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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 Glydin on April 16, 2006, at 22:21:57
There has been much media coverage of this of late and I was wondering if anyone here had evidence or thoughts they may have experienced this unsettling side effect?? (I'm thinking it's an oxymoron to ask if anyone remembers having amnesia)
I took regular Ambien a LONG time ago for a brief time. It was effective for sleep, although the knockout to sleep without any drowsiness AT ALL was strange for me. Also, it was effective literally for 4 hours at which time I would bolt up in bed as if shot from a cannon. I repeat dosed maybe once.
The really strange thing that did happen while I was on it was awaking to find a very sore foot with extensive bruising as if I had injured it during a night time out of bed I had not recalled. At the time, things were so messed up for me and I chalked it up to just added bizarre findings of that time. Now, I wonder...
I did read recently of a woman who claims she purchased a car during an amnesia episode attributed to Ambien use. That's disturbing... if it's true.
Sign me, just curious.
Posted by Phillipa on April 16, 2006, at 23:34:26
In reply to Ambien Amnesia Reports???, posted by Glydin on April 16, 2006, at 22:21:57
Glydin funny you bring that up as my neighbor and I were talking about ambien the day before yesterday. She said she took it. Got up during the night went to the kitchen got out ice cream, brought it into the bedroom with two bowls one for her and one for her husband. When she awoke the next morning there was melted ice cream all over. And she remembered none of it. Love Phillipa
Posted by tizza on April 17, 2006, at 3:19:55
In reply to Re: Ambien Amnesia Reports??? » Glydin, posted by Phillipa on April 16, 2006, at 23:34:26
it helped me sleep but gave me shocking diarrhea and stomach cramps but no blackouts. It also made my flatmate vomit uncontrollably which is really scary because all she wanted to do was sleep. Imagine if she wasn't able to stay awake. I don't want to think about it. Paul
Posted by yxibow on April 17, 2006, at 15:50:35
In reply to Re: Ambien Amnesia Reports???, posted by tizza on April 17, 2006, at 3:19:55
The amnesia reports have been greatly exagerated just as those for Halcion and various criminal acts, I forget, that was quite a while ago.
Still, just as any sleep aid, you figure to take it so you can get at least 6-7 hours of sleep, especially if you're drug naive (havent taken it or its class before) to it, and figure that if you have something important to remember the next day, write it down.
As for sleepwalking and all the rest, I only think such drugs accentuate it, not potentiate it necessarily. But as they say, your miles may vary.
The vomiting part -- the individual may be ultra sensitive since people using it recreationally or even just taking too much beyond around 20-25mg you start getting into that territory. Which is not a suggestion to take more than 20mg (which I am prescribed currently), please.
Tidings-- J
Posted by Violetskyye on April 17, 2006, at 22:18:34
In reply to Re: Ambien Amnesia Reports???, posted by yxibow on April 17, 2006, at 15:50:35
I've taken Ambien [5 to 10mg] forever, and have had no real problems with it, but it does cause some amnesia. I once took it, and the next morning my then-boyfriend started asking me about an incident that happened to me [leaving a fiance at the alter] years ago that I had never told him about. I said, "How did you know that?" He said, "We had a detailed discussion about it last night."
All I remembered was taking the Ambien and going to sleep. I'm just glad I didn't blurt out more embarrasing stuff to him.
Also, when I take an Ambien and start watching TV, I'll realize the next day I don't remember how the show ended, so I'll rewatch it on TiVo, and soon realize that I have indeed seen the entire show already, but just forgot how it turned out.
Another time, I stupidly took one, and then got on my computer, figuring I'd get some work done until I got sleepy. When I read what I'd typed the next morning, it was complete gibberish.
To me, the effectiveness outweighs this weird side-effect, and I just make sure I'm in bed and have everything turned off before I take the pill.
Posted by tizza on April 18, 2006, at 3:55:55
In reply to Re: Ambien Amnesia Reports???, posted by yxibow on April 17, 2006, at 15:50:35
hey jay she only took 10mg and was sick as a dog. Weird how we all react differently and she was on no other meds and had nothing to drink. Just a fellow shift worker trying to get some sleep. PAul
Posted by yxibow on April 18, 2006, at 14:59:57
In reply to Re: Ambien Amnesia Reports??? » yxibow, posted by tizza on April 18, 2006, at 3:55:55
> hey jay she only took 10mg and was sick as a dog. Weird how we all react differently and she was on no other meds and had nothing to drink. Just a fellow shift worker trying to get some sleep. PAul
Some people metabolize things differently. I seem to be a fast metabolizer of a number of medications so I require a higher dose. I also am not "benzodiazepine naive" so the cross-correlation means I need (possibly) a higher dose of Ambien.
If you're taking it for shift-work "shifting", Ramelteon or melatonin, only for a few days -- its a hormone and you can become depressed (especially melatonin, I dont know about Ramelteon), would probably be as or more effective.
There's also Lunesta... that comes in 1,2, and 3mg doses so if she's sensitive perhaps she can take the 1mg dose. I find the 3mg is barely the same as the Ambien I take, but that's just me. Of course there's the 33% who have metallic tastes with it, but its usually not a "permanent issue" after the night. Some claim it is, I think thats more rare.
Posted by tizza on April 19, 2006, at 5:39:16
In reply to Re: Ambien Amnesia Reports??? » tizza, posted by yxibow on April 18, 2006, at 14:59:57
Hey Jay we don't have Ramelteon or melatonin available in Australia but we have imovane which is related to lunesta and the taste in your mouth the next day is FOUL and it also notably increased my anxiety the next day. I'll just stick to my Valium and Mogadon, they work great for me. I really want to try proper melatonin but you can only get crappy homeopathic preparations here which advise 5-6 tabs before retiring. It only worked for 2 days even though I tried it for 2 weeks. If I keep my sleep and anxiety in check I generally don't get depressed. Paul
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