Anonymous wrote: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??

NP, I haven't read the responses, but you need to quit your job, OP. Seriously. I've BTDT (couldn't sleep without Ambien) and it's totally not worth it. Honestly.

Cleaned up my diet, changed my lifestyle, decided not to do things that make me miserable (even though it meant a HUGE pay cut), and I haven't been on any pharmaceuticals in years. You need to look after yourself. You can do it.

Anonymous wrote:Lunesta is the only sleep aid indicated for long term insomnia. Ambien loses effectiveness over time but your body still wants it if you’ve been on it awhile. Getting off is tricky, rebound insomnia awful. Also, there is clinical proof ambien is associated with weight gain.

Could you provide a link to the weight gain claim? Thanks.

Ambien turned my mom into a zombie before I took it away from her. AVOID!

Lunesta is the only sleep aid indicated for long term insomnia. Ambien loses effectiveness over time but your body still wants it if you’ve been on it awhile. Getting off is tricky, rebound insomnia awful. Also, there is clinical proof ambien is associated with weight gain.

PS: I have been an RN for 40 years and have taken every seminar I could find on sleep hygiene, etc. Reducing stress, anxiety. Relaxation exercises, mind full meditation. Ambien was my savior, and they are taking it away because it's proven to delay a persons response time. What does sleep deprivation do to a person? They don't care about the patient, just $ and covering their butt's.

Anonymous wrote:I lived my life exhausted for 10+years until ambien. have taken it for 14 years happily. Now they want me off of it. Just stop no wean. If there is a good doctor out there I haven't met him.

who is they?

I also have been taking since 2008 recession, getting fired and DW getting fired and having 2 kids.

still works as well as initially.

I lived my life exhausted for 10+years until ambien. have taken it for 14 years happily. Now they want me off of it. Just stop no wean. If there is a good doctor out there I haven't met him.

Anonymous wrote:I highly recommend trying an herb called Valerian. I drink it in tea form from a brand called traditional medicinals http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/products/nighty-night-valerian/

You can buy it at Whole Foods. Make sure you steep it for 15 mins. It works like a charm and got me off prescription sleeping pills. The tea is smelly though, but worth putting up with.

Is it effective not in tea? I can't drink anything two hours before bed or I'm up multiple times.

Anonymous wrote:Try listening to NPR on their app with earbud headphones - set the app timer (built in) for 30 min. Works every time.

This is what I do too!

I highly recommend trying an herb called Valerian. I drink it in tea form from a brand called traditional medicinals http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/products/nighty-night-valerian/

You can buy it at Whole Foods. Make sure you steep it for 15 mins. It works like a charm and got me off prescription sleeping pills. The tea is smelly though, but worth putting up with.