people who have insomnia sleeping problems?

Question

I want to say first of all I am in the class of people who can't sleep. I have to take Ambien each night. I stopped for a while but my nights just got to much for me to handle so my doctor put me back on this stuff.

My question is when I was on ambien for three years before it would only take me 30 minutes to be sound asleep. Now since I am back on it my body wants to fight and not shut down and sleep. What is the problem here?
Could it be because my 17 yr old son is serisouly having health problems right now I am stressed and my body is over taking the ambien? My thinking process won't shut down.
Any answers would be apperciated.

Answer 1

take hot milk before bed
eat onions

Answer 2

I'm very sorry to hear your problems. I have insomnia as well, and I've also learned how dangerous Ambien can be.

Ambien worked very well for me as a sleep aid, but there are serious risks involved (dependency and/or rebound insomnia). Having experienced terrible withdrawal symptoms from antidepressants, I learned to avoid controlled substances whenever possible. That's why I'd rather stick with something safer, such as Rozerem, also a prescription sleep aid (but with no risk of dependency), or something over-the-counter, like valerian extracts, melatonin tablets, or even chamomile tea. Granted, they don't work as powerfully as Ambien, but they're much safer.

I do admit that I was very happy with Ambien while taking it. It always helped me fall asleep rather quickly, and I woke up refreshed. But after using Ambien for a week or two, I couldn't fall asleep without it. That was terrible, and I realized that I had to stop. Now I'm using Rozerem, which doesn't work as well but is supposed to be entirely safe in regards to dependency.

Stress is probably the #1 reason why people can't fall asleep, and there is no easy solution. I understand how you feel -- your mind just won't stop when you lie in bed no matter how tired your body is. You might have tried everything - exercise, quitting coffee, and dozens of other techniques. But somehow it just doesn't work...

However, I also know that drug addiction can be worse than insomnia. That's why I'm fighting to stay away from Ambien even though I still have some left. It's not easy trying to go off something that your body has grown used to. But I've done it with antidepressants, so I know this is not impossible. However, as with most "quitting" process (alcohol, cigarettes, recreational drugs, or prescription drugs), you will need some help, and the best thing to do is talk to your doctor.

Answer 3

Next time you go to your doctor, have him refer you to a sleep specialist. You may be suffering from a serious sleep disorder that is causing your insomnia, such as sleep apnea. The only way to find out is to have a Polysomnogram, or Sleep Study done. This test will uncover the cause of your sleep problem. Continuing to take sleep meds is only masking the problem, and if you do have a sleep apnea problem the meds can make it much worse. Insomnia leads to chronic fatigue, which puts you in a high risk catagory for accidents and cardiovascular disease. For more info, log on to the National Sleep Foundation website, www.sleepfoundation.org. I urge you to go to your doctor as soon as possible, for the long-term effects of insomnia and chronic fatigue on the body can be devestating. Good luck!

Answer 4

Stop taking Ambien immediately. You should not be taking any sleep aid for three years first off!

Ambien when taken in higher doses can also have a reverse effect, causing everything from insomnia itself to hallucinations to extreme paranoia.

I could go on forever explaining, but you should be able to find ample information on the internet yourself.

What may be occuring is that you have generated an extreme case of PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPENDENCY with Ambien. The anxiety you are feeling is not related to your son's illness, maybe it has more to do with your body's tolerance telling you to up your dose, and you don't want to, but your body does to maintain the level of comfort.

An easy way to tell if you have a psych. dependency on the drug is if you get anxious when it is not near you, if you think about or look forward to taking your ambien at night, or if you can just hold the prescription bottle in your hand and feel comforted.

There are many many variable with your case, you are looking for something to comfort you regardless. You need to stop taking the ambien.

Try excercise - I drank myself to sleep every night for months on end until one day I just decided to join a gym and start running. Try that! Good luck.

Answer 5

I have Ambien for my disorder, too, but I switch to Soma because that is a Central Nerve system drug, (I use that for the severe pain in my foot) I have bad insomnia and I hate not being able to sleep. My mind works overtime and I think about things that I thought were gone until I lay down. So I fluctuate back and forth, just so I don't depend on one or the other, if that makes any sense. I used to take Benadryl, but since my operation I take Soma. Doesn't Ambien make things distorted, though? I know it did for me. Good luck.

Answer 6

I understand at least part of your problem, I can only imagine the pain of having a seriously ill child. This works for me. I have a set routine, bathroom ,teeth, face washed and then I have a tape player by my bed. I find books on tape and listen to them first while doing something boring like folding laundry but later when I have them almost memorized I play them at bedtime. It's like being read a story and keeps your brain from thinking but is so dull that I'm asleep withing thirty minutes. Really hope it helps.

Answer 7

Ask your dr about a drug called trazodone its stronger than ambien and safe for long term use.It is a mild antidepressant ,with a wonderfull side effect.It reduces stress and makes you sleepy!Ive been using it for years with great success.Also cutting out all caffeine and keeping your bedroom cool will help.Another thing that helps is a little vigorous exercies an hour or so before bed time.I hope this helps.

Answer 8

I have had insomnia most of my life, too, the thinking bs right as you're laying down gets me but I just try and clear my mind as best as I can.

Good luck.

Answer 9

I have insominia, when your ready to sleep bathe put on something comfortable, turn on your favourite slow music and start planning tomorow you'll wake up the next day saying huh'
just try it the bathe is a necessary part of this plan and oh i forgot adrink of warm milk.

Answer 10

I use trazodone also. Doctors stopped using it as antidepressant because better drugs that made the person less drowsy came along. BUT it is often prescribed for sleep problems. I love it. About the medicinal marijuana: the prescription form is called "Marinol" my husband had it prescribed for his cancer. When he died I used the rest of it at bed time and I got really sleepy (well, and I got the munchies pretty bad too!!) good luck.

Answer 11

stress is a very big part of not falling asleep i take ambien and it only takes about 15 to 20 minutes to fall asleep.you need to talk to your dr maybe you need to think about taking an anti-depressant it will help you focus also on things that you need to take care of with your son at the time.it doesnt mean you have to stay on them forever but it really would help for the time being they also will help you sleep good luck with your son and hang in there i know sometimes kids can take a lot out of us