[freebutterflyfree]

I have been prescribed ambien for sleep because of my bipolar and not being able to sleep unless I take a sleep medicine. I find it so strong, it makes me so tired when I get up that I have to go back to sleep for like 2 hours. The doseage was decreased and it still does that. I wonder if it comes in less than 5 mg.

[insideout]

daytime drowsiness is a common side effect. they only come in 5 or 10 mg's but you can cut them in half if they are not the extended release (ambien CR). doing so will not reduce the half life, however, which is only about 2-3 hours. You may need to switch to something else. are you taking other meds? they may be reacting with the ambien causing worse daytime drowsiness.

(not medical advice, just an opinion)

[bipolarmedstudent]

If you can, I would try to fight your insomnia without meds. Make sure you practice good sleep hygeine and keep a sleep diary.

Here are some tips:
http://www.umm.edu/sleep/sleep_hyg.htm
http://www.sleepdex.org/restriction.htm
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...nsomnia-part-1

[freebutterflyfree]

Thank you for the tips. Most of the time I take trazadone and when I still can't sleep I take ambien. I have a horrible sleep problem from BipolarII. I need something strong but I think I may ask for something else from my doc. I don't like the Ambien unless I want to sleep for 15 hours one day.lol

[Freefall1974]

There is a new drug out called Intermezzo, which is a sublingual form of Zolpidem( Ambien) . It is actually indicated for people who have middle-of-the night awakening. Maybe google that and read more. Good luck.

I was on lunesta at one point. If I'm remembering right, I didn't have quite the hangover effect that I had with ambien.