Fatigued all day EXCEPT after take Ambien and marijuana edibles

Hi,

I'm in my late 60s and, in addition to having life-long sleep issues, have a rare lung disease that is currently manageable without medication, a leaky heart valve that is also manageable without medication, chronic neck pain due to arthritis, and restless leg syndrome.

I have taken Ambien every night for more than 15 years. Prior attempts to take it only as needed never worked, because I simply could not get to sleep on the nights I didn't take it.

I also take gabapentin every night, for the RLS.

Starting about five years ago, I added cannabis edibles specifically formulated for sleep, which has made a huge difference.

Still, I need to spend 10 hours in bed every night, and have to lie down for a half-hour or 45 minutes during the day.

The thing I can't figure out is this: I'm tired all day, but the fatigue disappears after the Ambien and/or edibles kick in. It's not as if I get a boost of energy, and I don't get high. I just feel normal (ah, blessedly normal). I then get sleepy and am able to fall asleep about two and a half hours after I take the Ambien and edibles.

This doesn't make sense to me. I'd think that the Ambien and cannabis would make me more fatigued, not less. Anybody know what's happening?