Hi Lisa, we've communicated back to December 24th of last year regarding sleep. So, this is just an update. My insurance company finally agreed to partially pay for Ambien, the Brand name of Zolpidem, which I've been taking for years. I got a call from my pharmacist asking if I really want to make the change? Ambien cost is $120 for 30 tablets which includes my co-pay. With Zolpidem, I pay $11.18 with tax for 30 tablets. So, I guess it's still the Z for me. I hope you enjoy your weekend.
I find that if I take the entire 10mg of zolpidem at once I only sleep 5 or 6 hours. I’m anemic so I really need my rest, so what I do is take 2/3 of the pill at bedtime, then when I wake up I take the other 1/3 and catch a few more hours of sleep. This works well when the generic they give me is a long tablet and not a round one.
I appreciate the follow up and your experience with Zolpidem. Like you, if I take the whole pill at once, I might get 6 hrs sleep, max. I welcome the suggestions on the 2/3 & 1/3 split. It seems I'm only able to get the round pill version, but I'll try anyway.
Yes, I take Keppra for grandmal seizures, I can only take 1 capsule per day. My system is really sensitive to medication, it works for me. I don’t have auras any more.
Yes, I take Keppra for grandmal seizures, I can only take 1 capsule per day. My system is really sensitive to medication, it works for me. I don’t have auras any more.
About a year ago, I was taking Keppra twice a day as is prescribed. Well, I decided to just start taking one pill per day and had a seizure. My doctor informed me that Keppra is a 12hr pill and you needed to take equal amounts twice a day. So what I did was cut down my total amount per day by cutting my pills in half. I would suggest you look into that so that you have some in your system for the entire day. God Bless
About a year ago, I was taking Keppra twice a day as is prescribed. Well, I decided to just start taking one pill per day and had a seizure. My doctor informed me that Keppra is a 12hr pill and you needed to take equal amounts twice a day. So what I did was cut down my total amount per day by cutting my pills in half. I would suggest you look into that so that you have some in your system for the entire day. God Bless
thank you for your information.. But why did you decide to lessen the dosage?? was it not agreeing with you?
I take it 2 times a day, and have no side effects... I wouldn't take less unless the doctor said it was OK. I am so afraid of having another seizure... good luck. I hope you stay ok.
@sissie7 So glad to hear you and your doctor figured out what works for you!
I totally get the medication sensitivity thing - Keppra was rough for me at first, too. My doctor had me starting at 500 mg twice a day, which was way too much for my system. We've landed on just 125 mg in the morning and 150 mg at night using the liquid version. And honestly? It's been a game-changer! No seizures and the side effects are actually manageable now, thank goodness.
My doctor's been amazing through this whole process, really taking the time to adjust things bit by bit. He even told me that even though I'm 54, my body handles meds more like a kid would - which explains a lot!
What about you, what's your current dosage looking like? Are you on one of those extended-release versions where you only have to take it once a day? I've been curious about those!
Chris
thank you for your information.. But why did you decide to lessen the dosage?? was it not agreeing with you?
I take it 2 times a day, and have no side effects... I wouldn't take less unless the doctor said it was OK. I am so afraid of having another seizure... good luck. I hope you stay ok.
Keppra gave me diarrhea every morning but I was also having joint issues and after discussing here found out that Keppra can affect joint health. Not to say that I personally do not like any pills as "There is a poison in every pill". Sometimes we have no choice and have to take "pills" but if I have a choice, I believe the body itself is the greatest natural "healer". God Bless.....
About a year ago, I was taking Keppra twice a day as is prescribed. Well, I decided to just start taking one pill per day and had a seizure. My doctor informed me that Keppra is a 12hr pill and you needed to take equal amounts twice a day. So what I did was cut down my total amount per day by cutting my pills in half. I would suggest you look into that so that you have some in your system for the entire day. God Bless
@sissie7 So glad to hear you and your doctor figured out what works for you!
I totally get the medication sensitivity thing - Keppra was rough for me at first, too. My doctor had me starting at 500 mg twice a day, which was way too much for my system. We've landed on just 125 mg in the morning and 150 mg at night using the liquid version. And honestly? It's been a game-changer! No seizures and the side effects are actually manageable now, thank goodness.
My doctor's been amazing through this whole process, really taking the time to adjust things bit by bit. He even told me that even though I'm 54, my body handles meds more like a kid would - which explains a lot!
What about you, what's your current dosage looking like? Are you on one of those extended-release versions where you only have to take it once a day? I've been curious about those!
Chris
When you say no seizures, the question I always ask is "was it the pills or without the pills whether you STILL would not have had any seizures". We have no idea. Food for thought. God Bless....
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I find that if I take the entire 10mg of zolpidem at once I only sleep 5 or 6 hours. I’m anemic so I really need my rest, so what I do is take 2/3 of the pill at bedtime, then when I wake up I take the other 1/3 and catch a few more hours of sleep. This works well when the generic they give me is a long tablet and not a round one.
I appreciate the follow up and your experience with Zolpidem. Like you, if I take the whole pill at once, I might get 6 hrs sleep, max. I welcome the suggestions on the 2/3 & 1/3 split. It seems I'm only able to get the round pill version, but I'll try anyway.
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1 ReactionYes, I take Keppra for grandmal seizures, I can only take 1 capsule per day. My system is really sensitive to medication, it works for me. I don’t have auras any more.
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3 ReactionsIs anyone diabetic, with heart problems, what do you do naturally to lower your blood pressure?
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1 ReactionAbout a year ago, I was taking Keppra twice a day as is prescribed. Well, I decided to just start taking one pill per day and had a seizure. My doctor informed me that Keppra is a 12hr pill and you needed to take equal amounts twice a day. So what I did was cut down my total amount per day by cutting my pills in half. I would suggest you look into that so that you have some in your system for the entire day. God Bless
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3 Reactionsthank you for your information.. But why did you decide to lessen the dosage?? was it not agreeing with you?
I take it 2 times a day, and have no side effects... I wouldn't take less unless the doctor said it was OK. I am so afraid of having another seizure... good luck. I hope you stay ok.
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3 Reactions@sissie7 So glad to hear you and your doctor figured out what works for you!
I totally get the medication sensitivity thing - Keppra was rough for me at first, too. My doctor had me starting at 500 mg twice a day, which was way too much for my system. We've landed on just 125 mg in the morning and 150 mg at night using the liquid version. And honestly? It's been a game-changer! No seizures and the side effects are actually manageable now, thank goodness.
My doctor's been amazing through this whole process, really taking the time to adjust things bit by bit. He even told me that even though I'm 54, my body handles meds more like a kid would - which explains a lot!
What about you, what's your current dosage looking like? Are you on one of those extended-release versions where you only have to take it once a day? I've been curious about those!
Chris
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6 ReactionsKeppra gave me diarrhea every morning but I was also having joint issues and after discussing here found out that Keppra can affect joint health. Not to say that I personally do not like any pills as "There is a poison in every pill". Sometimes we have no choice and have to take "pills" but if I have a choice, I believe the body itself is the greatest natural "healer". God Bless.....
My doctor told me not to cut the Keppra extended-release versions because it loses effects.
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2 ReactionsWhen you say no seizures, the question I always ask is "was it the pills or without the pills whether you STILL would not have had any seizures". We have no idea. Food for thought. God Bless....