Sleeping problems...

jodyen · January 2014

Has anyone been put on Ambien for sleeping problems and what kind of effect did it have. I am a very addictive person and really am worried about taking a med like this but the past 3 weeks each night I might get 2 hours of sleep. I am very cranky and have been dozing off if I end up driving....I really need sleep but nervous about taking this med. My ob said he is going to watch me on this med but not getting sleep with only have 5 weeks left he wants me to get more and better sleep. Any advise?

mcgeeva · January 2014

And you already tried unisom?

jodyen · January 2014

Nope I haven't been told to take Byndral so I have been taking Tylone PM for my pain and to sleep but I would wake up every hour or so and not sleep for 2 or 3. My ob gave me Ambien right away, no one said anything about Unisom?

mcgeeva · January 2014

Hm I've been using unisom since day one since my re recommended it for sleep and nausea. It's worked for me where I only take half a pill and it's completely safe. I just try not to take every night. But if you super anxious I can see why they thought ambien is a good option. Unisom is more of a natural sleep aid. You definitely need to get your sleep!

jodyen · January 2014

I know, I miss it. My DH is awesome and he is working 2 jobs and I would to be able to get up before he comes home for lunch and make him a nice lunch and really clean our place and get more things done before I can't move anymore, planning a surprise party for my soon to be 13 yr old daughter and getting our place rdy for LO...so much to do!

shepherdblue · January 2014

Be very careful. Speaking from personal experience with Ambien, it is WONDERFUL at getting you to sleep and is totally worth the risk, but it CAN become a problem if you have an addictive personality. When I was on it, I was only supposed to be using it on an as-needed basis for nights when I couldn't sleep due to severe anxiety. But I liked how it felt so I started taking it every night. It got to the point where I actually couldn't go to sleep for several hours unless I took it, whether I was anxious or not, and it took a solid month or so before I started getting my sleep schedule back on track after my doctor stopped prescribing it. So only use it as directed, and pay attention to your body, because it can DEFINITELY be habit-forming.

jodyen · January 2014

That's what I am nervous of, I let my DH know so he can watch me and I am going to start off with a half of pill tonight. But super excited that I get sleep!

Avion22 · January 2014

My OB gave me a prescription for Ambien to take as needed. I try to only take it one night a week (maybe two nights if it's been a really bad week). I've used it periodically for the last 10 years or so for work shift changes.

Chemically, it's not supposed to be "habit forming", meaning there is nothing specifically in the drug for your body to become addicted to. But some people find it behaviorally addictive. I kind of just made that term up, but it's like smokers who don't need the nicotine but need to have something in their mouth or in their hands. It's possible to get to the point where you feel like you NEED it to fall asleep, even when there is no actual chemical dependence. If that makes sense.

Personally, I've found ambien to be a godsend during this pregnancy. There are some nights when I just NEED to sleep well, and it does the trick.

jodyen · January 2014

I tottlaly understand, I took my first dose last night and I slept! WooooHoooo! (Happy dance) But I took it around midnight last night cause my DH didn't get home till 11 PM and was up with him till we went to bed and I slept till almost 2pm today...Don't know if that was the meds but my DH thinks is was the lack of sleep my body needed.

desertmouse39 · January 2014

I don't know anything about Ambien and pregnancy. I have awful insomnia and that was never suggested to me. I take Unisom each night and it works pretty well (not always perfect but that's another post).

I agree that getting your sleep is imperative, I would just want to know possible effects of it on LO. Completely aside from that, I do know that dependency (not being able to sleep without it) and crazy sleep behavior is very common, and you just need to be careful.

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