Is anyone else using Ambien?
 

I searched the forum for this topic and found passing mention of it but no threads. I’m taking Ambien CR 12.5 mg pretty much every night. I’ve found it to be a godsend as it really helps me get to sleep and stay asleep almost all night. Like a lot of you, the PN really interferes with sleep so since this works for me, it’s a part of my anti-PN arsenal (that also includes Gabapentin and Tramadol).

I was wondering if anyone else here has used Ambien long-term and if so, did it remain effective after taking it for a while? I’m worried that it will stop working—I’ve been using if for about 10 weeks, and so far, it seems to work as well as it did the first night.

I have a feeling that someone is going to say that there’s something terrible about this drug and that I should stop taking it. I really hope not because it has so improved the quality of my life.

Hi JoanB

I don't want to burst your bubble because everyone reacts to drugs differently but I can only share my experiences with you. I have had 2 family members and 1 close friend really struggle with long tern use of sleeping pills (2 were with Ambien). Your body can reach tolerance with these drugs and you may have to continue to increase the dose, much like benzos. My poor brother reached tolerance 3 months on Ambien and had to keep upping his dose until he started taking higher than recomended doses. He turned into a complete zombie. Unfortunetely, he had to slowly wean himself off with his doctor's help but it was quite rough. He was up for a total of 6 straight days at one point in his taper off.

Here is a quick review from the web:

Some studies show that AMBIEN may alter the sleep architecture in the same way that benzodiazepines do - by reducing the amounts of restorative Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and increasing the non-restorative sleep patterns. This can result in daytime drowsiness and poor cognitive function. Therefore only short-term use of AMBIEN is recommended and discontinuation should be done in a gradual dose reduction.

I understand that lack of sleep can make pain so much worse. Both my brother and I have been using concentrated tart cherry juice for the past year and it has been a huge help. It took about 4 weeks to really start working. My borther also uses a light box every morning from 9:00 - 10:00 and he lives by it. Hope these help.

Now that I think of it, I have been on it for 3+ months and it's still working for me. I haven't even thought of increasing it. The times I've tried not taking it, I just went back to not being able to sleep, which was the same as before I started taking it, but no apparent withdrawal symptoms.

So far the two side effects I've noticed are dry mouth and crankiness in the afternoon. But the latter hasn't caused me too much trouble since I've recognized it and know that if I'm ready to bite someone's head off, I have to tell myself "Joan, it's not them, it's you, so be nice, shut your pie hole and just smile!" That seems to work out OK. (Then again, I guess that's pretty good advice for everyone most of the time.)

And I just don't know what to believe and what not to when it comes to web reviews. Here's something that indicates that it seems to work long-term: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/47098.php. But for all I know, medicalnewstoday.com is a mouthpiece for some invested interest. Sanofi-aventis is the manufacturer, but if it says who exactly conducted the study, I can't find it.

All that being said, it does sound like it sure was big trouble for your brother! I appreciate your feedback and certainly will take it under advisement.

Hi Joan

Like you said in an earlier post, every reacts differently. I am still quite bitter with big pharma as the last 2-1/2 years tapering off Paxil was the hardest thing I thought I had to live through. Little did I know once I completed coming off the drug, PN was waiting for me! However, if your quality of life is better than you have to do whats best for your situation.

Joan I am just on the plain Ambien and it has been a life saver to me. I have two health conditions that makes nightime or rest impossible. I have been on it for at least 2 to 3 years and never increase the amount.

I have been one of the luckier one that it has continue to work. I hate taking long term medicine but not sleeping can become a nightmare.

My concern is the effects of long term medicines I am taking, but at least it gives me some life back. I am able to have some of "me" back.

Trish :grouphug:

Dan, I don't blame you for being bitter. I've never had any reactions quite as bad as your experience with Paxil, but I did have a little trouble with Effexor--serious brain fog that made doing my job almost impossible. Then I got used to it but it didn't help the problem for which it was prescribed (visceral hypersensitivity). Getting off of it made the fog come back and I swore I'd never take an antidepressant again! (Now I'm talking about trying Cymbalta, so that should give you an idea of my steadfast resolve! :rolleyes:

5 out of 7 nights
 

[QUOTE=JoanB;575399]I searched the forum for this topic and found passing mention of it but no threads. I’m taking Ambien CR 12.5 mg pretty much every night.

*** I've been taking regular Ambien for almost 18 months. I, too, worry about dependence. I generally take it 5 out of 7 nights a week. Only rarely have I had to take more than the one pill (10 mg if I recall). Always works. How often are others taking it?

I just ask my doctor to prescribe me Ambien 10mg and he granted my request. But, he told me not to use it every night as it could become habit forming. He gave me a prescription for 30 pills with no refills. He said the presciption should last me 3 months.
My mon, 81 years old, has been on Ambien for 3 or 4 years. She takes it every night and it does not seem to have affected her in a negative way. It just puts her to sleep.
I say that for people who deal with sever PN pain everyday any medication that gives one peace of mind is a good med. I have to use opiates to manage my pain (I go to a pain specialist)and one cnsequence of my usage is physical addiction. I am willing to take that risk to have some quality of life. Life is too short to live in constant pain or go without sleep for days.
I glad the Ambien is working for you. Just be as careful as you would be with any other strong drug.

I have sleep apnea and had insomnia. My doctor wanted me to use Ambien CR, but it contains gluten, so I couldn't use it. He doesn't like Ambien, not sure why. So he put me on Lunesta, which was suppose to give me 8 hours of sleep...didn't work for me. So then he put me on Sonata, which is suppose to put you to sleep quickly, and last 3-5 hours, I rarely got 3 hours from it. So, I went against his wishes, and tried melatonin. It worked the best for me, although, insomnia was still a huge problem. Then, because of other issues, I stopped using dairy, my insomnia went away!:confused:How could dairy cause insomnia, who knows, yet I have found others who have the same issue. I take 6 mgs per night, even now with the insomnia pretty much gone. I still have a few nights where I just can't sleep, but it's much better.

We have melatonin in our symptoms naturally. I think sometimes, especially with gluten intolerance, a person like me is lacking in the proper levels of vitamins and nutrients. I will continue on the melatonin, it seems it may be something I need.

I second that--life is too short. I respect the choices of people who don't want to take drugs, but for me, if there is something that will relieve pain or help me sleep, I want it, as long as it doesn't come at an unacceptable price in well-being.

And darlindeb, maybe sleep meds are like all the stuff we talk about for PN--we all react to them differently. I tried Rozerem, and like you with the Lunesta and Sonata, it wasn't much help. But Ambien CR puts me down and keeps me down for a minimum of six hours. Sometimes I even get eight, and it's wonderful

But of course, the best solution of all is to get to and fix the underlying cause like darlindeb did. And I'm still trying to do that with the PN. If there's any possibility that I can do that, the insominia will go away on its own. One very annoying medical professional recently suggested that I go for a sleep study, which I refused. Come on people, I can't sleep because my feet hurt! You need a study for that?

[QUOTE=darlindeb25;578076]Then, because of other issues, I stopped using dairy, my insomnia went away!:confused:

So much for the "glass of warm milk" trick!:)

Joan, I totally understand where you are coming from. I was at my first appointment with my neuro, for my neuropathy and headaches, and he took one look at me and diagnosed sleep apnea. I just looked at him and said, "You have got to be kidding!" I seriously thought he was nuts...me, sleep apnea!!! Then he examed a little more for the apnea, even told me my mouth was too small...then I was sure he was kidding!!:D At that point, we went on with the exam for my other issues.

I always try to do what a doctor says, just so they can't say I do not listen to them. I did the sleep study, and was told after the doctor studied the results further, I would be set up with a CPAP machine...I still could not believe it. Two of my sons had already been diagnosed with sleep apnea, and I still was in denial.

I'm glad Ambien CR works for you. As I said, I couldn't even try it, it contains ingredients I am intolerant to...so it will never be something I can try.

After close to one year on CPAP, I still was having terrible issues with sleep...the melatonin helped at times, yet insomnia was always present. Giving up the dairy had nothing to do with my sleep intially...I gave it up because it was causing issues with my stomach. Insomnia going away was a wonderful surprise. Who would of thought????;)

I have been on CPAP now for 13 months, and finally, I can say I think it does help...although now, I am having more issues with dry mouth, nasal passages, and still have the constant headaches. BUT, at least I am finally getting some sleep after 30 years!:winky:

I actually had some people tell me I had to be wrong about dairy, simply because they have always been told that warm milk makes you sleep better. Yet, guess what??? They also say whole grains are good for you, and they were killing me....there goes another myth huh???

I think that it is the calcium in milk that gives it it's sleep inducing properties. A calcium supplement will work as well (for me at least), but snuggling up in bed with a calcium pill is just not as cozy :p

cheers
raglet

And, of course--
 

--many people have dairy intolerances (far more, I think, than is usually suspected) that produce gastric symptoms that interfere with sleep and/or an accumulation of mucus that could interfere with the normal breathing of sleep and be mistaken for sleep apnea.

Though the tyrotophan of dairy is good for calming the system in prepartion for sleep, for many it's a double edged sword. I know I sleep better without dairy late in the day (no after dinner ice cream, darn it)--and in a cool, moist room.

If only this were true, I would love to get rid of that CPAP. No one likes being a member of the hosehead society. I have been told the dairy may have been part of the mix, but the apnea is still the main issue.:(I'm sure I will be having anohter sleep study done in time. My PCP says he likes his patients tested every 1 to 2 years, and it's over 1 year now. I actually do not feel any benefits from using or not using it...I just don't know. Some nights it bothers me so much I throw it aside, like last night.:eek:

Sleep is something we all need, it certainly makes a huge difference in how we cope from day to day.

I kind of figured that the person who insisted that I do the sleep study was thinking sleep apnea. But don't you initially have to be, um, actually sleeping and then stop breathing for it to be sleep apena? I just go to bed and lay awake thinking about how much my feet are bothering me and if I'm lucky, finally fall asleep from exhaustion around 4-5 am. That's why I was so annoyed by the idea of a sleep study: I know it isn't one of those sleep disorders, but my feet that are the problem.

I do try to listen to the doctor and and at least try their suggestions, but this particular one was so obviously wrong, and came along with the statement that "Gabapentin does absolutely nothing for PN." At that point I just stopped listening. She was a nurse practioner, to be precise, and actually "shushed" me when I was voicing a concern about something else! I started seeing the neuro after that and needless to say, I'm having all my records transferred to a new PCP's office.

Deb, I heard that Melationin is nature and it is better to use for sleep. Do you have to go to health stores to get it?

That would be great to get off RX and use something nature, but am alittle afraid to switch since the RX is working. A lot of medicine just don't work for me, so sometimes it can make one fearful to switch medicine. If I get enough nerve maybe I will try it.

Thanks, Trish

There are many symptoms to sleep apnea. I didn't know I had been having trouble breathing either. I didn't know i would stop breathing...although I did have many times when I would wake in a panic, and think I was having a bad dream...which they tell me is an episode when the person stops breathing. Or if you gasp for breath, that too. It also has to do with the different stages of sleep, with apnea, some people never get to certain stages. Believe me, I was the first to think the doctor was crazy, yet I also read both of my sleep study reports. I also have a low oxygen level.

Have you read in any insomnia forums?

You can get melatonin any where you can buy vitamins, even the grocery store. I take 6 mgs every night...I use Natrol brand, but I have to be very careful because of my intolerancea, you could maybe try any brand.

No, darlindeb, I don't think you're hearing me...my problem isn't that I wake up, it's that I don't fall asleep in the first place because of the PN/foot pain. You can't be experiencing sleep apnea while you're awake, right? Once I do fall asleep I don't have any trouble. There is nothing at all to suggest that I have any breathing problems at all. (I don't know if this is the same as the oxygen level that you're talking about, but if it's the kind they measure with the finger clippy thing, I often read at 100%.)

But I do realize that you're trying to help, and I thank you for that. And I'm glad that the no-dairy diet and the melatonin help for you. :hug:

I'm sorry, I kind of answer more than one person at a time. Oxygen should not be an issue for you, not at 100%, 98% is good. Mine ranges around 92-93%...but, I guess it's not an issue, no one has suggested anything to me about it.

Maybe Sonata would be good for you. Sonata is suppose to put you to sleep quickly, and last for 3-5 hours. Maybe it would help you. You had no luck with melatonin?

I have not posted for ages. Pardon my absence....life happens.:eek: For a while I got hooked on CNBC.:D Lately, I have been more into the metaphysical. (I hope you guys get my personality.)

I was on Ambien for (drum roll please) TEN YEARS. Got put on it back when it was the miracle drug, and 'no problem', not addictive.

After several years, I found myself feeling like every night, when I made my half dozen trips to the bathroom to commune with the moon, that I was walking on the planet Jupiter. This got worse and worse.

Seriously, I felt the earth's gravity was increasing to the point that I felt I would stick, permanently to the floor. I felt like I weighed tons.

One thing my trip to Hopkins did for me, was, the doc, wailed on me for being on Ambien....(like I put myself on this). So, OK, I went home, and never took another one. I was on 10mg, not the CR, just generic. I do not endorse this method of stopping medication. My brain has been very addled by these chemicals, and I figured, wow, if it is THAT bad, I better stop quick.

Anyway......

I had to rely on clonazepam to fall asleep for a while, but, am off that too.

Now I don't sleep well, but I do not feel as bad as I did on Ambien or clonazepam. Now and then, I have to take a small dose of the clonazepam, but I am really judicious.

I am a sick cookie. My ANA has not come down from the roof, which I do not know where that is, somewhere over 1:1,280 (machine doesn't go any higher) and I am back on IVIG after I was axed by one of the major health insurance companies, who told me I had some other condition, not what I have....and suddenly, with all the hearings going on in Congress, I got my IVIG reinstated. So we will see. I have only recently restarted.

I have an unusual case, so pardon my cryptic references, and I always wonder if some insurance narc is snarking around on boards looking for cases they can ax. Now I am paranoid. Right?;) Well, the world IS a strange place.

I can't recommend any drug...I have been on all of them and still am on them and still struggle to get off. I will always need some major pain medication, at least at times. No one expects me to 'recover'. (I can still dream and try.)

Sleep? I never feel rested, even if I do sleep an entire night.....but then again, I am still on sleep structure altering drugs which I am hoping by some miracle I won't need.

I was on the combination at one time of Mirapex and Ambien....back before I knew I had neuropathy as part of my disease. I was treated for RLS, which I do have. I had a totally different personality. It is good that I am off both of those things now. However, Mirapex at the time was a Godsend. I had such a bad movement disorder that I thought THAT would kill me.

I have come to the conclusion all medication has its risk. We all have to make choices. I have been sick for a long time, so, I have been on and off the merry go round several times.

I have both autonomic and sensory neuropathy as a component of my autoimmune condition, and we know so little how to treat these conditions. Many drugs absolutely throw my autonomic system into meltdown.

I regret many of the meds I took and abandoned after a nasty reaction or withdrawal. Ugh. Going thru one of them right now....

That said, you must make your choices based on YOUR situation and the profound and prolonged scientific research you do on your condition and the drug!

*** I realize I am just 1 of many patients my PCP is responsible for and I understand my rights under my insurance policy -- so when my neurologist ignored my requests for assistance (I had copied my PCP as well) I turned to my PCP who said only the neurologist could change my meds (nortriptyline was my second drug after gabapentin stopped working -- but I was having very bad side effects), so I simply called the neuology department and when they told me it would be at least 6 weeks until my neurologist could see me, I said my next stop would be the emergency room, suddenly my meds were switched and I was given a new neurologist with an in-person appointment in about 2 weeks.

*** My feeling (and, I guess, my attitude) is -- "I pay 4 &%^ing hundred dollars a month for this program, so let's get it straight -- you work for me". Being treated as a moron or ignored is unacceptable, particularly when I have more information about my condition and the effects (side and bad) of my meds, then I am going to become aggressive.


*** Not rude. Aggressive. And, of course, polite and grateful when I get what I need. I am surprised and shocked to see how much money I pay out of pocket (and insurance premiums). $8500.00 plus a year!:shocked:

Cowboy...:Tip-Hat:

[QUOTE=Trishann;578539]Deb, I heard that Melationin is nature and it is better to use for sleep. Do you have to go to health stores to get it?

*** I get confused between Melatonin and Valeriun root. (Never mind my spellin' problems). I use Excedrin PM for pain and sleep -- perhaps I should try one, the other, and/or both. I got at regular drug store. But there's something you are supposed to look for in the preparation. Or doses. I don't know -- information overload. I do have a jar of both at home -- old - but I'll pull them out and look them over tonight.

Cowboy.

My sleep doctor was very much against valerian root, so I didn't try it. He doesn't like melatonin, because it isn't FDA approved, but it works for me, unless I am overly stressed.

As for Excedrin PM, or any of the PM's, he says absolutely not. He says they are not condusive for good sleep. They do things to the brain that can not promote good sleep, and I believe him, I got rid of all of mine.

I get horrible nightmares on melatonin. I think sometimes I will have to live on 4 hours of sleep at best....2am to 6am.

I know the feeling. Thankfully, melatonin does not effect me in that way. When I am very stressed, melatonin doesn't work for me...otherwise, it's great. I haven't been sleeping well for the last several days...the biggest problem is getting to sleep.

Dairy & insomnia - who knew....
 

I too found a connection to dairy and my insomnia - I recently went to a holistic doc who told me to cut - Caffeine, Alcohol and Dairy from my diet for 2 weeks, then slowly incorporate them back in if I really wanted to - to my surprise, those 2 weeks, I slept like a baby for the first time in years w/o the help of some sleep aid! I was convinced it was the caffeine, so I incorporated dairy back into my diet, but kept the caffeine and alcohol out - and wouldn't you know it, headaches and insomnia crept back in like an unwelcome house guest. I am now cutting it back out - thanks to this Doc, I would have NEVER guessed in a million years that cheese was the root of my problems....

Yeah, if I have dairy, the insomnia comes right back. Now caffiene didnt effect me like that...I could always drink coffee and fall asleep, I just never stayed asleep.

I have been drinking decaf for nearly 2 yrs now.

OK first off?
 

Here is the sticky for all the meds most have tried:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread177-2.html
It IS a big menu? And grows bigger daily. Or, so it seems.....
Honestly, for me? Since I've developed other new and fun med issues? I've cut out the neuro meds totally [except for my IVIG]. WHY? Because they really didn't work! IF they cut 10-15% off the top that was the best they could do, unless I took more and simply became a sleep zombie. Lidoderm patches help SOME for a localized pain, but not for the long term.
Honestly now that I'm no longer taking any direct meds for pain? My pain is simply a constant humm and burn, worse with over exertion tho...such a the rehab I've been doing. Prudent timing of ice, heat and lideoderm patches help a lot? But the humm is still there....ever present.
As for sleeping? I've found this stuff -IF it doesn't have extra b-6 added. Take a look at what's out there and try it?
http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/search/...mins&x=27&y=22
It's that phantom 'tryptophan' as in turkey overload? I have, due to other meds, found that this helped me maintain a better even keel on things in my life than before using it. I rarely need it now, but it IS useful during times of extraordinary stress. BTW? Even keel='s sleeping! More important than sleeping is the DREAMING you might do when sleeping. Do keep that in mind. IF you've not dreamed 'due to meds, stress or who knows what?' Once you resume dreaming some of them are gonna be whoppers! Don't know how else to put it out there. I believe the word used most often is "VIVID"? And they sure are! Just know that is sorta normal in the getting back to any part of 'normal' that there might be.
I agree w/Cyclops that all meds come at some price. Many known many not yet documented. And WE are the guinea pigs! Be sure to READ al 'prescribing info' on any and all meds you take! YOU could scare yourself silly or start to ask INTELLIGENT questions of your physician prescribers! So don't be shy about asking even the simplist, silly or stupid question that comes across your mind about your meds and their effects/cross-effects! Challenge them to do their homework on what all is blithely prescribed.
I too at first refused a 'sleep test'? And, later did it...you know what? It was disgustingly normal. Go figger... Tho...driving home afterwords was a 'challenge'? I'm still; here.
Hope always! - j

I do like your responses!;) When I gave in to the sleep study, mine came back disgustingly abnormal!:eek:Story of my life! My apnea is not severe, yet my PCP says it's just like being pregnant, you can't be a little pregnant, and you can't have just a little sleep apnea, you either have it, or you don't. I have apnea and insomnia, insomnia is not part of the apnea. Did that make sense?

My sleep doc told me we all need to have a regular sleep habit, to bed at the same time every night, awake at the same time every morning. People who sleep late on the weekends, saying they are making up for the sleep they missed during the week, are not doing their bodies any favors. He told me to keep bright lights on until maybe 1/2 hour before bedtime, then dim them, to make my brain realize it's time to relax. I do know, I do best if I go to bed at 10pm...if I stay up until 11 or later, then my brain has a much more difficult time relaxing...by then I am overtired, and just like a baby, it's harder for me to settle down when overtired.

For many of you on meds though, it's an whole different ball game. Pain and meds change everything. I wish there was something special for you. Then of course, there are always exceptions too. A friend of mine with diabetic neuropathy, and a bad knee, can take a Lunesta, and sleep through the night, like a rock. Why doesn't it work like that for all of us? Who knows.

Another friend told me to take 1/2 a Xanax before bed, saying my brain can't slow itself down..yet I really don't want to be dependant on Xanax either, and my sleep doctor says Xanax is not good for sleeping either.

I guess we all have to do that which works best for us. Our bodies naturally produce melatonin, and being that works fairly well for me, I am thinking maybe my body isn't producing enough melatonin to begin with. So I will stay with it.

Just my opinions!:hug:

I used Ambien for 8 years! I have been off for one, unfortunately I switched to clonazepam (klonopin) when I went off Ambien.........Both have withdrawals as both are related. Either one will substitute for the other. Benzos and Z drugs.

Do a search on benzodiazepine withdrawal. Ambien is a Z drug, as are the other sleep meds. They destroy your natural ability to sleep. Now, off drugs, my body is having to learn to sleep, really sleep, on its own.

I am disgusted that doctors are handing out a lot of the meds they are.....I take responsibility for using them and asking for them, but, if I had to do it all again, I would not touch the stuff.

Every body is unique. We do best to work with nature.

We are somehow brainwashed that Pharma has all the answers. It doesn't. I think a lot of suffering is caused by these meds. That said, we seldom listen to those who tell us this. I didn't listen.

Wait til you try to get off that crap!

I was afraid I would get addicted to Lunesta, if I stayed with it, but the side effects were too much for me. I have enough trouble with my stomach, I don't need a med to cause more. Besides, it didn't help. He wanted me to take Ambien CR, but it isn't gluten free, so Lunesta was his 2nd choice. Then we tried Sonata, and it did the same thing to my stomach.

I feel much better with melatonin. Is it addictive? I don't know. I don't feel I need it, I just feel it helps so I stay with it. I have taken 6mg per night for maybe 6 months now, never increased it.

There are many meds they tell you are not addictive, yet you can't go without them...so where does addiction come in????

It's just so hard to know the best thing to do sometimes...I know that lots of pharmaceuticals are bad, but then again, some of them seem to be helpful, and some even life-saving. So I don't want to be a dupe of Big Pharma, but neither do I want to throw the baby out with the bath water.

I do value everyone's experience here and I will take all of your viewpoints into consideration.

The problem I have with not taking Ambien at least for now is that it does more than help me just sleep: it seems to calm down my P/N so that I can even tolerate the bedsheets on my feet, even when I'm awake. I wish I could just have that part of it. I think I wouldn't even need a sleeping med if I could only make the feet stop hurting.

Deb

We had this same discussion on another thread.

Physcial dependence on a drug is different than addiction. We become physically dependent on many drugs.....antihistamines for example....get dependent on those and if you don't use them you have massive stuffy nose, and rebound congestion. Most people can't stand the physical symptoms of not having a drug, or they think that their symptoms are from disease, and they feel they need to take the pill. That is physical dependence.

You can't take a psych or pain med for long before you have physical dependence.

Addiction is when you use meds other than ordered by your doc, or use them recreationally....or, use them for reasons other than prescribed.

You can be physically dependent but not addicted....that said, getting off the drugs produces the same withdrawal. The physically dependent person probably won't be attached emotionally to the drug...they feel awful and want off. The addict however, is attached to how the drug emotionally feels, so they have an additional burden, so to speak.

I think it is a fine line. I guess every one has to sort this out for themselves. You can have good reasons why you need meds, severe pain, severe autonomic symptoms, etc. however, the thing that I did not realize is how much the meds contribute to the problem, and how hard the physical withdrawal is.

I am two weeks out from using clonazepam and still sicker than a dog. Yes, I have physical illness, in addition to physical injuries, and have a good reason to use meds, however, I felt I was experiencing tolerance.

It is a personal choice. Addiction or adaptation, matters little when you have to go thru physical withdrawal. Ugh. It will take months to years, to feel half way normal, if there is such a thing for me. I am not willing to live my life on this drug.....nor to die early from it.