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What Can Be Done For Insomnia When Zolpidem Has Been Discontinued Due To Its Side Effect Of Causing Imbalance In Elderly People?
Question: I am a 68 year old male with bouts of insomnia. I usually fall asleep fine, but wake after 4 hours. I have been
using zolpidem off and on for 6 years and it has been the most remarkably effective medication I have ever used. My doctor will not prescribe any more due to warning about falls in people over 65. I have never felt dizzy or drowsy with zolpidem and I have not ever fallen. Furthermore I am millions of times more likely to fall when I am sleep deprived. Thoughts?
using zolpidem off and on for 6 years and it has been the most remarkably effective medication I have ever used. My doctor will not prescribe any more due to warning about falls in people over 65. I have never felt dizzy or drowsy with zolpidem and I have not ever fallen. Furthermore I am millions of times more likely to fall when I am sleep deprived. Thoughts?
Brief Answer:
need to stop using Zolpidem gradually
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
According to the history, you suffer from insomnia.
In my opinion, the most important clue is finding what causes your sleep disturbance and then to treat it and what medications to use for.
As you explain you can sleep for four hours continuously. It is not so bad considering that with increasing age the sleep hours are less. It is a physiological process.
If you were my patient I would recommend you to be very careful with Zolpidem.
I agree with your doctor for stopping it but not immediately reducing the dose gradually.
Try to do some physical activity during the daytime. Avoid naps during the daytime. Avoid energetic drinks like coffee, cola, black tea, stop smoking and alcoholic drinks too(if at all do).
If with the above nothing will change in your sleeping situation than better to discuss with your doctor again and to do some further examinations for exploring the causative agents of yours sleepiness.
Please take the above into consideration.
I hope I have been helpful to you.
Regards,
Dr. Jolanda Nikolla
Pulmonologist
need to stop using Zolpidem gradually
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
According to the history, you suffer from insomnia.
In my opinion, the most important clue is finding what causes your sleep disturbance and then to treat it and what medications to use for.
As you explain you can sleep for four hours continuously. It is not so bad considering that with increasing age the sleep hours are less. It is a physiological process.
If you were my patient I would recommend you to be very careful with Zolpidem.
I agree with your doctor for stopping it but not immediately reducing the dose gradually.
Try to do some physical activity during the daytime. Avoid naps during the daytime. Avoid energetic drinks like coffee, cola, black tea, stop smoking and alcoholic drinks too(if at all do).
If with the above nothing will change in your sleeping situation than better to discuss with your doctor again and to do some further examinations for exploring the causative agents of yours sleepiness.
Please take the above into consideration.
I hope I have been helpful to you.
Regards,
Dr. Jolanda Nikolla
Pulmonologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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