Ambien and medication

I have been Ambien for about 3 years. I finally get a good nights sleep. I look forward to the little white pill which gives me rest. Recently, much to my dismay I have been experiencing something that really troubles me. I have to assume it is Ambien because nothing else has changed with me. I have become very paranoid with my friends. I don;t know how else to explain it. Other than that and that is huge, because I am constantly looking over my shoulder for something I have done, I am beginning to trust no one. Is anyone else experiencing any of this? I am typically a friendly easy going person with a lot of friends but in the past year things have changed. I've accused friends of things and have lost a lot of their friendships. I can't afford to lose anymore no matter how nice I might be,(or I think I am) I am beginning to question myself. Am I going nuts or is it possibly the little pill that gets me through the night. Can anyone help me with this dilemma, I can't afford to lose any more friends or loved ones. Help! I'm going to try to go off my little pill that brings peace to my life but I have to know if I'm going crazy or is it the medication. This is my last night to use it I think.
Worried

I took a 10mg tablet every day for thirty days, making no connection between the dizziness and unsteadiness I was experiencing (all day) and the medication. When I finally figured it out three days ago, I stopped. I continue to have some dizziness. Does it take time to get this drug out of your blood stream? If yes, how long?

Thanks for any feedback!

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...

I have been taking Ambien on and off now for about 1 year and at first I started having bad headaches, dizziness, loss of thoughts, dry mouth, etc, but mostly my headaches became very bad until my blood pressure went up and I was put on B/P medication, so I stop taking the Ambien and I really feel like I am just lost and very irritable, and I feel like I am in a dream and I can not stand a lot of noise or any little sound just bothers me, my eyes stay red and burning and what I feel like is a really bad head cold or allergies.

I began taking ambien for occasional sleeping difficulty. It
became a very easy thing to do. Taking such a small pill every night can't really do any harm, right? I believe that long term it can. We know that there are side effects with any drug, but if ambien is not addictive, then why after taking it for more than seven or so consecutive nights, is it suggested that you slowly taper off the drug after consultation with your doctor? If that's not addiction, I don't know what is! Stopping this drug suddenly, (after extended use), can cause negative physical, as well as psychological reactions. How sad it is that, as a society, we have put so much faith in
in the healing remedy of medication. I guess we all must do our part to help grease the wheels of the pharmaceutical industry?

I have taken 15 mg of ambien for about two years. Its generally worked fine. One time however I took the medication and couldn't sleep and drank about three glasses of wine and ended passing out on my floor not remembering anything from the night before. Yes, I am an idiot for drinking after taking Ambien.

Has anyone else taken this strong of dosage? Has anyone gone through coming off of Ambien?

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.

4 out of seven nights when i take 10mg of ambien, it seems like it does nothing, I take it one hour before bed time, lie down half hour after taking it, still be wide awake till 3 am,,,,,then when it does work,,,,i don't know when, could be the morning after at 9 am at work.......don't know why there is such a delay with the medication working for me......

Could it be i drink two coffees in the morning to get myself moving,,,,,not sure.......any help would be great.

memory, coordiantion, clumsiness of hand, difficulty in conversation, palpitation, nervousness. before, I always thought this is due to not enough sleep, I just realize it's ambien
I wish I never touched this drug, I feel I am destroyed, I decide to wean off the medication.

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.

This is a follow up message to 'Marika''s message; I took Stilnox on and off 2 weeks ago, and then there are some unwanted side effect which arrouse my attetion of finding more about Stilnox (ambien) side effect. I had experienced S +S of peptic ulcer which strong acid reflux occured before and after I took the meal. Also, I had noticed some irregularity of my heart beats. Four days after I stop taking it, the S+S started to disappeared and my stomach is starting to feel at ease. Is there any possibilities which we might have the chance to understand a bit more about the pharmacodynamics and safety features related to this medication.
Man!! the upset stomach really upset me...

I have started to seriously reconsider taking this medication. I am a flight attendant and was happy to hear about a so calle none addictive sleeping tablet. Tonight I am trying to kick the 'habit' and I am wide awake and feel very wired and strung out. I wake up with headaches and dehydration which lasts throughout the day. I feel like I am coming down with a bad head cold all the time and very irritable. My stomache is also starting to give me trouble, in knots all the time and achy. I think I will just have to make do with valerian and a good book.

I have noticed that my hair is falling out, plus my memeory is really bad and I feel like I can't wake up. Is this a side effect of this medication?

I've been taking this medication for 2 days now. The only side effects I have had is falling asleep couple of hours later after taking the med.and the next day I've been a little sleepy. For me there has been no headaches, but a very relaxing high! THe reason behind me taking this med. is because I'm taking a lot of others pills that wire me up at night do to a strand of mental disorders. But I need them to help me sleep I taking 10mgs and haven't had any complaints!

Myhuisbasband took this medication only 2 nights. He was very dizzy and had headachees the next mornings. He took #10s eac night. This drug is only to be taken for 10 days at the longest as it CAN BE VERY ADDICTIVE AND IT IS ALSO NEW> RED FLAG> NEW> They do not know every thing it can do to you. Please every one slowly ween yourselves OFF this drug NOW. BADDDDDDDD DRUG.

i have taken ambien for about four months i havebeen very moody also i never remember what i have done the night before when i take it. what is the side effects for this happening. i am off the medication now,but my memory is not what it was before. could the medication have caused this?

nightmares when going off the medication

For many years, I've had a great deal of difficulty falling and staying asleep. Ambien put me to sleep within minutes and kept me asleep throughout the night. I hadn't slept this soundly in years! This is the first medication I've taken to sleep which has been this effective.

I've experienced no serious side effects. I'm sometimes groggy the next morning when I take it late at night.

I usually take half the prescribed dose with excellent results.