Newly Prescribed Ambien

[popeye]

I was just prescribed Ambien from my T. I took one as prescribed but I was still unable to fall asleep. So I took another. Still nothing really. I was a little drowsy but that's all. I am on a 10 mg prescription. I am curious am I supposed to call my doctor and tell him about the non effect or take it upon myself to sorta up it? Being a large guy sometimes regular prescriptions need to be a higher dosage for me.

Anyone else have the problems with Ambien that I am having?

 

[a3a2]

It knocks me out, but the next day I have increased anxiety.

 

[TLight]

I was on it briefly years ago. The first dose I took I had to be standing next to the bed. Then after a few days, again, nothing would knock me out.

When my symptoms were very bad, nothing they gave me would put me to sleep. Only after I got myself away from the triggers, did I ever start sleeping and at that time, it took klonopin to get me under.

Now, I'm away from constant triggers and I've had some therapy so at least I know what is wrong. I still take seroquel, a 75mg dose and I usually sleep pretty well for the past year or so.

I say, these meds are so intense that I think you should talk with the doc or nurse prior to upping it yourself. However, if you are desparate for sleep and they don't call back right away, then I'd up it a tiny bit and see what happens.

It could be you are so plugged in and your PTSD symptoms are so exacerabated right now, nothing may put you out............but that is for you to tell.

 

[popeye]

Well if I drink enough I will eventually fall asleep but that is not good and it's expensive. I have decided tequila hang overs suck lol.

 

[2quilt]

I took a week-long free trial of Ambien and it made me sleep too much, so I got a script for the long-acting version, and it worked just fine. I was on it for about 6 months after a car accident.

Now I just take Benadryl when I cant sleep because
1. it's over the counter
2. I control the dosage
3.no side effects or interactions

 

[This Ends Now]

I also take Ambien for sleep. For me it is the best thing ever! I have noticed that in order for it to work properly I need to take it right as I am going to bed, turn off the lights, and do some mindful relaxation exercises. I have also noticed that it is best to only take it every other night so I do not develop a tolerance or dependence. If I take it and just continue doing normal stuff, or take it with a lot of coffee then not only do I not sleep but I have some side effects like not remembering conversations or actions done while under its influence.

I also spoke with my Psychiatrist about an off label use that I only use if absolutely necessary. If my symptoms become so bad that I fear I might harm myself or others I am allowed to take an Ambien and a Kolonzepam, go directly home, and call either a crisis line, peer support line, or therapist (depending on time of day) and keep talking until the medication kicks in and take the rest of the day off. I keep the pre-measured amount in a special locket that I have on me at all times. Just knowing that I have this pre-approved "no go pill" plan has helped and I have only had to use it a few times.

 

[anni]

I had the same thing as 2Quilt on Ambien, although I keep it for when I'm really desperate. I'd have to say that if it doesn't work for you, maybe just stop trying because the side effects can be obnoxious. I think a lot of people's chemisty react differently, but boy, it makes me REALLY out of it the next day. 'Googling' the various side effects also freaked me out a tad.

Benedryl usually works. Nyquil works, also, although I think a genuine sadist invented it because it tastes like feet and you really, really have to be badly sleep deprived to consider it.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I've tried just about every sleep medication there is...Ambien included. None of them have ever done anything for me. Then, I came to the conclusion that I don't have a sleep problem, rather I have an anxiety problem. No wonder the sleeping meds don't work! No matter how powerful they are, they don't work to quell the anxiety that was keeping me awake. So now I take anxiety meds which help me sleep...rather, I take an antipsychotic which quells my anxiety, and allows me to sleep!

 

[blarneystone]

Ambien does one of two things for me. If I'm REALLY anxious, it does absolutely nothing; but when I do fall asleep I have terrible nightmares. If I'm calmer, and read a book before I go to bed it knocks me out for 12 hours, and I wake up groggy...

No in between for me, which is really frustrating as all I want is a normal nights sleep where I'm not terrified of going to sleep (nightmares) or sleeping my day away (12+ hours of sleep)

I'd just bring it up to your doctor/therapist and say "I am not being affected by this, please help me."

They will make the decision on whether or not to up it, or change meds.

What I can suggest, is if you can get into a Sleep Doctor person... Yeah, I know, technical term, I can't remember the name for the life of me. I've got an appointment next month with someone who specifically studies sleep habits and how we sleep and he's hopefully going to help me on my crazy sleep schedule.

 

[popeye]

I was switched now to trazadone 150mg. I am thinking the doc really wants me to sleep because my wife is on 100mg and my son is on 50mg. I am going to take my first dose tonight in fact I took it about 10 mins ago, We will see how I am in the morning.

 

[Deleted member 541]

Did you by any chance read the warnings on Trazadone?????? I have taken this drug for years and the only one thing it states for men...Is it *May* cause a painful erection in men, for 4 or more hours, that will need to be surgically repaired.....

Just beware that this can happen, and most Dr's do NOT recommend men taking this drug.....

 

[Jestadud]

OOH OW, still after the initial cringe I have to wonder if maybe you can get something for the pain?

Obviously we are all waiting with baited breath to find out if Popeye was up all night!!