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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lexie on October 21, 2000, at 21:33:46
Is it possible to Overdose on Ambien? If so how much?
Posted by Buffet on October 22, 2000, at 1:34:42
In reply to Ambien Question., posted by Lexie on October 21, 2000, at 21:33:46
> Is it possible to Overdose on Ambien? If so how much?
Yes. And why do you want to know? Not planning an overdose are you?
It is still VERY hard to OD on ambien (meaning 'die'). It will take a lot. Your brain only contains a certain amount of GABA, the chem responsible for the sedation, and when it runs out the excess ambien becomes useless. The only way to exceed the max sedation is to use another depressant like....hey, why am I telling you this anyway? Just reasure me that youre not suicidal and youre not going to use this type of information for anything other than common knowledge. - : )
Posted by laural on October 22, 2000, at 1:58:06
In reply to Ambien Question., posted by Lexie on October 21, 2000, at 21:33:46
i don't think so because when i was suicidal once and couldn't sleep they gave me ambien and took all my other meds away so i couldn't overdose-- laural
Posted by Buffet on October 22, 2000, at 3:56:40
In reply to Re: Ambien Question., posted by laural on October 22, 2000, at 1:58:06
> i don't think so because when i was suicidal once and couldn't sleep they gave me ambien and took all my other meds away so i couldn't overdose-- laural
You'd have to top yourself off with alcohol or the like. Ambien alone is hard to od on. If you do take a lot, youll just be sedated and or sleep for a day or two.
Posted by Greg on October 22, 2000, at 14:40:13
In reply to Re: Ambien Question., posted by Buffet on October 22, 2000, at 3:56:40
It is possible to overdose on Ambien although an excessive amount would be required to do it. Most like what would occur is a person would become relatively incoherant for several days and suffer extensive short term memory loss. There have been reported deaths from Ambien overdose. But a person generally can't (or at least shouldn't be able to) get enough at one time from their doctor to have that happen.
I am with Buffet in hoping you're asking just because you want some general knowledge about it and not for any other reason.
Peace,
Greg> > i don't think so because when i was suicidal once and couldn't sleep they gave me ambien and took all my other meds away so i couldn't overdose-- laural
>
> You'd have to top yourself off with alcohol or the like. Ambien alone is hard to od on. If you do take a lot, youll just be sedated and or sleep for a day or two.
Posted by Lexie on October 22, 2000, at 18:21:22
In reply to Re: Ambien Question., posted by Greg on October 22, 2000, at 14:40:13
You are right I am wanting to know for all the wrong reasons. Looks like I got all the wrong answers, Ambien is not the out. Although the caring in everyone's words has helped to slow my thinking down, that is a good thing, I think.
Posted by MicheleR on October 22, 2000, at 19:18:46
In reply to Re: Ambien Question., posted by Lexie on October 22, 2000, at 18:21:22
I had a feeling the minute a read your question what your intent was behind it. I have been trying to look the same information on ambien. I agree with everyone.....ambien is not the way out, and neither or other meds or behaviors. If you feeling strong urges to kill yourself please call 911 ( i know you dont want to go to a hospital probably) but it sounds like you might need to get some outside help and support.
Michele
Posted by laural on October 22, 2000, at 20:39:37
In reply to Re: Ambien Question. » Lexie, posted by MicheleR on October 22, 2000, at 19:18:46
lexie--
there are also local crisis hotlines if you don't want to deal with the police, they can at times be so uncivil--it might be in your phone book and i'm sure if you see a doc she/he can give you a good contact. hang in there! please tell more about yourself, it sometimes helps to know that there are people listening. hope to hear from you soon : ) laural
Posted by Buffet on October 23, 2000, at 1:45:26
In reply to Re: Ambien Question., posted by Lexie on October 22, 2000, at 18:21:22
> You are right I am wanting to know for all the wrong reasons. Looks like I got all the wrong answers, Ambien is not the out. Although the caring in everyone's words has helped to slow my thinking down, that is a good thing, I think.
-------------------------------------------------Lexie, there is no easy way out. Most attempts fail and fail painfully. Please get some help, or talk to someone, anyone, even any of us here. Many of us have been through similar situations and can relate to what your going through, and someone here may just have an answer to help you get back on your feet. Can I be of any help to you? Let me know.
Please keep in touch and stick around.
Buffet
Posted by laural on October 26, 2000, at 15:00:41
In reply to Re: Ambien Question. » Lexie, posted by Buffet on October 23, 2000, at 1:45:26
we really meant it when we said we wanted to hear you again--hope things are going a little better. . .
Posted by Lexie on October 26, 2000, at 17:40:01
In reply to lexie?, posted by laural on October 26, 2000, at 15:00:41
> we really meant it when we said we wanted to hear you again--hope things are going a little better. . .
Thank you for asking about me. It is one day at a time. The doctor added Lamictal to the Topamax and has made some improvement in the depression. It still comes over me in overwhelming waves. I talked to my therapist and the most important thing I achieved was learning how important it was to keep myself safe. I will get myself to the hospital if I find myself in that dreadful of a situation again. I overdosed once before on (well I don't want to give anyone any idea's it could have been fatal), and spent some time in the hospital bakers acted. I don't want to find myself there again. I do appreciate all the kind words and concern from everyone on this board. Dr. Bob has given us a wonderful gift here and we should all be very thankful for that and each others friendship and support. Lexie
Posted by Rzip on October 26, 2000, at 21:09:38
In reply to Re: lexie? » laural, posted by Lexie on October 26, 2000, at 17:40:01
> Dr. Bob has given us a wonderful gift here and we should all be very thankful for that and each others friendship and support.
I second that gratification. It has given me an external connection to people. I always envied students at my school for having reasons to check their e-mail. Since I do not have any concrete friends in the real world, I am deeply thankful for this service. Now, I check PB every chance I get. It has been wonderful. My current regret is that...if only more people wish to respond to my posts on P-social-B...but I'll settle for just being part of this family.
Thanks everyone.
-Rzip
Posted by Lexie on October 27, 2000, at 5:46:56
In reply to Re: lexie?, posted by Rzip on October 26, 2000, at 21:09:38
I know exactly how you feel. I woke up early before work just to check on my "supporters". Glad to find you out there. When you need a hand up I hope I can be there for you. Lexie
Posted by Rzip on October 27, 2000, at 10:32:04
In reply to Re: lexie?, posted by Lexie on October 27, 2000, at 5:46:56
Oh, Lexie- Thank you for responding. Maybe I should start posting here because no one answers my posts on P-social-B :-(
I was wondering...what do you think of academics. How important is it?
I will be looking forward to your responses.
- Rzip
Posted by Lexie on October 27, 2000, at 15:33:37
In reply to Re: lexie?, posted by Rzip on October 26, 2000, at 21:09:38
Academics are important, anything to keep us busy. It is one day at a time. Sometimes they can help us to keep focused on other things besides ourselves and if we take the focus off ourselves for just a little while our problems and struggles don't seem so great. I will look for some of your posts on the other board. Keep in touch. Lexie
Posted by Buffet on October 30, 2000, at 0:30:37
In reply to Re: lexie?, posted by Lexie on October 27, 2000, at 15:33:37
Good to here from you Lexie. I'm going through a hellish time right now myself, and yes sinking into a further depressed state. I won't be able to get back onto a med until nov 22, and I'm really starting to crash hard. I just need to keep the thought of giving up out of my mind, take the bruises that life so readily offers, and remember that improvement is coming soon. Finding this board has given me hope and it's good to here from others that have similar problems in life.
Buffet
Posted by Lexie on October 30, 2000, at 6:10:51
In reply to Re: lexie?, posted by Buffet on October 30, 2000, at 0:30:37
Hang in there, the Lamictal has made a complete turn around for me. I will be thinking of you. Let me share a story with you that someone shared with me during my dark time... A man hired someone to put up TEN MILES of fence, the first person he hired quit after the first day, he hired someone else and told him to put up TEN MILES of fence and he quit after the first day. Well, the third man he hired he gave a post hole digger and told him dig a hole here and here and here and put in a post here and here and here and when your done come back and see me and I will tell you what else to do. This is the man that got the job done. So if we can see things ONE DAY AT A TIME instead of being overwhelmed to much we handle anything. I knew it was going to take a while for the new meds to work so I had to take it one day at a time. So even though November 22nd. seems so far away lets justs chunk that away in 24 hour sections! Good luck, I will be thinking of you. I see my doctor again on Wednesday. Keep in touch, please and thanks for helping me during my dark time. Lexie
Posted by Tami Lamers on October 30, 2000, at 22:11:47
In reply to Ambien Question., posted by Lexie on October 21, 2000, at 21:33:46
I have another ambien question. Has anyone been on this drug nightly for a long time? The package literature says it is not for long-term use. My doctor says it is fine. I know that when I take it every night, I start getting very depressed and have big mood swings. If I go off of it, I can't sleep for a number of days. Then, one bad night and I am back on it. Anyone else have any similar experiences with Ambien?
I have chronic insomnia...probably because of the adderall I take during the day!
Posted by Buffet on October 31, 2000, at 1:14:51
In reply to Re: Ambien Question., posted by Tami Lamers on October 30, 2000, at 22:11:47
> I have another ambien question. Has anyone been on this drug nightly for a long time? The package literature says it is not for long-term use. My doctor says it is fine. I know that when I take it every night, I start getting very depressed and have big mood swings. If I go off of it, I can't sleep for a number of days. Then, one bad night and I am back on it. Anyone else have any similar experiences with Ambien?
>
> I have chronic insomnia...probably because of the adderall I take during the day!Ugh. I wouldn't take a benzo for sleep. I am taking xanax for anxiety and have become very dependent upon it and am starting to think of weening off (cognitive and mood problems). You will become dependent to ambien for sleep over a short time and then it will probably stop working, but if you stop taking it the original condition gets worse. Xanax has made my anxiety problem worse, and now that I'm relying on it to calm me down and the moment I don't take it my anxiety goes to hell (much worse than when I started the drug).
Now, a better solution would be to try and reduce the adderall, or, try trazadone. Trazadone works great with a minor side effect of grogginess in the morning. Whatever you do, don't take the ambien for sleep because it will get worse over a very short time. It is a very safe drug, but quick dependence and tolerance makes it a crappy long term sleep drug.
Posted by Elizabeth on November 1, 2000, at 22:42:27
In reply to Re: Ambien Question., posted by Buffet on October 31, 2000, at 1:14:51
Xanax is a benzodiazepine, but Ambien is not. And for at least some people, Ambien does not produce tolerance. I have taken it nightly for long periods of time (never kept track, but certainly more than a year) without tolerance. My pdoc and therapist (both MDs) say this is consistent with their general experience with Ambien: that most patients can take it for at least as long as I have without needing to increase the dose.
In contrast, most people will develop tolerance to the sedating effects of benzodiazepines. Also, withdrawing from benzodiazepines after long-term use is extremely difficult and can take months; Ambien doesn't seem to have significant withdrawal symptoms except possibly some surprisingly mild rebound insomnia.
BTW, when I tried taking trazodone for sleep, I kept having to increase the dose every couple nights. It just stopped working too fast. I think I got up to around 400 mg before finally giving up. I have used trazodone occasionally since then -- when I needed a nonsedating antihistamine to take during the daytime (because I'd run out of Claritin or whatever).
> Ugh. I wouldn't take a benzo for sleep. I am taking xanax for anxiety and have become very dependent upon it and am starting to think of weening off (cognitive and mood problems). You will become dependent to ambien for sleep over a short time and then it will probably stop working, but if you stop taking it the original condition gets worse. Xanax has made my anxiety problem worse, and now that I'm relying on it to calm me down and the moment I don't take it my anxiety goes to hell (much worse than when I started the drug).
>
> Now, a better solution would be to try and reduce the adderall, or, try trazadone. Trazadone works great with a minor side effect of grogginess in the morning. Whatever you do, don't take the ambien for sleep because it will get worse over a very short time. It is a very safe drug, but quick dependence and tolerance makes it a crappy long term sleep drug.
This is the end of the thread.
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