Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1094208

Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Ambien experiences?

Posted by SLS on July 25, 2017, at 5:00:09

I need something to help me fall asleep. I had been taking Ativan, but it is of limited value. I would like to avoid taking a benzodiazepine because they suppress slow-wave sleep. I had thought to try taking Ambien (zolpidem).

I would appreciate any input regarding Ambien.

* When is the best time to take it?
* What dosage?
* Does it keep you asleep all night?
* How do you when you wake up in the morning?

Thanks.


- Scott

 

Re: Ambien experiences?

Posted by Lamdage22 on July 25, 2017, at 7:47:53

In reply to Ambien experiences?, posted by SLS on July 25, 2017, at 5:00:09

Hi Scott,

its good to see you again. It seems dr-bob finally pulled it off. I take 10mg sometimes. I have no problem being asleep all night because of the Neuroleptics i take.

It takes about an half hour to work.

Some people get slavishly addicted though. I take lorazepam and ambien no more often than 2-3 times a month. I only take it when i had a big stressor and i cant calm down by myself.

 

Re: Ambien experiences?

Posted by Lamdage22 on July 25, 2017, at 8:03:13

In reply to Ambien experiences?, posted by SLS on July 25, 2017, at 5:00:09

What are your other meds right now?

In the meantime i have gone down to 20mg Zyprexa and 55mg Trazodone in baby steps.

 

Re: Ambien experiences?

Posted by rjlockhart37 on July 26, 2017, at 0:03:20

In reply to Ambien experiences?, posted by SLS on July 25, 2017, at 5:00:09

ambien is a quick acting sleeping med, it doesnt have the total benxo effect, but it does provide a slight sleepiness effect. It's like a small benzo effect. I've been on it, 10mg every night, it does help mainly just getting to sleep, not really staying asleep.

but it's a good med to take to just get some quick sleep

 

Re: Ambien experiences? » Lamdage22

Posted by SLS on July 26, 2017, at 1:21:36

In reply to Re: Ambien experiences?, posted by Lamdage22 on July 25, 2017, at 7:47:53

> Hi Scott,
>
> its good to see you again.

Likewise.

>I take 10mg sometimes. I have no problem being asleep all night because of the Neuroleptics i take.

That makes sense.

> It takes about an half hour to work.

10 mg. I felt strangely sleepy after 15 minutes, but didn't fall asleep. I added some Ativan in the hopes that it helps keep me asleep.

> Some people get slavishly addicted though. I take lorazepam and ambien no more often than 2-3 times a month. I only take it when i had a big stressor and i cant calm down by myself.

CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is supposed to help with sleep. I guess it depends on the source of the stressors.

Tomorrow night, I'm going to combine Ambien 10 mg and Ativan 10 mg.


- Scott

 

Re: Ambien experiences?

Posted by Lamdage22 on July 26, 2017, at 4:55:57

In reply to Re: Ambien experiences? » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on July 26, 2017, at 1:21:36

You mean 1mg Ativan right? Because 10 will put you in a coma

 

Re: Ambien experiences?

Posted by SLS on July 26, 2017, at 19:37:46

In reply to Re: Ambien experiences?, posted by Lamdage22 on July 26, 2017, at 4:55:57

> You mean 1mg Ativan right? Because 10 will put you in a coma

Thanks for catching my error, Lamdage22. I meant to say Ativan 2.0 mg.


- Scott

 

Re: Ambien experiences? » SLS

Posted by beckett2 on August 2, 2017, at 3:28:01

In reply to Ambien experiences?, posted by SLS on July 25, 2017, at 5:00:09

Ambien had me sleep walking. Early one morning my husband found me awake at six, drinking a beer, and I don't drink!

Before things went south, ambien worked ok, but left me very foggy in the morning. The half life is long enough to affect my driving the next morning. Just an fyi.

Right now I take Tizanidine at night. Stupid stupid me, I've ingrained the habit of needing something to fall asleep.

 

Re: Ambien experiences?

Posted by pedr on August 15, 2017, at 13:34:56

In reply to Ambien experiences?, posted by SLS on July 25, 2017, at 5:00:09

> * When is the best time to take it?
as late as possible for me, which is about midnight.

> * What dosage?
10mg I think.

> * Does it keep you asleep all night?
nope, hence taking it late as possible. I get about 5 hours coverage.

> * How do you when you wake up in the morning?
not too bad compared to anti histamines or other sleep aids.
HTH.

 

Re: Ambien experiences?

Posted by phidippus on October 7, 2017, at 15:29:36

In reply to Ambien experiences?, posted by SLS on July 25, 2017, at 5:00:09

As someone who has studied sleep as a pre-med student, I can honestly tell you all sleep aids suck. The Z drugs suppress sleep stages and can cause parasomnias. And they only improve sleep latency for an average of 10 minutes!

Look into CBT-I. It yields better results than drugs.

Eric


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