Posted by jerrympls on April 21, 2005, at 1:11:03
In reply to Re: Lunesta v. Ambien, not a clean swap, posted by musil on April 18, 2005, at 4:51:23
> NO. Maybe. As long as Lunesta isn't a substitute for an existing med like Ambien or triazolem (Halcyon). If you are taking Ambien, I do NOT recommend replacing your Ambien with Lunesta, nor do I recommend combining Ambien with Lunesta. Perhaps this is a personal and one-time experience, but I could only think of thalidomide when I finally came out of the dream state I relate below.
Sorry to hear of your experience - and I do empathize. However, this is not the case for every as you stated - this is your personal experience. Ambien swap to Lunesta is safe and can be an excellent alternative. From reading your post - you certainly didn't have an easy transition. However, I find it odd that after taking the Lunesta you eventually woek up and took valium and halcion = potentially dangerous combination. I wouldn't think the addition of those meds while on a sedative like Lunesta would help in your dream-like state. One fact to note is that caffeine removes benzoz from their post synaptic state - basically reversing the effects. (just an FYI)
Again, from reading your post - it seems more likely - in MY opinion that the odd dream state were most likely a result from use of valium and halcion (valium has a very long half life) along with "ambien discontinuation." Let's hope it's a one-time occurrence.
I'm all for use of benzos and they used to get me right to sleep - but tolerance over the years has lessened that. I still take 4mg of Klonopin a day - even on top of Lunesta.
I too notice some odd dreaming with Lunesta- but nothing to the extreme you went through. In contrast, I find it easy to wake up to go to the bathroom, etc. if I need to in the middle of the night.
I've used Ambien 20mg since it first came out years ago. Of course I haven't been on it EVERYDAY since - but it's always been the sleep med my docs come back to due to my chronic insomnia. I had no problems switching from Ambien 20mg to Lunesta 3mg.
Well, I hope that you are better and that you find a peaceful sleep.
Jerry :-)
poster:jerrympls
thread:482377
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050418/msgs/487311.html