Sjogren's Syndrome Support Group
Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which immune cells attack and destroy the exocrine glands that produce tears and saliva. It also associated with rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and it is rheumatoid factor positive in 90 percent of cases.
Around Mother's Day this year I had a weird episode. My husband and I were out grocery shopping and doing a post office run. I went into the store by myself while he ran into another store next door. I remember standing, looking up at the items on the shelf and when I tried to turn around I felt like I couldn't move my legs, or that when I tried they wouldn't move like I wanted them to. I was not afraid or in any pain and did not panic. The next memory was being on the other side of the isle and piling and/or trying to hold several items in my hands and arms. I kept dropping things repeatedly. I was at Big Lots shopping for healthy boxed and bagged treats! I dropped a bag then picked it up. Dropped it again! Picked it up. I did it several times. Why didn't I sit the stuff down? Then my husband came in and grabbed some of it for me. We walked to the check out and he paid while I trailed behind him. We went to the post office and I remember my legs were not moving normally. My husband told me later that I was walking funny. Of course he can't tell me what that means! It took me a while that same day to realize that something really strange had happened. The trip was a haze. I bought a couple things I would not normally have bought too.
Well, it happened again today. Had that sensation that something was funny with my legs and even commented to my husband that,"that thing" was happening to me again. He didn't catch it. And I must have gone into autopilot. We went to pick up a pizza I had ordered and I only have a vague memory of the trip there. I do remember actually being in the restaurant but it is hazy and the ride home is not really there..Only getting in and out of the car. I didn't take my purse or wear my glasses which is unusual. My husband said I was just sitting in the car when we left home and he had to tell me to put my seatbelt on. I must not be acting completely weird though because he was not alarmed. it wasn't till late afternoon that I fully comprehended that it had happened again. Of course I am going to have to go to the Dr. I don't want to mess around though. Should I go to the neurologist?
Has anyone ever heard of this? Seizure? Pressure? I am a nurse. Would love to get some ideas to research.
Well, it happened again today. Had that sensation that something was funny with my legs and even commented to my husband that,"that thing" was happening to me again. He didn't catch it. And I must have gone into autopilot. We went to pick up a pizza I had ordered and I only have a vague memory of the trip there. I do remember actually being in the restaurant but it is hazy and the ride home is not really there..Only getting in and out of the car. I didn't take my purse or wear my glasses which is unusual. My husband said I was just sitting in the car when we left home and he had to tell me to put my seatbelt on. I must not be acting completely weird though because he was not alarmed. it wasn't till late afternoon that I fully comprehended that it had happened again. Of course I am going to have to go to the Dr. I don't want to mess around though. Should I go to the neurologist?
Has anyone ever heard of this? Seizure? Pressure? I am a nurse. Would love to get some ideas to research.
Colburn
Or, could I be sleeping? It is like I am dreaming and then wake up. I have taken generic ambien for years. Possible side effect? It helps me most next to prednisone, which I take minimally, to feel less of the Sjogren's symptoms just by being able to rest at night.
kevsgirl9797
I've never heard of anything like this, at least not related to Sjogrens. I do have a neighbor that takes Ambien at night, and he will get like this after he takes it. He basically acts drunk, and then doesn't remember anything the next day. I would think if you've been taking it for years, that it wouldn't just now be starting to affect you, though. Very strange. I would definitely have it checked out. I know we can suffer from brain fog, but I've never heard of it being that bad. Let us know what you find out.
Colburn
Thanks so much for responding. Yes I agree it is not Sjogren's related. I went on the insomnia support group and asked them too. I never felt hung over or had any major weirdness all the years I have taken Ambien. But I have decided to wean off of it. I think there is a possibility that the way I was taking it may have been the problem. According to the insomnia group and my pharmacist we should not take over 5mg and there are new studies that show women do not metabolize Ambien the same as men. I was splitting my pill in half and taking 1/2 at bedtime and the other half at 1 or 2 in the am when I woke up. A total of 10 mg. I have to wonder if possibly I took the second half too close to the morning on those 2 episodes. I don't know of course! I have cut the dose to 5mg and only take it at bedtime and no later. If I ever have another episode like the other two I will make an apt with my MD! Thanks again.
journeythru
A word of caution here. My friend has been on ambien for years. Last week, she got in her car in her PJs and no shoes. She hit a parked car and then backed into a police car. She was arrested for a DUI. Then, within 24 hours, at midnight, she drives in her PJs and no shoes again. She was driving so erratically that people called the police. She was arrested again and spent the night in jail. She barely has any memory of either incident. She thought she was driving fine. Her doctor and the police said this is becoming common on ambien and other sleep meds. She is now in a lot if trouble. This is totally out if character for her, just being out at midnight is something she doesn't do.plus she remembers going for a milk shake. She doesn't eat sugar. Ironically, the next day Dr. Oz had a segment on this. He said it happens to women more than men, and it appends out of the blue after being on it for years. He said only part of your brain wakes up. This is scary.
Colburn
Thanks for your reply. I am weaning off slowly. I do think Ambien can cause some awfully weird stuff to happen. I have had no ill effects weaning off except that I am having the old insomnia come right back!
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