Please note that any comments expressed in these forum posts do not reflect the opinions of Medical News Today in any way at all. Opinions posted in this forum do not constitute medical
advice, which should be sought from qualified medical advisers. Disclaimer.
Ambien Cr Doesn't Work For Me
posted by minicooper93402 on 12 Oct 2006 at 9:54 am
I've been taking 1/2 ambien about 3x a week for a year or so, and it works fine. My dr suggested the ambien cr might not be so addictive (is this true?), so i tried it for the past three nights. The first night, I didn't fall asleep fast, and had vivid dreams, then overslept. Same the next time. Last night it took 2-1/2 hours till I fell asleep, and then I overslept an hour. I've called the pharmacist, asking for a refill of my old ambien.
| previous page | post followup | alert a moderator |
| Ambien CR Didnt Work For Me Either |
| posted by Ruby on 06 Feb 2007 at 6:59 am |
|
Ambien CR didnt work for me either. I was on Ambien and it worked fine till I was put on CR. It took hours to start to work and left me groggy most of the following day. :( | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| I Agree |
| posted by jp on 20 Feb 2007 at 5:25 am |
I switched to CR and have found it useless.
1 tab of regular used to whack me out, one CR and after an hour nothing at all.
In fact I'm sure I kept waking and sleeping on and off because of it's "controlled release"| previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Just Crush It |
| posted by Caitlin Keanrey on 07 Mar 2007 at 1:27 am |
|
I had similar problems, it took 2/3 hours to let me, go a tip from a friend to crush the tabs between 2 spoon, knocks you right out and keeps you going all day. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Weird Effects |
| posted by Laura on 13 Mar 2007 at 12:21 pm |
|
Ambien CR is the first sleep aid I've been prescribed. Worked nicely for a few weeks with one night of vivid dreams waking feeling agitated. I've taken now for 3 weeks and all but the first week have had the vivid dreams/aggitated feeling every night. I did not take last night and still had these effects. I hope this wears off soon! Need another option!! Have Mineare's Disease and very very hard to sleep - no sleep Miniere's is much much worse. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Ran out - no sleep |
| posted by anon on 12 July 2007 at 4:54 am |
I ran out of Ambien CR and that night I did not get to sleep until after 3:50 a.m. going to bed at 11 pm. and did not sleep well at all . and had to get up at 6 am,also had anxiety about noises. I have been taking ambien cr for a month. I have fibromyagia and lyme disease and can usually fall asleep but never stay asleep. so it works but not having it is a bad thing, is there something else?
| previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Ambien and ambien cr Questions |
| posted by michelle on 06 Aug 2007 at 10:21 pm |
|
Ambien and ambien cr are made from the same zolpidem molecule. Ambien IR(instant release) and Ambien CR( controlled release) are different formulations. Cr is dual layered and cannot be broken. It usually takes a little longer to fall asleep, but you do fall asleep, but you also stay asleep. the half life is 2.8 hours and this reduces next day residual effects. If you are only taking an ambien 3 times per week then and were doing fine, then you did not necessarily need cr. Cr is for pts that have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. They are both low incidence for addiction. Very safe! Good Luck | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| One Night Of Ambien CR |
| posted by Nancy on 28 Aug 2007 at 9:40 am |
I took Ambien CR last night for the first time after not being able to tolerate the side effect of Lunesta.
It worked in that I slept 7 1/2 hours uninterrupted for the first time in months, however, once I got up, I was so dizzy and nauseated, I ended up with dry heaves. I went back to bed for another 2 hours before I could get up without being dizzy. Right now, 13 hours after I took it, I'm finally feeling better, but my head feels like I've got a hangover.
Can anyone make a sleeping aid that just works without making you feel like crap the next day?| previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| 3 Or More Hours For CR To Work |
| posted by Art Baker on 01 Nov 2007 at 5:20 pm |
|
I have been taking Ambien for as long as it has been on the market. Insomnia has plagued me since 1961. Regular Ambien worked but I woke up way too early. CR-12.5 mg, took anywhere from 3 to 5 hours to work. You can definitely feel it when it hits you. There is euphoria and hunger, and I get really silly and want to sing songs to my wife. Go figure. My doctor recomended a 5mg regular Ambien with a 6.5 CR. Going to try it for the first time tonight. Wish me luck. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Ambien |
| posted by Joseph on 06 Nov 2007 at 3:12 am |
|
I have tried many sleeping aids and drugs. Ambien did not have a single effect on more nor did it knock me out. Barbituates worked better but are addictive. The best way is to train your body clock. A more natural way also is with melotonin. Take a melotonin tab before going to bed, turn out all the lights because light interferes with the hormone release in the pineal gland. When you wake up in the morning get out of bed and turn the light on. Melotonin and light therapy works better than sleeping pills. You have to train your body to sleep and give it permission to sleep. I am no doctor but this is what i learned. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Couldn't Fall Asleep |
| posted by tracy on 28 Apr 2008 at 11:29 am |
|
I just started taking ambien cr last night and I don't think I slept 5 straight hrs, I was taking lunesta and at first It would put me to sleep 30 min. After I take it then about 3/4wks later I had to start taking it at 8 so I could be sleep by 12 so the dr. Put me on ambien cr I sure hope it starts putting me to sleep soon | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Still Can't Fall Asleep With Anbien Cr |
| posted by tracy on 30 Apr 2008 at 9:50 am |
|
Well its day 3 and nothing, I even did what Caitlin suggested I crushed a pill between two spoons and still didn't go to sleep any faster, maybe its just not for me (u think?) | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| I Thought I Was Hopeless... |
| posted by laura on 15 May 2008 at 3:47 pm |
I've suffered with insomnia for a few years. Melatonin worked well for about 8 months. When that failed, I started taking OTC's like Advil PM. Sometimes they worked, sometimes not. But, all the time I had a drug hangover the next day. My Dr. gave me a 4-day sample of Ambien CR and it was like heaven!!! So, I got a prescription (which cost a fortune because insurance won't cover) and now it takes me hours to fall asleep!! Even once I start feeling the affects of Ambien, I still don't fall asleep. Maybe I'll try crushing the pill as someone suggested.
Any one have any other successes after Ambien CR fails? | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Could It Be Dangerous |
| posted by crtester on 29 July 2008 at 7:31 am |
I took it for 3 nights and slept like a baby each night. Of course, I was bad, and also had alcohol, but I usually drink almost daily. Probably no too smart to mix the two. Anyway, I only took it for 3 nights, on the 4th day, I had a major anxiety attack a few hours before bedtime. I started getting really hot and sweaty, followed by major itching. So, i decided not to take the pill, and what followed was a sleepless night of hell and some wierd dreams. I'm afraid this medicine might be far too dangerous, so I'm not going to touch it again. I never had any problems sleeping, probably because I usually have 1-2 cocktails a night before bedtime, but I wanted to wane myself off the alchol. After experiencing this, I'm convinced that these type of medications are dangerous and I won't try them again.
| previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Ambien Works For Me But Ambien CR Has Not |
| posted by Leo on 19 Nov 2008 at 1:06 am |
|
Well I have had chronic problems with sleep. I took regular Ambien which worked great and I woke up with energy the next morning. Then they switched me to the generic which did not work as well. After telling my doctor this she gave me a trial for Ambien CR. It took me hours like 4-5 to fall asleep and I had horrible nightmares. I accidently got it again recently and after about 2-3 hours of waiting to sleep I started having a horrible anxiety attack! I know it is supposed to be the same thing, but everyone is different and I wish the docs would realize that. Now if anyone can help me find some coupons to get brand name Ambien (not CR!) I would be so greatful. I cannot function at all and am always fatigued from the lack of sleep. Anyone else with this problem? | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Ambien Troubles |
| posted by dwayer on 12 Jan 2009 at 7:46 pm |
|
Yes, I know exactly what you mean about brand name ambien 10 mg versus generic. It seems like 2 totally different meds, the one thing that makes a huge difference is to stay away from any type of dairy food at least 4 hours before taking & always eat light. I have found over the counter Sleep MD to work well when i take 2 or 3 at once | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Ambien CR Better Than Nothing |
| posted by slug on 15 Jan 2009 at 6:46 pm |
|
I've been taking the 12.5 mg Ambien CR for about 6 months now, but was only taking it two nights a week until recently. Its not that I was sleeping much the other nights, but getting to sleep easily even 2 nights a week was a big improvement. It typically takes an hour and 15 minutes or more to hit me if I've fasted for at least 2 hours. If I don't avoid food it can take 2-4 hours to work. Regardless I wake up every couple hours and typically can't get more than 4-5 hours of sleep. Sometimes no matter how long I wait after eating it just doesn't put me to sleep, but I am relaxed enough to stay in bed through the night. I'm grateful for anything that help me relax, but wish it worked faster and longer. Lately I've had a bad period of insomnia and have been taking it 3-4 nights per week, I'm afraid if i take it every night it will stop working for me. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Generic Zolpidim |
| posted by JImm on 19 Jan 2009 at 12:11 am |
|
I got these in April last year and take 'em occasionally. They worked fine last April and again about 4 months ago but tonight here I am at my keyboard trying to find out what happened tonight and a few nights ago. They just ain't getting the job done. I guess it could be that I ate late and had some chocolate milk before bed. I'm feeling a little dizzy finally so I will get horizontal and give it another shot. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Once Worked.... |
| posted by Zack on 26 Jan 2009 at 10:36 pm |
I used to take Ambien CR two years ago when I had a roommate who was up all night playing poker, and trying to get me to be as excited as him through the wall with his yelling and punching. It worked wonderfully for a while, I'd only wake up sometimes. I stopped it since the rx ran out and I moved, but then this year I've had trouble sleeping, so my mom gave me a Lunesta sample since I ran out of Ambien CR. I had to take double the dose for it to work, but it did. Now I finally got CR back, and I feel nothing....absolutely nothing. I don't feel tired, don't feel groggy...it's insane.
I'm no an expert on this by a long shot, but I'm a biological sciences student and we recently talked about enzymes in the blood in my human physiology class. My theory is that some people have a good amount of the enzymes in their system to break the drug down so it can release its effect on the bodies. Others, who don't have as many enzymes, can't do this as well, and won't respond. So there's a biological reason for the drugs not working. Sidebar, but this is known as pharmacogenetics, the study of how people are affected by various drugs based on their genes. Sorry if this got confusing for the post, I just wanted to give insight as to why people were having trouble with CR vs. regular Ambien. Good luck though, I hope you can find a pill that helps you sleep! | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| After My Surgery It Seems To Me... |
| posted by Ayesha on 16 Feb 2009 at 9:00 pm |
|
...that the way my whole body works has changed. Now I have insane insomnia. I develop a tolerance to all kinds of meds almost imediately now as well. My veins are trashed from a month and a half of 3 surgeries total. Nothing works right. I was taking Ambien and it works great for 2 hours then I'm awake all night long. My doc can't write for enough to keep me asleep. I was taking restoril which just plain didn't work. So tonight I am trying Ambien CR and I took it an hour and 15 min ago and don't really feel what I would with ambien. Of course I did eat food after I took it. We'll see. Not even the sleep studies will take me coz of other meds I take for post thoracotomy syndrome. I am really at my wits end.... :,( | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Does Not Work At All... |
| posted by tab on 18 Mar 2009 at 12:04 am |
|
I started working nights and had trouble sleeping, thus the ambien...well it's day 2 and I am wide awake looking for something to do. I took a whole pill tonight (half didn't do a thing) and all I have to show for it is a massive head ache and a very restless night. It seems to be keeping me awake. My brain is going like crazy. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Drinking Causes Insomnia |
| posted by Natalie on 30 Apr 2009 at 9:18 pm |
Drinking cause insomnia, especially drinking before bedtime. Ambien CR doesn't work for me but I am disabled and can't vigorously workout to wear myself out. I had to quit drinking 8 hours before bedtime, just like with caffeine.
Ambien CR needs to be taken on an empty stomach. I take it a hour later I'm raiding the frig. Obviously it doesn't work for me. The ole AMbien worked well but I have gotten into this darn habit of not being able to fall asleep and when I do fall asleep it is only for three to four hours.
If anyone else knows of any safe sleep aid I could take please e-mail me. I have be an insomniac for over 15 years and it is driving me nuts.
Thanks| previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Ambien Long Time User |
| posted by Natalie on 30 Apr 2009 at 9:22 pm |
|
I have taken Ambien for about 10 years and the only thing you need to worry if you have been taking it for awhile is that it just doesn't work anymore. It was a great med when it worked. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Ambien CR - Not Working |
| posted by booza on 02 Jun 2009 at 11:47 pm |
|
I took CR tonight for the first time, so here I am 2 hours later awake and complaining rather than sleeping. I'm going back to regular Ambien. I may not stay asleep but at least i get to sleep. | previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
| Followup To Natalie - Ambien, Ambien CR, visiting sleep specialist |
| posted by Joshua on 02 Aug 2009 at 4:22 am |
Natalie,
I am responding to your post on April 30th, 2009. I feel the same exact way! It is driving me nuts. The doctor gave me Ambien and I tried it for a week, but now I see there is Ambien and Ambien CR. She also gave me the generic. Anyway, I just wanted to know if you have found anything better?
I finally get to go to a sleep specialist Wednesday. I hope it works. I am insane! I can't concentrate during the day. I can't get my work done and I can't have conversations with people without them annoying me. My life is in shambles :( But I keep feeling if I can just sleep 8 hours straight I will be fine. Its only been about 3 years for me. Before that I never slept well, but it wasn't this bad.| previous page | post followup | alert a moderator | |
