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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Victoria on July 3, 1999, at 21:34:39
Is anyone using Ambien for chronic insomnia? I've taken it several times and find it gives me the most restful sleep of anything else I've tried. But as it's recommended for short-term use, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with using it over the long haul? Thanks.
Posted by Susan on July 3, 1999, at 22:17:22
In reply to long-term use of Ambien?, posted by Victoria on July 3, 1999, at 21:34:39
> Is anyone using Ambien for chronic insomnia? I've taken it several times and find it gives me the most restful sleep of anything else I've tried. But as it's recommended for short-term use, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with using it over the long haul? Thanks.
I have used Ambien and found it to be extremely helpful during periods of extreme stress and insomnia. I can sleep like a baby on just a little of it! However, I have found that I have daytime crying spells when I have used Ambien . I have always wondered if anyone else ever heard of this side effect (my Dr had not.) Just be careful of long term use if you have depression.
Posted by Elizabeth on July 5, 1999, at 11:23:46
In reply to Re: long-term use of Ambien/Crying, posted by Susan on July 3, 1999, at 22:17:22
I've used Ambien long-term without trouble. I used it pretty much every day for a year and have been using it on and off since then. (It isn't the ideal sedative-hypnotic for me because its action doesn't last very long, and I need something that will keep me from waking up in the middle of the night or early in the morning.) I don't have trouble stopping it when my sleep improves (as it does sometimes!), and I've never needed to increase the dose past the initial effective dose.
I have heard of other people who said they developed tolerance to it, but this seems to be an idiosyncratic response, not what usually happens.
Susan: I've never heard of the side effect you mention, but it's possible. (You're sure it's the Ambien?)
Posted by Susan on July 5, 1999, at 23:28:02
In reply to Re: long-term use of Ambien/Crying, posted by Elizabeth on July 5, 1999, at 11:23:46
> Susan: I've never heard of the side effect you mention, but it's possible. (You're sure it's the Ambien?)No I'm not sure. But tonight I know I won't get to sleep so I'll try it again and see what happens. Wouldn't want to mislead anyone. Maybe I only use it when depression is worse and crying is because of the depression. Hard to tell. It sure does work for getting to sleep.
Posted by Jane on July 7, 1999, at 7:09:19
In reply to long-term use of Ambien?, posted by Victoria on July 3, 1999, at 21:34:39
> Is anyone using Ambien for chronic insomnia? I've taken it several times and find it gives me the most restful sleep of anything else I've tried. But as it's recommended for short-term use, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with using it over the long haul? Thanks.
My doctor prescribed Ambien when I initially started wellbutrin. I took it for 2 months with not apparent side effects. However, he would not contineu with it but instead gave me ativan (still experiencing insomnia, I believe because of wellbutrin). Ativan is also not recommended for long term. I've had side effects with ativan (crying, feeling down, weak, lack of sexual response, non orgasmic.)
Posted by Victoria on July 11, 1999, at 20:49:00
In reply to Re: long-term use of Ambien?, posted by Jane on July 7, 1999, at 7:09:19
Thanks for the info. I've been taking the Ambien for a bit over a week now and am sleeping well. The only problem is that I'm also taking trazadone at night, which is somewhat sedating too (but not enough to put me to sleep anymore) and I'm pretty looped during the (short) period before I fall asleep. Will talk to my doc about that. Thanks again!
> > Is anyone using Ambien for chronic insomnia? I've taken it several times and find it gives me the most restful sleep of anything else I've tried. But as it's recommended for short-term use, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with using it over the long haul? Thanks.
>
> My doctor prescribed Ambien when I initially started wellbutrin. I took it for 2 months with not apparent side effects. However, he would not contineu with it but instead gave me ativan (still experiencing insomnia, I believe because of wellbutrin). Ativan is also not recommended for long term. I've had side effects with ativan (crying, feeling down, weak, lack of sexual response, non orgasmic.)
Posted by Julia on July 16, 1999, at 4:56:04
In reply to Re: long-term use of Ambien?, posted by Victoria on July 11, 1999, at 20:49:00
> > > Is anyone using Ambien for chronic insomnia? I've taken it several times and find it gives me the most restful sleep of anything else I've tried. But as it's recommended for short-term use, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with using it over the long haul? Thanks.
> >I'm taking it with neurontin and, although it initially made me super looped at night and slugg-ish in the am that seems to have improved in just the four weeks I've been on it. However, as a deeply chronic insomniac (its 2 am and here I am...)it already seems to be loosing its "oomph". Oh well.....another topic for the dr. next week LOL
This is the end of the thread.
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