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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by crabwalk on September 5, 2006, at 14:15:20
Hi, I've been using ambien or ambien CR for the past 4 months nightly, and I'm starting to wonder if this is affecting my mood. I've also had some morning headaches, dizziness/feeling off balance. I quit emsam about a month ago so that may have something to do with it. Has anybody had problems with using ambien every night for a long time?
Posted by Phillipa on September 5, 2006, at 22:01:03
In reply to long term ambien use, dangerous?, posted by crabwalk on September 5, 2006, at 14:15:20
I'm sorry to hear you quit EMSAM was anxiety and insomnia the problem as you're on ambien now? Love Phillipa
Posted by Janelle on September 6, 2006, at 3:12:52
In reply to long term ambien use, dangerous?, posted by crabwalk on September 5, 2006, at 14:15:20
From what I've read and heard, but that goes back awhile Ambien is NOT recommended for long-term use; just a week or two to get the body to *know* how to fall asleep again.
However, there is Lunesta, another non-benzo sleeping aid which IS APPROVED for long-term use.
Posted by MidnightBlue on September 6, 2006, at 18:53:47
In reply to long term ambien use, dangerous?, posted by crabwalk on September 5, 2006, at 14:15:20
I have taken Ambien on and off for 10 years. Try not taking it for 3-4 nights. You won't sleep at first. Then take it again at a lower dose. It will work well once again. Too high a dose can cause headaches.
MB
Posted by crabwalk on September 7, 2006, at 9:49:35
In reply to Re: long term ambien use, dangerous? » crabwalk, posted by Phillipa on September 5, 2006, at 22:01:03
emsam just didn't 'work', anxiety and insomnia were already problems before emsam. actually i have been feeling less anxious since quitting, but i also have had withdrawal that may or may not still be going on. i am trying now to stay off of ad's as much as possible and would like to stop using ambien at some point too. we'll see how that works though...
Posted by yxibow on September 10, 2006, at 18:34:16
In reply to long term ambien use, dangerous?, posted by crabwalk on September 5, 2006, at 14:15:20
> Hi, I've been using ambien or ambien CR for the past 4 months nightly, and I'm starting to wonder if this is affecting my mood. I've also had some morning headaches, dizziness/feeling off balance. I quit emsam about a month ago so that may have something to do with it. Has anybody had problems with using ambien every night for a long time?
With any sleep aid, there is always a side effect of morning after -- it just depends on the harshness of the compound and the body's reaction.
I've used Ambien at 20mg for probably around 2 years. I have to use it at a higher dose because I am not benzodiazepine naive. If I returned to Lunesta, I'd probably have to use 4-5mg.
Its never been listed as use for long term but has been prescribed plenty in those results, and AmbienCR has been listed as at least semi long term. They're all similar pseudobenzodiazepines, including Lunesta, in nickel and steel flavour, coming soon, manganese... no okay, I had to throw that in... there is definately a taste issue with Lunesta but I've never felt it the next day. Some do claim to.
Basically, until one is steady with Ambien, the usual, don't operate heavy machinery, definately don't drink alcohol near taking any sleep aid. One will gradually acclimate and may need 15 or 20mg of it instead, depending on the willingness of your doctor. Its usually prescribed as 1, take another if needed so insurance companies don't have a fit, but my understanding is that it is going generic around October so I think that isn't going to be an issue. And yes, there's the story of dear Aunt Muffy taking Ambien and baking an entire cake and eating it and going back to bed and not remembering it in the morning. This is possible -- anything is, but large amnesic events like that are generally dose related, age related, and possibly have genetic proclivity.
Not to say that it is child's play. Talk with your doctor about the nature of your insomnia (mine has always been rather bad) and what he or she is willing to do to work with you.
-- tidingsJay
Posted by elanor roosevelt on September 12, 2006, at 6:51:06
In reply to Re: long term ambien use, dangerous? » crabwalk, posted by yxibow on September 10, 2006, at 18:34:16
I have never slept well -- even as a child
been on ambien 8 years or so
sleep as long a 5 hours at a time
gotta get into bed when you take it and stay there
i am clean and sober so i am ultra-aware of substance abuse possibilities and ambien does get you stoned if you are up and about
then you miss the "window" of entering sleep -- which is brief with ambien
leaves you cranky, with a headache and awake
Posted by gardenergirl on September 12, 2006, at 7:17:57
In reply to Re: long term ambien use, dangerous?, posted by elanor roosevelt on September 12, 2006, at 6:51:06
That's exactly how I feel when I wake up and get out of bed. This has been happening more and more, and I have no real reason to get up. I'm not doing really crazy things, although yoga in the dark without my glasses, while staggering around from Ambien isn't exactly good judgment.
I remember whatever I did when I was awake, so it's not like I wake up the next day and wonder where those food crumbs came from or why the mat is out.
But it does disrupt sleep, and I wondered if this waking up and getting up was something that came with long term use or if it's just a phase I'm going through.
My mom has taken it for years, and she's recently experiencing a similar thing. But otherwise, she's done well on it.
gg
Posted by elanor roosevelt on September 14, 2006, at 8:43:46
In reply to Re: long term ambien use, dangerous? » elanor roosevelt, posted by gardenergirl on September 12, 2006, at 7:17:57
Ambien isn't made to last more than 5 hours.
That's exactly how I feel when I wake up and get out of bed. This has been happening more and more, and I have no real reason to get up. I'm not doing really crazy things, although yoga in the dark without my glasses, while staggering around from Ambien isn't exactly good judgment.
>
> I remember whatever I did when I was awake, so it's not like I wake up the next day and wonder where those food crumbs came from or why the mat is out.
>
> But it does disrupt sleep, and I wondered if this waking up and getting up was something that came with long term use or if it's just a phase I'm going through.
>
> My mom has taken it for years, and she's recently experiencing a similar thing. But otherwise, she's done well on it.
>
> gg
Posted by gardenergirl on September 14, 2006, at 15:17:38
In reply to Re: long term ambien use, dangerous?, posted by elanor roosevelt on September 14, 2006, at 8:43:46
> Ambien isn't made to last more than 5 hours.
Kinda a silly approach to making a sleep aid, then.
gg
This is the end of the thread.
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