Ambien and insomnia

About 3 months ago after taking Ambien because of not being able to sleep due to insomnia and at that time sever sciatica, I got a call from a long time friend of 20 years, he told me i proposed married to him while crying and told him how much i loved him and also told him i took a bunch of pain pills. I guess that same night i called a man i'd brokened up with, as well, because he had too much drama in his life (i was also very in love with this man when i broke up with him). Apparently i only got his answering service and left a message asking him to call me back. I'd been trying not to call him for days, then this happened. When he got a hold of me, by then i knew now what i'd said to my old buddy while on Ambien. I was terrified of what i'd said to my ex, he said i only asked him to call me back, NOT! It gets crazier, for i ended up at a strip club that same night buying a kinda sorta friend lapdances with my money!! I'm a woman buying a guy i didn't like very much dances?! My ex and i eventually got back together only to end up arguing, then he tells me what i said that night. I told him i have a friend with a 10 inches!! And some other shit i don't recall saying. My ex (again) is not a 10incher (which i do not want anyway) but i LOVE him more than any John Holmes but thats what i did. I belittled him while under that shit! Now my 24yo child told me she visited me last week, I DON'T RECALL THIS AT ALL. She said my eyes looked weird and i was trying to show her photos of my ex while nude and drinking wine!! She also told me i didnt have much on, asked her to try on 1 of my bathing suits then proceeded to remove my top while the door was wide open?? And some other shit again?! All i wanted was to sleep more than 3 hours a night. Not this, not this at all! maybe i'll go back to Xanax?? that one only makes me eat in my sleep.

I was prescribed this for insomnia and it worked for short term very well and it completely rid me of bad heartburn too, better than acid reducers I was buying to bad it wouldn't work longer than four hours . I tried the cr ambien as well no difference in beneficial result.

Extreme weight gain during the past three years on ambien and ambien cr. Unfortunately this is the only medication that helps with my insomnia; I've tried a bunch of different prescriptions and over the counter sleep meds...

Was put on Cymbalta after taking Prozac because I just did not feel "myself". While on the Cymbalta, I could not sleep at all and my psych tried Rozarem first, then Lunesta and then Ambien CR instead of taking me off the Cymbalta! Still did not keep me asleep. Within two weeks of using this drug (with the Cymbalta) I had a "medicinal black-out" - one of the side effects. I apparently thought my husband was walking the dogs and went out garage where I fell down steps, cracking two ribs. I walked in and told my husband I think I fell. He thought I was drunk and just put me to bed. I have absolutely no memory of any of this. Also had three pychotic breaks while taking the Cymbalta and finally took myself off of it. This is day 17 of withdrawal. I don't hate anyone enough to wish this on them. You have brain zaps (like a cattle prod), vertigo, pain in your joints and muscles that make you scream. I would not let anyone go on either of these drugs, ever! I just went to a specialist yesterday in St. Louis that told me all my symptoms were related to my Mitral Valve Prolapse and that I have MVP Syndrome and I'm not crazy at all. For all of you suffering from panic attacks, depression, eating disorders, heart pain, insomnia, etc., have yourself tested for MVP. I have known I've had this heart defect since my late teens and I'm now 48. No one has ever told me that these symptoms are related to my prolapse just psychological issues!!

I take 5mg of Ambien if Ican't fall alseep...It works wonders for my insomnia...I fall alseep...wake completely refreshed no side effects at all. Ambien doesn't have any negitive effect on me at all.

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.

This drug is ending my marriage. I took ambien for several nights in a row, one night, after I took a 10mg plus, I tried to give my wife one. I did not even know what i was doing, and she woke up. She obviously is pursuing divorce now. This stuff lowers your inhabitions and makes you do things strictly on impulse. I was taking a bit more than I should have and for a longer period than I should have. Docs just prescribe and prescribe, I have never taken recreational drugs before. I was just having trouble sleeping. Now my wife, myself and our 3 children are all going to suffer. And the ambien was also making me suicidal during the breakup. I have 10 months here in NC to win her back. But she does not beleive it was the drug, even after I show her the descriptions of the side effects. My life is over.

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.

I'm not sure if what I'm experiencing is a side effect of Ambien...or not...but, I've been taking Ambien CR 12.5 mg for a couple of months due to menopausal insomnia...and starting around 3 weeks ago...I have a "wandering numbness"...with a very slight "burning" feeling on my right side...especially my right arm...my right ankle feels slightly swollen and numb also. My husband, who's an M.D., said that it sounds neurological. Could this be from the Ambien????

i have been takig ambien for almost 2 months now, its awsome, i can sleep when i want and i can control regular sleep. however; since i have been taking it i feel the next day very unaware of my surroundings, very confused,. its really hard for me to tell reality from the really bad night mares. i am completely confused. i cannot sleep with out something, this medicine is not right for someone like me who have insomnia every day. it is definetly for short- term use. and plus, after you use it for too long of a period, you become amuned to it, and it no longer works. my doctor told me to try and take it only every 3 dayes, so that way it would work.

I am going through menopause and have had a lot of trouble with insomnia. I asked my Dr. for Lunesta and was using that without side effects until my insurance co said they wanted me to try Ambien instead. It put me to sleep faster and I did stay asleep but never woke up feeling rested. My husband said we had conversations I don't remember having. The worst though was the dizziness and feelings of anxiety I experienced the next day. I decided I wanted to stop taking it because of that and experienced a horrible night last night with my head swiming and unable to sleep the entire night. I am going back on Lunesta.

It was a beautiful thing to sleep...after a lifetime of insomnia. But then my boyfriend confronted me about my silly behavior at night -making elaborate desserts and leaving a big mess. I would have no memory of this. He told me I looked like I was wasted. I gained ten pounds. One night, I went out in my car to get ice cream! I had no memory of this trip, but I dented my car and knocked a tire out of balance. I have read other postings of people who have tried to drive and been arrested for DUI! Scary.

Still, this didn't worry me nearly as much as my declining health: tremors, fatique, depression, lethargy and worst of all severe all-over muscle pain, sinitus... I was becoming completely debilitated and suicidal because I couldn't work, travel, play...etc. Just suffering all the time. I've been off Ambien for one week and my symptoms have suddenly lifted! (I also increased Zoloft)

I still don't know if it's a coincidence or just a temporary respite. I miss sleeping, but I can't believe I feel so much better! Has anyone else had severe body pain with Ambien?

I think some weight gain, which is why i checked this site. I"ve not had any other problem what-so-ever with the drug. I don't take it every night, only when I'm having trouble sleeping. It's been amazing. Actually, i usually take 1/2 of a 5mg pill, and although I may wake momentarily in the night, I don't have a problem falling back asleep, which w/o it, i would. I wake up for the most part refreshed. 6:45 a.m, has never been my friend, although with the ambien, I find I can get out of bed easier.

ambien is great! after my last back surgery i was having trouble sleeping because of leg spasms (i am paraylzed from the stomach down) so my doc prescribed this drug, i get the greatest feeling about 20mins into taking the pill im all relaxed and calm, then i fall right to sleep. yes i experience memory loss (BIG TIME) i check my out-going calls in the morning and dont remember having even picked up the phone! its pretty amusing really, people always have funny things to tell about what i had done the night before. my mom was getting worried about me because i am only 18 so she wanted to switch me to the natrual stuff, i took three of those things the other night.. and it didnt do a thing, i couldnt sleep at all! i took 2 days off of ambien and im all gittery and anxious. i cant wait to take my pill tonight!! i may be addicted... but its not doing any harm to my body, so i dont see the problem, ive asked my mom (who is a nurse) if there are any long term effects of taking it and she said no, she even takes it herself. i am confindent in saying that if there were any long term side effects i would abruptly stop taking it. until then. LONG LIVE AMBIEN! :))

Ambien®

Important Note
The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.

Uses
Ambien medication is used to treat insomnia (sleeping disorders).

How to Use
Take Ambien medication by mouth immediately before bedtime on an empty stomach or as directed. This medication is usually taken for short periods of 7 to 10 days. Take this exactly as prescribed. Do not increase the dose or take this for longer than prescribed.

Side Effects
Daytime drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, lightheadedness, and dry mouth may occur. If any of these effects continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you develop any of these serious side effects while taking this medication: chest pain, rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, skin rash, fever, behavior changes, mental confusion, abnormal thinking, depression. To avoid dizziness and lightheadedness when rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly. Also avoid intake of alcoholic beverages which will aggravate these effects. Ambien medication causes drowsiness, use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, drug dependency, depression, breathing problems, any allergies. This medication should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Since small amounts of this medication are found in breast milk, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor of any over-the-counter or prescription medication you may take including: any medication for depression or seizures, narcotic pain relievers, sedatives. Avoid the use of alcohol while taking this medication. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include difficulty breathing, clumsiness, slowed heart rate, and deep sleep from which you cannot be awakened.

Notes
Elderly persons are usually more sensitive to the effects of this medication. Use cautiously. You may experience sleeping difficulties on the first night after stopping this medication. Be aware of this effect. If the problem continues, contact your doctor.

Missed Dose
Take your Ambien dose at or near bedtime. If you miss a dose, do not take it if it is near the time for your next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Storage
Store Ambien at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) away from heat and light. Do not store in the bathroom.

i took ambien for 7 years at the advice of my doctor for menopausal sleeplessness. i came off it with great difficulty in may. i had terrible headaches, acid reflux and allergy type symptoms as well as the brain fog. i still have trouble sleeping but generally feel so much better off it--it is habit forming.

I have Sleep Apnea. Upon the usage of the mask and machine, (CPAP) I have experienced great anxiety trying to get adjusted to the mask. My Sleep Consultant doctor put me on Ambien. The first time I took it, I couldn't believe I slept 8 whole hours! I have been plagued with insomnia since I can recall as well as working night shifts, so my body didn't know if it was coming or going. I started taking the ambien in mid-February and it was like a high for me, but I felt refreshed in the AM, and I still do to this day, HOWEVER, during the daytime, I can barely stay awake later in the morning (I am fine as I get up and go to work), I have had crying spells and severe mood swings for no reason, worst of all - NOT so sharp...I use to be a quick thinker on the spot...it's gone already. I have to think think and then I lose it or remember later. I am concerned that such a wonderful drug sounds similiar to the story of another "wonderful" drug that took away every ache and pain (which now has been pulled off of the market as people were dropping like flies). I am trying to stop taking the drug and am struggling. Who said it wasn't addictive? I feel like I am in a daze and I hope that I don't display too much of a negative mindset (memory) at work, or I will be in big doo doo. I see I am not alone. And to boot, add menopause in there...I know THAT is not impairing my brain....but to feel drugged all of the time is not good; as you never know when it will hit you. Sometimes when somebody asks me a question I just have that "deer in the headlights" look. We are not alone, but what is being done about this drug without explicit and thorough research? Shoot, rats can't talk!!!