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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by neuropharm on February 8, 2005, at 9:27:47
Hello,
I recently started taking Ambien for insomnia. I've been taking it for two weeks (10mg nightly). For the past few days I've noticed that I've become extremely aggitated and anxious. I'm short tempered and have been feeling down in general. Also I've noticed a deterioration in my memory/mental reaction time as well as a general 'spacey/slightly confused' feeling. These effects all occour during my waking hours.
Anyone else notice this?
Posted by neuropharm on February 8, 2005, at 9:32:59
In reply to Ambien worsening anxiety/depression?, posted by neuropharm on February 8, 2005, at 9:27:47
> Hello,
>
> I recently started taking Ambien for insomnia. I've been taking it for two weeks (10mg nightly). For the past few days I've noticed that I've become extremely aggitated and anxious. I'm short tempered and have been feeling down in general. Also I've noticed a deterioration in my memory/mental reaction time as well as a general 'spacey/slightly confused' feeling. These effects all occour during my waking hours.
>
> Anyone else notice this?
I've already stopped taking Ambien starting last night due to these effects. But out of curiosity does anyone know, chemically, what causes these side effects?
Posted by celticmom on February 8, 2005, at 15:31:43
In reply to Re: Ambien worsening anxiety/depression?, posted by neuropharm on February 8, 2005, at 9:32:59
I can't help with the chemical part, but I can say that I felt crappy when I took ambien to help with sleep. I was only given a half tab and while it did knock me out, I was up a few hours later and didn't feel "normal" for 24 hours. I think I am very sensitive to medications though.
Posted by Phillipa on February 8, 2005, at 17:24:35
In reply to Re: Ambien worsening anxiety/depression?, posted by celticmom on February 8, 2005, at 15:31:43
I don't know what caused it, but this morning I almost fainted when getting out of bed. I had had 10mg at midnight {along with .5klonopin l5remeron, and 3cc chloral hydrate}, then when I woke up at 4am was allowed another. I've just started taking ambien and didn't attribute it to this drug cause I still woke during the night. Now, I wonder. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by neuropharm on February 9, 2005, at 3:16:18
In reply to Re: Ambien worsening anxiety/depression?, posted by neuropharm on February 8, 2005, at 9:32:59
> > Hello,
> >
> > I recently started taking Ambien for insomnia. I've been taking it for two weeks (10mg nightly). For the past few days I've noticed that I've become extremely aggitated and anxious. I'm short tempered and have been feeling down in general. Also I've noticed a deterioration in my memory/mental reaction time as well as a general 'spacey/slightly confused' feeling. These effects all occour during my waking hours.
> >
> > Anyone else notice this?
>
>
> I've already stopped taking Ambien starting last night due to these effects. But out of curiosity does anyone know, chemically, what causes these side effects?-
After thinking about it. I would compare the side effects I was experiencing to the kind of accumulated anticholergenic side effects I got when I used to take antihistamines like benadryl as a sleep aid. The negative change in my mood during the waking hours was much more pronounced with ambien however.
Posted by neuropharm on February 9, 2005, at 3:17:53
In reply to Re: Ambien worsening anxiety/depression?, posted by neuropharm on February 8, 2005, at 9:32:59
> > Hello,
> >
> > I recently started taking Ambien for insomnia. I've been taking it for two weeks (10mg nightly). For the past few days I've noticed that I've become extremely aggitated and anxious. I'm short tempered and have been feeling down in general. Also I've noticed a deterioration in my memory/mental reaction time as well as a general 'spacey/slightly confused' feeling. These effects all occour during my waking hours.
> >
> > Anyone else notice this?
>
>
> I've already stopped taking Ambien starting last night due to these effects. But out of curiosity does anyone know, chemically, what causes these side effects?-
After thinking about it. I would compare the side effects I was experiencing to the kind of accumulated anticholergenic side effects I got when I used to take antihistamines like benadryl as a sleep aid. The negative change in my mood during the waking hours was much more pronounced with ambien however.
Posted by celticmom on February 9, 2005, at 8:20:18
In reply to Re: Ambien worsening anxiety/depression?, posted by neuropharm on February 9, 2005, at 3:17:53
I'm the same way with Benedryl - I feel very foggy after taking one and the Ambien was definitely like that, but 10 fold.
Posted by neuropharm on February 9, 2005, at 14:44:31
In reply to Re: Ambien worsening anxiety/depression?, posted by celticmom on February 9, 2005, at 8:20:18
> I'm the same way with Benedryl - I feel very foggy after taking one and the Ambien was definitely like that, but 10 fold.
Thanks for the feedback celticmom.
Posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2005, at 15:16:58
In reply to Re: Ambien worsening anxiety/depression?, posted by celticmom on February 9, 2005, at 8:20:18
I too, am stopping the ambien. Again last night I took one and 2hrs later I was awake. Took another and was awake 4hrs later. Saw neurologist today and he said I was probably in chloral hydrate W/D so he gave me another Rx and told me to again find a more lenient pdoc. So, again, I see #4 this month on Monday. Why are some pdocs so "stupid". I feel awful, high B/P, nausea, etc., all I think from the ambien. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by FatBubbles on February 9, 2005, at 16:24:12
In reply to Re: Ambien worsening anxiety/depression?, posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2005, at 15:16:58
Sorry you are all having so much trouble. Ambien has saved my life. Works like a miracle for me. Have slept the night through for the first time since college (you don't want to know how long ago that was...).
Posted by Dkscully on February 10, 2005, at 16:56:52
In reply to Re: Ambien worsening anxiety/depression?, posted by Phillipa on February 8, 2005, at 17:24:35
Oh boy, something else to consider... I've been attributing my anxiety to Wellbutrin or Effexor withdrawal--now I wonder if ambien is involved. If I don't take it one night, would I feel less anxious the next day, or does ambien stay in my system? Just wondering.
I usually take 15 mg before bed... It generally keeps me asleep for a good 6 hours (well not GOOD--I need 8 hours of sleep!)... after that, it depends on the day, but it's better than how I was before (never able to fall asleep). I also take .25 mg of klonapin, but I'm hoping to stop that once I figure out what's contributing to my added anxiety...
Posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2005, at 17:08:36
In reply to Re: Ambien worsening anxiety/depression?, posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2005, at 15:16:58
Had to take another ambien l0mg last night with the other meds as I was so "wired" up from the W/D and let another pdoc. It zaps you to sleep, but 2hrs later I was awake, and took the remaining 5cc of chloral hydrate. Also the ambien cost me about $90 which I don't have, and the CH cost $4.60. Newer is not always better, just more expensive. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by neuropharm on February 11, 2005, at 5:28:12
In reply to Re: Ambien worsening anxiety/depression?, posted by Dkscully on February 10, 2005, at 16:56:52
> Oh boy, something else to consider... I've been attributing my anxiety to Wellbutrin or Effexor withdrawal--now I wonder if ambien is involved. If I don't take it one night, would I feel less anxious the next day, or does ambien stay in my system? Just wondering.
>
> I usually take 15 mg before bed... It generally keeps me asleep for a good 6 hours (well not GOOD--I need 8 hours of sleep!)... after that, it depends on the day, but it's better than how I was before (never able to fall asleep). I also take .25 mg of klonapin, but I'm hoping to stop that once I figure out what's contributing to my added anxiety...Dkscully,
I haven't taken Ambien in over 48 hours now and my mood has normalized. On another note, I haven't slept much in the past two days. But I'd rather have trouble falling asleep again then feel like that. YMMV.
Posted by Rosee on February 11, 2005, at 6:07:05
In reply to Re: Ambien worsening anxiety/depression?, posted by celticmom on February 8, 2005, at 15:31:43
I don't get good sleep from Ambien. Usually fall asleep for 4-5 hours and then I wake up agitated. Don't feel rested at all.
Posted by Eve1979 on February 12, 2005, at 22:52:45
In reply to Re: Ambien worsening anxiety/depression?, posted by Rosee on February 11, 2005, at 6:07:05
my p doc perscribed ambien and i got so sick and it did worsen my depression... and the nausesness lasted through the next day...i hated it...i called the pharmacy and luckly they let me return half of the pills for a refund. I like restoral better.
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