There are 1122 ratings for the drug: AMBIEN in the Askapatient database.

Key to ratings for ambien: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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Rating	Reason	Side Effects	Comments	Sex	Age	Time Taken and Dosage		Date Added
				F  M
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4	Insomnia - waking too early	More uninhibited sex life. TERRIBLE midnight eating. HORRIBLE midnight cooking of nonsensical foods if I'd had any alcohol. Ranting, emotional outbursts on text and email. And finally, rebound insomnia bad enough to get me off this devil's brew!	At first-- it was a miracle. Sleeping more than 5 hours with no "wake up" was perfect and I was a much "better" mother to my children, and more fun to be around because I would have slept. Then, 5 years ago, the uncontrollable midnight eating started. Every single night. Hotel mini-bars --- LOOK OUT! You'd be emptied. That was followed by cooking the most insane, gross foods if I'd had alcohol within an hour or so. Texting and calling and emailing with misspellings, and saying silly, overly emotional things to people whom I normally would not "cross that line". A year ago, rebound insomnia started. I realized, "Why the hell would I continue on this drug when I get the same effects OFF the drug?" Notice bad memory problems creeping in. Self loathing for the addiction to a drug set in, as well. So, I fired up my meditation CDs, got a low dose bottle of Melatonin (which makes me too groggy and weird-feeling, even at a low dose) and decided to start exhausting myself, aka, exercise. Wish me luck. Cold turkey when last dose ran out and I couldn't get a refill in time. So far, more than SO GOOD. If I can get off, anyone can. Also, I am sick of my daughter calling me "AMBI" any time I act fun or silly!!	M	45	7 years 10 mg 1X D		7/28/2010
1	Insomnia	It was horrible	I describe part 1 of my experience with ambien in my blog... anambivalentlife.blogspot.com	M	35	2 years 20 1X D		7/27/2010
1	lack of sleep	woke with terrible gi rolling pain, lasted all day, thought it was the flu, no energy, i just felt terrible, thinking it was flu i tried one more time, they found their way down my toilet. i would rather suffer lack of sleep than take this again	not for me	F	60	4 days 10mg 1X AN		7/26/2010
4	sleep deprived	Tension (not anxiety) tingling, burning in hands, feet, stomach. Not too bad. Had it before when I had Ambien years ago, but didn't make the association.	I do not have an increased appetite this time. I think that was caused by Seroquel. I am not sleepwalking or driving, or eating. I am seeming to need more than 10mg to get knocked out. The first night on 10mg just drifted in and out of sleep with lovely dreams. I remember everything. I am a bit slower at work today. Maybe getting adjusted. So happy I am not eating! This drug has it's problems, but now I know the main problem I had before was the addition of Seroquel. It stimulates appetite!	F	55	20 1X D		7/25/2010 Email History
1	cronic insomnia	Intermittent amnesia for daytime activities, including places visited on vacation (where I was the driver). Also had serious adverse reaction (hallucinations) when I took a decongestant for fluid in my inner ear.	This was prescribed by my physician. It works fine for allowing sleep at night, but also affects behavior during the day. One may drive, have conversations, make decisions, but not actually be fully awake (or responsible). I will never take Ambien again. There are worse things than not being able to sleep.	F	60	12 months 10 mg 1X D		7/15/2010
5	Insomnia		Night eating at times but this condition first appeared when I was in college. Don't talk on the phone or get on your computer after you take it.	F	52	2 days 10 mg 1X D		7/12/2010
4	wake up 3am			F	59	5 days 30mg 1X AN		7/11/2010
5	Not sleeping well	I did not know there were side effects until I visited this website. I am one of the lucky ones. I can break it into quarters and it works like a charm. I am a 240 lb. male who at 48 years old went from the best sleeper I know, to the worst in about six months. Talked to my Dr. and he recommended Ambien, which was ok, but I would wake up after about three hours and was right back to where I started, but now it was 2:00 am and did not dare to take another. The Ambien CR was the trick and it changed my life back to normal.		M	48	12.5 2X W		7/10/2010
4	long term insomnia	Short term memory lapses, loss of memory of events that occur after taking ambien. Loss of inhibition (sex with husband occasionally that is apparently awesome but sometimes not remembered), waking up and eating- this happens frequently. Usually things that I don't remember immediately will come to me later in the morning. I also watch my DVR shows in bed sometimes then watch them again during the day because I don't remember what the show was about. But, if taken properly and with some expectation that these things can happen you can prevent dangerous outcomes. Let your friends and family know not to pay attention to emails and facebook posts after 11, make sure you already have a yummy snack or leftovers convenient to grab so you don't cook or trash your kitchen etc. if you do that it helps with the anxiety of not being sure if you can trust yourself.		M	37	2 years 10mg 1X D		7/9/2010 Email
2	insomnia	I took my first pill last night, awoke at 4:30am realizing I had peed myself. Thank goodness I had absorbant bamboo sleep pants on. Will not ever take again. I prefer to be continent!		F	54	CR 1X D		7/8/2010
4	to counter narcolepsy med	Med I take during the day to stay awake due to narcolepsy was keeping me from sleeping at night. Initially, it was magical. I felt so much better during the day cause I was sleeping 7-8 hrs. at night.	I have noticed progressively worse short term memory loss and never associated it with ambien until now. I think I'm going to stop it. The memory loss is scaring me.	F	63	18 months 12.5 cr 1X D		7/5/2010
4	Insomnia during pregnancy	The only thing I noticed when I take Ambien is that I dream more.	Other than that, it has been a big help. I started suffering from insomnia during my 8th month of pregnancy last year so bad that I thought I was going insane. My OB/GYN prescribed it to me. I was hesitant since I was pregnant but she said the baby would be fine. I was finally able to get a good night's sleep. After I gave birth to my son, the insomnia was still there but I had already stopped taking them a week before I delivered. Four days after I had him, I was still awake no matter what time I went to bed. My doctor advised me to take Ambien again even though I was breastfeeding, it wouldn't affect the baby. Well, after being awake for four days, I was at ease. I am now taking Ambien again because within the past week I have been having bouts of insomnia again. Thank goodness it works and I can rest.	F	39	1 years 10mg 1X D		7/3/2010
5	insomnia	nothing but sleep	There are a lot of negative comments here. And a lot of demands to pull this drug from the market, etc. But my experience has been so positive, I almost feel like this has saved my sanity. My insomnia became so bad that I was almost being pushed over the edge--horrible toughts at 4am, like "what's so wrong with me that I can't just sleep?!" I started down a path of heavy drinking to try to knock myself out, it was getting ugly. And my family doctor was reluctant to prescibe this drug. Finally found a doc who would, now I take one, go to bed and sleep. Life is good again!! Everyone's story is different, but used properly, this can be a lifesaver!	F	32	5 years 10 mgs 1X D		6/30/2010
1	Insomnia	sleep walking, confusion, mood changes	My husband has been on Ambien 20mg for 2 years for severe insomnia - he's been in the hospital a few times after going 5 to 6 days without more than 1-2 hours of sleep. I thought the delerium and hallucinations were bad when he didn't sleep, but the ambien makes it so much worse. He still doesn't sleep regularly, is up and down, and when he doesn't sleep he is so detatched and confused he has started 3 fires in the house, tried to walk down the street at 3am, etc. This is a horrible drug, and incredibly dangerous. I know it works well for some people, and it did for him in the beginning, but I don't think it should ever be used long term. After a recent increase in sleepwalking, confusion and memory loss, his doctor has finally taken him off ambien. After testing with a heart doctor, the doctor may look at some non-conventional drugs for sleep, but none of the sleeping pills seem to work for him. I sympathise with anyone dealing with insomnia, but especially for those living with someone with insomnia - sometimes I think I'm going crazy just from dealing with him. I really hope anyone using ambien has someone living with them that can alert them if they start showing any of these symptoms, otherwise the dangers can be incredibly high. Good luck to all of you dealing with insomnia.	F	35	2 years 20 MG 1X D		6/28/2010 Email
5	Insomnia	None.	I've had insomnia for about 10 years. Ambien is the only medicine that I've taken for sleep that doesn't have side-effects such as morning drowsiness. It is a reliable medicine that never lets me down.	F	37	4 years 10 MG 1X D		6/25/2010
5	Insomnia	Memory issues.	I am honest enough to admit that this drug scares me. But it's also the only thing that has helped me to sleep. One of my earliest memories was laying awake not sleeping and as I entered my 40's it started to take it's toll. The memory issues occur when I take the pill and do something before going to bed. I know I should not do that but since it takes a while to work, it's hard to not "use" that time. The key is that after I see what I did after taking the pill (like seeing that I'd gone in and cleaned up in the kitchen) then I remember doing it. So the memory is not totally lost, just masked by the drug. At this time I have made a decision to accept this since it has been so helpful in keeping my life together. I need sleep. This is my chosen way.	F	53	3 years 10 mg. 1X D		6/24/2010
1	Insomnia	Didn't always work, extremely groggy the next day if you don't get 8 hours of sleep on it. Horrible side affects when you stop taking it.	I was given Ambien for insomnia. The first night I took it, it worked great and I slept 8 hours. The next night I slept 6. The third night I slept 2 hours and was a zombie the next day. After taking it off and on for three weeks, I decided to try Melatonin since it is non-addictive. The Ambien gave me terrible anxiety and horrible night mares. I had not had night mares in years, so it was definitely the Ambien. It took me a couple of weeks for it to completely be out of my system. I now use Melatonin Spray, Simalisin homeopathic sleep aid, and Vitamin B5 to sleep. No nightmares or grogginess the next day and no addiction.	F	49	21 days 10 mg 1X D		6/23/2010
5	insomnia/depression	Absolutely none.	I am presently taking 10 mg of Ambien and have not experienced any weird side effects at all. My physician was very firm in her instructions to not take the pill until physically getting into bed. I do and sleep great and finally wake up feeling rested (and at an early hour). I have had chronic depression/panic disorder for almost 15 years and this drug along with my other meds have given me my life back in a way better way. Ambien is a sleeping pill people. Unless you sleep standing up, don't take it and walk around, etc. If used correctly (like any other drug) it is a perfectly safe drug. Please don't pass up taking Ambien because of these crazy postings, just use common sense when taking your meds.	F	51	6 months 10 mg 1X D		6/21/2010
1	chronic insomnia	There is help to allow you to sleep and IT IS NOT AMBIEN. I posted some months ago that this is the devil's drug and a portal to hell - and I still believe that.	First, the help that is out there is Seroquel and can be prescribed by your doctor. It does not make you "high" (for those that are addicted or pre-disposed to get a high, you won't like it). My experience with Ambien almost ruined my marriage and my life. I went off cold turkey and of course suffered the consequences of a racing heart and lack of any sleep. My doctor (God bless him) prescribed me Seroquel and I am out in 15 or 20 minutes and sleep through the night uninterrupted (I can be awakened if needed and function properly, though a little tired). It is actually a drug to treat bipolar disorder - I am guessing the manic side of the disease... Anyway, I wanted to share this to anyone that suffers the hell of insomnia and is looking to an alternative. For me, there is absolutely no Ambien-type effects and while groggy for the first 10 minutes or so in the morning, the rest of my day is beautiful. ALL drugs manipulate our brains and like many, I wish I could get by without them. Seroquel for sleep is as close to sanity and peace that I have experienced in a long time. God bless those suffering from addictions and from the crazy games our brains can play on us - includin not letting us sleep. Keep trying - there is help and after YEARS of hell, I found it. I hope you do too. And PS: Those of you that claim to take Ambien without any side effects at all and call the rest of us addicts...well....maybe rethink your motives of belittling others.	F	46	1 days 5 mg 1X D		6/21/2010 Email
5	occasional insomnia	mild aphasia - difficulty finding the proper word	I take zolpidem (generic ambien) a couple of times a week. My primary difficulty is waking during the night with hot flashes then being unable to fall back to sleep for an hour or more, being wakened again an hour or two later - as many as 3 times in an 8 hour period, being awake 1-2 hours each time. Since it is usually too late in the night to take a zolpidem, I typically take one the next night to avoid building up a sleep deficit. On the days after I have taken a zolpidem I have noticed more difficulty in finding the right words.	F	53	3 months 5 mg 1X AN		6/19/2010
5	Severe life long insomnia	Don't remember conversations prior to falling asleep	I had heard all the experiences, I had taken Lunesta, Rozerem, Trazadone, etc. When you haven't slept 8 hours since you were under the age of 13, you are willing to take the risk. The first weeks were great. I fell asleep within 15 minutes. Since then, there are nights I take it and it doesn't work. I usually only get 4-5 hours of sleep out of it, but for me, any hours that are consecutive, are worth it. I recently had surgery and was on pain medication, so I went two months without my Ambien and I didn't crave it. I have no fear of addiction. And those conversations I don't remember are usually with the spouse and he's used to it. This drug has hurt a lot of people, I know, but it has helped those of us who can't live another day without a few hours of quality sleep.	F	42	2 years 10 1X D		6/17/2010 Email
4	Was diagnosed with Graves Disease i	At first there was always a circus in my bedroom. I thought it was funny, until the animals started talking to me and I started talking back to them. Then there was the eating and the drinking. I would wake up in the morning missing food. And of course I would do a great deal of choking too. one time I woke up eating a nacho bell grande from Taco bell so I know I had been driving while I was on this stuff, so I stopped taking it. Went a few years and then the waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to go back to sleep started again so I started taking it again.....even when I did not need it. Then last year...I lost my job. I became so depressed that I would take it during the day just so I would not have to deal with life. Started seeing 3 doctors who would give me prescriptions. This I later found out is called "Dr. shopping" and is illegal. I have now been working for 10 months and I am trying to deal with the real cause of my insomnia which is my	For me, Ambien is a great drug. I have gotten beyond the dangerous side effects because for me, sleep is no joke. I take the pill and go to bed. I have an appointment on 6/18/2010 with a sleep specialist to discuss my issues and to get me back on my ambien, but this time in a more responsible manner. I hope she gives me the 20 mgs and that I can move on with my life. I can only pray that I get my ability to sleep on my own back. But until then, I have to do what I must. This will be the only doctor I will be getting my Rx from....no more Dr. shopping. I know this drug is addictive but so is crack and since I have a choice...I'm going with the ambien.	F	36	5 years 10mg 1X D		6/16/2010 Email
5	Severe insomnia	Sleep	Ambien is the only thing that has ever worked for me. Changed my life. Regular people have no idea what it's like to go thru your entire life in a sleep deprived state. Ambien is a life saver. I've had none of the neg side effects some have described. It's like we're talking about 2 diff drugs. I would recommend to anyone who has severe insomnia.	M	46	2 years 10 1X D		6/4/2010 Email
1	insomnia	Even more difficulty sleeping than usual (I slept off and on for only 2.5 hrs). The ceiling and door frame was moving around. It felt like a combination of smoking weed and that feeling right before anesthesia knocks you out.	It was calming and I wouldn't have minded the weird visual stuff if I wasn't desperate to sleep. I now understand why one of my friends does it recreationally. I honestly thought she was making stuff up.	F	20	2 days 5-10 mg 1X D		6/3/2010
1	Insomnia	Physical addiction, withdrawal, euphoria, loss of motor control, severe depression, anger, suicidal ideations,slurred speech, ravenous hunger, uncontrolled behaviors, highly unsafe sexual conduct, dangerous driving, dynamic mood swings, heart palpitations, severe memory loss	So those were the "main" side effects I described. And like any good highly addicting substance, all the wreckage that goes along with it. Strain on family, destroyed relationships, job loss, etc etc. This is perhaps the most insidious drug on the market today for one reason. Opiates, benzodiazepenes, tranquilizers, you do -NOT- see commercials for on TV because there deleterious effects are well documented. Not so with Ambien though a growing body of evidence is starting to develop rapidly. The drug is horrifically addicting and like many here I found my dosage going up and up, and the physical addiction became inescapable in very short order. 6 years of my life were taken from me, and after lots of time around recovery people and a rehab I found out this drug is -quite- common in addiction circles. I absolutely do not doubt any of the horror stories I have read here because I lived many of them personally. The medication makes a truckload of money for Sanofi-Aventis so it is well worth their effort to sweep most of this under the collective rug. However with the various stories from around the internet and even the comments here I could easily see an actionable class based legal proceeding getting some traction. Summary: Only take this medication or recommend it if you -really- hate yourself or the person you are giving it too.	M	37	6 years 10 4X D		6/2/2010
4	sleep disorder	I would give it a 5 if it wasn't for the hallucination like things I experienced a few times. Else than that I had no side effects at all, but if I took them for several nights on a row, I got rebound nightmares one night after stopping the med. These days I get much worse "side effects" and cannot take it, I start feeling feverish and bad. I didn't feel that at all the first 7 years I took it now and then, so I think I developed an allergy.	Ambien is the best sleep med I've tried and I tried almost all of them. Nothing is as good when it comes to put me to sleep, and in a nice way. However, the med is activating, so sometimes (I have depression too), it lifted my depression and then I didn't want to sleep. The really bad things don't happen to MOST people, however is is quite common to have some episodes of experience altered states or hallucination like things. It can be a great med, but of course when you start taking it, it doesn't hurt to be on some kind of watch. Doctors should always inform about this so you can make arrangements so you cannot leave the house "asleep".	F	40	7 years 5-10 mg 1X AN		5/29/2010
3	To get high	Memory loss, hallucinations, fuzzy head good feeling, makes everything look different.	I used to take for sleep. No more than 10mg but noticed I hallucinated once. So me being a drug addict thought I'll peel of the outer coating and snort them. Well that got way outta hand. My family said I became delirious and would walk around the house pouring juice into ice cream and talking to invisible people and even taking my dog on a 3am walk. Poor doggie ;) No more I'm addicted and don't even remember 80% of what the heck happened. Works ok for sleep but deffinitely not a long term medicine.	M	42	1 months 70mg 1X D		5/27/2010
4	Insomnia	None	I take only 1/4 to 1/2 a 10 mg. pill - it's just enough to push me over into sleep - takes the edge off. I wake too early (terminal insomnia) and am early perimenopausal but the ambien helps me to get at least 6 to 6 1/2 hours sleep. Can't take Ambien CR or the full 10mg Ambien as it causes lingering grogginess the next day. I think that adjusting the dosage and not taking the full 10 mg. greatly reduces adverse events/effects/addiction. I have taken Ambien off and on for 5 years and am not addicted. Reducing anxiety through yoga/exercise/diet/meditation helps much more than any sleeping aid.	F	38	5 years 10 mg 1X D		5/25/2010
3	unable to sleep due to stress	In 2006 I was experiencing a lot of stress and was unable to sleep. My doctor prescribed Ambien. It worked and I took it for several months before deciding that I should probably taper off of it. I then had the "brilliant" idea that I would take it only on Sunday night only so as to be refreshed for the week. I had side effects but I didn't realize it was from the Ambien. I had headaches that wouldn't stop. I would guess that I had a horrible headache for one solid year. I would come home from work and feel exhausted and thought if I laid down and took a nap that it would be o.k. because I could take an ambien at night to sleep. What a vicous , ugly cycle. I woke up several times unable to breath, had black-out like periods where I can't remember anything. Sexual experiences that I sort of remebered things I thought I had done but really couldn't. I felt sluggish all day at work and just felt flat and some what depressed. Finally on my birthday this year I decided to stop usi	Doctors need to use caution when prescribing this medicine. My doctor prescribed it and didn't try anything else. He also encouraged me to use it periodically as I felt needed.	F	46	3.5 years 10 mg 1X D		5/25/2010
1	Insomnia	I WILL KEEP THIS BRIEF AND TO THE POINT: THIS DRUG IS EVIL!! SHOULD BE PULLED FROM THE MARKET!!!!!!!!!!!!!	REPORT YOUR DOCTOR IF THEY PRESRIBE IRRESPONSIBLY!	F	36	5 years 10 1X D		5/25/2010
1	I am addicted to it still.	oh gosh,obesity,waking up naked in an ugly man's room,and not being careful enough with lighting a candle before going to bed so the fire was almost to the floor. It is still the worst thing that has ever happened to me-Ambien!	It is evil incarnate,second only to the pediphile priests.	F	29	10 years 4X D		5/22/2010
1	insomnia	sudden hunger sexual aggression loss of memory & time nightmares began after several years feelings of not being able to get a grip on the day.....tired foggy feeling and quit enjoying life	please do not get started on this drug. I have found that it controls me mentally. I did sleep with it....but the side effects are worse that not sleeping. I quit cold turkey a week ago and I am already experiencing brighter days!	F	53	16 years 10 mg 1X D		5/21/2010
1	insomnia	sleep walking,sexual aggressive	One night i stayed up watching tv in bed after taking my ambien,my boyfriend said i got up saying i was cooking biscuits ,i turned the stove top on instead of the oven,im very thankful he was there to turn it off behind me and didnt burn the apartments down,then he said i kept asking if anybody else was in the house??repeativly?and said i was very agressive during sex and nothing like "myself" very scary experience	F	21	1 years 10mg 1X D		5/19/2010
1	insomnia	Waking up during the night - unable to fall back to sleep; severe anxiety in the mornings, mind racing, suicidal thoughts	My husband has no history of mental illness. He recently lost his job and had been having trouble sleeping from the stress. Took Ambien just a handful of times and always woke up in the middle of the night very agitated and desperate...never able to fall back to sleep. He kept saying "mornings are the worst" when talking about how he was feeling. I had to drive him to the ER early this morning for suicidal thoughts and panic. I now think the doctor should have treated the depression/anxiety and the sleep would have naturally followed. I just had to explain to my young kids that daddy wasn't coming home for a couple of days. I believe he had a paradoxical affect of this drug. Do not take this medicine if you also have anxiety, panic, or depression.	M	38	10 days 10mg 1X D		5/19/2010
1	Insomnia	Sleep eating nearly whenever I take it. I was in an ambien coma the other night half conscious, and thought I was going to die because i ate so much. Ive woken in the morning thinking I dreampt about eating out of the trashcan only to find I really did. And the worst, most humiliating thing I have even done, I went #2 in my boyfirends closet after having 2 beers and taking an ambien. It puts me to sleep like a miracle, but after all of these things happening I am back to just taking benedryl. Ambien is dangerous stuff. BE CAREFUL!		F	25	1 years 10mg 1X D		5/17/2010
5	insomnia	daytime grogginess	I love Ambien! It was a lifesaver! It knocks me out fast & usually keeps me asleep for 6-7 hours. I didn't have any bad side effects and would recommend this drug to anyone having insomnia.	F	26	1 months 10 mg 1X D		5/16/2010
3				M	45	1X D		5/16/2010
5	not sleeping			F	66	10 years 10mg. 1X D		5/14/2010
3	Insomnia	Nothing, at first. It was a drug sent from heaven!	That's why I'm rating this a 3. I was suffering horribly from sleep deprivation, and my whole family has insomnia. It just runs in our family. I was shoving my H during the night if he snored too loudly or jumped around, and I could barely see straight from lack of sleep. So I finally broke down and ordered some Ambien. It was a miracle drug for the first 6-8 weeks. I knew to be careful of it, so I'd look at the clock every night at 9:30, take my pill, and go to bed 30 minutes later. I had no "sleeping pill hangover" and woke every morning at 5:30 and got my work done. Then the pharmacist told me you shouldn't take it every night, because you build up a tolerance, and I read the horror stories here. But what is worse--tossing and turning all night long and feeling like a zombie the next day? You have to weigh the pros and cons. I only drank alcohol about once every 2 weeks so these warnings didn't concern me. I got carried away after a few glasses of wine, apparently. I woke up one morning to discover a can of fruit cocktail on my desk, and I had no recollection of eating anything. So I gave the bottle to my H and told him to dole it out if I felt I needed it. I've been doing one day off, one day on, but now I cannot SLEEP!!! Anyone who has ever suffered from sleep deficit can understand how horrible this is. My heart is pounding like mad and will not stop racing. If I could only get some sleep... My GP said this new Ambien CR is much better	F	42	60 days 10 mg 1X D		5/14/2010
1	After surgery	Nightmares of not being able to breath, I think it was a nightmare. Terrible anxiety, couldn't concentrate, dizzy, forgetful, feeling drugged, shaky. This is the worst drug that I have ever taken in my life. I became so overwhelmed with anxiety I thought being dead would be a relief. It should be taken off the market. A friend of mine sleepwalked when she took it. Taking this drug was worse than the surgery. I would rather have a few sleepless nights than take this drug. It didn't help much anyway as I would wake up after my nightmares.	TAKE IT OFF THE MARKET	F	55	4 days 1X D		5/11/2010 Email
1	sleep problems	severe stomach and digestive problems	Started having digestive problems almost immediately. Got more and more severe. Lost over 30 lbs rather quickly. Stopped taking the product and symptoms stopped almost immediately. Went to the Dr. he ordered all sorts of tests including colonoscopy and told me there was no way it was the Ambian. All the tests came back fine and clear. Have not taken the Ambian again and my appetite is returning and my digestive problems have completely cleared up.	M	57	9 months 12.5 1X D		5/6/2010
4	Insomnia	occasional daytime sleepiness	I recommend taking a smaller dose. I'm taking 2.5 mg only by cutting a 5mg pill in half (I'm 125 lbs, 5;2) I've been taking ambien for 5 years now since it's been helping me sleep soundly through the night. I've played around with the dosage to see which dosage suits me. For some, the drug may be too much in the regular prescribed dosage. I started taking ambien cr 12.5 mg, which really knocked me out, and gave me a drowsy all-day feeling the next day. Like some who posted on this site, I did have a negative effect- (the drowsiness while driving) I did get a ticket for those red light cameras, and considered stopping taking it, but then I wanted to see how I would be on a smaller dosage. I tried a half dose, and it was still much. My doctor prescribed 5mg for me, and I took it for a while, now I've settled on half of the pill (2.5 mg) which is just right. I need to take it around 10:00pm, read or do relaxing things 'til around 11:15 or 11:30pm. I get a good night's rest and wake up refreshed at anywhere from 6 to7:30am which is when my alarm rings. I do recommend also not operating a motorized vehicle until you find the dosage that's right for you because yes, you can get drowsy, and get into accidents. People are all so different, we all have different body chemistries so there is no uniform effect. It's all trial and error, so I hope if ambien doesn't work, then you can always try others like Lunesta, Benadryl, Unisom or natural ones like melatonin or kava kava.	F	35	5 years 2.5 mg 1X D		4/29/2010 Email
5	fibromyalgia/insomnia	No initial side effects. After some months, short-term memory loss of things that happen within a couple of hours of taking it. No problems with sleepwalking or the like.	Lately it has been less effective as my anxiety has become stronger than the Ambien can counter. Most nights I'm fine but some I still don't sleep. For several months I have been having vivid, complex dreams/nightmares every time I sleep - even with quick naps. I suspect the Ambien but recently started some heart medications as well so can't be certain. Overall though, this drug got me through some very tough years as I tried to recover from autoimmune symptoms and severe fibromyalgia which wouldn't let me sleep. All drugs have risks and all individuals are different in their response. Condemning a drug completely because the most vocal people are those who have had problems is typical. Use your own best judgment and be honest with your doctor about prior addiction problems.	F	46	9 years 12.5 1X D		4/28/2010
5	For insomnia, duh	None besides tiredness!	I LOVE Ambien, I don't know what all you crazies are talking about! My life is hell without it. I cut my pills in fourths--yes fourths--and it is still effective! I've never taken a whole one. You people who are doing crazy shiz while on Ambien either need to take responsibility for your actions or cut down your dose! Don't ruin it for the rest of us, jeez.	M	30	6 years 5mg 1X D		4/26/2010 Email
5	Insomnia	No side effects	I have to take it when I get in bed. I've taken it before bed and I'm up for about an hour saying off the wall things to my husband before I fall asleep like "can fish live in soup?" type topics. Never take with alcohol though!	F	34	1 years 10mg 1X D		4/22/2010
1	Insomnia	If severe addiction, divorce, unemployment, jail, getting mortally wounded or dying isn't a problem for you, then go ahead and take this drug otherwise DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG.	People have said go straight to bed after taking this drug. I did, but then unbeknownst to me (at least the conscious me) I got up and drove my car. I did that three times and I was lucky all the accidents were non fatal (I didn't get a DUI, kill someone or get killed) although they cost me a lot of money and because of the memory I can't drive anymore without panicking. The thing is after you take this drug, you don't know when you are getting up and what you are doing. The effects for me didn't wear off during the day and I would be crying (I'm male) for every little sad thought that came into my head. In ambien trance I resigned from my job and wrote a despicable letter to my boss, thus burning the bridge. This happened in a bad economy so I was without a job for 3 years, and currently settled for a job with half the dough. In an ambien trance I told my wife I wanted to have sex with her friend and told her to prostitute herself for money. I nearly lost her as well. At first I took the drug at the doctor prescribed dose of 5-10mg. Once I was addicted I took more. I was on the drug for 2 years. Getting off the drug took 3 months with all the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal. Drug seeking behavior, rebound insomnia, panic attacks, shaking hands, eye twitches, and delirium. During the withdrawal I was a total jerk with anger tantrums quite uncharacteristic of me. This drug DESTROYED three years of my life and I'm suffering the after effects and I'm not sure for how long.	M	35	2 years >10mg 4X D		4/22/2010
1	trouble sleeping	I felt severely suicidal, contemplating how to do it and started binge eating and I hardly eat that much ever, both are listed side effects.	I would never recommend this to anyone.	F	40	2 days 6.25mg 1X D		4/21/2010
1	insomnia	sleep walking, hallucinations	I took my pill at 11pm and laid down and went to sleep fairly quickly. Then I apparently started sleep walking and fell from the very top of my stairs to the very bottom. I wound up breaking my leg very badly and having several contusions all over my body. Then I had horrible hallucinations about dead people and dragons (not at all funny, just very scary). So I would never recommend this or take it again. I'm stuck in a cast for the next 7 weeks and still can't sleep.	F	30	1 days 30 1X D		4/21/2010 Email
2	insomnia	major insomnia		F	36	3 days 12.5mg cr 1X D		4/19/2010
5	chronic insomnia	sleep walking		F	68	3 years 10mg 1X D		4/18/2010
1	insomnia, peri-menopausal	I have already left a comment previously about 7-8 weeks ago. This is a follow-up. In my previous comment neglected to add that along with this drug affecting my central nervous system (numbness in scalp, forehead, arms, hands)it was also making me very depressed. As I have never been depressed before I really did not know the symptoms until later after speaking w/ friends. To recap I had really bad sleep deprivation withdrawal for 2-3 days then had another rebound sleep deprivation for another 2-3 days, all this from Ambien. Went to my doctor 4x only to have him tell me it was not the Ambien. I have decided he is full of shit and I have since moved on. I am better now, still have some sleep issues but they are minor. I suppose I am still recovering and everyday is better but I wonder what damage has been done. Ambien in my opinion is along the same lines as street drugs and even more dangerous as no one tells you this can be addicting.		F	47	3 weeks 10 1X D		4/15/2010 Email
4	Insomnia	It's hard to get up and out of bed the next morning. I'm kind of sleepy all day (low energy). Sometimes leads to migraine headaches.	Works great for helping me fall asleep and stay asleep. I try not to take it during the week... it just makes me so "slow" the next day. I really need to be able to sleep a good 10 hours after taking an Ambien. 8 hours is NOT enough.	F	39	1 years 10MG 1X D		4/14/2010
2	chronic insomnia, fibromyalgia	At first, it helped. I thought,"finally I can actually get a good night's sleep!" Then the bizarre & disturbing side-effects kicked in. I have driven after taking this..stupidly & erratically! Hallucinations, sleep walking, sleep eating, sleep sex,made phone calls & sent disturbing text msgs. w/no recollection, only to find out later what I did by people telling me & me checking my phone usage & texts I sent that were off-the-wall & embarrasing! Used the stove, making myself meals..YIKES! Ate all kinds of food & snacks & sometimes actually fell asleep while eating...waking up w/ food in my mouth! Blackouts!- once i went to use the bathroom & fell right off the toilet onto the bathroom floor, only to wake up later wondering why I was lying on the bathroom floor?! Went online, sent rediculous & embarrasing emails on Facebook, shopped online w/ no recollection. This med totally knocked me out to sleep..so much so, that I missed several pho	I think and highly advise that when you take this pill, you should be making your way to your bed! That's been my problem..staying up after they've taken effect.Lock down/secure the house, doors and go seclude yourself away from people!! P.S. one should NEVER drive when ur on this mind-altereing crap!Don't do it.	F	42	2 days 10 1X D		3/31/2010
1	Irregular work schedule	Initially hallucinations, euphoria (feel loopy cannot accomplish tasks that require a little thought)during the period before I fall asleep. I've become very depressed during the few hours after I wake, this seems to improve during the day. I just had what I think is a panic attack hyperventillated and cried uncontrollably for about 5 minutes. The last time tears ran down my face was 13 years ago when my appendix ruptured.	I fear stop taking the medication as I've read that the withdrawl is bad and I fear not getting sleep.	M	29	6 months 10 1X D		3/30/2010 Email
4	Insomnia	Increased hunger, drugged feeling, dependence, depression, anger and memory loss.	I have taken ambien and ambien cr for many years, although it has really bad side effects it is the only medicine that works for my insomnia. I have tried many, many sleep aids and none work better then ambien, most don't work at all.	F	25	10 years 10 1X D		3/27/2010
5	insomnia	the pros outweight the cons for me, but I do experience some tiredness the next day (sometimes it's worse than others), occasional headaches, but overall it is a miracle drug for me!	I'm only 18 and have been dealing with insomnia for about 7 months now, it sucks! Ambien is the only thing that had worked for me. I like it because you don't get that drowsy, drugged feeling. I lie there and then I go to sleep. I do still wake up, but am able to go back to sleep easily. I only take 3 nights a week.. the other nights I just try to do without it. I have noticed that I want it more and more, but overall it's helped me a lot.	F	18	6 months 3X W		3/25/2010
5	I started with a knee repacement	none	without Ambien I am awake 2 to 4 hours every night. I am very satisfied.	F	54	4.9 years 10 mg 1X D		3/25/2010 Email
4	Chronic Insomnia	After taking Ambien for about a week and a half, I happened to make an offhand comment to a physician friend of mine (not the prescribing physician) about worrying about dependency. My Dr. had prescribed one tablet each night - my friend suggested taking it maybe three times a week. I decided to take the weekend "off" and experienced the worst withdrawal symptoms - anxiety that I was having a heart attack - heart palpitations and sleep paralysis (I felt like I was being alien abducted and was conscious the whole time!) After the weekend, I decided I'd rather be addicted than to go through those feelings (LOL) so I took another tablet. I have now changed my doseage schedule to have a couple of days off in between - The rebound insomnia has gotten better, and I no longer have the initial withdrawal symptoms. I sleep like a champ when I take it - will still wake if there are noises, etc & wake up refreshed. The days I don't take it, I am waking up in the middle of the	I think that with any medication, you will have people that will react adversely to it. You don't know how you will react until you take it - for many, Ambien works fine and there are no issues. Obviously for the ones that are sleepwalking, etc. this is not the medication for them! There is no way to tell (that I'm aware of) what reaction you may have...	F	39	30 days 10 1X D		3/25/2010
1	prescribed in '96 for sleep	blackouts, increased appetite.	Hi Everyone, I was on Ambien for five years, and I became addicted to it. I relate to a lot of these comments, I was hooked on Ambien for five years and I couldn't stop regardless of my wreckless behavior. I became so addicted and took up to 70mg of Ambien each night. I also started taking it during the day to get the euphoric effect. I have done some horrible things while on Ambien. I crashed my car five times, one time into a house, and one time into a railroad pole. I received eight traffic tickets driving while on Ambien, three of them DUI's. I spent thousands of dollars, and I tried to break into a pharmacy (on Ambien). I have been clean for two years, and I urge everyone who is addicted to reach out for help. I know that not everyone who takes this drug is going to become addicted, but there are certain few who will. Most of my damage was done when Ambien first came out, in the mid 90's when no one had heard of it. Ambien has become so much bigger, and everyone seems to know what Ambien is all about these days. It's a good drug for those who use it properly, but I do not fall into that category. If anyone wants to talk or if you need help, please e mail me at mbryanf@hotmail.com!!	M	29	5 years 20mg 1X D		3/25/2010 Email
1	Imsomnia	This stuff is HORRIBLE and should be taken off the market. I had uncontrolable dizziness, heart palpitations that bordered heart attack, mettalic taste in mouth, agitation, depression,erectile disfuntion,coordination loss. AVOID THIS AT ALL COSTS!!	This medication should be pulled off the market. The dizziness was sooo bad, my mood changed, was drowsy during the day, and above mentioned. I had circulation problems. This was the second time I took the medication, the other time was for a month. It was two weeks this time and a NIGHTMARE! Shame on California Kaiser Permante Doctorsfor presciring this so liberally and not following up! This stuff is like posion. Think again before taking or going to a Kaiser facitity!	M	37	30 days 10 1X D		3/24/2010
5	Life long insomnia	It's a miracle drug. Sleep for the 1st time in my life. No adverse side effects.	I'm 48 and have never been able to sleep. Ambien is the only thing that has ever worked. You have no idea what a gift it is to finally be able to sleep at night AND wake up fresh in the morning. It has completely changed my life. I take 1/2, wait about 15 to 30 min, lie down in bed and take the other 1/2. Usually works in about 5-10 min. It doesnt make me sleep in a coma. If there is noise I will wake up, but usually can fall right back to sleep if I need to. If I need to wake up I can with no problem.	M	48	5 years 10 1X D		3/23/2010
1	sleep problems after surgery	had 3rd surgery on ankle to fuse it (have a bone disorder). was on bed rest and crutches with hope for healing - third surgery had gone well and I had been in bed 6 weeks with hope of getting walking cast in less than two weeks. I had taken regular ambien without incident. Then I took Ambien CR - got out of bed, walked without crutches down flight of stairs and all around first floor of house seeking alcohol at 1-3 a.m.. I have potentially ruined 3rd surgery after 6 careful weeks of recovery (years of agony) and family spending much time caring for me. endangered myself and my family. broke glass near dog - dog would have snarfed up glass and died if my signif other hadnt heard glass and found me, when confronted I blamed it on my 10 year old who was upstairs in bed, I was belligerent and nasty, swearing and mean, would not get back in bed despite two hours of demands to do so from my significant other. I dont remember anything other than wanting ice cream. do NOT take this stuff		F	55	1 days 30 mg 1X D		3/23/2010
1	Overseas trip	I asked my doctor if he could prescribe a sleeping pill to me because I was taking a trip to Asia (16hr flight). On previous trips I took over the counter products that made me feel very drowsy when I awoke. I used Ambien on the trip with no apparent side effects and when I returned had a few pills left over. I took one about two weeks ago and had some very disturbing happenings. I apparently got up in the night and made a sandwich and drank a beer. In addition I logged on to my facebook account updated my status and also posted messages on my friends pages. I had no recollection of this the next day and I had no idea what happened. When I got up I thought someone may have broken into my apartment. I was running late so I hurried into work. It was then that I found out about my facebook messages. I thought surely someone hacked into my facebook account as well. I was not convinced that I even did those things until I started reading some of these postings. Thanks goodness that I st		M	40	8 times 1X AN		3/23/2010 Email
1	Insomnia	My name is Devin. After sleep driving and crashing on Ambien, I was given a DUI.	AMBIENOUTRAGE.COM My name is Devin. After sleep driving and crashing on Ambien, I was given a DUI. I've started an Ambien victims database. If you've been injured in any way by Ambien please contact me: 435-668-7050 or devindove@yahoo.com, or go to the website www.ambienoutrage.com	M	32	1 years 10mg 1X D		3/17/2010
5	Insomnia- attack/brain damage	None-total godsend. The ony way after hellish test after hellish drug test that made me sleep	I am on such a high dose because my body metabolizes meds differently since my brain and nerve damage. But finally sleeping!!!	F	25	5 years 2cr&1 10mg 1X D		3/13/2010
1	Ambien	Just take it and go to bed, ARE YOU SERIOUS? People die in their houses every night, but you think that makes you safe because you went to bed? Are you hypocrites even reading what people are posting??? Sex, driving, emails, conversations, eating? And with no memory of the event! What if your house caught on fire? Would people die because you were disconnected from your senses? I certainly hope not, but you handful of self righteous hypocrites need to experience what MANY of the rest of us have. Then we will see your holy than though attitude!	THIS IS POISON AND SOMEDAY IT WILL COME TO LIGHT!	M	35	3 years 10mg 1X D		3/9/2010
1	Insomnia	Oh, this drug is so, so, bad!! When I started taking it in September, 2009, I thought my troubles with sleep were over for sure! However, I was rudely "awakened" in October, 2009, that this drug was not really working that great anymore and that my increased crying and depression was due to it and Klonopin. I decided to start weaning off of the Klonopin and am currently at .125 mg. for another 5 days. My next step will be to wean off of Ambien, as I can't wait to feel like myself again. An RN told me to wait at least 4 weeks after the Klonopin withdrawal to begin this wean. I am planning on beginning the Ambien wean on April 11th. I am debating whether or not I should do 7.5 mg. first, then 5 mg. for a week, and then 2.5 mg. for a week, and then off. This is according to my psychiatrist, but I tried to wean off Ambien about 1.5 months ago when I had also lowered my Klonopin dose, and I was in a world of hurt the following morning. I actually had such terrible withdra	DO NOT EVER BEGIN THIS DRUG!! Your very life and health will be at stake!! It will make your life a living hell, and you will have many regrets if you take it!! Do yourself a big favor and try other things for insomnia, including cognitive behavioral therapy or something natural.	F	59	6 months 10 mg. 1X D		3/6/2010
1	insomnia	I would normaly take one at night before bed, but this time I took one late morning bacause I just wanted to sleep all day. Next thing I know I'm in the back of a police car in handcuffs because I had hit a pole while driving. I'm now facing two charges of DUI, totaled my car, and don't have any memory of it. I would never leave the house in my pajamas, but I did this time. I suffered minor injuries, but thank God I din't hurt anyone else. I'm now awaiting a pre-trial conference and have no idea what to do. Any advice out there?		F	56	2 months 10mg 1X AN		2/27/2010 Email
5	Peri-menopause sleeplessnes	Much better sleep, feel better in the morning.	Prior to Ambien (actually the generic) I was a very light sleeper and was up several times at night, then the next day I was always tired at work. But now I sleep better. The only thing I worry about is that I don't think I can sleep without it. My family dr won't give it to me at all, so my gyno does.	F	45	2 years 5-7mg 1X D		2/23/2010
1	CHRONIC insomnia	Loss of memory and almost the loss of my good life	I have been Ambien-free several months now and things are good - not perfect - but good. I'm awake and posting just after 3 am, so my problems still rear thier heads at times. I presonally know the hell of insomnia - but I promise you the effects of Ambien are worse than hell. I posted here several times that I was addicted to Ambien and I called it the Devil's Drug - and I still believe that. My husband is a policeman and says they are seeing a real rise in DUIs - FOR AMBIEN. He said that some of the people react like they are on PCP and fight like crazy. I also spoke to a man that works for the VA and he helps treat those addicted to drugs. I asked him if he is seeing any problems with Ambien. He answered, "Oh, yeah. A huge problem". I just want to add that I find it sad that people here think it is funny to get a little high and not remember a conversation or two, so consider Ambien harmless. And as for the occasional poster that defends Ambien and says it is perfectly safe if you don't abuse it....(first of all, are you a drug rep?) Go to Google and look up the woman that slept so deeply she didn't realize her toddler got up and ended up drowning in the toilet....or of the housewife that masturbated in a restaurant and the police were called... Think that couldn't be you? Think again. Ambien can cause you to do things that will ruin your life - or the lives of those you care most about.	F	46	5 mg 1X D		2/19/2010
1	UNKNOWN		*Warning: I have been an addict for 10 years* DO NOT START THIS MED	M	35	10 years 10-40 1X D		2/16/2010
4	insominia	nothing very good		F	47	14 days 30mg 1X D		2/12/2010 Email
1	menopausal sleepless nights	About eight days into taking started having tension headaches; did not relate to Ambien. No matter what I took for headache; nothing worked, still maintained headache. Thirty days into taking decided to quit as headaches became worse especially at back of head and scalp was becoming numb. That is when my hell began. After quitting cold turkey I did not sleep for two days, got the chills, hands & feet freezing, arms felt chilled to the bone in areas around joint, my scalp went numb moving to my forehead, my nose went completely dry, my taste and smell did not seem quite right. After two days of no sleep I finally managed to sleep maybe 6 hours (had weird dreams w/ vivid colors) and then slept the next two days about 10 hours first day and 6 hours next day (cont'd)	I was not out of the woods just yet. After initial two days of no sleep, then two days of sleep, I experienced rebound insomnia for another two days. Dr. prescribed Symbyax (anti-depressant,bipolar) to help me fall asleep and I did take for two days but still did not sleep right away as it took couple hours for me to finally fall asleep, plus the drug did nothing for me but make me very irritable at times. I has been two weeks since I withdrew from Ambien and I am just now starting to feel better and get somewhat normal sleep. My arms are back to normal, no more headaches, no more numbness in scalp or tension headaches, my nose is normal again as is my sense of smell and taste. I was taking this drug every night before going to bed and probably should not have been doing as sometimes I would take 15 mg. cause my sleep was not going as well as it was in the beginning when taking this drug. I believe I am very sensitive to drugs and this one was a nightmare for me. I could not work for awhile because of this drug.	F	47	1 months 10 mg 1X D		2/8/2010 Email
1	Menopause	I stopped taking Ambien 7 months ago. Stopped cold turkey because of anxiety, depression, blurry vision, light flashes, neck, shoulder and jaw pain, metallic taste, repeated sinus infections, extreme social anxiety, aggressive behavior, loss of joy, no motivation. I feel like I lost 5 yrs. of my life. Most of these symptoms have disappeared. The one thing I'm having difficulty with is thinning, dry hair. I've read that hair loss is a rare side effect of ambien. I am seeing some new growth, but my hair is totally different than it was. Please be careful with this drug and be mindful of any change in your health. My cholesterol was 290 while I was on ambien. It is now 243. I didn't have a clue that Ambien caused elevated cholesterol and blood pressure.		F	61	5 years 5 mg 1X D		2/6/2010
4	Sleep Issues	Blurred Vision, Double Vision, Lack of Coordination.	I was on it for over a year. It got to the point that I couldnt sleep without it, and after a while it stopped working like it used to. What did work was to take 2 Benedryl an hour before I went to bed and an Ambien at bedtime. When I decided to stop, I would go to sleep at night and if I couldnt sleep for 2 hours, I would take one. Finally I was able to sleep for an hour, and then I woke up. Overall, my first night without, I woke up 5 times and had crazy dreams. The next night, I woke up 3 times, and the dreams calmed down a little. Last night I only woke up once. 3 nights so far without Ambien and it works great. My advice is you are trying to quit and not currently taking an excessive amount is to only take it if you have to, dont go to bed if you are not tired, and if you cant sleep, get out of bed and clean, empty the dishwater, read a book or magazine. The first few nights without it will be rough, but it gets easier each night. It is never fun to be dependent on sleep medication, because if you dont have it, you are in for a bad night.	M	34	1.5 years 10MG 1X D		2/5/2010 Email
1	Sleep Aid	Well the last thing I remember is walking into the bedroom to go to sleep. The next morning I found out from my husband that we had crazy sex and I had absolutely no recollection of this. Even to this day I have no memory of it. Sounds like I had fun, but that was enough to scare the crap out of me and never take it again. Not so much that I had sex with my husband LOL but more so that I can't even remember doing it. I looked up several accounts online about people having sex on Ambien and not remembering it at all.......with no control of who or how. And after everything else I read I am not willing to take the risk.	Stay away from this drug at all costs!!!!	F	32	1 days 10MG 1X D		2/5/2010 Email
1	Insomnia	Memory Loss; The memory isn't there.	I debated about this post for sometime. I'm a 45 year old man, married for 21 years. I used Ambien for a few years, with very little side effects. A few brief conversations with my wife and eating ice cream once. That was it. Then one night night my daughter came home from college for the weekend and bruoght her friend her friend. During the night I got up out of my bed and went to the kitchen. Apparently I had a conversation with the friend, at some point we starte kissing. My daughter came in and caught us. I ended up being awakened by my wife upstairs. This has been a complete nightmare with my wife, who has finally realized the truth. This drug unplugs your mind. This is a warning to you! Do not use it!!	M	45	2 years 10mg 1X D		2/5/2010
1	insomnia	I took this as my doctor had told me along with Avitan, and wellbutrin. I was told to take them all at night when I take my Kidney medicines.I had hada couple of beers as well I sat on the couch,and next thing I knew I woke in the hospital, after a suicide attempt.	I was told I had gotten up, put on a suit, laid on the floor, and swallowed a bottle of blood pressure medicine. I have also been told I hit a female roommate. I must assume it is true, because she moved out, will not speak to me, and has gone to the police. Non of these actions are in my nature, and it scares the heck out of me. My life is forever altered, and all I know is I did what I was told. I have learned alot since, but I have lost a friend, scared my my family, my boss, and everyone I know. I am so happy that my roommate called 911, and I am not dead, But now what? I spent two weeks in the hospital, one of those in the phsyc unit. Each doctor, has told me it was the pills, but It is hard to not think about that day. I am not a person to hurt anyone, and it does not end. I now have to deal with the police, and I only know what people tell me. I just want my life back.	M	47	28 days		2/3/2010
4	Insomnia	Memory loss, cravings for sweets and wanting to talk to everyone.	After taking 10mg I can remember talking to friends and family on the phone but can't remember what we talked about the next day. No one has ever said that I was being weird or said anything inappropriate... It does work well for helping me fall a sleep fast. But I only take one every now and then. I received a prescription of 30 in Sept 09 and still have some left. So some of the awful unfortunate side effects some have experienced could be from daily use or everyone reacts differently to medication. PLEASE BE CAREFUL and listen to your loved ones if they say you are acting different.	F	46			2/2/2010
2	Insomnia	At first writing notes to myself that made absolutely no sense and for the past month insomnia has returned whether or not I take the pill.	Was on 10 mg every night for a couple of years with no one ever telling me it should only be taken for a specific period of time and then, when the insomnia came back on the 10 mg pill I was upped to 12.5 mg. Now it still takes me forever to get to sleep and once I do I have a lot of trouble waking up.	F	52	2 years		2/1/2010
3			Hi. I am a television reporter at the ABC affiliate in Washington, DC. I am reporting a story about Ambien and sex and was wondering if anyone who lives in the DC metro area would be willing to talk about their experiences, either on or off-the-record.(If you decide to go on camera, we would disguise your face and voice, if you preferred.) Please email clyders@wjla.com. Thanks!	F	33			1/27/2010 Email
2	Insomnia [recently diag. bipolar1]	High addiction factor; walking amnesia; general anger and non-congruent mood	It might work for a select few, but the reports are mounting high and this drug will likely be pulled sooner or later. It brought on mixed state [bipolar] episodes and ultimately resulted in hospitalization for sucide/psychosis. Many other [including personal accounts] of people having walking amnesia--- blacked out, but doing stuff [one person went driving]. Note: my time on the drug was on and off due to ill side effects.	M	20	2 years		1/26/2010
1	sleep aide	As others have posted...at first, thought it was the answer to my prayers. first weird side effect was rambling in my sleep. I had conversations that I didn't remember until days later and then it felt like I was remembering a dream that I had. I noticed my shower drain would be clogged with hair on a bi-weekly basis. Memory loss and lack of concentration to be the "norm" in the middle of the day. I had moments of blurred vision and I thought I had "seen" something--sometimes in the middle of the day. I'm an admitted big sissy so even the ocassional out-of-the-corner of my eye sighting didn't really set off any flags...I just thought it was me being typical sissy--weird I know. This drug is so subtle that you don't realize that it's affecting your mental state even during the daytime. I hallucinated so badly one evening when I awoke I thought my husband looked like the devil! The next day I barely remembered the incident--fully believing it was just a dream	My big toe also went numb(thought this was unrelated until today--my toe is finally not numb). at least since Halloween. I've had panic attacks and headaches--none of which I had ever had before. We ended a vacation early b/c I wanted to come home and couldn't explain being anxious and nervous. About a week ago I had the most depressed day in my life. suicidal thoughts beyond words. After confiding to my sister, she mentioned it could be the Amien. It's the only medication I take (except my daily low-dose aspirin) so it kinda sounded silly at first but as depressed as I felt, I was willing to try anything. This is day 4 and I am shocked at how much better I feel. It was affecting me so gradually that I hadn't noticed what was happening to me. It's as if I was on "auto-pilot". I have memory and conscienceness of day-to-day activities but it's almost like I've been half asleep the last few months even during the daytime. Thank God I didn't follow thru on my suicidal thoughts and I confided in someone and realized what was happening to me. I won't be taking anymore Ambien ever again; it's just not worth the risks. The weird part is that even though I've stopped taking it, I haven't had any problems sleeping thru the night and I haven't had any withdraw issues as noted by other posters, thankfully. This drug numbs your mental processing on such a subtle level that I never thought to question anything about it--until it was nearly too late.	F	44	1 years		1/26/2010
3	insomnia	Constipation, aggressiveness, lots of digestive problems	I think this generic ZOLPIDEM, helps with insomnia in the short term. Logn term is terrible and now I am coming off of it. I have not taken it for th epast four nights and sleep is returning however totally laced with weird dreams. I will never use this drug again.	M	64	9 months		1/22/2010
4	Back and neck injuries-pain	I have been taking the generic of Ambien for probably two years now. I have not experienced any side effects yet, other than if I don't take it, it seems I cannot sleep. I did note that the generics vary. The oval shaped pill by one manufacturer works better for me than the round pill. It is hard to get the pharmacy to have the right one in, but is worth calling ahead to ask.	I would recommend it, at least to try it and see if it works for you. I have not had other sleeping aids, but found that I wake up just fine with this medication. I have taken Lyrica for supposed fibromyalgia and woke up so groggy, it took hours to wear off. I believe the dose is low, 5mg. I don't have it with me, so I cannot check.	F	52	2 years		1/21/2010
3	insomnia due to painful breakup	memory loss, possible deteriorating eyesight	I have taken ambien and it's generic (zolpidem) off and on for almost three years now. I take only half the dosage. At first I was taking it every night, occasionally with alcohol. (Yes I know. At the time I didn't care.) I have not had any symptoms of addiction, but I can see where it could become addictive. When you take it, it turns off your mind, which is a truly wonderful thing if you are in pain. Sure beats an extreme alternative, anyway. However, I'm now having disturbing and irritating short term memory loss (can't remember what I said 15 min ago, can't spell anymore, can't find the word I want). I don't know if it's Ambien related, but I wish someone would look into it. I must add that I agree with those that say lay down when you take it. Your brain is asleep, but you may not realize it. Don't take it for a nap! That is not long enough to process the drug. Once you take it, stay home and stay in bed for the night!	F	36	2.5 years		1/21/2010
5	Stay asleep	on Ambien due to bain pain&restless leg syndrom so it helps me stay asleep and fall asleep just fine. because im always tired so i have no problem sleeping but due to my back pain and stressing over pain ambien really helps for me. main side effects,loss of memory of what u did that nite,weight gain due to sleep eating.dont watch a movie because u will forget the ending.lol. if u dont take one because u feel tired and u think u can fall asleep..your body wont let you because of dependency. i wouldnt suggest u being on this for a long time but hey you have to take what makes you feel better..right..	so funny to see others side effects on here because me and hubby been on them for few years and for both of us..side effects are memory loss of what you may have done that night until reminded of such as sleep EATING,having sex,talking on phone,online and may not remember what u said or done.. my hubbys experiences are same but sees double but we go right to bed within the hr and we both fall asleep fine..wether we have sex,eat we may forget but we sleep well : )	F	35	3 years		1/19/2010 Email
5	insomnia	nothing but a good nights rest.	if you take ambien the way it was prescribed you wont have any of the bizarre symptoms some of these people are talking about. It cured my insomnia and I can finally go to sleep when I want and wake up in a wonderful mood.	F	23	30 days		1/18/2010 Email
3	Insomnia due to shift work	SLEEP. Hazziness, memory loss, dependency, anxiety, dry eyes, sweats, stomach disturbances, aggression, drug idealation, headache, jitterness, mania, occassional euphoria, and sleep: walking, eating, emailing, talking.	In the begining it works great putting you to sleep with the prescribed dosages. Soon after though, you'll start taking more and more for less sleep. As the dosages increase, the withdrawal symptoms increase. You can feel your body start to crave the medication like any other addictive drug. I am lucky enough to say that no one has died due to me taking ambien, but I have embarrassed myself and worried my mother. (apparently I call her and obsess over dishwashers). In my opinion, this drug should be used to induce sleep when all other remedies are exhausted. Too many provider automatically turn to this med. All medications have unwanted side effects, and we shouldn't place all the blame pharmacutical companies, but they need to do a better job announcing the downsides. It is their responsibility to inform the consumer and the FDA job to demand it. FYI - when ambien first came out it was prescribed for no more 3-7 days. That was until lunesta came out with clinical trials up to 6 months with no adverse effects. Millions were then spent on advertisement proving ambien safe for long term use but without long term studies. More research has to be done. I've only been on it for a month. I'm in the process of stopping cold turkey and it's going well. I feel sorry for those who's lives were damaged more severly. Good luck	M	26	30 days		1/18/2010
5	Insomnia/Pain	No side effects that I know of.	Most people can achieve drowsiness and sleep naturally - yahoo for them - I must rely on medication. Also, I have recurring pain due to a medical condition. It's miserable enough not being able to sleep but even more so to lay awake and in pain. While this may not be the right medication for some it certainly seems to work for me every night.	F	42	6 months		1/16/2010 Email
2	insomnia,pstd	hallucinations,memory loss,cant control bladder,suicidal thoughts,slurred speech	i initially started taking it for sleep. i also was depressed so i eventually started taking it to get high..i would hallucinate and have conversations with the "devil" out loud.he would tell me to take the whole bottle.I kept peeing in bed.I liked the feeling it gave me because i said whatever i wanted to say and didnt care about anyones feelings.But overall i am a single mom and that behavior could not continue.I decided after a week that would not take it again.	F	21	1 weeks		1/16/2010
1	bi polar insomnia	It does not help me sleep at all so I have been doubling up, temporarly, memory problems , back pain. i am still awake.	Wow, I have been taken a "night med" for over 20 years and what I was taking was designed for deppression but was found to be great on sleeping issues.Trazadone.AWSOME safe cheap.It gives me bad cotton mouth and A FANTASTIC night sleep.I have taken stronger pills when my bi polar was manicy. Horsepills.Still safe side affects. silly sleepy got to go lay down. The hardcore ones took an hour to shake off all the way. but left feeling WELL. I was back on trazadone so I could care for our daughter, 2 now. This drug I can wake up from the sound of just movent. I could get up before she was awake. never miss a beat. go right back to sleep. 4 or 5 times a night and still go back to sleep.I took it too long and it turned on me,adverse reactions sleep waking and eating, not cool. so my doctor put me on Ambien.I am always scared of brand new rx's w/ catchy names. U should not have to run in hide in ur bed in fear of a pill u took. there are lots of good ones. !I have never went through withdrals from mine. not sleeping doesn't count.HA. what if you take your pill and an emergency were to come up. Stay in bed because you fear your behavior will unstable! and might get u arressted! there is always more meds. just in a different catagory.	F	35	3 months		1/16/2010 Email
1	jet -lag and occasional insomnia	Plethora of next-day side effects including, but not limited to, agitation, aggressiveness, weepiness, depression, extreme anxiousness, not feeling myself, difficulty with vision (focusing problems), lack of confidence, jitteriness, feelings of despondency, shakiness, coordination issues.	First time took this drug and next day I felt terrible emotionally. Very edgy, aggressive, agitated, weepy. Following occasions (about a dozen) I've tempered the 5mg dose with 0.5mg of Ativan. It has helped to reduce the next day side effects but not much. I've had it with this drug. I had to post because so many people seem to have problems with emotional or personality side effects. It does work, but it's not worth it. In the future, I'll just take some Ativan or Temazepam and be done with it. Someone has labeled this Ambien as the 'Devils's Drug'-I would agree with that characterization.	M	60	1 years		1/16/2010
5	insomnia		ambien gives striking effect. it eases my sleeping problem.	M	28	2 weeks		1/15/2010
4	Insomnia	Middle of the night carb and sweets binges. Addictive qualities.	I have been taking Ambien and Ambien CR for years. It allows me to wake rested with no grogginess or other side effects. The only downside is you do build a tolerance up which I have and it becomes less effective. In addition, the night eating has just begun for me. I fight it though. All in all, it has helped my insomnia problem. It is very hard to go off of being that it is very addictive. You also need to take it IN BED when you are ready to sleep.	F	43	3 years		1/15/2010
1	Insomnia	Headaches, anxiety.	I have taken Ambien off and on for five years, but have taken it everynight for the last two years. I have taken Ambien and Ambien CR. When I first started taking Ambien I thought I found heaven. When it kicks in I got this "life is beautiful feeling" and then fell into a happy, peaceful slumber. Waking up the next day, I felt refreshed. However, I discovered this honeymoon period did not last forever. I developed a tolerance and moved on to Ambien CR. In my experience Ambien CR does not produce that "life is beautiful feeling". It takes longer to work. You are supposed to take this on an empty stomach and that is very important - no food 2 hours prior. Taking it after 1 to 1 1/2 hours after eating and it would stay in my system the next day. Then came the worst part. I got a good night sleep, but the next day I experienced extreme headaches, anxiety, depression, aggression, dread eventually panic attacks. Ambien is something that should only be used occcasionally. Unfortunately, for those of us who have lived with insommia for years, once you take it - it is easy to get mentally addicted to. That is the risk you take it with it. I just quit it - because the anxiety and depression is unbearable.	F	46	5 years		1/15/2010
1	INSOMNIA	No real side effects. The drug did not help my sleeplessness at all, for me it was worthless		F	75	2 days		1/15/2010
1	Severe Insomnia	Hallucinations, sleepwalking, sleep-talking, incoherence, night-eating, panic attacks, etc...	I took Ambien for about five months. It's addictive properties were immense. It was something I used at a borderline recreational level toward the end of things. Numerous times, parents or girlfriend would comment on something EXTREMELY bizarre that I had done the evening before (like peeing in the garage "so burglars wouldn't come in"). I gained weight from eating meals I didn't remember. Finally, it culminated when, one night, I took an Ambien, woke up (apparently) in the night, not remembering I had previously taken one, and took two more. I ended up in the hospital after assaulting a paramedic and accusing a police officer of having an affair with my girlfriend. I'm a calm, rational, non-violent person with no predisposition to addiction or drug use. This is by far the worst thing you could put into your body.	M	19	5 months		1/9/2010
5	Insomnia/ptsd	Sleep	I wish I could find the people who invented Ambien and give them a big hug. Insomnia has plagued my entire life. I've never been able to sleep. I've spent huge chunks of my life in a stupor from lack of sleep, been fired from jobs, could not participate in major events because of no sleep. For the 1st time in my life I can get a full nights sleep and be ready to go in morn. It's changed my life. I work, I do things. I make more $ than ever before because I am productive functioning and happy. I suffer none of the side effects mentioned by others...well don't send emails right after taking, as it relaxes me they tend to get sappy. I can't recommend it enough for those with severe insomnia. Sleep is not a luxury.	M	47	5 years		1/6/2010
1	insomnia	loss of memory, loss of motor skills, and a number of other horrible side-effects	It has been just over a month since I ditched Ambien and I am here to say it DOES get better. A lot better. It was horrible at first when I quit and there is a definite detox period. Time passes and you can still be existing with Ambien (because it certainly isn't living), or you can shake it and get off the stuff.As I posted before I lost my job, most of my life and finally almost my marriage because of Ambien. Nothing is worth losing what God blessed me with. What bothers me here are people that say the DRUG is great and they have hardly had any bad experiences EXCEPT for a few crazy emails or whatever. If you can have a convesration (or whatever) that you don't remember, then what else could you do and not remember? Why not hurt your child or take a knife out of a drawer to stab somebody? Really, there isn't a difference if you don't remember....Just go to bed immediately? What if you need to get up? What if there is an emergency of some sort with a spouse or child? Are you just MIA? Or will you get up and do God knows what? Save yourself. I am against this horrible drug 110%	M	46	1 years		12/30/2009

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Average rating for drug: 3.2. This page is printer-friendly; use landscape print with background color turned on.

Key to ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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