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Posted 8/13/2014 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
I take Ambien. Up to 20mgs. Still have trouble sleeping. But main concern is, can it be adding to my depression? My anger management issues? The Ambien, not the lack of sleep. I am addicted at this point. If I take 0, I can't even sleep a wink. And that definitely pisses me off, & adds to my anger! But if this is an Ambien side effect, then I will have to find something else. IF there is anything else. The 3 anti depressants I have tried over the years did not help me sleep = started there. Have always hoped a good night's sleep would be the fix all. So just went w/ the Ambien. Still sleep poorly & am angry all the time.
Posted 8/13/2014 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
What antidepressant are you on now? Or are you on one? Could it be fizzling out? Maybe you need an adjustment in that.

I haven't heard of ambien causing this, but that doesn't mean it couldn't. I take 5 mg at night. I was taking it every other night, but then something came up and I couldn't stop thinking at night so now I take it every night again. Though I am soon going to try every other night again.

I use meditation to help me sleep also. It seems to help me fall asleep faster. And if I wake up I try to try it again. It helps a lot.

Ambien I believe is a hypnotic. Have you looked up side effects? Have you read anything similar to what you are going through? Are you getting any sleep? If so how much?

I am sorry you are angry all the time. Have you tried mindfulness? It keeps you in the moment so that you aren't thinking of things. Maybe then you wouldn't be angry.

What all meds are you on? Just curious. Sorry about all the questions, just trying to help you figure it out.

Take care and I hope that you feel better soon Shari...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 8/13/2014 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
My friend takes melatonin to sleep or an OTC nighttime sleep liquid. She prefers the OTC liquid. My other friend is prescribed amitriptyline to sleep and for PTSD nightmares. Yet another friend takes Tramadol. There are options. Can you still see a doctor since losing your job?

Lack of sleep is definitely stressful to the mind and body. Can you try exercising during the day to help get tired at night? It could help your anger and depression too. I'm
Not saying it's an answer but it's free and easy if you're physically able to move. It helps my anxiety too.

Keep talking here and asking questions. Everyone here is truly so helpful. This is the best forum I have ever come across.

-Lisa
Posted 8/13/2014 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
Have never heard of "mindlessness" , so have never tried it. My mind never seems to stop working. My concentration then sucks. None of the 3 anti depressants I was on seemed to help. Prozac seemed to, then it didn't! The other 2 raised my BP. & I won't take more meds. to off set side effects. I have looked up side effects of Ambien, but thought I might find something new here. I saw a shrink for 4 mos. He did not believe in drugs. Atleast for me at that point. But he kept cancelling my appts. 50% of them, & that added to my anxiety, so I stopped seeing him. I will be looking again though. But it takes about 3 mos. to get any appts. for shrinks w/ the provider I use. & I will have to start w/ my primary Dr. & I see her again in Oct. I have been trying to find out if hypnosis helps w/ any of these things. Hoping for a quick fix until I can get other options started. Knowing it can take up to 8 wks. for meds. to kick in, & yrs. for therapy to do much good. I try self hypnosis to get to sleep. But again, my mind won't stop wondering, so I never get far. I was on Amitriptyline back in my 20's. That Dr. said it was perfect for letting the brain shut down. I thought it was a sleeping pill, not an anti depressant, so only took it maybe 4 times a week. So no idea if it worked as an anti depressant. & I went off it due to the cotton mouth being so bad. It feels like so much work to try & fix this. & I don't have the energy most days. This sight has pulled me back from the edge I felt I was teetering on :). Thank you ALL!!!
Posted 8/13/2014 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
It's "mindfulness" not mindlessness but thx for the unintentional chuckle LOL!!! Mindfulness.org is a good site to start with. Meditation is good too.

Funny you mentioned hypnosis. My sister is a family physician and I was talking to her about my current struggles (I'm trying to find the right med/combo since my old AD pooped out on me). Anyway, she mentioned hypnosis. I chuckled but she said a patient of hers tried it and swears by it bc it really helped her. My best friends father quit smoking 2 packs cigs/day 25 yrs ago after hypnosis.

I've actually been considering acupuncture. I've been meditating too. My anxiety has gotten a bit better so it's a little easier now. My depression is still lingering tho. But the meditation and power walking around my neighborhood really help.

-Lisa
Posted 8/13/2014 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
The site that Lisa gave you is a good one. Mindfulness is basically paying attention to what you are doing and things around you. It keeps you in the present. Or in the "now"...

I started by talking myself through things I was doing. Gradually I started paying attention on my own. I find it keeps me from thinking too much and now I don't dwell on the past or worry about the future. I am always in the present. Check out the site. That and meditation keep me from thinking too much at night. You can do meditation any time though. It grounds you. We just read a book called "How to Train a Wild Elephant". It is a short read really easy to read. It teaches us about mindfulness and how to get the best out of every day. Maybe you could read that too.

But do check out the site.

Have a good evening...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 8/13/2014 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
I have been a problem sleeper I think since the day I was born. Alcohol use to help. But I gave that up 20 yrs. ago (am 56 yo) = a depressant! Nothing works. No exercise or anything else I have found lets my brain shut off. Not even after good sex :). I can get to sleep w/ Ambien, but only for 1 or 2 hrs. at a time. I get my insurance through my hubby. So if his daughter's talk him into divorcing me, I am screwed. My main trigger for all right now is my husband leaving me. All the promises he made to me, and broke them all (& less than 5 yrs. in). And Robin Williams didn't help (he had so much). I will look into "mindfulness". But over coming the over thinking, the over worrying, that has plagued me for over 50 yrs., sounds impossible.

Post Edited (ShariBB) : 8/13/2014 1:35:10 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/13/2014 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
Lisa, Melatonin has always made my face break out. I am already dealing w/ acne, even at my age :(. Have tried it all I think. Valerian Root too. IF it's over the counter, I have tried it.
Posted 8/13/2014 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
Have you ever tried low dose Xanax to help your mind from racing all of the time? It is a benzo and they can be addicting but they're also very helpful to those of us that need it.

Were you ever on an antidepressant long term? I know when the right one is found, it can literally be a lifesaver.

Robin Williams shook the hell outta me too. I know it did Karen & pretty much the whole world. It really struck those of us w/depression & currently struggling. I had to get off of Facebook yesterday and turned the tv to QVC just to get away from the news.

I'd call your doctor and see if you can get an "emergency" appt to discuss medication. Just a discussion, doesn't mean you have to take anything. Also about your racing thoughts and can't shut your mind off to sleep. Have you considered seeing a psychiatrist for meds? That's where I get my meds now since they are a specialist in this field.

I'd also get bloodwork done. Test your thyroid, vit D levels, wtc. Both of those when off, can contribute to feeling bad.

Have you gone through menopause yet? Stupid hormones can wreak havoc on us too. My niece is an OB/GYN resident doctor and I asked her what is the best treatment for peri/menipause emotional symptoms (knowing she tries to be holistic w/treatment) and she said Effexor (generic). No joke! GAH!

Get yourself to the doctor ASAP not only to discuss relieving some of your symptoms but to get it done now while you still have husbands insurance!
Posted 8/13/2014 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
The shrink I saw wanted me to do therapy only. Let me stay on Ambien, but wouldn't prescribe anything else. I believe I am done w/ menopause (no periods for 1.5 yrs. approx.). And I know lots of people believe in hormone treatments. But I believe you don't mess w/ mother nature. Our hormone levels drop for a reason! Was on Prozac before seeing a shrink. Seemed to work. Then it just didn't. All the blood work done = yes, every yr. w/ my physical. My primary Dr. sent me to the shrink, because she was thru trying to figure out my problems. Again, his cancelling 50% of my appts. made it worse. Takes a month to reschedule :( . So I quit all together. & lost my trust!!!
Posted 8/13/2014 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
I am in a less than desirable situation. I take Zyprexa for sleeping, it's an atypical antipsychotic that has a deep sleeping effect and mood stabilizing effect. I also take Lamictal as a mood stabilizer. Now they started me on a new antidepressant in addition called Brintellix. Unfortunately, I've had to turn to ambien because that has an insomnia effect. Not sure what to do because it's a great anti-depressant. But having to take ambien to deal with a side effect of another drug is a drag.

Anyone know if Pristiq has an insomniac effect.
Posted 8/13/2014 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
And wouldn't you know it, I can't get in to see my primary Dr. until 9/2 = she out of the office 'til then :( . But because I have found all of you, that will help. 10 mg. Ambien didn't work for me. Was just like over the counter stuff. But I do start w/ 5. Then 1/2 hr. later, if not at all sleepy I take 5 more. Then make myself wait for 1 hr. then 5 more mg. Cut myself off at 20 mg. no matter what! And sometimes 15 does it. IF absolutely nothing is bothering me, any way. All these meds.? How are they on your BP??? I won't take anything that will cause hypertension. I have had only 3 migraines in my life. 3 was enough, thank you. & I won't pile on the meds. to help w/ side effects. ***Dr. Oz mentioned a new natural anti depressant yesterday. Anyone know anything about it?
Posted 8/13/2014 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
The one thing that was not mentioned was caffaine. I would remove all of it from you diet if you are drinking or eating it.

As for Robin Williams, he is not you, you are not him. The variable of reasons for what he did is much too huge for any of us to say that he did not make it, how can I?

try to only think about todays issues. Learn from R. W. death and know that skills and courage can over come our monsters if we apply them. The darkness always goes away.


mindful.org here is the link to the site you want.

peace and courage
Trina
Posted 8/13/2014 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried the Ambien CR? Controlled release, my husband use to take it. They wont give him any anymore because of his age.

Trina... How did you get your link hot? Every time I copy a link, it isn't hot on here for some reason...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 8/13/2014 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Journey- I am on Pristiq for almost 2 months now and I (knock on wood!), don't have any insomnia from it.

My friend is on Brintillix since April & she has not had insomnia. Are any of you drinking caffeine during the day? Even morning coffee can affect some peoples sleep. It never did mine but some are sensitive to it. I've cut it out completely since my junk started in mid February bc of the anxiety.

Shari-
You might try a guided meditation. They make me very relaxed. Also, I bought a very firm memory foam pillow I lay on top of a regular pillow and that cured my insomnia last year!? Crazy but true.

I don't know of a natural antidepressant other than St a Johns Wort. It's not standardized in the USA, only Europe so I wouldn't take it personally.



-Lisa
Posted 8/13/2014 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
I know better than to use caffeine :). It can affect me for up to 14 hrs. And the acid on my stomach , & other internal organs, from coffee, tea, cola, etc...... is not worth it either. But I love chocolate. So I guess I do still get some :(. St. John's Wort? Been there, done that. Didn't help.
Posted 8/13/2014 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
Also, I have tried self hypnosis, which should be a lot like meditation. It's talking to your entire body, 1 part at a time, & getting it to relax. I am a CNA & learned it thru Hospice, to help people at the end of there life to relax (& help w/ their pain). But I found myself now not being able to concentrate long enough. My mind will not stop wondering. But I will keep trying! And other things I have heard of here too.
Posted 8/13/2014 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
Ambien CR. Tried it when Ambien 1st became popular. But no generic form, so too pricy. Had to switch to generic Ambien. & couldn't see any real difference. Wasn't sure CR even still existed. Never see ads for it like I use to.
Posted 8/13/2014 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Shari- you said amitriptyline worked for you years ago- why not try it again? You said you had cotton mouth but I'd take that and sucking on mints over a good, restorative sleep lol. Just a suggestion. It does have AD effects too so maybe it might help?

CNA is a hard job! My friend did it for 7 yrs and just got her RN last month. She did home health care. Now she's trying to get a job at one of the hospitals in our city. She's on celexa and Xanax prn interestingly enough LOL.

Yeah, I took St Johns Wort back in the 90's. I'd forgotten. Didn't do jack.

You said you had stomach issues- do you take a probiotic like Culturelle by chance? I've heard of so many ppl with stomach problems and emotional issues. It's hard to know what comes first. Kinda like anxiety and depression!

That self hypnosis sounds nice. I'd never heard of that. I might try it tonight.

Here's wishing you a restorative sleep tonight!

-Lisa
Posted 8/14/2014 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Last I heard about Amitriptyline is it is very EZ to O D on. Forget you already took a full dose, & take a 2nd? Might very well be too much. I go back to the Dr. on 9/2, so will be looking into Ativan & other such things. I have been a Caregiver since age 19, doing homecare since '85. Unemployed since this last Jan. Need to go back to work . I know feeling/being needed will help. My job is where I have always been the most secure. And caring for the terminally ill. But I need to get out of this hole 1st. Job interviews are way too much anxiety right now. & couldn't take enough Ambien to sleep worried about that.
Posted 8/14/2014 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
With the meditation, you have to keep doing it. Keep practicing. And the awesome part is, practicing is doing it. Don't give up on meditation and mindfulness.

Hugs, Karen...

And sorry that the ambien cr doesn't work for you. Or rather that it is expensive.
Posted 8/14/2014 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
"body scanning" from "mindfulness" sounds like what I call self hypnosis. so am working on that. :). Thank you Hospice of Spokane for that knowledge & teaching!
Posted 8/14/2014 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
I actually do recall reading a study that linked anger and ambient. Ill do some googling and see if I can find it again.

I have insomnia and am a very light sleeper. I've not really haf any success finding a way to fix it. I do find that I sleep better on days when I've done some significant exercise. My mind doesn't shut down easily. I read before bed but that doesn't always help. I wish I had a surefire cure.
Posted 8/14/2014 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
I have to say THANK YOU!!! to everybody here! I haven't felt this much hope in 1.5 mos. The advice, the empathy have been so touching! I am so appreciative! & am so glad that I found you all! + eastern WA. finally had some cooler temps. last night & today :).
Posted 8/14/2014 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
lesweet1971 , thanks for the tip on Pristiq. I might try it, plus it's cheaper than Brintellix.
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