Ambien used for insomna

[Nozzzs]

I was put on Ambien 10mg for insomnia. I was given a scrip for 30 pills + refills not realizing the addiction and dependency of the drug. Over time I noticed my body needed more and more ambien as it was not letting me sleep for the 8hrs., as I would wake up and take another half to allow me to sleep longer. Realizing that this was not normal, I went to a different Dr. who had indicated that I could be dependent on the medication who then gave me Xanax to assist me with getting off the Ambien. I am to take the Xanax not everynight, yet I notice I can not feel alsleep although totally exausted without anything. I have tried intermittenly Advil PM, yet that does not do anything. I do have a job and a life to live yet am finding it difficult where I am no longer rested at all. At a loss, anything else I can do to help put my head to rest?

[FLaddict]

Welcome, the start date for this thread is almost a year old. if you have a question or need support stopping drugs please scroll down to 'BACK TO FORUM" and then on the main page of the addiction forum Click on Post a Question. that way current members here can possibly help with your problem.

[lizzybluts]

I have been on ambien for 3 years. I have done so many things after taking it and have no memory.
Once I drove for icecream and was gone for an hour. My husband was worried sick. I had no memory of it the next day. I get up in the morning and find empty containers of food that I have gotten
up in the middle of the night to eat. But, I have no memory.
I'm trying to get off of it but have terrible side effects when I don't take it.
Anyone have any suggestions? The Dr's should tell you of these adverse effects before prescribing.
Thanks for your help

[cakegirl]

I used to provide regular entertainment for my friends, they would always ask "have you taken your ambien yet? I have definitly been the side show. I can't believe you drove, thank god your here to tell about it. I don't think I could have snuck out of the house w/o my husband waking up. Never tried. I still take ambien, and sometimes if not in bed when I take it, I will feel it coming on and know I should run to bed, then all of a sudden 3 hours have gone by and I need more, and the list goes on. I, like you, can take it or leave it. Many nights off or on just depends on my mood or other meds taken. Take care, talk to you soon

[jlogb99]

Cakegirl - I have been there to the point I cannot have Ambien in the house. Word to anyone taking it - you MUST take it and go to bed. Ambien is a hypnotic and will cause acute amnesia (see PDR) if not taken properly. I took it wrong and would fight sleep and ended up taking 4-5, calling people at all hours of the night, driving places (one time left my car and woke up the next morning thinking it was stolen), etc. Great medicine if taken properly but can get hooked. It was easy to stop for me - just got sick of all the stupid phone calls!

J

[cakegirl]

Ambien causes amnesia too. Makes me hide things from myself for no reason, then go crazy looking next day knowing i hid it and no clue where

[caregiver222]

Valerian is a great idea, but you might try melatonin. Melatonin affects the circrdian rhythym. Do a google look-see. I tried ambien for a while and it was terrific, but as you noted, the dose required seems to go up. Plus, it's kind of expensive, although the patent is running out. I wouldn't use ambien it except on a very short-term basis. But on a short-term basis it isn't very addictive. Let's say you have to drive a long distance and the kids have you worn out and you haven't had any rest all weekend. Take 10 mg  sunday at 9 A.M. and it wiull wear off and you can get a good nights sleep drive safely twelve hours later. Not so with other "sleep aids". Very interestingly, Ambien has been found to awaken patients with brain damage for short periods of time. Ambien has a kind of short-half life. If you must, take it with grapefruit juice and you will need less.

[cakegirl]

I just heard a funny saying the other day. "most people who thind they suffer from insomia simply choose not to go get in bed at night."  How true is that for you?  It is so true for me I can put it off for hours and then can't get up in the morning. But, as soon as the sun goes down I get my second wind, and don't sit down until i have to and it is usually ambian induced.  gotta run, hope to chat soon. On my mind...goodnight sleep well.

[Nozzzs]

Hey.. thank you for your comments.. I really appreciate it. Its nice to have someone who understands. I will look in to the herbal remedies.

My problem is I can't fall alsleep... i have tried absolutely everything and now that I have started with the Ambien, I have nights where I started to wake up (as it wore off) and would need more to sleep through the rest of the night.  

My goal is to get off all med's and sleep naturally --getting there is the challenge...

[cakegirl]

Have you tried herbal things like valerian root. I think another natural option may be belladonna. I am not positive, so check with a natural/vitiman type place. Also, If you can't make it through the night, just wake up for your day when your one dose of ambien wears off. If you do that for enough days, then maybe your body will become so tired that you will just sleep for real. I have been on ambien for 6 years, and I have got my dose down by 1/4's. Some nights I still take a whole one, and other nights I am so tired I fall asleep on the couch and actually make it through the night with out any at all. I was wondering, do you have trouble falling asleep, or staying asleep?  Which one caused you to try ambien?  Stay strong, and get tired:)