Has anyone taken ambien for short-term sleep problems?

[luvwinnie]

Dr. gave it to me since I am not sleeping well since losing my mom...I wake up often. I plan on just using it for a week or so.

 

[snoopy]

Absolutely. I swear by the stuff, when under high stress. Its possible to become dependent on it, but not addicting like some other drugs. Just be sure you don't find yourself having to take more and more in order to go to sleep, thats when taking it becomes a problem. I take one, never more, and am always assured a good night's rest.

 

[MickeysMommy]

I take it. I don't take it every night but have a running script from my dr. as I am not a good sleeper at all. I usually cut a 10mg pill in half and take one maybe once a week. I have to be careful with them and only use them once in a while as my insurance only allows me 14 pills every 90 days.

They do state that if you are going to take them in a row - not to go over one week.

They put me to sleep in about 15 minutes.

 

[herc]

I guess it works for some, but beware, I have talked to others who have had a very hard time coming off of it after only a couple weeks use.

 

[arminnie]

Originally posted by herc
beware, I have talked to others who have had a very hard time coming off of it after only a couple weeks use.

I don't think that Ambien is meant to be taken for two weeks straight.

My doctor prescribed it to me when I was traveling overseas a lot. I found myself awake at 5 am and then had to go to work at 8 am with NO sleep because of the time zone changes. The Ambien really helped in bridging that changeover.

I took 1/2 of a 10 mg pill (per doctor's instructions). I will use it on a long flight (8 or more hours) also. Usually I am adjusted after 2-3 nights.

What I like about Ambien is that you can wake up if you need to, and I was not at all groggy the next day.

 

[KimR]

I am prone to insomnia once in a while and my dr usually prescribes ambien. I like it because it is one of the few sleeping pills that actually works for me and when I wake up in the morning I don't have that groggy feeling - I always feel very well rested. I've never had a problem coming off it, but then I usually only need to take it for a couple of days at a time.

 

[Leota]

Another satisfied Ambien user here - Both my son & I are prone to a touch of insomnia now & then. Ambien really helps when we need it. I am careful not to use it too many times in a row because of dependancy concerns.... So far, no problems, for Max or I....

Good Luck..

 

[JVL1018]

Originally posted by luvwinnie
Dr. gave it to me since I am not sleeping well since losing my mom...I wake up often. I plan on just using it for a week or so.

I just went in for a check up and also got a prescription for Ambien, for the same reason.
My problem is that I go to bed and worry that I have cancer(my Mom had cancer) and the worry keeps me up til 3 or 4 am.
It used to be almost every night, now it's about once a week or so.
I got the rx filled Tuesday and haven't needed it yet, but my friends who take it say it works well--and that they are asleep between 5-20 minutes after taking it so be ready to go to bed immediatly! LOL

 

[SeaSpray]

DH and I take Ambien on occasion. We, too, will break a 10mg pill in half. As was mentioned already, Ambien is safe (non-addictive) to take for UP TO a week consecutively. Do not take it for more than 7 nights in a row. That is meant to get you back into a good sleep cycle.

One thing that we have found out is that once you take it, you need to "work with the Ambien". In other words, take it about 10-15 minutes before getting into bed, then relax and let it work.

We've been using Ambien for a couple of years now and it's been great. Just be sure to not abuse it.

P.S. I know that you can take 1o mg at one time but I've found it to be counter productive. 5mg works best for us.

 

[ahutton]

I took it after we lost a baby and I was having a hard time sleeping. I also took 1/2 of a 10mg pill. I believe they gave me 10, and that was in 2001, and I still have 1 or 2 left in a bottle on the shelf. I would take it, get ready for bed and lay down with the TV on something that I wasn't very interested in (reruns are usually good) and I would be asleep within about 30 minutes. I was able to sleep 7 or so hours and wake up with the alarm clock. After a shower I was as clear headed as any other morning after that much sleep.

 

[nativetxn]

I've never taken it but I have the same problem. I awaken several times a night, since mother died

 

[MeanLaureen]

My doctor tried it on me to try to help me sleep through pain because I was waking up an average of 20 times a night. It didn't do squat for me. I have heard other people rave about it though

 

[grinningghost]

Anyone used Ambien for Restless Leg Syndrome? I'm suffering from RLS terribly lately. The doctor suggested Ambien, but I'm afraid that either it won't work, or I'll become dependent on them.

 

[pixiedust218]

I have never taken an ambien, however they were prescribed to my husband. They really don't work that well for him.... he was usually awake again within 3-4 hours of taking one and before he falls asleep he halucinates (sp). The kids and I laughed at him the first time, because we thought he was fooling around, but it happened again and it was a little scary....he doesn't take them anymore....2 tylenol pm's seem to work better for him.

 

[Shellie722]

I have pretty much a "running script" too b/c I have terrible insomnia on a fairly regular basis (and I mean terrible, like not being able to sleep more than 15 minutes for a week straight or longer). Ambien is about the only thing I can take and actually get a good, quality night sleep. Usually I never take them more than 2 or 3 nights in a row and I'll be back to a "normal" sleep pattern for a few weeks.

 

[cassie]

I've been on ambien for 10 years, using mostly every night. I have fibromyalgia, and my doctor says a good sleep is missing with this illness. I was always waking up 4 or 5 times a night. The Ambien helped me get a better sleep. It's suppose to be addictive, but I haven't found that to be. I stopped a couple months ago because now I found I have sleep apnea and wear a mask at night. I've been getting a good sleep with the mask, and don't wake up during the night.

 

[Nebsky]

DH took it for a few days a couple of years ago. It seemed to really help him. Just be sure you are ready to sleep when you take it! He would be out within 20-30 minutes. We really should get some more... He doesn't sleep well at all!

 

[Mr.BsMom]

Oops! Posted above and my husband's user ID was still logged in...

 

[luvindisneyworld]

Originally posted by grinningghost
Anyone used Ambien for Restless Leg Syndrome? I'm suffering from RLS terribly lately. The doctor suggested Ambien, but I'm afraid that either it won't work, or I'll become dependent on them.

Hi, I have been taking a OTC medicine called Leg Cramps and it has been wonderful for my legs.ithin 20 minutes of taking it my legs feel alot better.There are times i just cant keep them still and they hurt so bad it drives me crazy.But I can take that and it works wonders.

I got it at Wal mart on the vitamins aisle.It is in a tiny bottle and Leg cramps is the name of it.Its worth a try.I think its like 3.00 or 4.00 dollars.


Misty

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by luvindisneyworld
Hi, I have been taking a OTC medicine called Leg Cramps and it has been wonderful for my legs.ithin 20 minutes of taking it my legs feel alot better.There are times i just cant keep them still and they hurt so bad it drives me crazy.But I can take that and it works wonders.

I got it at Wal mart on the vitamins aisle.It is in a tiny bottle and Leg cramps is the name of it.Its worth a try.I think its like 3.00 or 4.00 dollars.

Thanks so much for the tip. I'll be going to Wal-Mart tomorrow to see if I can find this stuff. Anything is worth a try, my legs are totally freaking me out these days. And I'm freaky enough as it is.