[onlymedid]

I take Ambien and when I saw a report on the local news concerning its effects in certain aspects of life I, got concerned.
Although the news reports specifically mention "sleep-sex" and "sleep-driving", they did mention that there are other areas where "memory problems" can occur.
I have been having episodes of amnesia right before falling asleep, although I call it "passing out". This has been ongoing since my dosage was increased about 2-3 months ago.
I am currently taking 12.5mg of Ambien every night before bed, but prior to the increase I was taking 6.25mg.
I have conversations with people, in chat and on the phone, which I cannot remember. I eat without knowing I had done it until I wake up in the morning with the remnants on my face, pillow or nightstand.
Occasionally, if I am reminded of specifics, I can remember bits and pieces of conversations I've had. Of course, these occasions are rare.
I want to quit taking it out of fear of long term effects (if there are any), but it has done wonders for my DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder). I have been able to "come out of my shell", if you will.
I will talk to my Pdoc, but not for about a month.
I was considering lowering the dosage back to 6.25mg to see if it makes a difference.
Anyone with any thoughts?

[Maven]

One thing you can try, believe it or not, is smelling roses. There's new research--and there's still a lot more to be done before they can say anything for sure--that shows smelling roses, especially as you're going to sleep, can improve memory. I'm sure it couldn't hurt to try, unless you're allergic.

[onlymedid]

Thanks, Maven. I am willing to try just about anything. I will see if I can get some roses from a neighbor. She has plenty and I am sure she is willing to give me a couple.
I'll let ya know how it goes.

[Maven]

Good luck!

[DePressMe]

Hi, my mother and I were both on Ambien. I quit taking it because of all the stuff you are talking about--my mother and I call those our "ambiem moments." One time my mother got up and cooked stacks and stacks of blueberry pancakes. We have no idea how many she ate. But the fridge was full of them the next day and she has no memory of doing it. My biggest fear was that I would do something stupid--like burn down the house or get in my car. I currently take rozerem for sleep. It seems to do the trick and does not have all the side effects.

[Maven]

It wouldn't be stupid if you weren't awake when you did it. Stupid is when you know something's wrong or dangerous, but you do it, anyway.

[(JD)]

I am sure that my experience with Ambien CR is one of the ones in the report... at least my MD was supposed to report it. I gained a lot of weight due to sleep driving... and going to 24 hour fast food places while doing so! Talk about scary!!! I had the receipts showing where and the times... all during the middle of the night

(I'm working to lose that weight from last year NOW.)

The regular ambien is to be taken as you sit on the edge of the bed, as it works for 10 minutes. That's it...knocks you out so you can continue sleeping. The Ambien CR is that regular Ambien to knock you out, plus a release med to keep you asleep....

I also tried Lunesta but didn't have sleep driving problems. (Hallucinations and night terrors. I would have rather been eating???)

[Talulah]

I was WIDE awake on Ambien.........

[Maven]

The basic problem with Ambien, as I understand from what I've read, is, it doesn't always let the muscles freeze while in the dream state. In natural sleep, during deep dreaming, your muscles freeze, so you can't act out your dreams and possibly end up hurting yourself or someone else. Some stories are quite amusing, while others are positively frightening. Some dangers are immediate, such as the possibility of causing a fire while cooking, or crashing while driving, but some are potentially a later problem, such as sleep-eating, where you might eat too much sugar and you're a diabetic, or cause health problems later, if you sleep-eat often enough, or don't realize you've done it, and end up overdoing calories, fat or other food counts.

[onlymedid]

WOW Sky, That sounds terrifying.
I am glad I don't have a car because who knows where I'll end up.
I did go for some soft of walk this weekend, apparently. I don't really remember much except that I had taken my pill and laid down. I woke up with a roommate asking me where I went last night. I said I didn't go anywhere. She tried to remind me that I had. I have no idea where I went, but I sure plan on talking with PDoc as soon as he returns my phone call.

If I had to choose between sleep-eating and night terrors, I suppose I would choose sleep-eating.

I am on the cusp of diabetes and would really hate if taking something to help me sleep causes diabetes in med.

[Maven]

I'd suggest stuffing your fridge and cabinets with nothing but vegetables, but you might drive out and buy junk.

[annabelle5]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Talulah said:
I was WIDE awake on Ambien.........

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

That's my problem too, I THINK I'm wide awake, I feel alert and fine while I'm doing the wildest things!! I call people, I talk online to people, I cook and eat, eat, eat, all night sometimes. I find food all over the floor in the morning along with green tea containers....... gallon size and they won't have a drop in them. I'm not awake, I just think I am at the time, I think I'm doing just fine.

The scaryest part is when I get online. I find accounts made by other people who use my body and fingers to type. I have accounts all over the web with different user names, different bios, but the same IP address. I don't remember making them, heck, I don't even remember who I was when I made that account.

My memory is getting worse and worse all the time and I can't help but wonder if its caused from taking ambian for about two years. Do any of you have the memory problem going on? I mean during the day when we're fully awake.

Hugs,
Annabelle

[Maven]

I think it would be a good idea for people on Ambien to set up some video cameras in their homes (and, if they suspect they've been going out, in their cars and/or yards, at least one aimed at the front door--unless you're more likely to go out another door, of course), to catch their behavior after they go to bed. If one doesn't already have at least one camera (more is better), and can't afford more, you can try to borrow them from friends, or look around for places you might rent them. Additionally, libraries sometimes have this kind of equipment you can borrow, or perhaps rent. That way, you'll have a better idea of what you're doing and it might help in dealing with the problem. Certainly, it will be proof, if you ever need it.

[(JD)]

Yeah...and since I live alone, I couldn't lock up my car keys from myself or anything. I'm not sure my T realized that I really was going OUT in the middle of the night...until I managed to find a receipt. Until that, I only had car mileage numbers... a set of clothes here or there... then once a bag from ?? Steak & Shake??? But the receipt had the TIME on it... like 3 am or something!

[Maven]

That's really scary. Since I have OCD, my doing stuff without awareness is scary in an additional way, because I could be touching things I wouldn't normally touch (then again, my OCD often affects my dreams--although sometimes I touch things I normally wouldn't in dreams--and maybe I'd still be cautious in a sleep-walking act), and I'd obsess over that.

[desperado]

Holy crow......if Ambien has the potential to do that, I wouldn't touch it w/ a ten foot pole. Scary.

[lauren_helene]

I take Ambien CR...well the alarm hasn't gone off in the house yet so I guess I'm staying in bed so far...

[onlymedid]

Hey all, I just wanted to update you and let you know that I am no longer on Ambien. It was the Ambien that was causing me all of the problems. Sleep-EVERYTHING was me!
I have been given Seroquel(sp?) to start taking, but I am a bit wary as I am just about to switch meds AGAIN.
It is tough knowing that I need to take meds, but also that I just really wish I could stop experimenting and find just the right mix.
*SIGH* well, wish me luck!
I'm gonna need it!

[(JD)]

good wishes! I admire you that you keep trying, which I think is the right thing to do...it will be so worth it once ou find something that works TC