Ambien is only effective for 4 hours..any suggestions?

SInce my surgery ten years ago, I'm having trouble staying asleep at night.  I take Ambien but because everything goes through me really fast, it only is effective for 3-4 hours.  I've tried taking Benadryl to help make me sleepy through the night but it doesn't help either.  Does anyone else have this problem and hopefully a solution to the problem?

Thanks!

Try cutting it in half.  Take half at bedtime and the other half when you waken in the middle of the night.  This has worked for me.

A drug called Xyrem. It gets you in a deep rem sleep. It is very expensive and only certain doctors will prescribe it. Narcolepsy, fibo, pain mgmt. doctors, and the sorts. It escapes through your pores, not effect other organs. Karen. 

A wise doc told me not to up the dose.. I'll still only get 4 hrs. I take half to go to sleep, put half in a bottle cap on the counter. IF I wake up and can't sleep, then I can take the other half.

Unisom is an OTC sleep aid. Costco makes a clone called, "Sleep Aid". That helps me go back to sleep without taking Ambien, Part 2.

I have been taking generic Ambien at least three times a week. I just cant fall asleep. I take  half at bedtime and get right in bed. Then the other half in the middle of the night IF I wake up. It  works for me.  Watch for sleep walking and sleep eatting on Ambien.  I was a chronic sleep walker even as a child so I am not surprised that I do it  on Ambien. I have sleep walked several happened several times on Ambien per husband. Also explains the Cherrios and Cheese Crackers I have found in bed that I chewed out  hubby for!   Watch for side effects!

Have you tried Ambien CR? It is a continuous release form, and they just recently started carrying it in generic, so it is much cheaper now.  Since it is Extended/Continuous release, you CANNOT cut it/grind it, you would release all of the medication at once and overdose.  I hope that helps you :)