Ambien CR and late night

I took Ambien CR for about 2 years and have experienced not only memory loss of the time while on the medication, but also longer term memory loss as well. Even now I find it hard to remember significant things from years ago that I would normally be able to remember easily, and I am only 24. No reason for memory loss and it all started with the Ambien CR. I have done the drive and not remember thing, the cleaning with no recollection of it the next day, the wondering who ate all the food, etc. At one point I actually called my employer at 3AM to explain what I was still doing awake. I worked day shift and had off the next day anyway! I woke up to a voice mail from the supervisor and found out I was fired. I had zero memory of the incident and thought I was being set up by someone until I checked my cell phone records and found it to be true. Friends have also questioned me about late night calls and visits, some I somewhat remember after being "reminded," some I did not. When I was first prescribed this medication I was having these crazy nightmares before I actually fell asleep and would act them out or run from them. One was a young girl playing ball in the road and my boyfriend said I actually ran out in the street at to save her and fought him when he tried to bring me back inside. Obviously no one was actually playing in the road. Even towards the end of using the drug at times I will go through the first few hours of the day with the same forgetful effect that I would have had the night before. I have also gained 20 pounds, not sure if it's from the excessive night eating or the sluggish feeling I got the next day. Once the pill kicked in for me at night I would feel a sudden urge to finish up household chores, or get what some people call "the creative phase" of Ambien CR. I would write poetry (illegibly), cook (usually starting small fires), draw (not well), redecorate, and talk philosophically, none of which I remember. The pill works wonderfully as long as you go straight to bed. After using it awhile you may recognize the energized feeling as actually being the reverse, the pill taking effect, and I could go to bed and fall right to sleep. But I had quite a few dangerous situations and I wouldn’t be able to take it when I was home alone, just in case I missed that "deadline." I agree it is a very risky drug, but then again most drugs are. I do not suggest taking this if you are alone at least until you experience the way you react to it. If these symptoms are an issue for you as well you can always try Lunesta. That worked quite well for me, with none of these weird side effects. The worst I got was a weird taste in the morning, which subsided with breakfast.

I am so glad to have found this site. I thought I was slowly losing my mind. Did late-night binge eating, house cleaning, paid bills on-line - all with no memory of it the following day. As the medication would start to work, I had a nightly "conversation" with myself about how worthless I was, how I deserved to have all kind of bad things happen, etc. I wouldn't have these kind of thoughts during the day. I haven't taken it for 5 days now after 10 months of continuous use. The first night was as if I had consumed a pot of coffee, tossing and turning, with practically no sleep. But each night it's gotten better. When I weigh the side effects against the benefits, for me it's not difficult to say I'd rather have my sanity back!