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Posted 7/1/2009 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
A few months ago, my doctor prescribed me Ambien to help me sleep.  I took it for a few days, but soon discovered it made me feel extremely groggy for the whole day afterwards.  My thoughts were jumbled, I was unable to focus, and my memory was unreliable.  It wasn't long before I quit taking it. 

Last night I did a dumb thing.  I was having trouble sleeping, so I came downstairs and looked in the medicine cabinet.  I saw my ambien there and decided to try it again.  I woke up this morning unable to see straight or even keep my eyes open.  I was stumbling around, mumbling incoherently.  I vaguely remember my boyfriend telling me to call work and go back to bed.  I guess I did, because I woke up and it was after 12.  I still am feeling pretty awful, but not so much.  Earlier I wouldn't have been able to use the computer.  I feel terrible for missing work.  We really need the money right now.  I'm angry at my stupidity.  Now I know I'll never take ambien again!

Posted 7/1/2009 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lefty,
Sorry to hear you are feeling so poorly today. I take Ambien sometimes (the generic regular form) however I take only 1/2 of the lowest dose (5mg?). I take it around 9pm at night as I have to be up for word at 6:30am. I am not too groggy with the small dose and I can get enough sleep which is good. Maybe you could try a lower dose or something else? The other thing I have taken that works better than Ambien (for me) is SleepMD. Its OTC and all natural, non-addictive. Where I live it is hard to find as it sells out as fast as it comes in (there must be lots of people having trouble sleeping) and costs a little more than the generic Ambien. It works for me and my #1 choice for sleeping if I have it. Good luck and I guess the positive part of today is you got lots of sleep?
Posted 7/3/2009 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lefty, I take ambien every night along with other sleep aids as well. Its only when I awake during the night that I am groggy in the a.m., otherwise I actually feel good.
Sorry to hear you are having problems.
Posted 7/3/2009 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Lefty....
Sorry to hear you have such a time with Ambein. I on the other hand love my little sleep helpers.

I'm not sure, but could any of your other meds be adding to the sedation factor. I don't take any "pain" meds at night with an ambein pill cuz I fall asleep mighty quickly taking one. When I wake up I tend to take a pain med when I am hurting more than normal. I take an ambein about an hour b/4 bed, in total its at least 9hrs b/4 I "have" to get up for the day.

Maybe try something else, Lunesta or do the more natural herbal route like sleeptime tea.

Don't forget to share your problems with the doc.

Have a great 4th!!
Hugs,
Posted 7/7/2009 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
My Dr's put me on Ambien CR to help me sleep throughout the night with the fibromyaglia pain, it didn't seem to help much so they switched me to Lunesta. I wake up dizzy and in a fog every morning that lasts much of the day. Since it lasts so long I'm thinking it's not so much the Lunesta as it is the other medications I'm on-Lyrica, Concerta, & Savella. I've only been on these medications a short period of time so I'm waiting to see if it passes once it's all level in my system. Lunesta is very expensive for me even with our insurance, but it's either that or I can't sleep....which is really sad since I have narcolepsy and you would think I would sleep hours..but with the fibro pain it wakes me...I'm just waiting for the 'wonder drug' or 'wonder cure', hahhaah.....good luck to you, when you're talking about pain and meds I believe it's 'keep trying until you succeed' type of thing.
Posted 7/7/2009 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lefty,

 

I could not take ambien either.  It made me have severe headaches so my doctor told me to try an over the counter sleep aid.  The main ingrediant is doxcylamine succinate(spelling?) I think it compares to unisom but I'm not sure.  I buy the generic brand and it is very cheap.  It works better than anything I have tried and I don't feel groggy in the morning. I had to take it for a few days to get used to it and I started out with a half of a pill.  Now I take a whole pill every night and usually sleep good.

 

Donna H

Posted 7/8/2009 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
I take seroquel to sleep. I've dealt with apnea and insomnia for years and this is the only thing that works for me
Posted 7/8/2009 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
I took Ambien for a while, and I never had problems that severe, but I def woke up groggy. I take Lunesta now though, and I sleep really well, with no horrible side effects.
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