short term memory loss from long term Ambien use?

[kelley43]

My husband and I are in some trouble.  He is a physician, (53 years old)  and was just given 2 weeks "medical leave" because people were noticing he was forgetting things.  His short term memory is impaired.  We have already seen the neurologist, then we see the psychiatrist Tuesday.  He has been taking 10 mg of Ambien nightly for maybe 8 YEARS, has been down to taking 5 mg for about a year.  He has been taken off the Ambien, but what are the long term effects?  I find alot of info on short term effects, but could his memory issues be due to AMBIEN?
Please help.  

[jakegorzen]

WOW, Im really surprised that your Husband does not know the direct effects of Ambien
I say direct  effects, because the term "side effects" is a bunch of nonsence that was made up to make people less afraid to take a medicine.

Ambein is like a "cousin" to the Benzodiazapine group, that effects to the CNS, Cognitive functioning, and behavior are close to eachother. Its called a "Zdrug"

Ambein is addictive just like Benzos, and if your Husbands been on it for 8 years, then tapered down to 5mgs, now just quit, he is probably going through some sort of withdraw.

Did his memory loss come after he was taken off of it? or did it start happening while he was still taking it?
How long has his memory been going for? Has it been gradually decreasing or did it just "go"?

[kelley43]

He's only been off for 2 days.  We think the memory loss goes back years, but didn't become an 'issue' until we did a lifestyle change (moving to a new area).  He has developed anxiety which we think is secondary to the short-term memory loss.  We think the memory loss has increased, but it's kind of mixed up with the anxiety.  We HOPE the memory loss is directly related to the Ambien, and being off of it will he return to 'normal'?  We can deal with the anxiety, but not the memory loss.  

[jakegorzen]

You say "we can deal with it" and Im happy to hear that your there for him.
But, when it comes down to it.....can he deal with it?
Its hard sometimes, depending on the severity of the anxiety,

The memory loss could be caused by the anxiety as well, but Im sure the Ambein has a "role" in it mainly.
It can take a long time for a persons "mind" to return to normal, and heal, sense it is the most complex organ in the body, it can effect everything in you body "as Im sure you know"
The memory loss should return in time, but with the anxiety state that your husband is in, it might take a little longer then "normal"
What else does your husband go through. I assume trouble sleeping, but does he ever tremble, have a weird feeling of being detatched or in a "dream state", stomach or muscle pain, headaches, drymouth, etc?

[ILADVOCATE]

If he took it every day then he will definitely get some withdrawal symptoms. Ambien is generally not meant for every day long term use as a sleep aide. It can be addictive. Rozerem is a much safer option which is non addictive and works exactly like melatonin to adjust the sleep cycle. You can't determine long term side effects from a medication after two days. The body takes a while to adjust. They are always rebound symptoms as well. I think the best way to find out the side effect potential of Ambien is to go to the medication website. Every side effect that occured, even if just in one person must be reported to the FDA and listed there. Don't assume he has long term side effects listed under "rare or infrequent" but do ask the neurologist if they are listed and he is experiencing them. And you could ask about Rozerem if he still has insomnia.

[KNJP]

HI Im not sure how I came to find this site today. Your post is directly related in some case to my own. I was taking ambien last year and did a number of things in my sleep which I dont care to mention, and not remmeber the next day. In short, I tapered myself off ambien, and experience a daily dose of confusion, and memory loss. Its so embarrassing. My fiance constantly looks at me like I am crazy, for not being able to recall something from the day before, and etc. I really hope someone does something to remove this drug from our shelfs. I was fine before this. I am always scared of doing someting that I may not recover from. I forget very important tasks lately, and its causing a strain on my relationship. Good luck to you.

Lost in OK.  

[thejace]

I took ambien for about 5 days a week for 6 months. I have been off it for over 2 months and I still have short-term memory loss. It's not terrible but it affects my daily life and has become a problem with school. After taking the drug I forgot entire conversations with people and said and did things that were not like me.. for ex. give my number out to my boyfriends friends. I am really hoping that eventually my short term memory will go back to what it used to be. Going on my experience and from what I have read online if your husband was on it for 8 years he may have this problem for a few months. Hopefully since he it is off it now he will see improvements.
-Jackie

[toejam_muncher]

well it sounds like everyone has said pretty much everything that needs to be said. i knew ambien was not intended to be used on a regular basis...but i had no idea so many people have short term memory loss from it....and just in this forum alone. that's a scary thought when you look at how many scripts are written for it and how many people actually do take it every night.

i hope your husband gets better...but just out of curiosity, didn't he know the risks since he is a physician? i guess it doesn't matter whether he did or not, though. i know the risks of all the meds i take...but i take them anyway, so i can't assume doctors are much different.