Ambien and hallucinations

I took Ambien for 2 years. I had all of the common side effects: hallucinations, memory problems, loopiness, nightmares, etc. However, I eventually started smelling smoke all of the time. Since Ambien was the only drug I was on, I stopped taking it. After a couple of weeks, the smoke smell faded. Life went on as usual, and I became pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful boy. That night I couldn't fall asleep even though I was exhausted. I tossed and turned all night, and the nurse started showing concern for me. She asked if I wanted to try a sleeping pill, and contacted my doctor. They ended up giving me an Ambien that night, and that night, the smoke smell returned for a few days. Fast forward several months after giving up Ambien completely. I developed a nasty head cold that gave my sinuses a pounding. That was when the smell returned. I began to piece things together, and went to the doctor. I asked him if he thought the Ambien damaged my sense of smell and if sinus conditions like congestion, allergies, and sickness exacerbated the problem. He did first check me for a brain tumor, but agreed with my assessment. He has seen thing like this happen to people, although not specifically with Ambien since it was a newer drug. He thinks a combination of the drug and sinus problems permanently damaged my olfactory nerves. He told me to try Flonase, and within a week of smelling smoke, it goes away. seven years later, the smoke smell still comes and goes, but actually cues me to what is going on in my sinuses at the time. I know when my sinuses are congested or irritated, and I take Flonase for relief within a few days to a week. Not saying everyone will have this problem, but it is something to be aware of...

I have been taking half an Ambien (5mg) each night for roughly 3 months. The other day I woke up, and I just felt out of it. Like I was dreaming or something. I started to think I was getting sick, and I think I had a panic or anxiety attack. I'm not sure those words describe what I felt correctly though.

It was like I was in a nightmare. My fingertips and limbs started to get cold, and I couldn't feel anything. I started to sweat really bad. My chest felt really tight. I started to hallucinate a little, and this caused me to freak out even more. It was like I completely lost my mind for a few hours. I just remember thinking that something snapped in my head, and I was never going to be the same.

I called my husband and told him I went crazy, and I was afraid I would never be the same. I told him about the hallucinations, and he thought I might have a really high fever. I tried to take my temp, but I couldn't get my mind to slow down enough to do it. I would start, and then I would think I need to take a cold bath to lower my temp. I would then think of something else and get sidetracked.

My mind was freaking out so fast that I could not keep up. I was talking to myself to try to tell myself there was nothing wrong. I was trying to over-power my thoughts, but this made me think that I was in fact insane. So I would tell myself to shut up. It felt like I was battling myself or my own thoughts at least. My husband came home, and I went to sleep. I woke up feeling just fine a few hours later.

I have been so scared to tell even my Doctor. I am no longer taking the Ambien, and I feel fine. I am just embarrassed by the whole thing, and I don't want to tell anyone about it.

The perfect little partner. I love Ambien, because of my occupation, I often find my sleep pattern shifting from day to night and sometimes "none". So, needless to say I have trouble maintaining a normal sleep pattern, and somewhere along the line developed a mild case of insomnia. Ambien is great.
The only side-effects that I have noticed are the mild hallucinations...but is this "really" a side effect? Ambien is classified as a hypnotic, so of course you are going to be drowsey and experience mild distortions in time, space and certain realities...but nothing scary like that from actual hallucinogens...If people don't take the time to read and teach themselves about the chemicals they put into their own or their childrens bodies, they shouldnt get upset or scared or mad about what they experience.

Personally, I somewhat enjoy the 10 mins of mild hallucinations just before I go to sleep...it's a little bit entertaining. As I said, It is listed as a hypnotic, it is part of what helps you fall asleep.

Know your drugs before you take them people.

I have been taking for quite some time-I warn my family prior to taking-due to weird behavior. Vivid hallucinations & dreams; having conversations I do not remember; calling people on the phone w/ vague recollections the next day & actually making plans; sleep walking; eating; confusion; insomnia when not taking

I was having trouble sleeping in college, (imagine that) and my doctor put me on Ambien. The first couple of nights, I was strongly hallucinating, and I would even fall asleep while eating! About the fourth or fifth night on Amien, I had a siezure and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. After that, I won't go near the stuff. My mother tried it for a night just to see what it would do to her and she experienced the heavy hallucinations as well. I am now terrified of any sleep medication.

12.5 mg of Ambien nightly, caused slight distortions and hallucinations. I had trouble recalling what happened right before I went to bed, but people would tell me the next morning and I was able to conjure a fuzzy memory of what had happened. I just remember staring at normal objects like a stove, and watching it distort itself. ...I only experienced the "hangover" effect once.