Ambien - How Long? Anyone?

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I've been on it for years.  I used to be a total insomniac, never slept. Years ago my doc put me on Trazadone and I was on that indefinitely.  Then when I had my brain hemorrhagic stroke they took me off the Trazadone and the Neurolgist put me on Ambien.  My family Doc who treated me for over 30 years, never had a problem renewing the prescription.  So I've been on it since 2006. In between those years came other stresses and no matter how bad it got, I always knew sleep is never an issue for me anymore.  Last year, my insurance changed and was no longer able to see my regular GP and started with a new group  who don't really know me the way my former doc did, some of the young docs in the practice  told me they can renew the script with no refills left. I'm so pissed.  They want me to make an appt. before they renew it again because the provider wants me to be seen.  I've been back and forth there all summer with knee issues, and blood tests for abdominal infection.  You'd think they could just call in the prescription for me.   I have to call and make an appointment tomorrow.  My question is how long has anyone been on this medication?

imageBarb
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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited September 2012

    HI, I have my ambien prescribed by my Oncologist. Could you ask him/her.  I find they don't mind nor follow the same strict rules as the GP's. Just a thought for you to consider. I love my ambien too!

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited September 2012

    I know people that have been taking it for years. However, have you ever investigated why you have insomnia? The DH had a sleep study and we FINALLY were able to determine what was causing his problem. He no longer takes Ambien. One of the annoying things I found about the Ambien was that it put him to sleep, but he didn't stay asleep. Good luck. I think getting the proper sleep is important. I hope you can explore further why you need the Ambien. You might be surprised that you might not need it!

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  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited September 2012

    Shanagirl, I have been on it for a year or two with no problem - though I have varied the dose and at times gone off it for a few days because after a while it can accumulate in my system and other meds/ situations also influence my choices (and my doctors'). What works for you may be very different though, so don't take any cues from me. Reactions with other meds play a role.

    So happy to no longer dread the thought of going to bed every night. Sleep comes easily now.

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited September 2012

    Shanagirl:  Don't know how old you are, but starting next year, Medicare will only allow a 90-day rx for the entire year. The good news is the generic is cheap (zolipidem).  Just giving you heads' up.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2012

    Kjiberty -  Why will they only allow a  90 day rx for the entire year?  My doctors have always renewed it no problem with a phone call.

     1Athena1 - yes, like you I also adust my dose at times go off it for a few days.  I don't feel I am adicted or anything.  i just choose to go to sleep without fearing I'll be up half the night, and would rather fall asleep peacefully and easily.  I have none of the negative SE's I've heard about on the news now and then.  But I just don't want my insurance provider come between me and my doctor.

    image 

    Barb

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  • Mooleen
    Mooleen Member Posts: 185
    edited September 2012

    I have been on it for 4 years, before BC. I did sleep studies and had some therapy sessions. I think for me it is a menopause thing. Five different doctors have told me it is OK to take it. My sleep doctor told me if I ever want to go off of it I won't sleep for several days. I have become dependent on it. Regular Ambien only last in your system for a maximum of 4 hours. I have graduated to the controlled release that gives me 5-6 hours uninterrupted sleep. My insurance will only cover 15 days per month. In order to get a full month supply. My dr. has to get an approval from my insurance and it has to be renewed every 6 months. It is a real pain. When I was taking the regular Ambien, I was just buying them myself because they were cheap. The generic AmbienCR costs $139/mo. so I have to go through this process. My GP doc requires a rx management appt. every 6 months, and I like that.

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  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited September 2012

    Barb, I got off Ambien recently after about 2 years on it an a battle getting off.  It's a habit-forming drug, and is approved for short-term treatment of insomnia, not taking it forever.  A lot of docs prescribe it other than for short-term use, but that's actually off-label. The problem some docs have prescribing it off-label is the habit-forming aspect and the problem of disinhibited behaviors during the night that some people don't even remember.  It's not completely benign.

    My issue with Ambien is that there were some papers published fairly recently, huge case-control studies, and it appears there may be a very slightly increased risk of cancer.  These were case-control studies, not randomized controlled trials, so it's impossible to say that they didn't see more cancer in the Ambien groups because people with cancer are more likely to need something for sleep.  Maybe that's the whole reason for the finding.  What made me uncomfortable was that the studies were done because of animal studies early in its development suggesting there might be a problem.  So there's no definite link - not enough info that this is even a blip on most docs 'radar - just a concern for one, but that was enough for me to want to stop it.  I'm grateful it was available for me when I needed it during chemo, but I am glad to be off it.

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