sleeping pills

[macoil2]

I have been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and have been on a CPAP for three weeks. Thus far I have not been able to get to sleep without reliance on ambien, a sleep medication.

Last night I tried for three hours to drop off to sleep without a pill finally relented and took 5 mg of ambien at 1 am.

I am seek ideas on how to cease the need for medication in order to sleep,.

[Barnaby]

I was on ambien too......break that 5mg in half and try to live with that for a few days before you attempt a complete withdrawl. Try just half the dosage.

[DCTom]

Be real careful not to get too dependent on the pills. Been there, done that. The secret to falling asleep is to just forget about it. If you don't fall asleep tonight, you'll do so tomorrow night. Or the next night. The body needs sleep and you'll get it if you don't force it. After a few days or weeks of this, you'll catch up and get in a groove.

[tomjax]

Do a search on ambien or lunesta or the usual suspects for mnay previous discussions on this.
My opinion is that sleep aids cause far more problems than they solve.

[rock and roll]

Go to a large dose of Benedryl like four pills and wean down gradually, worked for me. A lot cheaper too.

[Barb (Seattle)]

I'm confused. I heard NO sleeping pills, alcohol etc. Anything that would suppress your system, as your body might not wake you up if you have an apnea event. I heard even if on CPAP that could happen. Wish I could remember where I heard this.