Ambien withdrawal

[sicraw]

I have taken 10 mg a night for 5 years.  Off and on I would get aches under my rib, but they would go.  Nothing else seemed off.  I had a hysterectomy (major surgery) and after that, it seems that ALOT of side effects of ambien started.  I'm going to list some and see if others have had the same thing.  High anxiety/panic attacks, face flushing, sweating, my right side hurt (like I either had kidney stones or gall bladder stones - which I don't have either since I had an ultra sound), my bladder hurt (dr thought I had a UTI, which I didn't) and my right eye was really sore.  I quit ct (which after reading, I probably shouldn't have) and am on almost two weeks.  The first week was hell.  Especially the panic attacks.  I used an over the counter sleep aid, because I knew that if I had to deal with no sleep at all and all this other stuff, I would be in the hospital.  Most of the day things are gone - I actually feel pretty good - almost to my normal.  I have cut my over the counter sleep aid in half and will go on something more natural in the next few days.  It seems the only lasting effect is a side pain by my lower right rib.  I touch it and it is sore.  I think it is myalgia.  Anyone have any of these symptons and how long will it take to really clear from my system?

[sicraw]

Hard day today.  Wow.  It's been 15 days and today seems like day one.  Huge panic attacks, over everything - it's crazy.  Please tell me I'm not nuts and this is normal.  

[meegWpaw]

Hope you're doing ok.  Ambien and benzos really screw with your head I remember it was god awful.  Yes the anxiety and sometimes I thought I was going crazy.  It will get better gradually ... hang in there!

[sicraw]

Crappy morning today.  I'm so sick to my stomach - yuck.  I'll weather it - but some days it is hard.  Having one of those :)

[sicraw]

Thanks Meegan.  I have been doing so good for the last couple days.  Nausea gone in the morning . . . then this afternoon I am going through a small panic attack . . . just seems everything is so overwhelming.  I can't get out of my head.  I am sure it is a w/d symptom.  It is super hard, when things have been going so great.  I really think my side pain is ambien.  I have had ultra sounds and blood work and everything looked good.  Since being off it has been better.  My back aches today, but I am sure it is all part and parcel to w/d.  

Just want to feel good again.  Thanks for being there.

[meegWpaw]

hi sic i have seen you around here recently finding ambien threads.  sorry you are going through all this.  you're right, a ct off ambien cr is not recommended ... or ambien i think.  i believe that ambien is not a true benzodiazepine but it acts like one / is similar.  getting off both is very, very difficult, and you need a lot of patience.  except the eye thing, most of your symptoms sound like things i went through as well, though i was ct'ing off benzos at the same time.  its odd that you mention the right side thing bc i have had a pain in my right side forever, and ive always wondered if it had anything to do with my using (i used pills--opiates--and benzos).  it would come and go but at times it could be very painful.  i went to the doctor about it once and he said 'there's no organ there' where i said the pain was.  anyway i would get in to see a doctor if you can, just to rule stuff out.  but be patient.  benzo / ambien withdrawal can take months.  it's a great sign that you are feeling better so quickly but don't be alarmed if the symptoms go away and then come back ... each time they come back they will be a little less intense.  thats how 'benzo' detox goes ... be good be well and keep posting for support.

Meegan

[sicraw]

How long was it until the pain in your side lessened?