Ambien and nightmare

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.

Because of a couple tragedies that ocurred in my life, I was unable to sleep. Ambien was prescribed and with it, I woke up completely rested! BUT there were several dangerous events to share with you.

I drove several times & have no recollection! If it weren't for receipts, checks, etc. I wouldn't know anything about it! I'm a married woman and I took a male acquaintance to a liquor store 1/2 hour away once!
I drove to a city an hour from my home at least once!

Additionally, I've had phone conversations, conducted business meetings, taught a religion class...ALL with no knowledge or memory of these acts.

Yes, I would find dirty dishes in the sink in the morning too! I ate so much food! I didn't gain weight though...probably because the Ambien also removed ALL inhibitions in my life. My husband selfishly took complete advantage of this...if you know what I mean. This was not right! I'm still angry about this. It wasn't until he realized that I was driving in my sleep that he encouraged me not to take the Ambien anymore...I haven't taken it for two years. I do miss it because it really left me rested. Now I only take over-the-counter products and they leave me groggy.

I used Ambien 2-3 days per week for the past few months. I just woke up after having several vivid/complicated nightmares. Each nightmare was worse than the one before. The last nightmare woke me up. I was being framed for murder of a white woman after a minor traffic accident (I'm a black man). I'm very bothered by this and don't want to sleep now, fearing more nightmares. This has happened after I slept without taking Ambien.

I have had one episode of sleep-walking, where I ate the meal that I had prepared for lunch the next day.

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 eat eat eat all the time during the night...foodI donteven like. I have gained 12 pounds since Feb. Not good People tell me I call them in the middle of the night and try to talk to them and keep them on the phone till all hours of the night. I love the sleep I just had my furst nightmare yesterday but me getting fat MUST STOP!

Have been on Ambien for 4 nights. On the fifth night, I decided not to take it. That night, I had three very vivid, detailed nightmares that continued for 3 more nights. The nightmares affect my mood the following mornings and I have begun to feel very depressed. On one particular nightmare, I know I am asleep but can't wake up. When I finally got myself to wake up, my whole body was tensed up so badly that everything ached that morning and I felt completely wasted. Last night, I stayed up until 4am afraid to sleep and experience more nightmares. I don't know what I am going to do tonight.

2 of the ladies that I work with have had woke up the next day after taking Ambien and found food crumbs or leftovers beside of their bed that they don't remember eating. I am very upset because, even tho I don't take Ambien on a regular basis, I took a tablet and woke up the next morning and when I looked in the mirror, I had cut my own hair! The hair and scissors were laying in the floor beside of my bed. I don't remember getting up to find the scissors OR cutting my hair. What a nightmare!