Ambien CR being replaced by Generic Sonata or Restoril....concerned!

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[JM122]

I have been taking 3 1mg tabs of Clonazepam a day since 2004.  And have been taking Ambien CR nightly for at least four months due to chronic insomnia. My doctor wants me to stay on Clonazepam for quality of life reasons due to a chronic illness I have and major stress.  He said he knows how and will taper me off with Valium when he thinks I can handle it.

As far as the Ambien CR, my doctor isn't very concerned about my taking one tablet 12.5 mg every night.  He says in my case the benefits outweigh the risks at this point.  However, this year my insurance company will no longer pay for Ambien CR, and has offered the generic versions of other sleepers as the alternative.  I believe these include Ambien, Halcion, Retoril, Sonata and something else.  The reason I take Ambien CR is because my allergist found out I am allergic to Polysorbate 80 which is in the regular Ambien.  I am also allergic to Red #40, Corn, and a host of other things found in just about everything.  As the result the only options of these alternatives that do not have ingredients I am allergic to are Restoril, and Sonata.

He wants me to try the Sonata, or Zalephlon 10 mg first and see how that works when I run out of the Ambien CR.  And if that does not work he wants me to try Restoril, or Temazepam 30 mg.  I'm concerned about taking either reading the posts on this thread to be frank.  I almost feel I should just stay with the Ambien CR, but it will cost me about $200 a month for a 30 day supply.

I'm kind of in a quandary.  I know I will need to taper off these at some point, but for now my doctor doesn't seem concerned.  I just wish i never started taking them in the first place now knowing the withdrawals.

Any ideas for me at this point would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

JM

[traycee]

I am sorry to hear of your situation.
All I can tell you that the sooner you get off the CR the better.  I feel like you stated you need to be on it for chronic insomnia correct?
This is my personal advice being that I was originally prescribed the dose of clonazepam you are on and I was also on CR in the beginning.  I don't know your specific situation but with mine....all I can tell you is that when I figured it all out I wanted off.  I stopped the CR and clonazepam dose of 1.50-1.75 would knock me out for the night. 
I don't advocate benzo use at all and I am in the middle of my never ending taper.  Which I will finish this year .
What I would hate to see is you have to add something else in the mix especially something in the benzo family because then the amount of valium you are going to need is going to be huge!  Right now at 3mg you are on 60 mg's.
Glad to hear you have a supportive doctor.
Best of luck to you and I am sorry i don't really have a great answer for ou not knowing what your goals are in all of this.
Regards,
Traycee

[JM122]

Thanks Traycee,

Appreciate your input.  Knowing we were both in the same situation and you found a solution helps me. 

I will have a serious discussion again with my doctor.  Also make sure my Psychiatrist concurs.

Thanks again,

JM

[Teakettle]

Hi JM122

Check out rozerem. Its some what effective. Takes about two weeks to reach its maximum potential. Non Z, Non benzo, not addictive, no rebound, works on melatonin receptors. cost $5.00 co pay
at kaiser. Hope this helps you JM122.

Teakettle

[vickyvale]

md gave me samples of remeron I could not take it got dizzy , lightheaded one dose never  took it again
took ambien cr for years 12.5mg took myself 3 yrs off ambien even with sleep deprivation major issue of my chronic illness
ambien became unsafe for me i started having blackouts getting up after taking it emailing people calling then big memory losses. so felt unsafe I live alone.l thank god I never drove or left apt.
vicky


sonnata is slight sleeping pill one pill gives you 3-4 hours of sleep max. I need two pills . I can sleep alright on two sonnata. Sonnata comes generic.
I would say  sonnnata not as strong and dependent as ambien vicky