Chronic Pain Support Group

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Chronic Pain Support Group

Warning about Ambien/Ambien CR

deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi y'all to my new friends!! I am pretty new to this site, and look foward to making some new friends. I've suffered with Fibromyalgia for 20 years now, and the battle continues.
I want to tell you guys about my experience with Ambien. I don't know if you've noticed, but recently, they added a new warning to their ad campaign.---Sleepwalking, sleep-driving, and doing things with amnesia{not remembering doing certain things} The first two episodes happened while I was in the house{eating in the middle of the night, sitting on the toilet for 3 hrs--both of those, I have no memory of}. But the third time,it was WAY more serious---I got out of bed at 5am{still completely asleep}, in my pj's and bare feet, left the house, got in the car, and started driving!!! I made it about 10 minutes from our home, before I crashed head-on into a telephone poll. It was the crash that woke me up--I was asleep for the whole time before!!!
Thankfully, even in my sleep, I put my seatbelt on. If it weren't for the seatbelt, the airbag, and the emt's and fire dept., I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you!!! They had to take the entire roof off the car just to get me out!!
Anyhow, I recovered quicker physically than emotionally. I've been off the Ambien since the end of Aug.{I'm on Lunesta now} and I have had NO episodes since.
So, please, think twice before you take the Ambien. I had been on it for over a year w/o incident, but my Doc said time doesn't matter.
I care about y'all--that's why I'm telling my story...
Thanks for listening,
Hugs,
Spunkypup
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have heard about that drug. Thanks for the warnings. That certainly must of been scary.
deleted_user
deleted_user
That is terrible. I am glad you were not more seriously injured.
ZAZAS
ZAZAS
Wow, what a story you told. How terrible for you....I use to take ambien, but I don't take sleeping pills anymore, they interfer with you rem sleep, you sleep, but not deep sleep, maybe that is why you walk, eat and drive? I don't know, but have you ever noticed you don't dream right? Or, you can't remember what you dreamed, or horrible night mares,,,,,,,,,that is what they do to me.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I too have has simular experiences with the drug.not as serious as you but I would cook,walk,talk,have sex and do plenty of other things in my sleep.having no recelection of doing anything but sleeping.At one time I was having an affair and I took ambien and told my husband everything.only to awake not knowing why he was so mad at me.he did forgive me but till this day i dont know how i tolod him,probally not in a nice way.It must have killed him.I also have tripped on ambien thinking there was a tree growing in our bedroom.it sounds funny but it wasnt.Well I am so glad that you are ok and have stopped taking that drug.I really belive that they sound recall it.I have had this disscussion with friends and they too agree.maybe we should start a letter to all sign.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Thank god, I have not had the side effects others have had with Ambien and the CR. Maybe that is because I don't sleep more than an average of three to four hours at night. Probably don't get into the phase of sleep that causes others to have problems.

I do suggest that if you are afraid of the side effects you alarm the doors to the house to wake you. Placing a tub of ice water on the floor by th bed so you step into it also works well.

Ouch
jquick
jquick
SORRY ABOT YOUR BAD EXPERIENCE. BEEN ON AMBIEN/AMBIEN CR, FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS, NO SIDE EFFECTS, AS YOURS. I DO SUFFER A LITTLE DRUG HANGOVER IF I DON'T GET ENOUGH SLEEP.
deleted_user
deleted_user
to bad ambien had a bad affect on you.i have been on it for about 2 years and it is such a blessing to be able to sleep.i have tried lunesta and it just didn't get me to sleepy time..i hope it works for you,but it seems ambien is the better one for me
deleted_user
deleted_user
OMG! I took ambien, and would eat it my sleep, and wander around the house.

I was on it for quite a while, I got off of it as quickly as I could, about a year & a half ago.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Ambien, just hearing the word causes me severe anxiety.I was prescribed it immed after my surgery. No-one in my house slept, I guess I did,but not really what I called sleep.I was caught by my fiancee more then once with my t-shirt on and coat trying to go outside,luckily I do not think I had any car keys as I think he had started to hide them thank god, I ate, wandered about the house.It was a horrible time,luckily my surgeon quickly after 6 weeks post op referred me to a pain management Dr who took me off of it and said she NEVER uses it as it works so differently with different people. I would never take it again. Never. I applaud those of you who can. I cannot and sympathize with those who can't. Sleep still 6 month later eludes me,I do not feel rested ever and wonder if I ever will. But,I will not take Ambien again to find out. I am glad you were not seriously injured while driving,I am glad you recovered physically and the emotional part has to be horrible.I am glad you posted this as so many of us trust our Dr's to prescribe the best for us and for the most part they think they are, finally the makers of Ambien are takingresponsibility for these things,But thank you for bringing this back up to the front for those who may not be aware. A reminder is always good.
Deb
deleted_user
deleted_user
Thank you so much for the post. I have taken it and had a refill to pick up at the pharmacy but didn't pick it up. They were talking about it on a show and it scared me enough to think twice before picking it up. I have tooo much anger for a few folks so it wouldn't be a great idea to keep taking it. I slept walked also.
deleted_user
deleted_user
By the way I am so glad that you were not killed or killed someone else.
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