5mg of valium today as I took one yesterday..
I'm thinking this is going to be a long stressful journey for me..
Tonight I'll drink some sleepy time tea...
#17
Posted 19 February 2014 - 01:40 PM
I will keep everyone posted on this issue. .
#19
Posted 20 February 2014 - 09:30 PM
I was prescribed Ambien at one time. I did some research first & decided to NEVER fill that scrip. So glad I didn't. But now I wish I had done research before starting Cymbalta! You can bet I am not about to let my dr stick me on another drug to replace it. Btw, just sharing my own feelings here, not judging anyone else's choice. We all gotta make our own way in this world!
- sodone61 likes this
#20
Posted 20 February 2014 - 09:38 PM
Your post was great..It's all about our opinions. .I appreciate you post..I agree no more meds like this for me also..tyI was prescribed Ambien at one time. I did some research first & decided to NEVER fill that scrip. So glad I didn't. But now I wish I had done research before starting Cymbalta! You can bet I am not about to let my dr stick me on another drug to replace it. Btw, just sharing my own feelings here, not judging anyone else's choice. We all gotta make our own way in this world!
#21
Posted 20 February 2014 - 09:54 PM
And how about a nice long soak in the tub, with Epsom salts as a reward for all that snow shoveling?
#22
Posted 21 February 2014 - 02:55 PM
First night day 1 was not much sleep at all..was really irritably, anxious, very lightheaded, and very anxious (all in my above post)
Second night...I added 1.5 my of melatonin and experienced such a head rush I went into a panic attack and did all my mind exercises (which I practice daily) through the attack..Previous to the melaton about 2 hours earlier I had taken 1 advil for the headache I've been suffering from..Anyway when the attack started to subside (after an hour) I took 1/2 of the tiny shaved ambien..I appeared to be ok so 30 min after that I took the other half of the shaved ambien..I did fall asleep and slept very well..I also seem to have had one of the first days with the headache subsiding a bit.
Third night..No advil today and no 5mg of valium..Took 1.5 mg of melatonin and my tiny filled ambien..I did sleep fairly well.
Today I felt a bit groggy when I woke up although getting through the day fairly gooh.
FiveNotions. .I did buy the magnesium although haven't taken it yet, due to having blood work done on Saturday and I didn't want it to interfere with readings..I'm going through physicals which I have put off for years..
Thank you everyone for your support!
#24
Posted 25 February 2014 - 01:59 PM
What I can say about how I've ben feeling is: headaches (which started before I started this and some lightheaded feelings and a bit dizzy..Now having said that, I'm not sure at all if these are related to my small taper..Talked with psychologist on Saturday and explained my physical symptoms. .He stated once my medical tests have been rolled out.. He will then tend to feel it is extreme stress and anxiety related, although he gave me the name of a psychiatrist who also specializes in neurology who can best answer that question..My psychologist does know I'm not the type of patient who is looking or want prescription meds to help me handle my fears, anxiety, and stress producing problems..Psychologist also stated he feels I have already answered my own questions..He also likes that I am shaving down my ambien....
Tonight I start shaving a tiny bit more for my next week and see how I do..only took 5mg of valium 4 days out of the seven..I feel I was fearful on starting this taper and caused more of my own anxiety..
Also I've been taking 1.5 mg of melatonin nightly...
Just an update...
#25
Posted 26 February 2014 - 02:32 PM
Was waking up every 2 hours but kept falling back to sleep.
The only problem I seem to constantly have is when I take the 1.5 mg of melatonin I feel a bit dizzy and lightheaded for the first 30 min...
so far it's been so so ...
#30
Posted 11 March 2014 - 02:25 PM
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