![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by eve70 on November 30, 2004, at 10:01:10
I never suffer of panic attaks.
One month ago took half pill of ambien for sleeping problems.
Fall asleep quite immediately, but the morning after i experience disgusting xtreme anxiety and panic attak.
I didn't correlate these effects to the drug, but stop to take it again.
Last evenig took again half ambien pill, slept immediately, but the following morning (after about 12 h) experience again same panic attach and extreme axiety.
It could be an effect of Ambien? No one else experienced these s/e?
It is all in my immagination?
Thanks you very much for your help!
eve
Posted by linkadge on November 30, 2004, at 10:23:31
In reply to AMBIEN's (Zolpidem) PANIC ATTAK: no one else?, posted by eve70 on November 30, 2004, at 10:01:10
A small proportion of the population man exerpience panic attacks as a result of taking sedatives, hypnotics, or traquizers
Posted by ed_uk on November 30, 2004, at 10:23:41
In reply to AMBIEN's (Zolpidem) PANIC ATTAK: no one else?, posted by eve70 on November 30, 2004, at 10:01:10
Hello,
The symptoms that you report sound rather similar to the symptoms which may occur in people treated with (other) short-acting hypnotics for several weeks. Triazolam (Halcion) in particular has been associated with the development of panic attacks/anxiety during the day. It seems that the anxiety is the result of Halcion withdrawal (dependence on Halcion may develop rapidly resulting in the appearance of withdrawal symptoms during the day).
It would seem unlikely that you are experiecing withdrawal symptoms after a single dose of Ambien but I suppose that it's possible! Ambien seems to be associated with a lower risk of dependence that Halcion, making it less likely that your symptoms are a form of withdrawal syndrome. Having said that, I often get mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms (including anxiety) after an isolated night of drinking!
Anyway, it sounds like you should avoid Ambien in future!
All the best,
Ed.
Posted by ed_uk on November 30, 2004, at 10:26:20
In reply to Re: AMBIEN's (Zolpidem) PANIC ATTAK: no one else?, posted by linkadge on November 30, 2004, at 10:23:31
Following on from Linkadges post about paradoxical reactions to sedatives.....
When I took the benzodiazepine clobazam (Frisium) I had a panic attack. What a rubbish anti-anxiety drug that turned out to be!
Ed.
Posted by eve70 on November 30, 2004, at 10:35:15
In reply to Re: AMBIEN's (Zolpidem) PANIC ATTAK: no one else?, posted by ed_uk on November 30, 2004, at 10:26:20
Thanx for your quick response!!!!
I don't know if it is important but I was on Triazolam with none side effects like Ambien.
Nor on Sonata had side effects at all, but this did quite nothing for my sleep.
Thanx again!
All the best to you too!!
eve
Posted by ed_uk on November 30, 2004, at 10:52:43
In reply to Re: AMBIEN's PANIC ATTACK: linkadge, ed_uk., posted by eve70 on November 30, 2004, at 10:35:15
Hi,
In that case, it looks like you had an idiosyncratic response to Ambien!!
Ed.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 30, 2004, at 11:36:42
In reply to Re: AMBIEN's PANIC ATTACK: linkadge, ed_uk., posted by ed_uk on November 30, 2004, at 10:52:43
I'm not 100% sure that this is the same thing, but I started taking Ambien 2 months ago to help w/ restless sleep associated w/ my depression. At first, if I slept beyond 8 hrs I would have bad, anxious dreams and my heart would be pounding and I would be out of breath. It felt like a mini panic attack. This didn't seem to happen if I got up after 8 hrs. Eventually this side effect(?) seemed to go away. I must say that overall my experience has been very positive w/ Ambien.
EE
Posted by simcha on November 30, 2004, at 12:38:04
In reply to Re: AMBIEN's PANIC ATTACK, posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 30, 2004, at 11:36:42
I've never experienced that side effect. Your milage may vary, of course as with any medication.
I like Ambien...
It seems that each person has a different response. For me 10mg is very mild. Then again I weigh 235 lbs. or so. (I don't get on scales frequently, they annoy me.)
I'm going to have to make a decision soon to switch sleep meds possibly due to financial reasons. It seems someone above had success with Triazolam (Halcion). I'm kind of scared of this benzo because of all the reports of high dependence and reactions to it (psychosis). My family has a history of sever psychosis. So far I've been spared the family curse.. I'm 35.
Instead I have major depressive disorder with recurrent features that is in remission currently. I suffer from restless legs syndrome, bruxism, and chronic insomnia even with a great success with my treatment for depression.
I use:
Celexa 40mg/day (am)
WellbutrinXL 300mg/day (pm)
Neurontin 600mg/day (pm)
and
Ambien perhaps 2 times per week at night. I only use it when sleep is especially difficult because I don't want to become dependent and I don't want the Ambien to lose its effectiveness.So, any other recommendations from my formulary... Halcion, Ativan, or Restoril...would be appreciated....
Thanks,
Simcha
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.