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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by medlib on March 6, 2000, at 0:49:38
What sleep problems have you seen with long-term use of Sonata or Ambien?
Posted by Linda on March 6, 2000, at 18:58:24
In reply to Sleep problems?, posted by medlib on March 6, 2000, at 0:49:38
> What sleep problems have you seen with long-term use of Sonata or Ambien?
The majority (> 95%?) of patients I have seen who have been prescribed long term treatment (over 10 days) with Ambien or Sonata have developed disordered sleep patterns or the return of insomnia despite continued use (every night). I have also seen a reluctance on the part of these patients to "give up" this med, despite it's obvious failure to alleviate the problem it was prescribed for.
Posted by Chris A. on March 6, 2000, at 22:20:10
In reply to Sleep problems?, posted by medlib on March 6, 2000, at 0:49:38
Welcome, Linda!
Ambien has continued to work for me long term. I only consider going without it when I am fairly stable. If I am not asleep by midnight I take it. For those of us with bipolar, mania, hypomania and mixed episodes are often triggered by disruption in sleep patterns. On very rare occassions I wake up in the middle of the night and take another 5 mgs. Good sleep hygiene is always the first choice, but I will admit that I personally consider this med a lifesaver. It's a lot better than feeling a sense of torture all night long. It's probably prudent not to prescribe them for those with a history of addictions. Your post provided the impetus to go back and review what that the PDR has to say (I consider it a legal document). Much of medicine has a risk/benefit aspect to it.
I am a 'retired' nurse with a graduate degree in counseling that I'm not using either.Chris A.
Posted by Elizabeth on March 6, 2000, at 22:23:58
In reply to Re: Sleep problems?, posted by Linda on March 6, 2000, at 18:58:24
> > What sleep problems have you seen with long-term use of Sonata or Ambien?
>
> The majority (> 95%?) of patients I have seen who have been prescribed long term treatment (over 10 days) with Ambien or Sonata have developed disordered sleep patterns or the return of insomnia despite continued use (every night).This is the opposite of what my pdoc and therapist have said about it. I wonder if perhaps the patient groups aren't different and that is wht causes the disparity? (I'm thinking that maybe they're mainly treating patients with insomnia associated with psych illness or with the side effects of other drugs, while your patients are mostly "normies" who are just having sleep troubles...what do you think?)
> I have also seen a reluctance on the part of these patients to "give up" this med, despite it's obvious failure to alleviate the problem it was prescribed for.
Well, if they feel worse when they don't take it, one can hardly blame them!
This is the end of the thread.
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