Wee Willie (my end ileostomy) is coming up to his 4th birthday in a week or so.

It hasn't been an easy ride with complications such as MRSA, peristomal pyoderma gangranosum, another surgery for a twisted bowel, hernia and adhesions, not to mention the ulcers that I get on Wee Willie. However, despite all the problems over the last 4 years I have done really well and managed to ween off the massive doses of morphine that I was on.

Well now I have another rave!

As well as being put on those massive doses of morphine when I was recovering from the MRSA I was also put on Zolpidem (Ambien) to help me sleep and although I had managed to cut down from 10mg to 5mg I have been taking them every night for the last 4 years. Well last week I accidently ran out of them. I had my repeat prescription but hadn't had it filled. I also forgot to get it filled the next day too so ended up going 2 nights without taking anything. I finally got round to filling the prescription in on Monday, but then thought to myself that I hadn't really had any withdrawal symptoms other than I woke up a few more times than usual and had a few strange dreams. Well I decided that I might as well see how I went for a 3rd night without them and I slept right through only getting up once to empty my bag.

I was so scared of having the same withdrawal symptoms that I'd had coming off the narcotics that I had really been putting off weening off these. Well, it is now over a week since I've taken any sleeping pills and my sleeping pattern is right back to normal! I have absolutely NO intention of ever taking them again and I am feeling just a little bit proud of myself!

Just had to share this with you guys as you all know what I've been through.

Shell

Shell--

Congratulations on getting off of the sleeping pills! Another wonderful milestone!

I also took them while on high doses of Prednisone that left me sleepless, and I understand the fears you had about weaning off of them. Now I just take one occasionally when I have a horribly sleepless period, but I stayed away from them for many years after I finally stopped taking them regularly.

Take Care,
Nicole

Congrats Shell! You should be a lot proud of yourself!

Well done Shell. I'm pleased for you.

Good for you Shell! That's a fantastic milestone. I can't imagine how scary it must have been, but you got through it! Way to go!

Way to go That is progress!
Just be mindful, as I'm sure you are. Last winter I stopped taking my xanax (I generally only take it as needed) but one of the dogs was sick with kennel cough which progressed into pneumonia (not fun). So, she was sleeping in her crate next to our bed and I needed to be alert so I wasn't taking it; felt okay. About a month or so later I had a full-blown panic attack and realized it had been so long since I took it. I know xanax and ambien are different meds but thought I would share. The withdrawal might catch up with you eventually, but I sure hope NOT! Good luck

Hi Shell,

Congratulations

Should you need help sleeping in the future:
A tip someone shared with me :
He wasn't sleeping and several Doctors were concerned with addiction to sleeping pills, prescription or even Tylenol PM.

Take 2 benedryl before bedtime.
I tried it and it works well, everyone is different of course

Eric

That's fantastic Shell! I wish you many sweet dreams and restful nights.

Shell -

Congratulations and sweet dreams from here on out!

Lisa

Thanks Guys. You have no idea how much the good people from this board has helped me through over the years and I really appreciate all the good advice and support from you all.

Shelby, so am I still likely to get withdrawal further down the line? That sounds like a scary prospect.

I have always been a light sleeper anyway so even before taking the Zolpidem I would wake up several times a night (Frank's snoring'll do it! ) although usually I can go straight back to sleep (once I've elbowed him in the ribs) and I always have to get up at least once during the night to empty my bag. The only difference the Zolpidem made was to help me get a deeper sleep.

One of the really nice things about not taking them any more is that I feel more refreshed when I wake up so I guess they were still giving me that hung over effect even after all the years I'd been on them, it's just that I'd learned to live with it.

Now all I need to do is try not to worry about my upcoming ear surgery which is scheduled for the 4th February (just a week away! ) I guess I'll just have to put up with the usual few sleepless nights prior to the operation.

Wish me luck.

Shell

No, Shell, you might be perfectly fine and just continue how you are. I just wanted to share my experience so you're not sitting up night after night wondering... Thinking you were fine, how could it be that I'm having withdrawals now, or maybe something else is wrong, that kind of thing. I never imagined the xanax would have that kind of effect on me either, since I take it very irregularly anyway. But one day, the anxiety just took over and a little later it dawned on me that I hadn't taken it in over a month.
I'm sure you'll be just fine!

It's all the little things that add up to be big things in the end. I'm so glad you've been able to get off the sleeping pills.
Congrats! Take care.

Shell, that's great! Finally something has gone really smoothly
Best of luck for your ear surgery on the 4th. I'm having my belly fixed tomorrow...nervous now.
Hey, after what we've been through, we can handle anything, right? Good luck and take care

Thanks guys,

Soph, good luck for tomorrow. How long will you be in hospital for? Hope all goes smoothly for you (especially your tummy! ) Update when you can.

Take care

Shell

Bravo, Shell!