It seems that every time I stop taking ambien for a few days and I'm feeling side effects. When I wake up my head is killing me, my kidneys are killing me, and I can't stop sudden movement. I have tried to stop several times though my doctors and with therapy but its like nothing works. I try to stick with it but if I have to deal with worst side effects. I can't believe I've been in this mess since '09 and I'm taking too many to even my prescriptions out.
I'm no doctor, so I definitely can't give you any medical information on Ambien, but I can relay my personal experience with it.
I've been on Ambien (currently 10mg) for SEVERAL years now (5 or more). I have many chronic pain conditions, including fibroymalgia. One of the major symptoms of fibro is insomnia - which I definitely suffer from!
Have you tried Ambien or Sonata? I take Ambien (have been on it for about 4 years) - some nights it works well and others it's like I've taken a tic tac - but there are nights when nothing short of getting hit over the head with a hammer is going to help me sleep! I used to be on the CR version of the Ambien, until my insurance decided it wasn't going to cover that formula any longer, so now I'm back to the 10mg dose.
My last refill for percocet was 10/19 and 12/09 for ambien and that was my plastic surgeon. My surgeon refused to give me anything else. He told me to find a PCP and I did 12/17 but this FNP isn't addressing my pain/insomnia effectively. On 12/17/10 she wrote me a script for indocin and benadryl. This didn't work so on 12/23/10 she wrote a questionable or I'm not sure who wrote it for sonata, percocet, and dicflonac.
I've searched the web and here and no really good answer. I'm taking a Sonata about 3 or 4 oclock in the morning. It does cause some jitters next day. Now I've started Sam-e and a Super Beta Complex and the Jitters are unbearable. I take some Xanax and it helps some. I can't take much and still function.
The question is ... Is it the Sam-e or the Super B Complex causing the extreme jitters or anxiety?
You will not have w/d from ambien if you have only used it a few times. It is extremely addictive so be very careful with it. I used it for several months during w/d from hydros and then I had major problems from using the Ambien as prescribed NEVER abused it. It has taken me months to get over it. My sleep is just now returning to normal the ambien does more harm than good in the long run.
Hi,
As another 'nocturnal' person I can relate. I also use Ambien and Xanax (not together!). The Ambien will give me exactly 3 hours of sleep (sometimes it doesn't work) but it seems to be a fairly good quality of sleep. The xanax makes it easier for me to fall back asleep after I wake up but the sleep quality does not seem to be as good. Also, I am drowsy and groggy in the morning.
Hi while I was in treatment I took ambien and it got me maybe 3 hours at most. I had lot trouble sleeping and if I did sleep it was for very short periods of time. I took ambein for the last 4 months of my treatment. when I finished I took 1/2 pill till it was gone. maybe for a week with no addition but everyone is different. I took my rib at around 3 pm in afternoon but that did not seem to help either.
Yah, I took all that junk at 12 and it's now 1300 and I'm about to keel over. Sonata or lunesta both work for me, ambien did too when that's what I could get. But only when mixed with the other stuff. Folks have told me that my 'cocktail' is going to make my liver fail and that that's a very painful death. The death part doesn't bother me, but I don't want my last awareness to be one of pain.
i would also take responsibilty of abuse of ambien or any other medication i chose to abuse or felt compelled to abuse....as many can take narcotic for short term pain relief and ambien as need for sleep...I will not blame the drug...i will blame myself and this is one of the first steps towards recovery for me...i have never blamed lortab for my addiction...it stated it was for short term use only and i used it for 3 years...often above the prescribed dose...it is all my fault...
I have been on, seroquel, lunesta, trazadone,sonata and ambien by itself. The one thing that finally worked is 10mg of ambien and 30mg of temazepam. However in addition I take topamax and vistaril. But the ambien/restoril concoction works better than anything for me I am also 6 foot 4 and 210 pounds so mg may change as well as how meds react to everyones body/genetics.
Benzos are a bad remedy for insomnia, as they interfere with the brain's ability to learn how to adapt to stress and interfere with REM sleep, and of course are addictive with quite a withdrawal kick. Although you only used it for a short time, people are different in how they respond to quitting -- it should be done gradually even after short term use if that use was continuous as opposed to as-needed occasional use.
I would definetly quit taking the Ambien if you can because of all the nasty side effects of this class of drugs,or atleast change to another type hypnotic such as Lunesta or Sonata,they do the same job but without all of the sleep walking and stuff. You may or may not have experienced any of the things I have but I have woken up in places where I did not go to sleep in and that alone was enough for me,let alone the other things that I spoke of that happened to me.
I'm seeing a doctor for a 10 year sleep problem. He swears by magnesium....loading me up on it to the eyeballs. So far, I haven't taken enough to get there, but it IS getting better, at least on most nights, I think. I do think the l-theanine amino acid is also a terrific natural sleep aid. I've heard about it all over the place and have seen many posts about it over the past year or so. As far as the ambien, ambien CR, lunesta, sonata, etc., don't even try them.
I am currently taking the following for FMS: Celexa (depression), Ultram (pain) Vicodin (bad pain), Lunesta (to stay asleep), and now Provigil (to stay awake in the day). I have say, these all are helping, but maybe about 50%. The pain never goes away, only flucuates to bad or worse. The Lunesta is great. I tried Ambien & Sonata, but couldn't handle the side effects. Lunesta keeps me asleep but doesn't make me feel hung-over in the morning.
diphenhydramine (Benadryl) which is available OTC or hydroxyzine (Atarax or Vistaril) which is prescribed here in the states. I have had good luck lately with Antivert (Meclizine).
I find I have to alternate these meds since they do help me sleep but mostly I need them for itching. **It is almost impossible to stay hydrated with antihistamines so be sure to drink water by the boat load if you consider this route.
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