How bad is it to take Ambien every night to sleep?

[Anonymous]

Super super stressed all the time from work; it's the only thing that allows me to rest.... I have taken them for years, per doctor recommendation - he says not sleeping outweighs the potential negatives of Ambien - but am a bit afraid that they must have some negative long-term effects.... Anyone been there or have an informed opinion for Sleepless (without Ambien) in DC??

[Anonymous]

If you need to ask. . . . . Come on OP! You know that's not healthy. You're hooked, get help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you need to ask. . . . . Come on OP! You know that's not healthy. You're hooked, get help.

This was a really unnecessary, not to mention completely not helpful response...

OP.. If the doctor tells you that it's ok.. providing you were being honest with him about how much you take it, than you should be alright. If you have doubts, you can try not taking it for a night or so, and see what happens.

[Anonymous]

People don't really get "hooked" on Ambien. It's not that kind of drug. The drug really has few potential issues and can be taken long-term. That's why it is such an improvement over the drugs it replaced. Sleep is important to your health in so many ways.

Have you tried the usual lifestyle changes to improve your sleep? Things like exercise, going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, cutting caffeine and not watching TV too late?

I wish Ambien worked better for me. I have to take Xanax for sleep a couple of months out of the year. The risks of that drug are well known.

[Anonymous]

Have you had any warning signs that Ambien use is out of control? Taking too many? More than the prescribed dose? Taking it ahead of schedule? Popping one "just in case"? Finding yourself blacking out? Waking up to find yourself driving, eating, doing laundry? People telling you funny stories about the things you did and said, and you have no memory of these things? If the answer is no, and you are just sleeping and waking up refreshed, I don't think you have a problem.

[Anonymous]

bad

[Anonymous]

Actually, it can be addictive. My sister became addicted to it. Now mind you, she is prone to addiction problems. However, when she went to rehab again, it's because she had taken too many Ambien and was rushed to the hospital. After a while, one was not doing it anymore. When they finally took her off of it, she did not sleep for 3 days. The doctor put her on Lunestra. I think it's called Lunestra...but they said that is much less addictive than Ambien.

Have you tried any "natural" remedies for sleep yet? Working out, Valerian root, etc.?

[Anonymous]

OP, I've been an off-and-on user of Ambien for years. I take it and scrupulously follow the dr's instructions (no alcohol, take it when in bed, etc). I've never had a problem (even when I was taking it while pregnant -- sanctioned by my OB!). My father had to take it for 3 years straight (with a few breaks, mostly during vacations!). He's the same as me (very careful with medications) and never had problems, either. He also had no problems sleeping when his life was less stressful (the aforementioned vacations, after the 3 year period his job was so stressful).

However, I have heard stories of people getting "addicted" to Ambien. They are usually people susceptible to addiction, and they do the things addicts do with other substances -- use it all the time (not as indicated), lie about it, hide their use, combine it with other things (alcohol), take it recreationally (to "relax", to "have fun").

If you're not showing addictive behaviors, and your doctor has said taking it is better than not, I think you should relax and put it out of your mind. You don't need anything else stressing you out! A lot of people seem to "know someone" who is addicted, but a lot of it seems a bit like scare tactics (I know people tried to scare me out of using it before I did). Ambien is not for irresponsible people and addicts, but it's a life saver for insomniacs who take it responsibly.

Best of luck and sweet dreams.

[Anonymous]

It's addictive. If you can, switch to Benadryl or Trazadone, which are less harmful and non-addicting. Also, never get psych meds from your primary care or OB. Go ahead and see a specialist and get the best care you can. Will save you grief in the long run.

[Anonymous]

OP you are not addressing the root of the problem at all. You shouldn't need a sleeping pill EVERY NIGHT regardless of whether it is addicitve or not. You need to make some lifestyle changes and address what you can do to manage this better.

[Anonymous]

what is the risk of .25 mg xanax every night?

[Anonymous]

xanax is highly addictive... be warned. i take .5 mg occasionally to sleep, which i am not proud of, however that sleep is deep and amazing!

[Anonymous]

ok, I will cut back on the xanax, though I think 0.25 mg is pretty low dosage. Klopopin is supposedly less addictive.

[Anonymous]

I used to love Ambien, followed by a wine chaser. Sigh. Since I've had my DC, I've had to forgo the Ambien, but now I'm so tired by the end of the day, I have no trouble falling asleep.

[Anonymous]

These medications: ambien, xanax, klonipin are all addictive, and extremely disinhibiting. I stopped all of them because they were causing rage attacks and depression and consequent weight gain. Lifestyle changes are much harder but, long term usage definitely has bad side effects that I mentioned above. Not for everyone , of course, but there is a high risk for these very common side effects.