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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Joy on January 4, 2001, at 19:43:56
Hi I've been taking .5 Xanax at night for 2 months for AD-induced insomnia. My doc wants me to take Ambien instead. He feels Xanax is addicting in the long run. I thought I would try the Ambien; he says I could take it indefinitely [5 mg]but suppose I build a tolerance to it? Should I take Ambien for a month or two, and and altrnate with .5 Xanax for a month to make sure I can fall asleep? Anybody have an opinion on this? Thanks.
Joy
Posted by Greg on January 4, 2001, at 20:07:35
In reply to Xanax vs. Ambien for Insomnia, posted by Joy on January 4, 2001, at 19:43:56
Hi Joy,
I've been taking Ambien (10mgs) for almost two years for insomnia and it's still working as well for me now as it did in the beginning. Try to be very disiplined in taking it, try to take it at the same time every night if possible. Also, try to be consistent with your bedtimes if you can. Some people here have talked about having real severe memory loss with it, so you should watch closely for that. I've had a little memory loss with it, but very short term. Try not to have any discussions with anyone that you might regret later... :) I take Xanax as well, but for anxiety attacks, not for sleeping. I only use it maybe once a week these days.
I hope this helps.
Greg> Hi I've been taking .5 Xanax at night for 2 months for AD-induced insomnia. My doc wants me to take Ambien instead. He feels Xanax is addicting in the long run. I thought I would try the Ambien; he says I could take it indefinitely [5 mg]but suppose I build a tolerance to it? Should I take Ambien for a month or two, and and altrnate with .5 Xanax for a month to make sure I can fall asleep? Anybody have an opinion on this? Thanks.
> Joy
Posted by HopeB on January 5, 2001, at 7:57:50
In reply to Re: Xanax vs. Ambien for Insomnia » Joy, posted by Greg on January 4, 2001, at 20:07:35
> Hi Joy,
>
> I've been taking Ambien (10mgs) for almost two years for insomnia and it's still working as well for me now as it did in the beginning. Try to be very disiplined in taking it, try to take it at the same time every night if possible. Also, try to be consistent with your bedtimes if you can. Some people here have talked about having real severe memory loss with it, so you should watch closely for that. I've had a little memory loss with it, but very short term. Try not to have any discussions with anyone that you might regret later... :) I take Xanax as well, but for anxiety attacks, not for sleeping. I only use it maybe once a week these days.
>
> I hope this helps.
> Greg
>
> > Hi I've been taking .5 Xanax at night for 2 months for AD-induced insomnia. My doc wants me to take Ambien instead. He feels Xanax is addicting in the long run. I thought I would try the Ambien; he says I could take it indefinitely [5 mg]but suppose I build a tolerance to it? Should I take Ambien for a month or two, and and altrnate with .5 Xanax for a month to make sure I can fall asleep? Anybody have an opinion on this? Thanks.
> > Joy
I can tell you as a DP and DR sufferer of one year and a panic attack sufferer for 3years that I was addicted to xanax without knowing it and heavily dependent on it as well during my treatment with it!
Scary stuff I thought I was dieing when they took me off it and so I went to another doc and he put me back on it and I weaned myself of SLOW 1/4 mg every 2wk if I felt I could the worsed panic attacks in the world
and palpitations and insomnia night sweats etc. took me 3months to get off it and 4 ER visits thinking I was dieing!
I am 27 as of dec 2000 and now have insomnia and depersonalization derealization that are still pretty new (one YEAR)
and I haven't sought help because all meds freak me out so what could they do they think I am not cooperating when I say
I wont take meds but I am scared now even non addictive ones! So to any of you on xanax it can be fine and helps with insomnia much
better than ambien especially if you have anxiety or the like. BUT BE CAREFUL
also I am new hear and would love to hear from anyone else on derealization since I mentioned I am hiding it well but it is very hard
do others somtimes feel like they forget who people are mine is worse at night
GOD BLESS all of you! HOPE B
Posted by Ted on January 5, 2001, at 11:22:56
In reply to Xanax vs. Ambien for Insomnia, posted by Joy on January 4, 2001, at 19:43:56
Hi Joy,
To add to what Greg said, xanax is *very* addictive if you aren't *really* careful. Besides, ambien is supposed to be much better as a sedative anyway. Some people think that ambien is addictive as well, but I have not noticed it in myself (I have taken it pretty much continuously for the last 18 months). I take about 4 mg nightly -- I break the tip off the 5 mg tablets. I find that taking the *smallest* amount that works allows me to raise the dose if needed when I am hyper (I have BP) or otherwise can't sleep. I know of people who have taken ambien 10-15 mg nightly for 3-4 years with no problems.
Good luck,
Ted
> Hi I've been taking .5 Xanax at night for 2 months for AD-induced insomnia. My doc wants me to take Ambien instead.
> Joy
This is the end of the thread.
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