The best med question

[hey3]

I am a 36 y/o female. I have had sleep problems since about 13. It started out as light sleeping and has continued to evolve from there. My father has the same problem. I have tried many different sleep meds. Restoril, Vistaril, Valium, deseryl, rozarem (did nothing for me),  and now am taking ambien. I have a script for regular and CR. The  CR works better but is expensive so I don't take it as often. I have also tried the natural or herbal remedies such as melatonin, I don't care for the nightmares it produces. This week I tried L-trypophan complete it has niacin b6, vita c and magesium. I took less than sugested but had yet again nightmares, numbness in the limbs, tingling and was awake or only dozing all night. It also caused nausea and other gi issues. I have also taken some SSRI's for anxiety and dysthmia. I feel at this point in my life that most of the anxiety and dysthmia has resolved but I still have major issues sleeping maybe it is residuals left. I also, which doesn't help. work 7p to 7a 3 days a week. Obvioulsy I have no trouble staying awake all night :) The only SSRI that helped my sleep was lexapro. I don't really want to go back on it but I don't think it is wise to stay on ambien either for a long period of time.

Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks
Hey

[hey3]

Hum, I have some really bad insurance so a sleep study is out of the question and has never been suggested by my doc. What I usually do with my work, is my first night one I try to take a nap, usually don't sleep, just rest, then I go to bed the next day of course. The third day I sleep about 3 hours and get back up and then go to be about 12 that night. This time, working shift work is better because I will be working just 3 days a week with 4 days off. But in general getting asleep, staying asleep and early awakening is standard for me.

[KatEyes]

Everything I've read on shift work sleep problems says what the doctor said about trying to keep the same sleep schedule whether working or off.  Don't know if you are already doing that or not, or if your sleep troubles are after working, after being off, or always. I just know if I tried to flip back and forth I'd lose my mind. But since you say your problems started at 13, seems something more is going on also.

A couple things you said jumped out at me. One was that your father has sleep trouble too. Some sleep disorders tend to be seen in families, such as with sleep apnea and  limb movement disorders.

Another thing, you menationed light sleeping, which reminds me of me before I was diagnosed. With 20 years of sleep troubles I'm guessing you've had overnight sleep studies done in a sleep lab. If so, what did they show?

[hey3]

Thank you for the quick reply.  It does help me to sleep during the day because that sometimes is my night.

[Dr Vinod]

Ambien's composition is Zolpidem. It has a short duration of action and it is mostly indicated for short term treatment of Sleeplessness. It has to be taken later at night when attempt to fall asleep spontaneously has failed.
You told that most of your issues are settled and staying healthy and following a continous similar sleep cycle may completely cure you. I would advice you to use Ambien for short term and resolve minor issues and lead a healthy life.
The other advantages of Ambien are that it relatively does not make you sleep at day time, no sleep disturbances rebounding after discontinuing the drug, absence of tolerance and physical dependence.
Take care!