Ambien and Sleep Aids | Arthritis Information

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ASK DR. GOTT: Hundreds report Ambien side effects

Dear Dr. Gott: I have always had a problem staying asleep. I fall asleep and an hour or two later, I wake up and can’t fall back asleep. I was prescribed Ambien. It worked successfully for quite some time.

However, I started waking up in the morning and finding half-eaten cookies, pie, chips and all sorts of junk food in or around my bed. I have no memory of getting up. I’m obviously sleepwalking/sleep eating. I’ve gained 15 pounds in the last year.

My friend from out of state called me and told me it was on her news broadcast that some people were being arrested for driving under the influence of Ambien. They had no memory of even getting in the car!

I looked it up on the Internet, and, sure enough, there were stories just like mine posted by all sorts of people. I’m thankful I’ve never left my house. That’s some dangerous stuff.

Please get the word out to your readers. I don’t think I’m all that unusual.

Dear Reader: Thank you for your letter. Your experience is only one of hundreds I have heard of.

Ambien is used to treat insomnia. It works by slowing brain activity, which leads to sleepiness.

Because Ambien affects brain activity, it is essential to take the lowest possible dosage that works for you. Overdose will increase sleepiness and cause the effects to last longer. It also increases the chances of experiencing complications. If used for more than two weeks, effectiveness may decrease, and you may develop dependence.

Side effects include excessive drowsiness upon waking, weakness, headache, balance difficulties, unusual dreams, uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body, allergic reaction and many more. Always read the insert given by the pharmacy when filling the prescription for a list of the side effects and precautions.

Recently, there have been many reports of people becoming very aggressive, sleepwalking, sleep eating and even driving while under the influence of Ambien. Often these events are not remembered when the effects of the medication wear off.

This can obviously cause problems — legally, socially and emotionally. There has also been an increase in the number of people entering rehabilitation facilities for Ambien addiction.

Given the seriousness of the side effects and apparent increase in the number of people experiencing them, I was shocked to hear that the Food and Drug Administration approved a class change allowing the medication to be produced generically. As a generic, the medication will be affordable to far more people and can only lead to an increase in the number of reports of serious side effects, abnormal behavior and addiction.

I recommend patients try all other options before resorting to prescription sleep aids. Most people have televisions, computers, radios, etc., in their bedrooms. This is very bad for productive sleep.

Try turning off these devices as well as the lights (this includes any night lights, etc.). It is only in darkness that the brain can produce the chemical known has melatonin, which is responsible for causing normal individuals to fall asleep and stay asleep during the night.

However, when light makes contact with the eyes (even if they are closed), the brain stops the production of melatonin, and this causes us to awaken, even if not fully rested.

If changing the environment does not work, try over-the-counter melatonin. Since this is a naturally occurring substance in our bodies, there are no side effects. It will simply kick-start melatonin production and increase the level in the body. When used properly, taken one hour before bed and while sleeping in a dark, quiet room, it is often extremely effective.

If sleep still does not come easily or last long, I recommend a sleep study to ensure that no medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, are to blame. If it is determined that no underlying medical condition is causing the insomnia, then, and only then, would I make the recommendation of prescription sleep aids.

Sleep aids need to be reviewed and discussed on a regular basis with your physician. Ambien is only for short-term use. I am not sure there is a truly safe long-term sleep aid. However, if you have exhausted all options and are left with prescription medications, discuss any side effects with your physician.

If you experience any that your doctor determines are serious or dangerous, stop the medicine immediately and report the event to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program. Send a report online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm or by phone at 800-332-1088.

Hmm.... well, I've been taking Ambien for a couple of weeks and haven't really noticed anything like that. Well, maybe a little shakiness, but nothing I'm really alarmed about. I'll be sure to keep an eye on myself and let my hubby know to do the same for me. Thanks for posting this!

PS - Hopefully if I do anything in my sleep it will be EXCERCISE!! I can see myself waking up a month from now with a flat tummy and firm ass. And then all my pre-pregnancy clothes would fit!! I'm all about dropping the last 10lbs. Yay for sleep-ercising!! Woot!!

Actually - there were a couple things that interested me in this article. I used to get up in the middle of the night and eat. I wasn't on sleep meds - but I wonder if there is some sort of connection. It used to mostly be cheese. And it wasn't really sleep-walking - more dreaming and then doing it but mostly being less then 1/2 awake. Has anybody else had that happen to them?

Secondly, lately I'm really, really, really light sensitive. My bedroom backs up to a parking area that has a motion sensor light on it. I think it's not set right because it's constantly turning on for no apparent reason. And then I'm up. Last night I ended up snarling awake because I've been doing this for the last month and the stupid light went on again. So, my saint of a husband got up, did something or other with the window until the light went off, coverd up the LCD display on the VCR and - darn! - I went out like a light. I'm thinking of getting one of those 1950's sleep mask thingys. I have no idea where I would find one, but it sure as heck can't hurt.

Does anybody know if thyroid meds can make you light sensitive or keep you more up so you can't fall asleep? Is it something you get used to when your body does?

Pip

I have blackout shades in my room, and I put masking tape over all the annoying and unnecessary LEDs on the various electronic devices. For others, I drape opaque fabric or cardboard over the LED display at night, so that I don't see it. There is still one LED in my computer case that emits a faint blue light (the case is clear plastic). It is just barely enough light to keep me from tripping if I have to get up in the middle of the night. Even my LED digital clock only lights up if you hit the snooze/light bar on top. That keeps me from "clock-watching" if I wake up in the middle of the night.

When I was pregnant with boy #2 (I was still nursing boy #1), I would get up in the middle of the night and descend upon the kitchen like a swarm of locusts. In the morning, there would be empty Coke cans, empty soup/ravioli cans (just pop the top and eat cold!!!), cracker crumbs and empty cracker sleeves... anything within reach. [QUOTE=Pip!]...I'm thinking of getting one of those 1950's sleep mask thingys. I have no idea where I would find one, but it sure as heck can't hurt.[/QUOTE]

Look >>HERE<<

A friend swears by them.

edited for a missing ]
Happ39400.6585648148[QUOTE=MrsAlexander]

[/QUOTE]

Anyone watch Gene Simmons: Family Jewels?

One of his business explorations was called "Sex-r-cise"

THANKS

Pip

So there is an excuse for my added weight? LOL...and i was blaming prednisone!! Perhaps i'm getting up and eating like a pig, who knows? LOL [QUOTE=Pip!]oooh, I like that 'dancing butterfly'.[/QUOTE]
Pretty and *LOL* practical. While not as pretty and not necessary a "sleep aid" >>these<< are wonderfully comforting.

OMG I love those little animals!!!! Hey haven't you ever listen to the Ambien comercial on tv? i am laughing everytime I hear it because they talk about the "SIDE EFFECTS" so dang fast. They are talking about the sleep walking, eating, driving, unusual sexual urges, and gambling issues may occur while you are sleeping. I thought yeah that is for me then when they take me jail: for breaking into the bakery and eating all the goodies, and driving under the influence and propositioning the police officer, then try to bet whether or not I can talk them out of sending me to jail.

I love my Ambien!

You have me and the hubby cracking up over here!! Love the hippo!!

MrsAlexander39400.7130439815

Thank you very much go to http://www.smilieland.com They have wonderful little things youcan post . meme

Ps when you get there click the smilieland the other is to the website owner's son's wedding site

meme39400.7146643519I use one of those sleep masks all the time. I have a pillowy silk one that has
"Do Not Disturb" embroidered on it. I also have a furry tiger skin one. I
bought them both at one of those novelty item stores. My BF has a really
great sort of bean bag eye mask he bought at the airport.

I also have an earplug supply which I employ as needed.

I take sleep very seriously.

Seriously, if we did have the gambling, sex, whatever issues - who would admit it? And no way - they really say all that in the commerical disclaimers?

Pip

Pip, I would like to add that the nurses try to steer clear of Ambien on the
elderly patients as they are nuts at noc on this med. Personally, it gave me a
headache. I slept great though.

Is that the 'sundowning' thing?

Pip

[QUOTE=Pip!]

LOL you guys!

Seriously, if we did have the gambling, sex, whatever issues - who would admit it? And no way - they really say all that in the commerical disclaimers?

Pip

[/QUOTE]

I think those are the warnings on the restless-legs drugs; I believe they are anti-Parkinson's type meds, which are notorious for messing with dopamine and exacerbating wild/reckless behavior.

Several different drugs have these effects including the restless leg one. they just don't want to dwell on them becuase then they can't get you to buy the product.
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