Sleep meds. Zopiclone?

Been taking ambien 10mg for about three months, have had insomnia since earlier in the year. I have had side effects that I can only attribute to the ambien (headaches, feeling down/drugged, among other things) and would like to quit. I basically quit snacking and made a number of lifestyle changes, have lost weight etc but still have issues.

My regular doctor says to continue to take it and my sleep doctor says to quit. Actually he advised me to quit cold turkey which I found very difficult and ended up wigging out when i tried. Lately I've been cutting the pill in half but I end up taking the other half anyway after about 30 mins.

I did a sleep study a couple weeks ago and only slept 98mins. The noise and disruptions really increased my anxiety and gave me no chance. I have trouble turning off even with ambien sometimes. Trying to sleep in a strange place is basically out of the question.

Anyway I have to go back for another sleep study which I gather amounts to them strapping a mask on me which I'm confident I'm going to hate. I've been using a autoset s9 for about a month that was given to me by my uncle which has helped me stay asleep when I do sleep but hasn't really helped me fall asleep without the pill. I just want to feel normal again.

Anyway found this site helpful about reading about sleep apena and have struggled to find a good message board that addresses how to quit sleeping pills. I think I may try natural remedies but info on how, when, and what to take seems rather hit and miss. My deal is how to quit ambien and start on natural remedies, plenty of info on don't take this but nothing on how to go from one to the other.

I tried Ambien, but with the brakes on, due to discussions as above. My primary physician gave me Zaleplon, 5 MG. It's duration seems to be around 4-5 hours, and does not give me that groggy feeling, or make me drink multiple cups of coffee to function. But he only gave me 1 refill before March 2015. Doesn't want me to like it TOO much. So, I take one Tylenol pm, and one regular Tylenol, when I know I'm going to have a hard time. Still a little groggy, but I get up around 4 AM, so, there you go.

Ambien worked ok for me when it worked. I found there is about a 15 minute window that it works for me. If I did not go to sleep in that window, I would be up all night but remember very little.
If you try the Ambien, be in bed and ready to sleep when you take the pill.

About ten years ago, I told my doctor I wanted something called Restoril. After about 15 minutes of arguing, he gave in.
The 15MG pills work ok. The 30MG pill drops me like a rock. The side effect is a "hungover" feeling that lasts an hour or so after waking up.
I understand these things are pretty addictive. I only take about 10-12 of them a year. (usually on the same day I have taken Provigil)

Good luck, whatever you decide.

It is essential to observe your reactions to a drug, especially when starting a regimen,
like you have done, Saltydawg. Just wondering, did you keep a diary? I have heard it may be useful.

If you are referring to Ambien; too nervous to take it more than 3-4 times, total. With Zalephon, not really on steady with it. I have 8 left, and it was filled mid October. I don't guess I really know what I would write in a diary. Sometimes I sleep, sometimes, I don't. Would not object, if there would be benefits to it. It would have to be really consistent to be of any value. My memory IS pretty lousy, so I'm willing.