About Ambien

Discussion forum about the side effects of Ambien. Share your experience and opinion about Ambien. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.

Ambien’s effect on eyes
8/16/2012
I’ve used ambien for 7 months now and I look horrible. My eyelids are swollen and eyes are red and runny. I decided one week ago to quit taking ambien and last night (my 4th without ambien) slept. My doctor prescribed 10 mgs due to insomnia related to tinnitus. Because of some crazy behaviors on my part I reduced the dosage to 5 mgs. That did help but my eyes are really concerning me. Last night was the first night I took a OTC natural sleep aid that included melatonin. As I said above, I did sleep. Not the greatest sleep ever but better than expected. Has anyone else experieinced this effect on the eyes and how long did it take to subside. Thanks.

Maureen

AskDocWeb: Complaints about Ambien’s effect on the eyes have included:

• “dry eyes”
• “eye pain”
• “itchy eyes”
• “lower eye twitch that won’t stop”
• “my eyes turned into a what felt like a sandbox”
• “swollen eyes”
• “watering of eyes”
• “yellow eyes”

Those who discontinued using Ambien have reported that the length of time it took for these side effects to go away ranged from a couple of weeks to four months.

After 10 years on Ambien
8/16/2012
I take my ambien as prescribed…. I am also on Mirapex for restless leg syndrome….I had not had any problems until about the last year. I am waking up with bruises and cuts on my arms and legs where I have apparently fallen… I am waking up with a plate food on my head board or night stand where I prepared something to eat in the middle of the night… I have awaken in the mornings with food in my mouth where I have not chewed it up all the way… I hear horror stories and I am seriously scared to death. My husband passed away and I am by my self. I asked the doctor to change to CR brand but it does the same… I asked the Target pharmacy where the ambien was coming from and they said it is coming from India… I am not doing anything different now or from the time I started on ambien about 10 years ago… So why in the past year has the affect been different?

Teresa

AskDocWeb: You don’t mention your age but you should note that the older an individual gets the more sensitive they are to the effects of Ambien. That could work to your advantage as you may be able to get a good night’s sleep with a reduced dosage. It is important to know that abrupt withdrawal from Ambien after long-term use may cause withdrawal symptoms such as shakiness, lightheadedness, stomach and muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, sweating, flushing, tiredness, uncontrollable crying, nervousness, panic attack, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, uncontrollable shaking of a part of your body, and rarely, seizures.

Ten years is a long time to be on a drug that was approved for sort-term use. The package insert says, “Your sleep problems should improve within 7 to 10 days after you start taking zolpidem. Call your doctor if your sleep problems do not improve during this time…” Long-term usage may be an indication of underlying medical problem that should not be treated with insomnia medications. Doing so can create a hypnotic dependent sleep disorder as well as the insomnia. Please consider consulting a sleep specialist to use Cognitive Behavioral therapies like sleep restriction and stimulus control.

Blurred vision in elderly
8/21/2012
I have an elderly reletive who is using ambien and now has blurred vision. would this return to normal if she stops taking it?

Pete

AskDocWeb: Those with vision problems caused by Ambien report that it took from 3 days to 6 weeks for their vision to return to normal after discontinuing this drug. Please note that this drug should be discontinued only under the supervision of a physician. The longer it has been used the higher the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

Can’t sleep without Ambien
8/24/2012
Hi AskDocWeb, my plight began when I was about 50 I could not sleep I took OTC Tleynol PM for 15 years or until I retired to get some sleep. After I retired in 2010, said I did not need to take them any more because I could sleep late. Joe and behold! find I could not fall to sleep night or day. started to get headaces went to see doctor was put on ambien. Dont sleep at all if I dont take the pill. Will I be like this all my life? HELP!!!

Mert

AskDocWeb: Not being able to fall asleep may be a symptom of an underlying condition. You may need the help of a Sleep Clinic or Sleep Disorder Center to address the cause of the problem rather than just treating the symptom.

My face feels flushed
8/25/2012
I have taken Ambien off and on for the last 5 years or so. This is the only thing that helps me sleep. I have tried melatonin, valerian root, OTC’s and none work like Ambien does. The only annoying side effect that I have noticed is my face feels flushed.

Kim

AskDocWeb: The use of high doses of Ambien have been reported to cause a number of withdrawal symptoms that include flushing.

Could Ambien cause Numbness and tingling?
8/29/2012
I was wondering if anyone taking Ambien 10mg once a day, every other day, or Ambien CR 12mg over a long period of time ever experienced numbness or tingling in left wrist and hand or foot?

Shea

AskDocWeb: Yes, numbness or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs is listed as one of the possible side effects of Ambien. If it is severe or does not go away, it should be reported to your doctor.

Pain and misery
9/2/2012
I wanna die. I have a non cureable cancer and in constant pain and suffering. My husband is Mentally, Emotionally & Verbally Abusive. I really just can’t take all the pain and misery. If I take 3 whole bottles will it kill me and be a painless process. I hope so. I can’t live anymors. So if this don’t work I will try something else. I just thought I would ask so I could end my suffering quicker.

Wanna die

AskDocWeb: Please call a Shelter for Abused Women or domestic violence center. They can help you by providing safety and support. Other women have gone through similar experiences and survived. Some of them work at these shelters and know what it is like to suffer that kind of abuse.

Mixed review
9/5/2012
Well, They either work really well and then I take more while asleep or I can’t sleep and I take more and end up staying up all night and going to school altered.

T

Zolpidem can cause breathing difficulty
9/5/2012
Been taking Ambien for way many years. My RX insurance switched me to the generic, Zolipdem. I woke up not being able to breath on this drug but did not realize it was the generic drug causing the problem as I had probably used it for maybe a week or more before this happened. Ended up going to the ER the next day as the problem just continued and had to leave work. Dr. suggested I needed a stress test and they could admit me. They found nothing major wrong at the time. Did not stay but made appt with my doctor, had a nuclear stress test done and was found to be o.k. A few weeks later I found the info that Zolpidem can cause breathing difficulty. I am sticking with Ambien!

Cantsleep

Very bad thoughts
9/7/2012
I’m taking this med ambien(zolpidem) for more than four years after a mayor depression, i stop takin the other meds, but ambien i can stop, if i stop mi ambien i cant sleep all night, i will be awake all night long, I need help because every night im doing weird thing, after i take the pill, and the next day i dont remember anything, im so scare to do somethig bad. Because i dont really know what im doing. Im desperate to find a solution. One time i tried to stop and i felt eletric shock in my brain, PLEASE HELP ME, im addictive, and i have very bad thoughts.

Sandra

AskDocWeb: It sounds like you could use the services of a Sleep Disorder Clinic. Long term use of sleeping pills often indicates an underlying problem that is not being addressed. A Sleep Clinic helps find those underlying problems treat them. If you can’t find one your doctor can likely make a good referral.

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