Adventures with Ambien

I had a severe allergic reaction to Ambien last Friday and wound up in the hospital for 4, yes, FOUR, days in the cardiac care unit. I had all the symptoms indicating an allergic reaction: extreme difficulty breathing (had to be put on oxygen), extreme confusion (I could not tell the paramedic my name, address, etc.), and swollen tongue (couldn't speak clearly), but the real problem was that the reaction also induced a seizure. I couldn't stand or walk, continuous vomiting. Anyway, when I got to the hospital they thought that I had either a mini-stroke or a seizure (which is why they put me in the cardiac unit), and after days and days of tests, they determined that it was not a mini-stroke, but rather a seizure induced by a severe allergic reaction to Ambien. It was not my first time taking Ambien and this has never happened in the past. But it was my first time taking Ambien since having WLS, so I wonder if it is related. Anyway, I'm back and I feel fine. For what it's worth, all my cardiac tests came back with excellent results and my cholesterol was spot-on (I don't recall exactly what the number was but the doc said it was "excellent", so that was good news. So, the next time I can't sleep, I'm reaching for Tylenol PM!

Wow, I'm so glad you're okay. That sounds like a terrible reaction. I've never had trouble sleeping, so I have no experience with sleeping drugs, but please take care of yourself. Glad your cardiac tests came back good. Hope you continue to feel good! Wanda

How scary, Tracy! Glad to hear you are doing better. And glad to hear you'll keep away from that nasty Ambien. Take care! Kathy

So that's where you were, Tracy! I was missing you and your food journal - accountability posts. Sorry you had such a wild ride. Glad you are ok and actually alive . When the tongue swells like yours did it can be soooo serious. Yep, that tylenol pm is looking better and better. I'd have never guessed the Ambien could do all that You may have been dreaming of a vacation but not in the hospital ( never heard of anybody getting much real rest in the hosp.) Thank God you got swift and excellent care and were monitored well. Welcome back! Hope sleep comes to you much more easily. bless you, Mary

Tracy, Thanks God that you are ok. Ambien has been my best friend for the last week, just last nite, I said I can't take this crap anymore...Thanks for sharing, and happy to hear your results were fabo!

How very scary!!! Sometimes it does take a time or two (or even more) before your body will tell you that you're allergic to something. Or maybe you've had some mild symptoms but this time it caused a severe one. I'm allergic to bee stings. The last time I was stung was when I was pg with my son (now 8-1/2) and I started contracting and had a huge welt around where I was stung. The doc told me that everytime I got stung it could potentially be a worse reaction. So I carry around an Epi-pen with me in case I have any type of anaphylactic reaction. I think Tylenol PM is a GREAT idea for you! No more Ambien! Have you tried Valarian? It's all natural. Michelle