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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cncase on June 3, 2006, at 2:18:05
I take Ambien. However if I dont go to sleep right away, then I see movement from the paint designs on the ceilings, computer keys move up or down or side ways, the words on the computer screen sort of look as if they are inside of a bubble, and I see person out of the side of my eyes that are watching me, but when I turn they are not there. Is this the Ambien and if so, is there not an alternative that works as well as ambien, but without the side effects of the day time grogginess?
Posted by heaven help me on June 3, 2006, at 13:51:28
In reply to Ambien, posted by cncase on June 3, 2006, at 2:18:05
I took Ambien for a couple years and it worked fine, EXCEPT in conjunction with Gabitril. Then it gave me hallucinations. SO I quit the Gabitril and was fine. Later, I added Abilify to the mix. I found out by experience that Abilify can cause insomnia and sure enough, the Ambien did not cut it anymore. I'd take 1 and sleep about 3 hrs. then wake and take another for another 3 hours sleep and end up awake and unrested. PA swiched Ambien to Restoril and changed the Abilify to Geodon and now I sleep, well and rested, no hallucinations. My only complaint is that I now NEED 9 hours of sleep or I am groggy. And I usually need a coffee in the am to get going (though I don't mind this part). If I try to wake before the 9th hour of sleep I have to be drug out of bed to do so. So, I just take my eve meds ,Restoril included, AT LEAST 9 hours before I need to be up and about. Seems to work for me. Feel kinda like Cinderella and her pumpkin.
blessings
mar(always the poster that writes too long) :)
Posted by gardenergirl on June 3, 2006, at 15:44:57
In reply to Re: Ambien, posted by heaven help me on June 3, 2006, at 13:51:28
Ambien can cause hallucinations if you take it and stay awake. I've had experiences when I've had to get up not long after taking it and felt drunk and staggered around a bit. And I've had some interesting "is this a dream or not a dream?" moments as well.
gg
Posted by Phillipa on June 3, 2006, at 22:00:40
In reply to Re: Ambien, posted by gardenergirl on June 3, 2006, at 15:44:57
I remember the first time I took a sleep med same thing happened to me but it was in the hospital after giving birth walking to the nursery. But I sure felt good and slept well. Love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on June 3, 2006, at 22:48:36
In reply to Ambien, posted by cncase on June 3, 2006, at 2:18:05
> I take Ambien. However if I dont go to sleep right away, then I see movement from the paint designs on the ceilings, computer keys move up or down or side ways, the words on the computer screen sort of look as if they are inside of a bubble, and I see person out of the side of my eyes that are watching me, but when I turn they are not there. Is this the Ambien and if so, is there not an alternative that works as well as ambien, but without the side effects of the day time grogginess?
I would put that, as noted, in the "interesting but not to be worried" category -- they are probably hallucinations caused by Ambien if you stay awake. Some people have used Ambien recreationally so I wouldn't be surprised. I've never experienced it -- except the first time I took it, oh my god it was so wonderful, there was this feeling like a voice, come to sleep, its OK. (I had previously taken a midterm on 1 hours of sleep.) Never have had that experience again, ah, alas.You probably would experience the same thing on all pseudobenzodiazepines, but then again, each is different -- you could try Sonata, its the weakest -- or have your doctor try different ranges of Lunesta (I had to use 3mg -- I currently take 20mg of Ambien, but I have always for the longest time had bad insomnia.)
Restoril is an option but one becomes more accustomized to true benzodiazepines than the BZ-like sleep aids (Ambien/Ambien CR, Sonata, Lunesta, and the possibly one of these moons to be released indiplon). Dalmane is some really scary stuff, it sucks you in even more than Restoril. Halcion, got bad press, but judicious use is no more than Dalmane or any of the others.
There's also Ramelteon, which is basically expensive and refined melatonin in a patented pill. It might not cause quite the same depression that melatonin can as a hormone, but I couldnt say for sure.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on June 4, 2006, at 8:31:13
In reply to Re: Ambien, posted by yxibow on June 3, 2006, at 22:48:36
Ambien is a drug to be taken as you get into bed.Take the ambien, read a few pages of something and night-night.
If you are up and about after it is not the drug for you -- there can be those wrinkly hallucinations, you might eat a gallon of ice cream, and if you talk on the phone be prepared to divulge your inner secrets.
the worst part is that there is a "window" of time for falling asleep and if you fight it you may miss it completely.
Lunesta "allows" you to fall asleep (it is also the most beautiful shade of ble) but is gradual enough to give time for a wrestling match with nighttime anxieties.
This is the end of the thread.
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