AMBIEN ANYONE???

Reenie, First off I did try absolutely everything for my insomnia before resigning myself to a prescription. I've taken Ambien for several years...now taking Ambien CR. I started taking the CR version about a year ago in effort to "keep me asleep". It does a fair job, I can generally stay asleep for about 5 to 6 hours. I've tried several times to go off it, but without it I don't sleep. I've gone for as much as a week without it and didn't sleep. Cried a lo****ched a lot of infomercials, and played many, many hands of computer solitaire trying to bore myself to sleep. My doctor was the one to tell me to give it up and take the dang pill. I do suffer from amnesia if I'm up during the 6 to 7 hour "prime-time" for the apparently very common amnesia problem. I have to take the pill while in bed and do nothing!! and I mean NOTHING! afterwards if I want to have any memory of it later. My family gotta a real kick out of telling me the "funny" stories of what I'd done while in the Ambien "fog" prior to realizing what it's weird side effects were. I haven't had any problem with the metallic taste in my mouth. Okay...the kicker. I do have problems with the feeling like &*$#%@ the next day if I don't get 8 hours of down time after I take the pill. I have to plan every night for when I need to get up the next morning and adjust my sleep schedule accordingly. You have to make a choice...take the pill & slee*****t take it and deal all the horrible side effects of sleep deprivation. I chose to sleep. I hope this helps and you get your much needed sleep. Va

Wow, Va, we have such similar case stories about this! I am off the drug and I feel much better; sleeping fitfully and waking several times during the night, but oddly enough I feel more rested than I did on the drug. I hated the amnesia and memory loss and it got so bad my boss took me aside out of concern to ask me about what was going on. Drinking the camomille tea just before bed seems to help somewhat. I do find that I am eating more, however, and that has me greatly concerned. I've gained 7 pounds in the past two weeks. I'm scared...thanks for this post, I don't feel so alone in all of this anymore, thanks to you, my friend. Take care and rest as you are able - M.

ok I took ambien for a short time. I had BIZARRE horrific dreams on it. Woke feeling even worse. SO went back and the doctor and he gave me an anti=depressant that has drowsiness as a major side effect. Which is nice since I have anxiety and depression anyway. My friend is telling me about when she took Lunesta, it didn't make her sleepy but made her feel like she just couldn't do anything, no energy no will to do anything just zombie like, she now takes restoril. not sure if it is a time released on tho. My shrink recommends Benadryl...have you tired (ha... can you tell I AM tired) tried tylenol pm??? hope you get some decent sleep! Nic 291/180/165

Reenie, Just wondering how you are doing with sleep these days. A successful break from the Ambien and how are you feeling? Are you getting any sleep? I've battled insomnia all my life and my family just calls me the Energizer Freak. I can't fall asleep before 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning and I'm usually up around 5:00. I'd love to get more sleep, but hate the way that sleep aids make me feel. Hugs, Connie