Do you take Ambien to sleep? How much and how often?
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Anonymous
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I'm asking because I've been taking it for years now, and I'm worried about it, but feel I really need it. I've always had sleep problems, but never took any sleeping pills until after my daughter was born three years ago. I had a bad delivery and a very severe and scary case of PPD (I also have a long history of depression, including two psychiatric hospitalizations). I was unable to eat or sleep properly for weeks, and began taking Ambien regularly as a sanity-saving measure. Three years later, I still take it - 10 mg every night. No more, no less, and it makes a world of difference in my life, because I can function so much better when I've gotten a good sleep. My shrink, whom I have been seeing for ten years, prescribes it, and feels that given my three-decade history of depression, my dependence on it is not really a big deal. So just wondering if anyone else out there takes it regularly. I hate feeling dependent on a drug, but in so many ways it's a lifesaver for me. Thanks. |
Anonymous
| Me! I split my 10 mg now though. Have you tried that? It is a lifesaver for me too. |
Anonymous
Have you been taking it for a long time? And when you say you split the 10 mg, do you mean you only take 5 mg now? I've tried reducing the dose to 5 mg, but then I don't sleep, get tired and depressed, and end up at 10 mg again. |
Anonymous
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Lifelong panic disorder/anxiety disorder sufferer. I've had insomnia for years (all related to panic/anxiety). I take 5 mg about every two weeks. Just knowing I have it is enough to alleviate the anxiety and allow me to sleep most nights.
That said, there are occasional stretches of a week or so when I need 5 mg almost every night. In the past, it was not unusual for me to go two weeks with severe insomnia (a couple hours of sleep a night) because of the anxiety (which made the insomnia worse and worse) then end up depressed. I feel great now and haven't had that problem in years. You are right, OP, it is a lifesaver. |
Anonymous
| Ambien is addictive and only meant for short term use. Ask your doctor for another solution. |
Anonymous
I thought it only came in 6.5 and 12mg. That's brand name though. I didn't think there was generic. If thereis, I need it's because it's bloody expensive! |
Anonymous
| I took a 2 month break from it recently and finally cracked last week when insomnia was just wrecking me. I cut back again, but here I am like a maniac when I should be sleeping. |
Anonymous
there is a generic - zolpidem tartrate. MUCH cheaper. |
Anonymous
There's Ambien and there's Ambien CR...the CR doesn't have generic and comes in the 6.5 and 12 |
Anonymous
That's the warning on the box, but a lot of clinicially dxed insomniacs take it every night, PP. Are you an MD? If not, hush. |
Anonymous
| I take Ambiem 15mg every night and have been doing so for about 4 years. It has saved my life. |
Anonymous
| CR just went generic also. |
Anonymous
| No I am not an MD but my sleep disorder MD has had me on it every night since 2003. |
Anonymous
| It is ER - (extended release) that went generic as far as I know--. |
Anonymous
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CR (which you are calling ER) just went generic last month. Ambien has had a generic for a number of years.
Yes, I have insomnia! |