Ambien?

[OakLeaf]

I'd look to treat the problem directly. If the only reason you aren't sleeping is pain, let the doctor know how poorly your pain is controlled.

I know it's next to impossible to get decent pain relief from a doctor in the current climate ... but that climate makes it difficult to get tranquilizers, too, so it probably won't be any easier to get them.

[Zen]

Ambien is a 'hypnotic' and will definitely let you sleep.
Try a half of one at first.

I can understand the desperation.

[limewave]

I agree with Oak.

I was on ambien for awhile. It was awful. I'd take it usually right before bed, but sometimes DH or housework would distract me and I would black-out and do weird things and say really bizarre stuff that I would not remember the next day. Sometimes DH would have to carry me to bed. And it would also leave me with a sleepy hangover the next day. So I had to get another pill to "wake me up" . . .



I hope you can get the pain under control soon. Sometimes a glass of red wine in the evening does the trick too. Take care!

[jessmarimba]

It isn't pain, exactly. Its more the fact that I am a generally a very restless sleeper, but I can't sleep...restlessly...anymore. Like, I unconsciously try to roll over, and I can't do that unconsciously now, so I wake up. Readjust. Move pillows so I am properly supported. And then nod off again. I do this about 10 times a night. I guess I want something that will encourage me to sleep deeply enough that I won't keep trying to move?

And these guys seem MORE than happy to keep throwing meds my way. I've still got two different prescriptions for percocet and they offered vicodin last week. So that's why I figure one more prescription shouldn't be too hard to get (sadly enough).

[channlluv]

After Heath Ledger's overdose was tied to Ambien, Jack Nicholson said in an interview that he had been on Ambien, too, and had actually had an incident when he woke up a couple of hours after going to bed and he was driving his car down a very twisty-turny-over-the-cliff kind of road near his home, and he never touched the stuff again.

I hope you can find another solution.

Roxy

[KnottedYet]

I took Ambien for 2 weeks, and it was rather terrifying.

I'd prefer to never take it again.

Try a hot shower, hot buttered rum, warm milk, s*x, or something, before Ambien.

[Zen]

I took Ambien, slept quite well and without incident.

[Pedal Wench]

I took Ambien, slept quite well and without incident.

Me too. I only use it when I'm anxious and anticipate a problem that night. So, for me, occasional use hasn't been an issue, and I really feel okay the next day - better than if I hadn't slept well.

[Blueberry]

Benadryl? It's not totally without risks, but if it works for you, it's much gentler than most of what you're looking at. I find that when I'm having trouble sleeping, dropping the temperature, avoiding much liquid before bed - and yes, a small alcoholic drink can all help.

[zoom-zoom]

Me too. I only use it when I'm anxious and anticipate a problem that night. So, for me, occasional use hasn't been an issue, and I really feel okay the next day - better than if I hadn't slept well.

+1. I have a standing 10mg. script, but I frequently cut the pills and take 5mg, as needed. Usually that works pretty well. When I take 10 I am more likely to do silly things like sit back at the computer and type goofy stuff that I don't remember the next AM (for some reason I like to start messing with Photoshop after taking Ambien. ) or raid the fridge. But it beats not sleeping and being unable to function. I have no issues with Ambien hangover or truly scary behaviors or side-effects. Mostly it feels like having a few beers or wine without the calories.

[malkin]

I took Ambien, slept quite well and without incident.

Brewer and me too.

[emily_in_nc]

I took Ambien, slept quite well and without incident.

Ditto. The key is to take it right as you are getting into bed. Don't take it and then piddle around the house or (heaven forbid) go anywhere, drive, etc.... Also, for my body weight (105ish), I split each pill in half, which also saved a bunch of $ and had the same effect (zzzzzzzzzzz) I don't take it anymore, but it was a lifesaver in getting me through a couple of rough patches in the past when I just couldn't fall asleep due to my mind going over and over things, no matter if I did everything else right to prepare myself for a good night of sleep. Lunesta also worked well for me but was a lot more $$$$ than generic Ambien.

I have fast metabolism so pills don't last all that long on me, so I did still tend to wake up too early on Ambien. Considered asking for Ambien CR (continuous release) but was scared that might give me a hangover, so I never bothered. For your situation (staying asleep), the CR version may be just the ticket to helping you to wake less during the night.

Good luck! Waking up over and over and being uncomfortable is no fun.

[badger]

melatonin works very well for me, though I've read some conflicting reports on its safety. I just take it when I need it or when I'm traveling.

Valerian does work well, but sometimes I find there's a bit of a "hangover" the next morning.

I must be weird, because GABA actually makes me agitated. My face would get all tingly, and I get a weird sensation/taste in my mouth. I once took it to sleep and as I drifted off suddenly bolted upright with my heart racing and feeling rather frightenend. I didn't put two and two together until I took GABA again a few nights later with the same result. I guess we're all wired differently!

5-HTP's supposed to be good for insomnia, too.

[malkin]

Ditto. The key is to take it right as you are getting into bed. Don't take it and then piddle around the house or (heaven forbid) go anywhere, drive, etc.... .

ABSOLUTELY!

Do not take Ambien and then stay up waiting to go to bed until you feel sleepy!
Just go to bed.