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I didn't read all the comments, so pardon me if I repeat what others may have said. First of all, consult her doctor (but that may be moot, since he/she has been prescribing it for her all these years). Secondly, NO elderly person should be on Ambien! I am not elderly, but because of various debilitating health issues and the onset of menopause, I was given a prescription for Ambien to help me sleep. Well, it helped me sleep all right...for 15 years. And yet I never felt rested. And by that time, of course, I was addicted to it. After trying to quit (at my request) with my doctor's help (which didn't work), I found this document online and it changed my life. This is the BEST way to wean off Ambien or any other sleep medication, because it is so gradual that you aren't noticing the dose decrease. You could give this article to her doctor and ask him/her to help you by suggesting it to her. Hope it helps!! https://www.sfdph.org/dph/files/CBHSdocs/Sedative-Hypnotics-In-Older-Adults.pdf
RayLinStephens: And yes, a person may not be tired because elderly folks do nap during the day. My mother would tire after writing out one greeting card or taking one phone call. That would be it; she was done and went to bed 'round 9:00 P.M.
Jeannegibbs: As we all know, we have to be our patient advocates and that of our elderly parents. Point is just because doc prescribes a medication, you should investigate its side effects just like I did similarly when I was given "off the cuff" medication by a physician, which had severe itching side effects.
What faith you have, Jeanne! One would indeed expect that her doctor is keeping her px under review, I agree.
CM1, if you're really concerned - why, by the way? Any reason apart from the length of time? - you can always ask in a mild sort of way whether the doctor does regularly review her medications. And assuming he does, and he probably does, then sit easy. And if not, then perhaps ask if she'd like you or your husband to go with her to her next appointment and bring it up then.
But if it's helping her and not causing any issues... there's a lot to be said for leaving well alone.
A prescription is needed for Ambien, so obviously her doctor approves of her taking it.
If she is not having side effects from it, I think I'd leave well enough alone. I think the risks of Ambien are related to side effects and ignoring directions. It should not be used with alcohol. It should not be taken in doses higher than prescribed, etc. If MIL has taken it for years without problems, why worry?
@Llamalover - maybe it is, I don't know, but my Dad used it for a while and when it quit working, he just stopped and tried Melatonin. He had no withdrawal. I was addicted to Aspirin and suffered withdrawal. I guess we're all different. I am more addicted to Peanut Butter than anything else :)
Dad's problem was sleeping so much during the day that his body just didn't need a full night's sleep anymore. If you ever go to a Dialysis Unit, better than half of them are asleep at any given time and they're in the chair for 4+ hours.
Now my DH has the same problem but from napping, not needing dialysis. We have chosen not to use a sleep aid - he can always get up and watch TV :)
Ambien has addictive properties. I suggest another medication for sleep. Since she's been on it for a long time, withdrawal will be difficult. BUT MOST DEFINITELY GET HER OFF THE AMBIEN.
From what I remember when Dad used it - Ambien won't hurt her - but it won't be as effective after a while. A lot of people in Dialysis used it and they're the ones that told me it stops being effective. But it shouldn't hurt her.
Arleeda, for the Benadryl, break the pill in half. I found taking antihistamines help me sleep at night, but if I take a full dosage I tend to be wide awake half the night. Half a pill works the best. Hope it will for you. If not, try 1/4 of a pill.
I wish my doctor would let me take Ambien, he doesn't think it is good for women. I fall asleep easily, but then wake up several times a night and can't go back to sleep. Melatonin doesn't work for me, and Benadryl gives me a groggy hangover. I think it's great that your MIL can get a good night's sleep! So many seniors have sleeping problems.
As long as she isn't having any side effects from the Ambien, I would think it was ok for her to continue to take. Check with her primary doctor first.
My sig other use to take Ambien, but things got scary. If he is awaken in the middle of night, he would go downstairs to make something to eat, but he would fall back into a deep sleep while walking down the stairs, fallen the rest of the way down. I had to call 911 twice due to falls and the way he was acting, being defiant.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
CM1, if you're really concerned - why, by the way? Any reason apart from the length of time? - you can always ask in a mild sort of way whether the doctor does regularly review her medications. And assuming he does, and he probably does, then sit easy. And if not, then perhaps ask if she'd like you or your husband to go with her to her next appointment and bring it up then.
But if it's helping her and not causing any issues... there's a lot to be said for leaving well alone.
If she is not having side effects from it, I think I'd leave well enough alone. I think the risks of Ambien are related to side effects and ignoring directions. It should not be used with alcohol. It should not be taken in doses higher than prescribed, etc. If MIL has taken it for years without problems, why worry?
Dad's problem was sleeping so much during the day that his body just didn't need a full night's sleep anymore. If you ever go to a Dialysis Unit, better than half of them are asleep at any given time and they're in the chair for 4+ hours.
Now my DH has the same problem but from napping, not needing dialysis. We have chosen not to use a sleep aid - he can always get up and watch TV :)
My sig other use to take Ambien, but things got scary. If he is awaken in the middle of night, he would go downstairs to make something to eat, but he would fall back into a deep sleep while walking down the stairs, fallen the rest of the way down. I had to call 911 twice due to falls and the way he was acting, being defiant.