1. < Sleep Health

Ambien

Posted by triciaann99 @triciaann99, Sep 14 12:34pm

I have been on 10 mg of Ambien for about 10 years and honestly, it’s something that I look forward to every night so I can get some sleep and peace of mind. It is controlling my life and there are days when I run out and I don’t sleep. I am wondering if anyone else has had the same experience, and they were able to recover from it. Thank you.

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triciaann99 | @triciaann99 | Sep 16 8:35am
In reply to @slkanowitz "There are sedating antidepressants that help with the depression and help you sleep better. Trazadone is..." + (show)
@slkanowitz

There are sedating antidepressants that help with the depression and help you sleep better. Trazadone is an old, tried and true drug that serves both purposes. It is being prescribed for sleep instead of the controlled drugs by Drs who don’t want to deal with controlled, traditional sleeping pills. It’s not addictive. It does sometimes take a couple of hours to kick in so have to get used to taking it earlier. It might be worth a try. I hope you find the right one that relieves the insomnia and depression both.

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Thank you so much. 🙏

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triciaann99 | @triciaann99 | Sep 16 8:39am

Thank you for the encouraging words. I am so glad I found this website as I know that others have had sleep issues and to be able to overcome them. It’s been a battle but I need to keep moving forward. I actually think I’m on too many different meds that it just zaps my energy.

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triciaann99 | @triciaann99 | Sep 16 8:43am

Yes exactly. Hard to do anything when you are so depressed and sleep deprived. I should not be so depressed but I’ve been in a bad funk for several years and can’t seem to get better.

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gregtsaunders | @gregtsaunders | Sep 17 3:01pm

Maybe your doctor could prescribe Vistaril. It's a first generation antihistamine not controlled. 50 mg is what I use and it makes me quite drowsy with no hangover. It is also used sometimes for itching. Good luck.

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1 reply
gregtsaunders | @gregtsaunders | Sep 17 3:08pm
In reply to @con123 "Everyone is different in how they respond to certain meds. Ambien was the first one I..." + (show)
@con123

Everyone is different in how they respond to certain meds. Ambien was the first one I was prescribed in my late 30's and while it put me to sleep, I had issues with night sweats and anxiety, thus switched to Xanax. It worked well but a psychiatrist switched me to Klonopin due to the somewhat milder effect and longer half life. It was like a wonder drug for me until I was taken off it due to age. I was given vigtoril and remeron, neither any help at all. Tried Ambien again, but it caused morning nausea and daytime anxiety. Lunesta works well. I think these sedative hypnotic drugs are not as problematic as benzos, so I will steer clear. We all have to do what works. Good luck!

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@ con123 If you don't mind me asking, what was your doctors cutoff age for the use of Klonopin? I'm 60 y/o and have been on Valium for 20 years. I didn't know there was any age cutoff. Thanks. Regards, Greg

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triciaann99 | @triciaann99 | Sep 17 3:39pm
In reply to @gregtsaunders "Maybe your doctor could prescribe Vistaril. It's a first generation antihistamine not controlled. 50 mg is..." + (show)
@gregtsaunders

Maybe your doctor could prescribe Vistaril. It's a first generation antihistamine not controlled. 50 mg is what I use and it makes me quite drowsy with no hangover. It is also used sometimes for itching. Good luck.

Jump to this post

Thank you for the recommendation as I am always hoping something will work for me other than Ambien. I have tried Vistral and it just had a mild effect on my anxiety. I’m glad it works well for you.
I’ve had chronic insomnia for 10 to 15 years and have truly tried - I think most every medication indicated for sleep.

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judybradford | @judybradford | Sep 18 5:58am
In reply to @slkanowitz "There are sedating antidepressants that help with the depression and help you sleep better. Trazadone is..." + (show)
@slkanowitz

There are sedating antidepressants that help with the depression and help you sleep better. Trazadone is an old, tried and true drug that serves both purposes. It is being prescribed for sleep instead of the controlled drugs by Drs who don’t want to deal with controlled, traditional sleeping pills. It’s not addictive. It does sometimes take a couple of hours to kick in so have to get used to taking it earlier. It might be worth a try. I hope you find the right one that relieves the insomnia and depression both.

Jump to this post

I have heard/read that Trazadone actually helps with your sex drive. And, I've heard the opposite, that it lowers your sex drive. So confusing!

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con123 | @con123 | Sep 18 6:20am
In reply to @gregtsaunders "@ con123 If you don't mind me asking, what was your doctors cutoff age for the..." + (show)
@gregtsaunders

@ con123 If you don't mind me asking, what was your doctors cutoff age for the use of Klonopin? I'm 60 y/o and have been on Valium for 20 years. I didn't know there was any age cutoff. Thanks. Regards, Greg

Jump to this post

It depends on the doctors and seems to vary state to state. When I moved to Georgia from Florida, every doctor I saw warned me about Klonopin even though I took it only at night and had never increased the dose. Finally, I was told I would have to go to a psychiatrist to get it refilled. His cut off was 65 "because benzodiazepines are dangerous for the elderly". I know people taking this drug into their 80's. However, when the antihistamines and antidepressants didn't help my insomnia and I got into a sleep doctor, she was willing to reinstate the Klonopin. However, it was so hellish to get off it, I asked for something different. Hence, Lunesta.

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gmamrj | @gmamrj | Sep 18 7:34am

How does Lunesta work for you?
My doctor prescribed it. I haven’t tried it yet. Read all the side effects and afraid of doing weird things.

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1 reply
con123 | @con123 | Sep 19 7:14am
In reply to @gmamrj "How does Lunesta work for you? My doctor prescribed it. I haven’t tried it yet. Read..." + (show)
@gmamrj

How does Lunesta work for you?
My doctor prescribed it. I haven’t tried it yet. Read all the side effects and afraid of doing weird things.

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No side effects at all for me. It just allows my overactive brain to stop all the random thoughts so I can drift off to sleep.

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