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Posted 5/23/2009 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
I know I have heard others here post about getting up during the night and not kn owing it. I stated on Ambien a week ago but still am having trouble getting to sleep as the the pain still is too much at night. I found out just a little bit ago that I got up last night and was up most the night but don't remember it. My wife thought I was just not able to get past the pain. She told me I talked to her for awhile and then rubbed her back until she went to sleep. She thinks I went back to bed around 4 but I don't remember getting up. I also ate but don't remember that either. I know that I felt like I had not slept when I got up this morning to take my daughter to look at some horse tack in a sale. Has anyone else experienced this while on Ambien? If so, did you have to find something else. I have never done something like this before. 
Posted 5/23/2009 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
FatherJohn, I have never taken Ambien before. But I have heard that it can cause some pretty strange side effects-sleepwalking being one of them. I have also heard of people getting up in the middle of the night and get in their car and drive somewhere. It all sounds pretty alarming. I am glad that your wife is a light sleeper and could tell you all those things. It may not be the med for you. I think you should call your Dr on Tues. and report this to them. He may want to take you off of it immediately. It definitely sounds like an undesirable side effect going on-and the eating too and not remembering that. That one could also be dangerous(possibly choking). I will be keeping you in my thoughts. I hope you have a better night tonight. Do you know if last night was the first time that has happened to you? I am sure it desturbs you. Maybe someone else will come along with some better information for you. I just wanted you to know that I care and about that I have heard of this happening before. Good luck to you. And I'll keep you in my thoughts.I wish you a low pain day and a good peaceful sound sleep.
Anice
Posted 5/23/2009 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Fatherjohn,
Yes, some of those things have been reported on ambien. Remember a few years ago there was a Congressman who actually got up in the middle of the night and drove to the Capitol building in D.C., had an accident, and was arrested for drunk driving. Turns out he was on ambien and thought he was going to the House of Rep. to cast a vote! At first everyone thought he was just trying to get out of the "DUI" but turned out he was right.

I don't know if I'd wait until Tuesday. If your doctor has an emergency number, I think it's worth a call to report it. Otherwise, call and talk with your head pharmacist. It may be that you should d/c it immediately, but maybe I'm wrong. Could be this subsides in time. But as Anice said you could choke on food, or do something else that becomes dangerous (although your wife probably liked the backrub! LOL), let alone the fact you're not really getting any sleep!

Hope this helps a bit.

PaLady
Posted 5/23/2009 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
I will tell you my father was on it for over a year. This is a true story. He got into his van and drove to the store, he wrecked his van and still didn't wake up. The next morning we went to see him and his van had dents, grass and dirt all throughout the front bumper. He didn't remember a thing.....

As you are guessing he stopped taking that sleeping medication. My advice is be very careful and watch the side effects closely.

Laurie
Posted 5/23/2009 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks and I have been looking up some other things about ambien and I have decided that I am going to discontinue it. I have an appointment Wednesday with my surgeon for the pre-op for the nerve stimulator and will be in touch with my PMS at the same time. With my past life who knows what I might do. The last few nights I maight have been having more fun than I thought. If I did, I just wish I could remember.
Posted 5/23/2009 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe you should ask your wife? smilewinkgrin

Seriously, glad you're going to discontinue it. Giving a backrub is one thing; ending up in a car accident is another. And who knows, you might even arrest someone! smhair

PaLady
Posted 5/23/2009 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
Fatherjohn,

You might try Lunesta. I have had good luck with it and no side effects!

Modelmaker
Posted 5/23/2009 11:31 PM (GMT 0)

I also take Trazodone which also helps with pain but this stuff puts me out like a light until about 2 am but then the pain starts to set in...

FJ sleeping aids are by the dozen out there.....lol  Play around and find a good one. 

Modelmaker I have heard good things about Lunesta I was thinking about trying it to see if it would last longer then what I take.

Laurie

Posted 5/23/2009 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Fatherjohn, when I took ambien, I didn't have the sleep walking issue but would have episodes of sudden extreme sadness. I'd start crying randomly and wouldn't know why. Didn't like that much. I stopped the ambien and that stopped also. Doctor said that it was one of the more unusual side-effects. Lisa
Posted 5/24/2009 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
In the 11 years I have had CP I have gone through so many. I have a report which I put together that lists all the meds I have been on and my PMS went through his list against mine and said there is not much left to try. I am sure there is something but not this one. He was suprized Trazadone did not work either. I mentioned a wooden mallet to my wife but she was not up for that. I tell some people that know my struggle that sleep is over rated.

Posted 5/24/2009 12:49 AM (GMT 0)

Wow trazadone didnt work.  That is an old one that can knock a horse out..lol

I wish you luck on the search for sleep.

Laurie

Posted 5/24/2009 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi fatherjohn,

Wow! That is really scary! I'm sure glad that I didn't have that side effect when I took ambien! Actually, ambien didn't do a thing for me. I was taking one ambien CR & one ambien IR at once (per doc's orders) and I was still wide awake from pain at 5/6 am! I seem to be just as resistant to sleep meds as I am to pain meds. I swear that I have tried them all. I was up to 300 mg of trazadone, and STILL awake (300 mg is around the highest you can go)! Unfortunately the one or two things that seemed to help a little really bothered my eyes, so much that I couldn't focus them on anything for the entire following day!

I actually just started on amitryptiline (elavil) again last week. My PM had had me on it for pain this summer, and I took it for over a month before giving up. But now, my psychiatrist wants me back on amitryptiline (because I am apparently also resistant to every other class of antidepressants - geez my body just doesn't react to anything, or when it does, I get severe reactions. There doesn't seem to be a middle gound!). I'm taking much more of it now that I did when the PM had me on it, and my doc warned me that I would be pretty out of it the first 3-4 days after stopping. He was right! I slept for almost 3 days straight! I just could NOT function at all. The sleep was good for me, because I desperately needed it, but I hated feeling so out of control. I almost gave up after 4 days, when I didn't seem to be getting any better. But I stuck through it. I still feel really sleepy in the morning. I am not quite myself, but much better. But, I have noticed that I am sleeping a little better with it (that was part of the goal as well). I don't know if you have tried amitryptiline before, but I just thought I'd throw it out there. I am taking 75 mg now (although the goal is to get to 150 mg - although I'm not sure I can handle an increase if I have to go through that 3-4 day thing again). When the PM had me on it, I was only taking 10 -20 mg.

Just thought I'd add that I also have made one of those sheets that lists every med I have tried, the duration that I was on them & my reactions to them. In addition, I have information about all of the specialists that I have seen & other treatments/modalities that I have tried. I have found this VERY helpful, as I have seen quite few docs, and this is a much faster, easier way to give them my whole history. They really appreciate it.

Best,
Skeye
Posted 5/24/2009 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
LL and Skeye, Thanks for sounding in. I was seeing three docs before I had surgery last year my PCP, Neurosurgeon and my VA Dr. Finally my VA Dr. stated I was on enough medications to knock a horse out and she stated she was only going to treat the High Blood pressure. Now the PCP has even taken that over as my BP is still out of control and I am going to have to look into a change there after the implant. I tried the amitryptiline but nothing. They now have me on Nortryptiline and because they have not found anything else that will work are still using it. What has them fooled is I can work all day and deny the pain most of the time but at night nothing will take the pain away so I can sleep. My PCP told me he knows why I work such long hours as when I work I don't notice the pain. It is only when I stop. Even on the days that I have to address the pain at work, I take the meds and keep up the pace. Should I cut down on work? The thought sounds good but what do I do with the pain. There is the thought that working less might ease the pain but even when I take time off, I am still at the same place. My daughter had to have a vet work on her horse as the horse had a cold and she thought I should try the vet. Oh how I love my daughter. She has me so trained. I think I hear Ben & Jerry calling.
Posted 5/24/2009 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
I am glad you stopped the Ambien, here in Wisconsin a man was on Ambien a couple months, he started acting weird per his wife. One day he disappeared and his car was gone. They found him in the bottom of the river and linked it to the Ambien. I dont want to scare you but if you dont remember doing things I would stop it and I am glad you did it. Sleep is not in my vocabulary, the 25 mg of Amitripyline doesnt kick in for 4 hours after I take it and I cant remember half the time I get up in the morning to take my other pills. As far as the pain and depression, it does nothing and I dont want to increase the dose. Take care
Posted 5/24/2009 7:21 AM (GMT 0)

Cshelp, thanks for the encouragement. At least I know that this one won't work for me. On to the next option whatever that will be.

Skeye, another reason that I keep a journal of all the meds I have tried and even list what I am on presently when I go to the doctor is the meds mess with my memory at times. I can't seem to get the words out of my mouth even though I know what I want to say. I was talking to my PMS several weeks ago and he ask me if I was on a certain mediction. I could not remember what meds I was on. He had asked if I was on amitryptiline or nortriptyline and since I have been on both I could not remember. I told him I thought I was on 100 mg of nortryptiline and I took 2 50s. He asked why I did not take 1 100 mg. He looked it up on his computer and said they don't make a 100 mg and that was why I took 2 50s. It happened to be a day that my wife dropped me off at the doctors office and I left my wallet with her so I did not have my cheat sheet. He looked at me strange when I drew a blank about the meds but I looked at him strange when he didn't know the dosages they came in.

Posted 5/24/2009 8:07 AM (GMT 0)
Fatherjohn,
Glad I'm not the only one with memory issues anymore. I used to be able to rattle off, in order, every doctor I've seen. Every procedure. Every medication. Now I honestly can't remember. I'm afraid when I do the SSD paperwork I'll leave things out unintentionally, and my PCP's records are no help.

I do keep a list of meds on my computer and every time I go to a doctor I update it. Thank goodness. If I had to start from scratch I couldn't do it. It is simply exhausting and overwhelming to keep it all straight.

PaLady
Posted 5/24/2009 9:48 AM (GMT 0)
I haven't found out if I have done any sleep walking or sleep driving or anything else for that matter. I am however trying to get off the ambien. I went to the drug store a got some Meletonin which I take 2 little pills of and then my other medication. It was hard at first but I'm finally getting some sleep.

Hara

Posted 5/24/2009 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
I've never been on ambien but it sounds very scarey what happened to you Fatherjohn. I'm glad that you stopped the medication.

I have, however, taken elavil. I took 125mg every night for depression and it worked for years, but I had several side effects, among them were racing pulse and excessive sweating. They were not very comfortable side effects, I tell ya.

Hope you find the right answer to your sleeping problems. I know one time I took some serequil and I couldn't wake up even though I was aware of my surroundings and tried desperately to wake up. Now THAT was scarey too!!

Good luck FJ.

Lindaloo
Posted 5/24/2009 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi PAlady,

I don't believe there is anything wrong with your memory. As our heads beome filled with various concerns sometimes facts get pushed around and end up in dusty corners that are hard to find. I, too, have a computer listing of all the meds I take, who prescribed them and the reason with all the contact info that most docs and care providers ask for. Also make one for my wife. At one visit I asked the nurse if she had any other patients who had to bring the med list in on paper. She said most people our age do. And she prefers it to someone scratching their head trying to recall all the meds and dosages and could easily miss one or get something wrong. So we are in the majority on that one. Now I don't even fill out their forms in the office. I just say "see attached list". They are fine with that.

It's also a good idea to keep that list on your person so that in the even you can't speak for yourself, the responders will know exactly what you are taking and why.

Modelmaker
Posted 5/24/2009 6:52 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning All, I had a long night but at least I know I was not wandering around and not remembering. I did not get to bed until 3:30 AM. The good thing is my wife let me sleep until 10:00 AM. She is so nice to me. She got up and made sure everything was quiet and this is probably the best sleep I have had in months. I just don't know how I can fit this kind of schedule into my working schedule.

PAlady, you know the old saying, the memory is the first to go. If anytimg is going to hinder my working it is going to be my ability to get the words and thoughts from my mind to being able to deliver it. My PCP told me that he could increase my meds but decrease my IQ. I am not sure I have that much to start with so I don't want to lose much.  Maybe not being able to remember will help with SSD as long as you can remember to get it all down. I have a feeling you are going to have more than enough put together for your case.

Hara, I am glad I stopped the ambien as my wife was talking of locking our bedroom door and taking my keys away and hiding them at night. Sometimes we have to weigh the benefit of the meds with the side effects. I could see a new street sign in front of our house, Warning, Sleep Walker Ahead.

Lindaloo, The sleep problem was what started the jpourney that I am on right now. 2 1/2 years ago I was at the point that I slept only an average of 2 hours a night due to the pain. I had been managing the pain with pills since my injury 11 years ago. Now, 3 surgeries and many medication trials I am still facing the same issues. My PMS told me after the Stim Trial, "this is as good as it is going to get." I am not ready to give up.

Modelmaker, What did the nurse mean most people our age. Just kidding. Since I am not eligible for Social Security Disability, not because I am not disabled because the state where I worked listed me as totally and pemanently disabled, I am looking at the 59 1/2 and 62 age marks more and more. I am 1 week away from having my SCS implant.    

   

Posted 5/25/2009 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
I had to stop taking Ambien because I was not only sleep walking but I was raiding the ice box as well, I was gaining a lot of weight and I had no clue as to how until one day my wife asked me why I was sitting in the kitchen at 3am eating and I had no memory of doing that so I stopped taking the Ambien and now my weight has come back down to where it is supposed to be. Sleep walking and sleep eating is some of the side effects of this medication so you mite want to think about changing or even stop taking Ambien.

                                          Sam

Posted 5/25/2009 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I don't need to be Sleep Walking or Sleep Driving or anything else that's why I'm trying to get off the Ambien. I am now taking 2 Melatonin at night with my other meds.
Posted 5/25/2009 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
I just did a google on Ambien.... Oh my I'm shocked its still on the market. The side effects are DANGEROUS. With my dad wrecking I though it was a mixture of things but now that I read some on it WOW.

Makes you wonder.

Laurie
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