Ambien is destroying my marriage

[woozy]

My husband is a monster on this stuff. He's either talking in his sleep and doing things during the night (sleep walking,talking and eating) that wake me up. Or he's screaming at me and saying things he would not normally say and he's just an all around jerk, even the morning after, sometimes day after.
I want him off this stuff. His doc is treating him with another drug, Suboxone for opiate addiction. Why would this doc give someone with a history of addiction, Ambien?
And lastly, can I call the doctor and tell him that I"m about to leave my husband because of this Ambien stuff? Would that persuade the doctor to take him off it?

[spdrplnt]

Anyone with a history of Addiction should ABOSLUTLY NOT take Ambien, you absolutley need to tell the MD about the behavior, he problably doesn't know.  He should be on Trazadone or Remeron for sleep.

[creston1966]

I agree, your husband needs to stop taking Ambien.  If he's not willing to do that for you and your marriage then not sure what to say.  He may be dependent on it--probably is.  Here's part of the problem--many, many doctors either do not know or refuse to admit (for whatever reasons?) Ambien can be addictive.  Yet, there are thousands and thousands of folks who have used Ambien who know very well it is addictive.  Maybe addictive is not the right word, but that is semantics.  

I'm a married male myself who went through almost the exact same things when taking Ambien.  My wife and kids were afraid of me.  The day after I'd take Ambien I was in a funk and usually by the next day I'd not remember anything I did the day before.   That was enough for me to stop.  I've had so much more success without the crazy effects with Trazodone (Desyryl) .   It is an older anti-depressant which nowadays is prescribed at relatively low doses to assist with sleep.  And it is not addictive--I've been prescribed various anti-depressants, sleep-aids, and anti-anxiety meds over the years and have first hand knowledge of what can be addictive or at least cause a physical or psychological dependence.  It may be very hard for your husband to stop Ambien.  Switching over to Trazodone (or Remeron) may help.

Good luck to you.  I feel your pain.


Creston

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It would be best that you consult a sleep specialist or neurologist. Discuss your husband's symptoms in detail, alongwith the medication being taken and his past history.

You should ask the doctor what needs to be done and whether it would be required that any investigations be done.

You should be strong and try to find a solution to all this and try to make your marriage work, and help your husband get out of his problems.

All will eventually fall into place.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.