I have had sleep problems for as long as i can remember. I can fall asleep, but i wake up at least 10 times during the night, tossing and turning continuously. I mentioned this to my doctor this week and he prescribed me Ambien. I have only taken it for 2 nights but it doesn't seem to be helping AT ALL. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this medication? I've read good and bad things online but would like any insight anyone has as to whether it really helps or not. It actually seems to be making me "wired" instead of tired.
Hi K.,
Have you tried the old chamomile tea routine. I use Celestial Seasonings brand. I drink a cup arount 9:30 - 10:00 and it relaxes me. So by bed time around 11:00 I am ready to sleep. It doesn't make for crazy dreams and I am fully recharged in the morning. And it's cheap!
Good luck.
A few years ago I took Ambien (before they had a generic) because I was having problems staying asleep. It worked great, but I had to make sure that I was going to get at least 8 hours of sleep because otherwise I would have a hard time waking up and would have a sleep "hangover". Lately I've been having problems falling asleep, and my doctor prescribed Ambien again (same dose) and it is the generic and it doesn't seem to work as well. The generics are never exactly the same and I think that this one isn't as strong.
Also, there is Ambien CR available now, which is a controlled release tablet so its suppose to help you stay asleep. The Ambien CR is still only available as a brand name, so your insurance may not cover as much of the cost, so it will probably be more expensive, but may be exactly what you need. There are also several other sleep meds because not all people react the same way to drugs. If its not working I would ask your doctor to prescribe something else or try the name brand.
Hello K.,
I had went to the dentist before because my jaw was sore and i kept biting my jaw well dentist told me it was stress and i was grinding my teeth in my sleep. no i didn't tell my dentist i was stressing or anything like that however he gave me the ambien and it worked as far as going to sleep and it was okay, but i told my pcp and she gave me a much stronger dose which i didn't know they had and it had me feeling sick the next day but it made you sleep all thru the night and the next day as well. I haven't taken them anymore i actually got rid of them i really didn't like the way it made me feel. You may need to ask for a stronger dose is all i'm sayen but make sure you keep up with how it affects you. I'm sure you have tried some of the pm meds at the store, they work for me. i hope this helped some.
Hi K., Let me add to the tons of great suggestions you have already recieve. First, some medications require you take them for a few days or even a couple of weeks until you feel their full effect. Next, check out your diet. There is lots of caffiene that is hidden in everything from pain relievers to candy. Items full of sugar should also be avoided after dinner...you don't want that sugar rush before you attempt to go to bed. Making your bedroom a restfull quiet area will also help. Comfortable room temp, pillows, blankets, pj's, window darkening shades, and no TV in the room at bedtime will help as well. If you excersize make sure you are doing it in the early part of your day and not in the evening. Try to keep your night time routine quiet and peaceful...Best wishes for a good night's sleep!
You have to take it right before you are going to lay down. There is a window for it to work. If you don't lay down right away it can have the adverse effect. I have taken it before and it works for me. Good luck. Also might want tot talk to your doctor about what dose you are on. Might need a higher dose or the slow release kind that will help you stay asleep.
I will tell you what Lisa V also stated - you have to take it and go right to bed. If you take it too soon, you won't be able to sleep. I take the generic Ambiem (zolpidem). I have been taking it now for about a year.
I take it and immediately lay down to sleep. If I take it any sooner - sometimes even just to tidy up the bedroom, go to the potty one last time, etc. - I won't then sleep well - sometimes not at all... yikes!
I will also repeat another response by saying you have to be sure you are going to get the full eight hours. If you don't, you will have the sleep hangover. I have been known to cut the tablets in half too if I know I won't get enough time to sleep - although I have to admit that just recently this has stopped working so much for me - I need the full dose to really sleep.
Best of luck!
It may take a couple more nights for it to work. May be take a warm shower or bath before you go to sleep. Look up the side effects and see if there is anything on how long it may take to work. If you have taken it for a week and it does not work then call the doctor and let him or he know. May be they can then prescribe something else.
Hi, K.:
Is there some way you can get checked to see why you aren't able to sleep?
Do you drink any caffeine drinks?
How is your hormone levels?
Have you gone to a sleep specialist?
How is your emotional health? Are you obsessive in you thinking at night?
Find out the reason for your sleeplessness. I don't recommend any sleeping aids until you know what is causing your problem.
Just want to know. Good luck. D.
I would suggest having a sleep study done. I went to University Health Services, and they have sleep clinics all over the area, from Philly to KoP to West Chester and in between. Depending on your insurance, you may need a referral, but they can really tell you what's going on - they watch you sleep all night and monitor evrything from leg movement to eyelid flutter to breathing.
Well K., I hope this info helps. First off, Ambien I have no comments about really but a suggestion of something else to try.
I have been using as suggested by my chiropractor and I like this much better than taking a pill that has side effects, such as you have explained you are experiencing.
My doctor suggested Peter Gillham's Natural Vitality. I get the sweet lemon or the raspberry flavored. Follow the directions on the package, adding warm water in a LARGE glass as it does overflow easily. It is soothing to drink and helps me sleep. It is a magnesium supplement. I would approve anything through your doctor, however, but this works for me and gives me a night's sleep and good rest. It also balances your calcium intake which is a good side effect. Any rate...just a suggestion that is working for me. Enjoy! I am sure you can google it and read up on it, it cost me about twenty dollars a container and I don't use it every night.
call doc and ask if it takes a few days or exactly when to take it. There are other medications as well to help you relax.
