Ambien as a schedule IV drug [View all]

I've been taking Ambien or Zolpidem for over 20 years. I started having restless legs in the 1980s and tried a number of home remedies to get to sleep. RLS was recognized as a sleep disorder at the time I asked my doctor for Ambien, mid 90s or early 2000s. It helped me get to sleep and I've used a low dose since I started getting the prescription. In spite of cautions about sleep eating, walking, driving, I haven't had those problems or other side effects. My physician, who prescribed it, retired last year and the new one says I have to come in every 3 months to comply with getting the prescription renewed, said it was part of an updated federal law governing scheduled drugs. Based on my use of Zolpidem for all of this time, and the lack of impact on my mind and body, as far as I'm concerned, seeing the dr. every 3 months is a waste of their time and my money.

Zolpidem didn't cure my insomnia, nor do I get a full night's sleep. Maybe I don't need sleep, but I sure like being asleep for several hours every day.

What can I do to get out of seeing the dr. every 3 months? Who do I appeal to? My insurance? The authors of the dumbass bill? Some other entity? Any advice is appreciated.