1st time [2 weeks ago]: Took 5mg. Had some racing thoughts & weird noises, but I was going through a manic period, so I wasn't bothered too much.

2nd time [last week]: Took 10mg. Fell asleep just fine without complications.

3rd time [last night]: Took 10mg. Took a few minutes to kick in... Then my depth of field decreased & the room seemingly shrunk while everything in it became huge. I started shaking all over -- my legs, arms, body, & head couldn't stop shaking. I became disoriented. And I thought there was a carnival taking place in the room... Even with all of my hallucinations, I've never experienced anything so vivid. As if it was actually in the room with me & not just a trick of the light. I could hear the music, the rides whooshing by, the carnies rounding up children, etc. I could barely speak because I was shaking so bad. I couldn't find words. And my boyfriend looked like he had two mouths.

So, uh, WTF? I'm going to see my psychiatrist next Monday, but should I need a sleep aid again, should I chance it or not? It never affected me so strongly before but that experience makes me a little nervous.

[nicoleb2]

Ambien has never had that effect on me, thankfully.

Did you try taking it, and then going to bed right away? Maybe if you do that, you'll fall asleep quickly and not have those effects

[angustios101]

I've had that happen to me several times while taking Ambien. My first "Ambien hallucination" (if you want to call it that) involved the uncontrollable shaking--which was akin to the restlessness of akathisia-- and visual distortions. For example, I thought my cat's face was melting, kind of like the scene in the first Christopher Nolan Batman movie where Batman's face mask is melting when the doctor is dosed with a taste of his own medicine. Sometimes I also experience auditory distortions which then make me paranoid and I stay up wondering if I heard what I did or not.

The first time is jarring but then you just recognize when it's happening and know that you have to force yourself to close your eyes and go to sleep. Like another poster suggested, the way to avoid this side effect is to immediately go to sleep right after you take Ambien. Alternatively, don't take Ambien. In my experience, it's a very habit forming drug and it's difficult to stop taking it because your body eventually will not sleep without it.

[ickydog2006]

It often gives me this high feeling and sometimes upsets me because it feels like everything is moving and I'm disconnected from my body.

First 2 posters - Thank you both! I'm going to be taking it again as soon as I log off here. If I get another bad reaction despite going straight to bed, it's no more Ambien for me! Regardless, I'll be talking this over with the psychiatrist on Monday. I really don't need it everyday, as you can tell by the time lapse between doses, so I'm not concerned about building a dependence.

Icky - Yeah, I got that effect the first time I took it because I only took half a dose since I was concerned it would be "too strong" for me. I'm usually really sensitive to meds, prescription OR over-the-counter. So that was odd. But that feeling was kind of akin to how anti-anxieties make me feel... Regardless, my fingers are crossed it works how it's supposed to again!

[nicoleb2]

Originally Posted by ickydog2006

It often gives me this high feeling and sometimes upsets me because it feels like everything is moving and I'm disconnected from my body.

I have had this feeling! The disconnected feeling almost causes a panic attack!

I had some really interesting hallucinations on ambien. Some were kinda fun and some were just plain scary weird. I sort of miss taking ambien.

[ickydog2006]

Let us know how it goes Shay

Well, I took it again the last night I posted & it did ZIP! My heart rate soared (probably a combination of low blood pressure & my arrhythmia). My legs got a little restless. But nothing else happened. I had to meditate myself to a happy place & attempt to sleep that way! So, so much for Ambien... Hopefully there's something else out there. I've heard about Restoril & Lunesta & my Mum used to take Halcion. My appointment's tomorrow & I already have a paper full of things to bring up with her! Guess this will be one of those things. :P

[liveforfish]

Sounds like a bad reaction or allergy. Don't take anymore. I am taking amytriptoline w/ zanax for sleep. Ask your doctor for something else and make sure he/she knows about the reactions you had. Don't want to take something in the same med class of the Ambien.

Read the details on the paper that came with the script. Sounds like something they say to report immediatley if you experience.

My doctor said it's not a HUGE deal but definitely weird. She gave me Ativan, either way. She's really understanding of my med choices... She said that I can choose to take it again if it didn't freak me out too bad but gave me a backup if it did.

Thank you, everyone, for the messages.

good to know- i will not be trying ambien ever - i tryed zanex to sleep a few times and it didnt do much- i was on ativan in the mental hospital- i heard valium works good for sleep but some doctors dont like to give it out-for me thorazine works the best 100mg.