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.

5 weeks of nausea
Date: 6/10/2007
I started Ambien CR on 4/25/07 and on 4/27, I woke up with diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite. ER diagnosed problem as virus, gave me Lomotil and Phenergan. My dr. prescribed Paragoric since nothing else stopped diarrhea. It worked after 2 days. I continued to take Ambien Cr until the 15 pills ran out but due to cost started on just Ambien. I took pills for over a month. I stopped the Ambien as I didn’t want to get addicted. I now have been off Ambien for 5 days and nausea is gone. I originally took the Ambien because I was unable to sleep due to major back surgery on 3/30/07. Would the Ambien CR have been the trigger for my over 5 weeks of nausea?

Linda

AskDocWeb: Diarrhea is not a listed side affect, but it can cause nausea.

My boyfriend is addicted
Date: 6/10/2007
My boyfriend has been taking Ambien for about 3 years now. I truly believe he is addicted and don’t know what to do about it. He will take one and then wake up a few hours later to take more or to take another sleep aid, or an antihistamine. He wakes up in the middle of the night…or very early morning to eat and one time he left and went to McDonalds and came back. I know he was not okay to drive then. He also just took one of his medical exams. Yes he is going to be a doctor and during the past several weeks he has also been taking Adderoll to help him focus on studying. That has plenty of side effects on its own, not to mention insomnia. His test was last Tuesday and so he hasn’t taken the Adderoll since, still taking the Ambien though…and is acting very strange and confused about things. He won’t even let me see him! I know he was going through some Adderoll withdrawal symptoms…but I don’t think he realizes what the side effects of the Adderoll were and how his long term use of Ambien combined with other sleep aids…has as well. It is so sad and I don’t know if he will let me help him before he breaks up with me in his confused state!

Sadgirl

Cannot go on like this
Date: 6/11/2007
Have had trouble sleeping for 30 years. My quality of live has gone downhill because of lack of sleep. Ache all over some times from lack of sleep. Am lazy at work because of insomnia. Last year my doctor prescribed Ambien – 10 mg for occasional use. Used the drug on Sunday nights and possibly one night during the week. It left me a little groggy for a few hours in the morning, but worked. About 2 months ago, I told my doctor that I cannot go on like this I need something to make me sleep every night, she told me to take Ambien. It worked great at first, my quality of life was much better. The past two weeks, it hasn’t worked. I must have built up an immunity to the drug. Am at a loss as to what to do, as nothing I have read about insomnia works for me…

Susan

AskDocWeb: It sounds like you may need a specialist, look in the Yellow Pages under Physician, Sleep Disorders.

Anxiety attack
Date: 6/11/2007
I have been taking Ambien periodically over the last year. Within that year I have experienced times during the night when I have awakened with terrible anxiety, a racing heart and spiking blood pressure (I usually have Low blood Pressure). I have had every conceivable test to establish a diagnosis without success. Recently I began to see a pattern to these events. I believe they occur during the time I take Ambien and for a couple of days following my use of Ambien. Has anybody else experienced similar symptoms during and following the taking of Ambien. Please advise.

Carole

AskDocWeb: This is not a listed side affect for Ambien, but that’s not to say it couldn’t happen.

Side effects of Ambien
Date: 6/16/2007
I have a virus, Hepatitis c, Stage 4 and I have alot of stress in my life and can’t sleep well at all. My Dr has given me this drug. I wanted to know if the side effects are as bad as I have been reading. I am scared to take it. Thanks,

Meeshell

AskDocWeb: It is very important to follow the directions. If after taking it, you go right to bed and stay there you should be okay.

Ambien should be banned
Date: 6/18/2007
As far as I’m concerned, Ambien should be banned from the market. I took it for four days and developed pins and needles in my hands and feet; what felt like hot flashes; dizziness; and worst of all, strong olfactory hallucinations. Every other minute, for eight hours, I smelled something indescribable-acrid burning, and sweet, like something rotten; there were even “colors” attached (silver, swimming-pool blue, and lavender). I spent the night in the emergency room, and, thank heavens, heart attack, stroke, seizure, and brain tumor. Although the ghastly smells, which I realized were in my head, finally receded, as did the pins and needles and extreme dizziness, I do not appreciate having gone through what my daughter informed me was a “bad trip”! I therefore took the remaining 26 pills and placed them where they belonged: down the toilet!!!

Francesca

Long-term use of Ambien
Date: 6/19/2007
I have been taking Ambien in 10mg doses for approximately 6 years. I have attempted to make an objective, scientific assessment of the long-term effects Ambien has had on me. Over time, it has become necessary to increase my dosage to two 10 mg tablets (due to the build up of my tolerance to this medication). Initially, the medication seemed to work very well, quickly inducing sleep within approximately 15 to 20 minutes of taking it. However, I too experienced both the powerful urge to eat and memory loss (of what had occurred) during the 15 to 20 minutes prior to sleep.

I would advise anyone taking this medication to go directly to sleep, and if possible, to request supervision from a friend or relative if one is just beginning to take this medication. Additionally, anyone taking this medication absolutely should NOT drive after taking it, no matter how capable or alert one feels after taking any dose. Further, one should take every precaution to avoid even gaining access to a vehicle. If you are taking this medication, be sure to place the keys to your vehicle in a safe place, or better yet, hand them to a friend. Motor movements are impaired shortly after taking this medication (approximately within 15-20 minutes) and those taking it should therefore avoid walking around their homes, operating any type of machinery, or handling any dangerous objects such as knives, or other sharp objects.

I would like to know if there have been any longitudinal (long-term) studies conducted on the effects this medication has upon overall memory performance (and whether there may be any permanent damage to one’s memory capabilities) since I believe it affects memory not only during the period in which one is under the influence of this medication, but has greater effects upon one’s long-term and overall memory capabilities. This medication, when taken over a long period of time, appears also to cause difficulty with concentration, anxiety, and paranoia (to some degree). Specifically, I would like to know whether long-term use of this medication may result in any permanent damage to a subject’s overall memory capabilities even if that subject has ceased taking Ambien. Those contemplating taking Ambien and those currently taking it should be aware that this drug has serious side effects and one’s use of this substance should be well-informed and carefully monitored.

Leslie

Middle of the night eating
Date: 6/19/2007
I have used ambiem for over a year and now for the last 6 months have started getting up in the middle of the night eating and this time fell down the stairs. Talk on the phone and not remember any of this the next day. Is this serious!

Jaclyn

It is too dangerous
Date: 6/19/2007
I take Ambien periodically and although it works within half an hour or so I suffer from memory loss and I am really irritable the next day. My prescription is almost gone and I am not getting it refilled. I am so scarred that I will try to leave in the middle of the night or drive my car. It is just not worth it. I have 2 small children and don’t want to risk hurting myself or others. Never take an Ambien and try to stay awake or heaven forbid, leave your house. It is too dangerous.

Gina

Swelling
Date: 6/21/2007
I have been on 10 mg Ambien for about 60 = days. I sleep very well, but for the past week, I have been retaining a great deal of fluid and feel swollen. My ankles are swollen as well as my feet, legs, face, hands. I am 67 and mildly active. Is fluid retention a side effect?

Ann

AskDocWeb: It is not a listed side effect.

Pain in shoulders and back
Date: 6/29/2007
Been taking Ambien for 3-4 months now and wondering if the tremendous pain in my shoulders and back are from it? Blurred vision noticeable and trying hard to get off of it – had fitful sleep last nite without it, but everyone’s side effects (and mine) have me worried.

Debra

AskDocWeb: The pains in your shoulders and back are not likely to be related to Ambien.

Medicine hangover
Date: 6/30/2007
The first time I tried ambien I was asleep within 20 minutes but had mild lightheadedness the following day and little bit of a medicine “hangover”. The second time, was blurred vision and slurred speech but again asleep in 20, with the same grogginess the next day. The third time I was found wandering in the backyard, nude at 1 o’clock in the morning eating oatmeal cookies. Needless to say, I no longer take ambien. Have tried xanax and muscle relaxors or Advil PM. At least they won’t get me arrested for indecent exposure.

Michael

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