For all you Ambien users
 

I stopped taking Ambien a week ago because I needed to see how it was affecting my symptoms. I have an important Neurologist appointment today and I felt it was important to know.

Ambien has been my go to drug for many years for sleep. When my symptoms started I began using it regularly. Ambien knocked me out so I never felt what was happening in my body. In the morning, since I was still under the influence, I could lay in bed without any symptoms (which I do miss.) However, when I got up the symptoms began and they were pretty strong and remained most of the day getting really bad in the evening.

I was very surprised at the results when I stopped taking the drug. It was difficult to sleep especially the 1st few days but the incredible thing was all my symptoms were much less without the Ambien. I found out I still have slight twitching some nights but they are mild and under the surface. My daytime burning and other sensations are milder and sometimes not there at all. Of course sleep is still an issue at times especially when the nighttime burning starts or the pre-twitch begins. That happened last night I believe triggered by stress about my appointment and I was not able to sleep.

I've read that Ambien (and I believe benzos) have side effects that are the same as PN symptoms. I am just sharing my experience in case it is could help someone.

I am on half dose
 

trying to see if I can kick this crutch away. The symptoms do not seem to have changed for me but I am waking up too early. It gives me much too much time to think,haha. The bliss of Ambien for me was my pain meds were gone for the day and so I would take the pill and 20 min later I was out for 5 hrs at least. This got to be a relationship after about 2 yrs. I have tried Melatonin, Benedryl in the past and they never helped. Always the light sleeper. I wish you luck on your symptoms, I hope mine get better once I am totally off. I might need to do a test for CPAP, that might be the ticket. Ken in Texas.