[ScrewyLewy]

I hope my experiences might help others.

OK I have been an insomniac all my 55 years. Today I was told I probably should never use Ambien (Zolpidem Tartrate) again. I have been taking it for 8-9 years. I have tried a few other pills during that time but Ambiem not perfect did work best for me. The last two weeks I have been wearing a monitor on my wrist. It charts 3 types of light and movement. At the same time I have keep a sleep diary showing times I go to bed and the time I get out of bed. It is called an Actiwatch by Respironics
http://actiwatch.respironics.com/

A digitally integrated recording of wrist activity is a reliable indicator of Sleep/Wake state. The Actiwatch is an actigraphy device that is the size of a standard wrist watch. It allows for the recording of the smallest movements for days, weeks, or even months.

When worn on the wrist, an Actiwatch actigraph can generate an Activity record like the one shown below to be used as a tool to document:

* Sleep/Wake Patterns
* Sleep Disorders
* Circadian Rhythms Disorders
* Disturbances brought on by Shift WorkReal time impedance display
* Basic Activity Levels
* Compliance with Exercise Routines


My graph looks like shortly after the lights were out I ran a marathon all night. I may be sleep walking somewhere (have you seen me lately?).

I tried to see over the Dr.s shoulders but they didn't want to say to much until the Head of Pulmonary and Sleep disorders at the VA L.A. can review it.

All this kinda scared me as what I saw I didn't lay still for over 30 minuets at one time and I did let out of the bag that at least 10 times in the last 5 years I found dishes and messes in the kitchen showing that I have been cooking and eating while asleep. WOW freaky.

So I don't know what's next but I already miss my Ambiem and have already accepted that I wont be sleeping much.
I do have some very good lavender that is the best so far for me to relax.

Wish me luck I feel like a lab rat now but will update the WT sleepless on the Internet folk as I learn more. Oh yea I have had 5 sleep studies and never sleep - who could with massive amounts of wires glued to a body...

Peace and restful sleep.
Lewy

[In_Hollywood]

I sometimes use generic Valium (Diazepam) 10 mg. & 30 pills for 1 month - to use 1 before bedtime, as needed! Helps me read for 30 mins., then I go to bed . . . it helps! MMJ works more naturally though (Indicas) for me, too! =Judy=
Posted via Mobile Device

[Eazy]

I tried lorazepam, same difference. Put a huge smile on my face for the first few weeks...could lay there awake, watching the ceiling with a big smile on my face, but no sleep. Then, the next day I'd feel like somebody threw 100 lbs on my shoulders, couldn't move, dead tired...sluggish, slurred speech, total lethargy.

My doctor had me mix Ambien and lorazepam for sleep, Ambien for the onset of sleep, and lorazepam for sleep maintenance. ...can you spell brain damage?

Next, ...restoril and ambien, then ambien, restoril, *and* lorazepam...

Next, lunesta...then...lunesta and ambien...and lorazepam...

sonata

ambien extended release.

I was offered amiyalnitrate, or whatever a "mickey finn" is, that's what the doctor said it was, knock-out drops. I read the pharmacology...people go insane on that toxin, and there's no turning back. Think, Marolin Monhoe. I'm almost recovered from the benziodiazedeaths, don't think I would survived a few days of mickey finn, my instincts kept me far from that *and* the pharmaceutical meth my doctor wanted me to try, dysoxin, or something like that.

killers.

[nigel]

what about trazadone. That stuff would knock out an elephant...

[Eazy]

Originally Posted by nigel

what about trazadone. That stuff would knock out an elephant...

...yeah, right. I wouldn't let that stuff near me and my penis:

"While you are taking trazodone you may need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts at the start of therapy or when doses are changed. This concern about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may be greater if you are 18 years of age or younger and are taking trazodone. In patients younger than 18 years, the period of risk may extend beyond start of therapy or when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the following symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe restlessness, and mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms may be associated with the development of worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts or actions. Contact your physician if you develop any new or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment with trazodone. Do not stop taking trazodone.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Trazodone may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking trazodone.

Stop taking trazodone and call your doctor immediately if you experience a prolonged (4 hours or longer), painful, or inappropriate erection. This could lead to a serious condition requiring surgery.

Do not stop taking trazodone without first talking to your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. It may be several weeks before your symptoms begin to improve, and you may require continuous treatment for quite some time.

While you are taking trazodone you may need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts at the start of therapy or when doses are changed. This concern about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may be greater if you are 18 years of age or younger and are taking trazodone. In patients younger than 18 years, the period of risk may extend beyond start of therapy or when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the following symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe restlessness, and mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms may be associated with the development of worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts or actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any new or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment with trazodone. Do not stop taking trazodone.

Trazodone should not be taken during the initial recovery phase after a heart attack. Talk to your doctor before taking trazodone if you have had a heart attack. You may also require special monitoring during treatment if you have any other types of heart disease, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, or chest pain (angina).

Stop taking trazodone and call your doctor immediately if you experience a prolonged (4 hours or longer), painful, or inappropriate erection. This could lead to a serious condition requiring surgery.

Trazodone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether trazodone will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether trazodone passes into breast milk. Do not take trazodone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take trazodone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain the instructions to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Take trazodone with a meal or a light snack. Food increases the amount of medicine that is absorbed by the body and it may help to decrease dizziness.

It is important to take trazodone regularly to get the most benefit.

Do not stop taking trazodone without first talking to your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. It may be several weeks before your symptoms begin to improve, and you may require continuous treatment for quite some time.

Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with trazodone to monitor progress and side effects.

Store trazodone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of a trazodone overdose include drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, an irregular heart beat, difficulty breathing, painful erection, and death.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Trazodone may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking trazodone.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking trazodone and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• a prolonged (4 hours or longer), painful, or inappropriate erection;

• an irregular heartbeat or chest pains.



Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take trazodone and talk to your doctor if you experience

• dizziness or drowsiness;

• headache;

• insomnia or vivid dreams;

• dry mouth, upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting;

• diarrhea or constipation;

• tremors (shaking);

• blurred vision.



Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Before taking trazodone, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:

• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

• phenytoin (Dilantin);

• a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);

• warfarin (Coumadin).

You may not be able to take trazodone, or you may require special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with trazodone. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

[jayaregee]

ambien is horrible. i used to take it and several times my little step daughter would tell me i came down stairs and had full on conversations with her in my sleep. and the regular ambien side effects like eating ice cream and doing things in the garage in a dead sleep, lol...... fun times. i kinda miss ambien, kinda. but my new main girl swept me off my feet. mary jane, thank you for making my nights so peaceful and much more wonderful!!!

[In_Hollywood]

I Was given/using Prozac for a month (that's when it starts to work! Hmm?), then after only 2 more weeks (1 1/2 mos. of use), I didn't like the side effects, so asked my Pharmacist how to get off of it (weaning off took about 2 weeks)!! UGH! =Judy=
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[ScrewyLewy]

Last night took a sonata at 11 went to bed at 12 no sleep at 4 got up took another 10mg sonata and some sugar free pudding back in bed maybe sleep 6 till 9 and I feel like shit now. BUT I do believe I might sleep tonight. EASY I think your doctor was giving you dangerous combinations that is some scary stuff.
Everybody thanks for sharing...

[Absynthe]

I'd see where the doctors are going with this. I always ask questions, I don't trust anyone 100%, unless they earn it!

Good luck to you, and may things work out.

[cannadyke]

Originally Posted by Eazy

I tried lorazepam, same difference. Put a huge smile on my face for the first few weeks...could lay there awake, watching the ceiling with a big smile on my face, but no sleep. Then, the next day I'd feel like somebody threw 100 lbs on my shoulders, couldn't move, dead tired...sluggish, slurred speech, total lethargy.

My doctor had me mix Ambien and lorazepam for sleep, Ambien for the onset of sleep, and lorazepam for sleep maintenance. ...can you spell brain damage?

Next, ...restoril and ambien, then ambien, restoril, *and* lorazepam...

Next, lunesta...then...lunesta and ambien...and lorazepam...

i've tried all of those and they were all horrible. none worked well.

they would either totally knock me out and i would wake up feeling like crap (both mentally and physically) the next day, or they would only keep me sleeping for 3-4 hours and i would be up for the rest of the night. you can't take another pill @ 2am and expect to function the next day. plus, sleeping pills don't actually put you into a true REM sleep, they basically just make you unconscious. plus ambien has all sorts of side effects like sleep walking, sleep eating, etc.

i've found that smoking a heavy indica in the evening (usually GDP and/or some hash) and eating an edible right before bed time is the perfect combo for me. smoking helps me drift off into a restful sleep and then the edible kicks in while i'm sleeping to keep me asleep. i wake up rested, clear-headed and refreshed (unlike w/ the pharms). i make my own edibles to keep the cost down, the potency up and can monitor my dosage.

my primary care doc @ cedars actually is very happy that mmj is working for my sleep issues. she doesn't endorse any pharm sleeping pills and would prefer nor prescribing them at all. all of that stuff is scary---- weird side effects and why put a bunch of chemicals into your body unless absolutely necessary?

[Smokus Cannabis]

All of the sleep aid pharms have bad side effects. I've taken most of them. Ambien is IMO the most dangerous because of the sleep walking/driving/ etc. at high doses. Xanax, Valium, Lorazepam and all the other benzos are good at first IMO, but once you become hooked you're pretty much hooked for life, at least on and off.
I do take Trazodone every night. It's not a fun thing to take. It does have bad side effects. It works, and I never, ever take more than prescribed because it isn't fun at all. It also has good antidepressant properties. Does weird things to your blood pressure, and killed my stomach the second time I took it (first full dose). Didn't make me suicidal at all- actually it made me snap out of a horrible depression when I got on it. PLus, it's only $25 a month if you don't have insurance - at least it was three years back. It's an older generic.
But let's face it, after three or four days without sleeping, you'll be willing to try just about anything. Weed helps me, but it won't allow me to sleep a full night unless perhaps I take a monster edible or two.

[ScrewyLewy]

They (the wanna be doctors at the VA)Have a new diagnoses which is rare 3 in 2000 but it's BS so it don't matter. I read the 8 items and I don't match any so>> Dr.s are idiots
Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome or DSPS see page 128 of the Sleep Doctors bible below you can find the PDF easily on line the ICSD


THE
INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION
OF
SLEEP DISORDERS, REVISED
Diagnostic and Coding Manual
Produced by the
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
in association with the
EUROPEAN SLEEP RESEARCH SOCIETY
JAPANESE SOCIETY OF SLEEP RESEARCH
LATIN AMERICAN SLEEP SOCIETY

[Eazy]

Originally Posted by ScrewyLewy

They (the wanna be doctors at the VA)Have a new diagnoses which is rare 3 in 2000 but it's BS so it don't matter. I read the 8 items and I don't match any so>> Dr.s are idiots
Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome or DSPS see page 128 of the Sleep Doctors bible below you can find the PDF easily on line the ICSD


THE
INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION
OF
SLEEP DISORDERS, REVISED
Diagnostic and Coding Manual
Produced by the
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
in association with the
EUROPEAN SLEEP RESEARCH SOCIETY
JAPANESE SOCIETY OF SLEEP RESEARCH
LATIN AMERICAN SLEEP SOCIETY

Actually, I've got the same diagnosis, but with an added kick; delayed REM phase syndrome!

In other words, the hormone that makes you sleep don't turn on till later on at night, and the sleep hormone don't turn off till late in the morning. It's sometimes referred to as "the night owl syndrome". You can throw a ton of pills at it, they'll just make you sick.

It's usually situational; some sort of interruption to your sleep. But, in some cases, it's genetic or due to another illness, back to interruptions to your sleep.

It's called "circadian rhythm disorders". Your sleep clock is your circadian rhythm, that is, the cycle your sleep hormones go through.

You can try strong light therapy.

When there's no interruptions to my sleep, I can sleep earlier with strong edibles and smoke, nothing else works.

WELCOME TO THE NIGHT CLUB! Smoking encouraged.

[Moph]

I have had constant insomnia, and have been given Xanax, Ambien and the works. I am too scared to take Ambien myself, I do not want to sleepwalk off the balcony. Better to just stay awake.

[meez]

i have never enjoyed taking sleeping medication, the side effects are too severe.

[Eazy]

Originally Posted by Moph

I have had constant insomnia, and have been given Xanax, Ambien and the works. I am too scared to take Ambien myself, I do not want to sleepwalk off the balcony. Better to just stay awake.

The only regret I have in life is trying pharmaceuticals for sleep. Ambien, Lunesta, Lorazepam, a bunch. They are all very, very toxic. Ambien caused me to have spontaneous amnesias, slurred speech, imparted motor coordination, speech problems! I was hoping to find one sleep med that worked for me, but none did until I tried weed. Weed worked the first night and has worked ever since. The only thing that makes me ill now is the stress of being harassed for successfully consuming medical marijuana and it works. This must be Hell. Whatever I did in my past life musn't have been that bad, however. I'm having a good time amidst all this chaotic Hell. ...I must have screwed my friends wife or something...in this life, I'm all about fidelity. Weird. There's just too many coincidences now for this not to be hell. Everybody I know lives the Catch 22, yeah, that's it. I'm naming the band I am forming Catch 22. The first compilation will be called...Fucked in Every Hole. First song??? Trying to study. Second song??? ...Good Morning Peaches! ha.

[ScrewyLewy]

Well now they have me on Temazepam can you say sugar pill. My next appointment with the sleep clinic isn't until 8/21 How desperate can one be with out 1 good nights sleep before flipping out?

What part of the cow is the hot dog?
Do you smell cookies?

Well tonight going to drink a 1/2 glass water and a pinch of sea salt on my tongue to help the electrical connection between my brain and everything else.

[OGHASHPLANT310]

Ambien AmbienCR Kills NO SLEEP HORRIBLE WITHDRAWAL.

[ps-med]

From the New Yorker's Ambien Cookbook (only have part since I don't have full access to the archives):

ABSTRACT: SHOUTS & MURMURS about recipes using the sleeping pill Ambien, which causes nighttime eating. Sorpresa con Queso Ingredients: 7 bags Cheetos, 17 to 19 glasses tap water, 5 mg. Ambien Place Cheetos bags in cupboard. Take Ambien, fall asleep. Wait 2-3 hours, then sleepwalk to kitchen, tear cupboard doors off hinges in search of Cheetos…eat contents of all 7 bags… Icebox Melange…Take Ambien, fall asleep…sleepwalk to kitchen. Devour everything in refrigerator…Belch loud enough to wake wife or girlfriend. When she enters kitchen, bellow, “Can't you see I'm working here?”… Tummy Cake…Take Ambien, fall asleep. Wake up in kitchen, mixing eggs, flour, Crisco, and milk in-for some reason-a mop bucket…Retrieve bucket from kitchen, drink entire contents in 3-5 gulps… Nhi Ho Trang Phu…Lay out beef jerky and Gatorade on nightstand…Take Ambien, fall asleep. After 2-3 hours, awaken half-submerged in a rice paddy in the jungle lowlands just north of the Mekong Delta….

[SpirituallyEnlightened]

that is absolutely amazing that you have been taking ambien for 8+ years and had no clue about its side effects. i dont take ambien and have known about its bad side effects for more than a couple years!!!

[cutie77]

Originally Posted by SpirituallyEnlightened

that is absolutely amazing that you have been taking ambien for 8+ years and had no clue about its side effects. i dont take ambien and have known about its bad side effects for more than a couple years!!!

I went to school for pharmacy tech program and what I learn about Ambien 5mg, 6.25mg, 10mg, and 12.5mg don't help:cursing:, doctors want you to take the drugs or at least try it for a week or two, because they get paid for every prescription that they write, pharmacy school has thought me alot about pills, it is a way of making money, and there is more side effects that ever with Ambien, Rozeram, Valium, Bendrly, anything that will give you drowiness or that sleeply feeling, I just say smoke some good INDICA 3.5 and lay your head down.:001_tt2: Ambein CR is controll released so it slowly release the medicne to your body so the effects of it will be worse.

[SpirituallyEnlightened]

Originally Posted by cutie77

I went to school for pharmacy tech program and what I learn about Ambien 5mg, 6.25mg, 10mg, and 12.5mg don't help:cursing:, doctors want you to take the drugs or at least try it for a week or two, because they get paid for every prescription that they write, pharmacy school has thought me alot about pills, it is a way of making money, and there is more side effects that ever with Ambien, Rozeram, Valium, Bendrly, anything that will give you drowiness or that sleeply feeling, I just say smoke some good INDICA 3.5 and lay your head down.:001_tt2: Ambein CR is controll released so it slowly release the medicne to your body so the effects of it will be worse.

well yes there are indeed medical drug dealers using doctors to push their drugs. this is obvious. another reason they dont want MMJ getting big.

[Howard]

I must be one of the few who build a tolerance to Ambien rather quickly. It'll work the first couple of times, but it only gets me 2 hours of sleep. Every time, just 2 hours.

Lunesta has worked better and more consistently for me, but I can only get 5 hours before waking up. No side effects though.

The one med that works consistently and gets me a full 8 hours? A well grown GDP or indica dominant bubba or OG.

[Scullycat]

I just recently started taking Ambien. A few nights ago I took it about an hour before turning in, as things changed from what I had planned. My husband told me that before I actually went to sleep, I was talking to him but saying things that made no sense at all and had nothing to do with his remarks. He said it seemed like I was dreaming while still awake. That kind of freaked me out.

[honeykhyber]

One of the best prescriptions for insomnia is EXERCISE.

..and if it doesn't work at least it was free and it's GOOD for you!