Insomnia and Ambien

[Flash00]

I have a somewhat complicated question.
I have suffered from insomnia for about 3 years now and have tried trazadone and zolpidem tartrate.  I am currently on zolpidem 10 mg.  I do not have trouble maintaining sleep just onset.  Usually this occurs 3-4 nights a week and can lay awake for 2-4 hours before falling asleep.  This causes me to be extremely tired the next day.  I really avoid taking naps and can "power" through the day only to feel wide awake come bed time around 11-12 pm.  I usually get up around 6:30 to 7 and keep a pretty regular routine.  I have went to the doctor and have gotten sleep counseling and relaxation techniques.  I have been on zolpidem for around a year and it does help quite a bit but here is what I am really wondering about.  I am a medical student and have been concerned that I should not be on zolpidem this long.  Can this affect my memory (with the amnesia side effects) or will that just be for the 7-8 hours while the drug is in my system?  Also are there long term effects of zolpidem?  I was instructed in class that zolpidem should only be given for short term around a month.  My only other medical issue is mild-moderate tourettes that is managed well.

Thank you

[geminigirl1963]

I'm no doctor, so I definitely can't give you any medical information on Ambien, but I can relay my personal experience with it.

I've been on Ambien (currently 10mg) for SEVERAL years now (5 or more).  I have many chronic pain conditions, including fibroymalgia.  One of the major symptoms of fibro is insomnia - which I definitely suffer from!  As I said, I'm currently on Ambien 10mg and my doctor has it written for me to take it EVERY night, rather than "taking a chance" on being able to sleep without it and then having to take it later possibly.  While the Ambien isn't perfect, and there are still nights when sleep eludes me, the Ambien most definitely does make it better than it would be without it.  I've also tried the 5mg Ambien and Ambien CR.  The Ambien CR worked the best for me - helped me fall asleep better and helped me stay asleep, but unfortunately, my insurance stopped covering it and I simply cannot afford the cost of it on my own.  So we went back to the 10mg.  Several months ago I was having a horrible flare of my fibro and my sleep was even more disrupted than "normal".  My doctor wanted me to give trazodone a try to see if it would help me sleep better.  It worked the opposite on me and made me extremely hyper adn would not allow me to sleep at all.  So quite obviously, I didn't not continue with that.

I've also tried Sonata and Lunesta in the past.  Sonata did not help me at all and with Lunesta I experienced horrible hallucinations.  Ambien, by far, is the best for me.

I've not experienced any long-term side effects (that I can tell or that may possibly show in blood work) from being on the Ambien this long.  Of course, if I've had a rough night of sleep (or not sleeping), I will definitely be more fatigued and drowsy in the morning, but that's more than likely more related to the lack of sleep or lack of GOOD sleep than it is the Ambien itself.  The Ambien will sometimes make me a bit dizzy/lightheaded if I get up out of bed after taking it, but it does not last long and I figure it's related to what the Ambien is pretty much supposed to be doing!  The one thing I have noticed, and again, I can't totally relate it to the Ambien - if I take it and am not able to fall alseep, so am watching tv or on the computer or whatever - I sometimes will get "the munchies" and feel like I want to eat something.  Like I said, I'm not 100% convinced that is related to the Ambien or whether it's just because I AM up, frustrated from not being able to sleep, and somewhat bored.  I only mentioned it here because I know that one of the side effects of Ambien (and most sleep aids) can be "sleep eating".  I know this is not sleep eating becuase in the morning I always remember if I've eaten something and I'm not just "finding the evidence".

I've not had any problems with any amnesia episodes with the Ambien.

I hope my experience helps you in deciding if AMbien is right for you.  As I said, it's not perfect, but my sleep would definitely be much worse if I didn't have it.

[judithmhol]

I am hoping to try Ambien.  I find it very hard to interact with doctors who want to try “let’s get more exercise” let’s try meditation! No sugar, no caffeine, in other words everything else for months, only to come back for follow up the same old zombie and then to hear, “well I really try and stay away from prescribing sleep meds”. Slippery slope and all.  I can only assume I am attempting to get some help from someone whom has never stayed awake for days on end, for many years.  I understand the medical professions hesitancy what with all of the opioid problems, however at some point I just wish for some empathy and a prescription!