With the whole Rosanne thing blowing up. She has noted she was on Ambien at the time and I do know I have read some crazy stuff that people do while on it. I'm not here to defend her or have a discussion about her, just curious what stories you may have of know from other people.

There are websites/pages dedicated to Ambien stories:
https://thoughtcatalog.com/eric-redding ... r-stories/
https://www.ranker.com/list/strange-thi ... a-peterman
https://www.reddit.com/r/ambien/

So what have you experienced or heard about?

Tugg

I take Ambien, actually the generic Zolpidem Tartrate, once a week to help me cycle from days (my weekend) to nights (my work week). I haven't encountered any side-effects.

A friend of mine, that has since passed, was a regular user of the drug. His wife related that he would wander the house at night, and speak gibberish while doing so. We were on a cruise a few years ago, and I encountered him in the casino a little after midnight, as I was strolling through-out the ship. Had a short conversation with him, and he seemed quite distracted and "off". I thought he had been drinking.

Spoke to him about it the next day, and he didn't recall any of the previous night, but he said it explained why he woke up wearing clothes he hadn't gone to bed in...and a reduction in his cash. He figured he'd been on an "Ambien stroll" as he called it, and was happy for the confirmation.

A local radio host mentioned that he orders things from Amazon when on the drug.

It amazes me how many people pop pills to go to sleep. I would try something natural like Valerian (especially the liquid extract) or eating a bowl of cherries before bed, or drink Tart Cherry Juice. Ironically if you are going to take melatonin, the harder to find lower doses are actually way more effective (mcg instead of mg). Melatonin can cause vivid dreaming, which can be good or bad, depending on what's on your mind I guess. If all else fails, pick a subject and go through the alphabet. For example, if you choose movies, think of one that starts with A, then B, C, etc. Picking a more obscure topic that makes you think for a while works best (or going backwards), but you can start with something easy, or even something personal like friends or relatives. Try it, it works!

afcjets wrote:

If all else fails, pick a subject and go through the alphabet. For example:

Landed at:
ABQ
BDL
CVG
DFW
EWR
FLL
GDL

IAH
JAX

LIH
MCI

ORD
PVD

RDU
SAN
TPA




YEG
ZIH




(Though come to think of it that one's probably not going to put any a.nutters to sleep )

afcjets wrote:

It amazes me how many people pop pills to go to sleep.

Actually, it's not going to sleep that's my problem, it's staying asleep. I tend to lay down around 0300 on Monday night and try to sleep until 1000 or 1100. I find that the drug helps me stay down a little longer, and through the early morning turmoil that house goes through as the normal people get going. I've also noticed that I'm able to drop right back off if I get up to use the restroom. Usually, that is not the case.

I know a lot of people who take Ambien on flights. Not sure how they could cope with any time of emergency. I've never taken sleeping pills before, thankfully never needed them. I have tried some of the things afcjets suggested and those usually work. I find that if I can relax my mind before bed (no laptop/phone and definitely no a.net ) then I find it easier to fall asleep.

If Ambien does do what was described above, that would be potentially lethal. Imagine someone driving or operating machinery unconsciously. Yikes.

Airstud wrote:

afcjets wrote:

If all else fails, pick a subject and go through the alphabet. For example:

Landed at:
ABQ
BDL
CVG
DFW
EWR
FLL
GDL

IAH
JAX

LIH
MCI

ORD
PVD

RDU
SAN
TPA




YEG
ZIH




(Though come to think of it that one's probably not going to put any a.nutters to sleep )

For someone who claims he's an airstud, you haven't traveled much...

bgm wrote:

Airstud wrote:

afcjets wrote:

If all else fails, pick a subject and go through the alphabet. For example:

Landed at:
ABQ
BDL
CVG
DFW
EWR
FLL
GDL

IAH
JAX

LIH
MCI

ORD
PVD

RDU
SAN
TPA




YEG
ZIH




(Though come to think of it that one's probably not going to put any a.nutters to sleep )

For someone who claims he's an airstud, you haven't traveled much...

The list above is partial; I was purposefully limiting it to one airport per letter.

(But yes, still missing H K N Q U V W X.)

I’ve been on a rotation of sleep aids for several years, including Ambien/Zolpidem. The only negative side effect I’ve had is not sleeping sometimes, even with the medication. I’ve heard stories of sleep-eating or sleep-driving, but they’ve never happened to me.

That said, I do not believe for a minute that a sleeping pill is responsible for her tweet. Ambien has been available for years. Twitter/Facebook/the Internet have all been around for years. Suddenly, a pill makes someone Tweet while they’re asleep? Come on!

Marc

Ambien (zolpidem) is a hypnotic in a class of medications called "Z-drugs," so named because most of them have a z in their name. Others include Lunesta. The message themselves are very similar to benzos like Xanax\Valium, which means they act on the GABA receptor--alcohol does as well just in a slightly different way. They all have what are called dissociative properties. Indeed one of the more common side effects of Z-drugs are parasomias, where you do see people walking, eating, etc and not be aware. Appropriate sleep hygiene should be taken before someone takes the medicine, and that includes no TV, taking it immediately before going to bed in a dark quiet room, and ensuring you have six to eight hours to sleep. I very often take people off of Ambien because of these side effects, and rarely start the medication. Primary care physicians write it quite frequently, however, but by the time they get to me there are usually problems created by the medicine.

luckyone wrote:

Ambien (zolpidem) is a hypnotic in a class of medications called "Z-drugs," so named because most of them have a zip in their name. Others include Lunesta. The message themselves are very similar to benzos like Xanax\Valium, which means they act on the GABA receptor--alcohol does as well just in a slightly different way. They all have what are called dissociative properties. Indeed one of the more common side effects of Z-drugs are parasomias, where you do see people walking, eating, etc and not be aware. Appropriate sleep hygiene should be taken before someone takes the medicine, and that includes no TV, taking it immediately before going to bed in a dark quiet room, and ensuring you have six to eight hours to sleep. I very often take people off of Ambien because of these side effects, and rarely start the medication. Primary care physicians write it quite frequently, however, but by the time they get to me there are usually problems created by the medicine.

What is the difference from a Tylenol -PM? I used to always use these when i needed to get some rest when I was younger. Now my kids and life keep me on a pretty steady sleep schedule.

I use ambien as well for Insomnia. The amount of apologies I’ve had to send after waking up and reading in shock the texts I sent people are countless. Now I try to turn my phone off.
People coveniently call it AMBIdialing.

casinterest wrote:

luckyone wrote:

Ambien (zolpidem) is a hypnotic in a class of medications called "Z-drugs," so named because most of them have a zip in their name. Others include Lunesta. The message themselves are very similar to benzos like Xanax\Valium, which means they act on the GABA receptor--alcohol does as well just in a slightly different way. They all have what are called dissociative properties. Indeed one of the more common side effects of Z-drugs are parasomias, where you do see people walking, eating, etc and not be aware. Appropriate sleep hygiene should be taken before someone takes the medicine, and that includes no TV, taking it immediately before going to bed in a dark quiet room, and ensuring you have six to eight hours to sleep. I very often take people off of Ambien because of these side effects, and rarely start the medication. Primary care physicians write it quite frequently, however, but by the time they get to me there are usually problems created by the medicine.

What is the difference from a Tylenol -PM? I used to always use these when i needed to get some rest when I was younger. Now my kids and life keep me on a pretty steady sleep schedule.

Tylenol-PM is Tylenol (acetaminophen) plus benadryl (diphenhydramine) which is an antihistamine. An unintended side effect of antihistamines is drowsiness, by a completely different mechanism. Other sleep aids like trazodone also use this mechanism. They also sell a version without the pain killer, as do most pharmacies, it's all just generic benadryl.

luckyone wrote:

casinterest wrote:

luckyone wrote:

Ambien (zolpidem) is a hypnotic in a class of medications called "Z-drugs," so named because most of them have a zip in their name. Others include Lunesta. The message themselves are very similar to benzos like Xanax\Valium, which means they act on the GABA receptor--alcohol does as well just in a slightly different way. They all have what are called dissociative properties. Indeed one of the more common side effects of Z-drugs are parasomias, where you do see people walking, eating, etc and not be aware. Appropriate sleep hygiene should be taken before someone takes the medicine, and that includes no TV, taking it immediately before going to bed in a dark quiet room, and ensuring you have six to eight hours to sleep. I very often take people off of Ambien because of these side effects, and rarely start the medication. Primary care physicians write it quite frequently, however, but by the time they get to me there are usually problems created by the medicine.

What is the difference from a Tylenol -PM? I used to always use these when i needed to get some rest when I was younger. Now my kids and life keep me on a pretty steady sleep schedule.

Tylenol-PM is Tylenol (acetaminophen) plus benadryl (diphenhydramine) which is an antihistamine. An unintended side effect of antihistamines is drowsiness, by a completely different mechanism. Other sleep aids like trazodone also use this mechanism. They also sell a version without the pain killer, as do most pharmacies, it's all just generic benadryl.

Thanks for the info.

luckyone wrote:

Ambien (zolpidem) is a hypnotic in a class of medications called "Z-drugs," so named because most of them have a z in their name. Others include Lunesta. The message themselves are very similar to benzos like Xanax\Valium, which means they act on the GABA receptor--alcohol does as well just in a slightly different way. They all have what are called dissociative properties. Indeed one of the more common side effects of Z-drugs are parasomias, where you do see people walking, eating, etc and not be aware. Appropriate sleep hygiene should be taken before someone takes the medicine, and that includes no TV, taking it immediately before going to bed in a dark quiet room, and ensuring you have six to eight hours to sleep. I very often take people off of Ambien because of these side effects, and rarely start the medication. Primary care physicians write it quite frequently, however, but by the time they get to me there are usually problems created by the medicine.

I work as a hospital pharmacy technician, we tend to only give a 7 day supply of Z drugs (mostly zopiclone). A doctor will need to specifically request more if they feel it's necessary. I've heard first hand from patients that they do not like taking zopiclone as it makes them feel strange.

fr8mech wrote:

I take Ambien, actually the generic Zolpidem Tartrate, once a week to help me cycle from days (my weekend) to nights (my work week). I haven't encountered any side-effects.

A friend of mine, that has since passed, was a regular user of the drug. His wife related that he would wander the house at night, and speak gibberish while doing so. We were on a cruise a few years ago, and I encountered him in the casino a little after midnight, as I was strolling through-out the ship. Had a short conversation with him, and he seemed quite distracted and "off". I thought he had been drinking.

Spoke to him about it the next day, and he didn't recall any of the previous night, but he said it explained why he woke up wearing clothes he hadn't gone to bed in...and a reduction in his cash. He figured he'd been on an "Ambien stroll" as he called it, and was happy for the confirmation.

A local radio host mentioned that he orders things from Amazon when on the drug.

I take Zolpidem as well I only try to take it if I really need it now. I remember when I first tried it I had some pretty intense dreams that's really the only side effect I had from it. But then it got to the point that it didn't even work that well because I was taking it so much. Now I try to only take it if absolutely necessary.

BlueberryWheats wrote:

luckyone wrote:

Ambien (zolpidem) is a hypnotic in a class of medications called "Z-drugs," so named because most of them have a z in their name. Others include Lunesta. The message themselves are very similar to benzos like Xanax\Valium, which means they act on the GABA receptor--alcohol does as well just in a slightly different way. They all have what are called dissociative properties. Indeed one of the more common side effects of Z-drugs are parasomias, where you do see people walking, eating, etc and not be aware. Appropriate sleep hygiene should be taken before someone takes the medicine, and that includes no TV, taking it immediately before going to bed in a dark quiet room, and ensuring you have six to eight hours to sleep. I very often take people off of Ambien because of these side effects, and rarely start the medication. Primary care physicians write it quite frequently, however, but by the time they get to me there are usually problems created by the medicine.

I work as a hospital pharmacy technician, we tend to only give a 7 day supply of Z drugs (mostly zopiclone). A doctor will need to specifically request more if they feel it's necessary. I've heard first hand from patients that they do not like taking zopiclone as it makes them feel strange.

A couple points. First, zopiclone isn't available in the US, though its stereoisomer eszopiclone is (Lunesta). Second, in the US retail pharmacies will fill those without much hassle.

I, personally, try to take as few prescription meds as possible. Some of them can be toxic and some of the combinations are awful. I was prescribed Ambien once but I did not take it. The brosband has some kind of prescription sleep aid. He takes it as needed. He is bipolar and had a manic episode the other night. He took two in three hours and when the manic wore off, he was done. I had to carry him to bed. He sometimes has conversations with no one when on his sleep meds. I have no idea what he is saying or who he is speaking to.

I do a lot of physical activity so, by the end of the day, I am exhausted. I sleep and feel great the next morning. No grogginess, no nausea, no side effects.

luckyone wrote:

BlueberryWheats wrote:

luckyone wrote:

Ambien (zolpidem) is a hypnotic in a class of medications called "Z-drugs," so named because most of them have a z in their name. Others include Lunesta. The message themselves are very similar to benzos like Xanax\Valium, which means they act on the GABA receptor--alcohol does as well just in a slightly different way. They all have what are called dissociative properties. Indeed one of the more common side effects of Z-drugs are parasomias, where you do see people walking, eating, etc and not be aware. Appropriate sleep hygiene should be taken before someone takes the medicine, and that includes no TV, taking it immediately before going to bed in a dark quiet room, and ensuring you have six to eight hours to sleep. I very often take people off of Ambien because of these side effects, and rarely start the medication. Primary care physicians write it quite frequently, however, but by the time they get to me there are usually problems created by the medicine.

I work as a hospital pharmacy technician, we tend to only give a 7 day supply of Z drugs (mostly zopiclone). A doctor will need to specifically request more if they feel it's necessary. I've heard first hand from patients that they do not like taking zopiclone as it makes them feel strange.

A couple points. First, zopiclone isn't available in the US, though its stereoisomer eszopiclone is (Lunesta). Second, in the US retail pharmacies will fill those without much hassle.

Ugh. Lunesta made me violently ill. I'm prescribed Ambien long term because of my delayed sleep phase syndrome. Without it, i'm naturally wired to be wide awake and unable to sleep at night and sleepy during the day. I keep my cell phone away from me after I take it. I always referred to taking it and not actually sleeping as hanging out with the walrus. I've sleep cooked, sleep cleaned, sleep sexed, sleep driven etc. It helps to change your waking habits to avoid the most dangerous of these (I started walking to work instead of driving and I never sleep drove again)

http://ambien.blogspot.com/2010/12/ambi ... ction.html




Ambien walrus accurately depicts life with an ambien prescription.

Jouhou wrote:

luckyone wrote:

BlueberryWheats wrote:

I work as a hospital pharmacy technician, we tend to only give a 7 day supply of Z drugs (mostly zopiclone). A doctor will need to specifically request more if they feel it's necessary. I've heard first hand from patients that they do not like taking zopiclone as it makes them feel strange.

A couple points. First, zopiclone isn't available in the US, though its stereoisomer eszopiclone is (Lunesta). Second, in the US retail pharmacies will fill those without much hassle.

Ugh. Lunesta made me violently ill. I'm prescribed Ambien long term because of my delayed sleep phase syndrome. Without it, i'm naturally wired to be wide awake and unable to sleep at night and sleepy during the day. I keep my cell phone away from me after I take it. I always referred to taking it and not actually sleeping as hanging out with the walrus. I've sleep cooked, sleep cleaned, sleep sexed, sleep driven etc. It helps to change your waking habits to avoid the most dangerous of these (I started walking to work instead of driving and I never sleep drove again)

http://ambien.blogspot.com/2010/12/ambi ... ction.html




Ambien walrus accurately depicts life with an ambien prescription.

Why exactly we think this is a safe option for long-term prescription is lost on me.

luckyone wrote:

Jouhou wrote:

luckyone wrote:

A couple points. First, zopiclone isn't available in the US, though its stereoisomer eszopiclone is (Lunesta). Second, in the US retail pharmacies will fill those without much hassle.

Ugh. Lunesta made me violently ill. I'm prescribed Ambien long term because of my delayed sleep phase syndrome. Without it, i'm naturally wired to be wide awake and unable to sleep at night and sleepy during the day. I keep my cell phone away from me after I take it. I always referred to taking it and not actually sleeping as hanging out with the walrus. I've sleep cooked, sleep cleaned, sleep sexed, sleep driven etc. It helps to change your waking habits to avoid the most dangerous of these (I started walking to work instead of driving and I never sleep drove again)

http://ambien.blogspot.com/2010/12/ambi ... ction.html




Ambien walrus accurately depicts life with an ambien prescription.

Why exactly we think this is a safe option for long-term prescription is lost on me.

There's money to be made.

Lots of rapists use it because I hear if you crush the tablet and put it in someone's drink they lose consciousness within 15 minutes. Darren Sharper had lots of experience doing this.

so after reading this thread it's clear that it wasn't the ambien, it was her being overtired, which affects your judgement, your sense of humor, we used to call it being rummy.
it's right up there with drunk dialing.

DLFREEBIRD wrote:

so after reading this thread it's clear that it wasn't the ambien, it was her being overtired, which affects your judgement, your sense of humor, we used to call it being rummy.
it's right up there with drunk dialing.

Its almost as good as "They're being treated for exhaustion."

No girl you kept blacking out because you're on lots of drugs.

luckyone wrote:

Jouhou wrote:

luckyone wrote:

A couple points. First, zopiclone isn't available in the US, though its stereoisomer eszopiclone is (Lunesta). Second, in the US retail pharmacies will fill those without much hassle.

Ugh. Lunesta made me violently ill. I'm prescribed Ambien long term because of my delayed sleep phase syndrome. Without it, i'm naturally wired to be wide awake and unable to sleep at night and sleepy during the day. I keep my cell phone away from me after I take it. I always referred to taking it and not actually sleeping as hanging out with the walrus. I've sleep cooked, sleep cleaned, sleep sexed, sleep driven etc. It helps to change your waking habits to avoid the most dangerous of these (I started walking to work instead of driving and I never sleep drove again)

http://ambien.blogspot.com/2010/12/ambi ... ction.html




Ambien walrus accurately depicts life with an ambien prescription.

Why exactly we think this is a safe option for long-term prescription is lost on me.

I'd say it's honestly a bit safer long term rather than short term. I've learned to curb the bad and unsafe behaviors, although I'm a bit disappointed I don't wake up to a pristine cleaned apartment now. That always was one of the positives.

Pulled up FSX, turned on my screen recorder, and flew from LGW to SYD (no time acceleration) in a CRJ, and promptly ran out of fuel. Landed somewhere in Russia, found the recording the next day, and never took Ambien again.

Do those of you that “sleep-xxxxx” while on Ambien wake up feeling refreshed?

Like I said, I’m a once-a-week user and wake up feeling just a bit groggy, but shake it off pretty quickly, and get on with my day.

fr8mech wrote:

Do those of you that “sleep-xxxxx” while on Ambien wake up feeling refreshed?

Like I said, I’m a once-a-week user and wake up feeling just a bit groggy, but shake it off pretty quickly, and get on with my day.

My insomnia is so severe that even on a prescription sleep aid AND melatonin, I’m lucky to get 3-5 hours a night, and according to my Apple Watch, it’s low quality; it says my average sleep quality is about 48%.

There’s one sleeping pill I refuse to take, and at least one that my doctor won’t weite for — I usually have to rotate among pills a few times a year.

Marc

fr8mech wrote:

Do those of you that “sleep-xxxxx” while on Ambien wake up feeling refreshed?

Like I said, I’m a once-a-week user and wake up feeling just a bit groggy, but shake it off pretty quickly, and get on with my day.

I used to wake up sore when I sleep cleaned, but I did eventually get sleep to wake up from. Now that I have that under control, yes I'm fully "refreshed".

Also a pro-tip, if you don't want a visit from the walrus do not drink that night. Like not even one. It takes a really tiny amount of alcohol in your system to bring out the walrus.

Jouhou wrote:

Also a pro-tip, if you don't want a visit from the walrus do not drink that night. Like not even one. It takes a really tiny amount of alcohol in your system to bring out the walrus.

I had a beer and small snack last night about half-an-hour before taking the pill and hitting the sack. No adverse affects. I slept a solid 9 hours. Woke up fine.

fr8mech wrote:

Jouhou wrote:

Also a pro-tip, if you don't want a visit from the walrus do not drink that night. Like not even one. It takes a really tiny amount of alcohol in your system to bring out the walrus.

I had a beer and small snack last night about half-an-hour before taking the pill and hitting the sack. No adverse affects. I slept a solid 9 hours. Woke up fine.

Call me a lightweight then. I can have a single beer 4 hours before taking the pill and the walrus still kicks in.

fr8mech wrote:

snack

Mmmmmmmmmmmm, snack...

afcjets wrote:

Ironically if you are going to take melatonin, the harder to find lower doses are actually way more effective (mcg instead of mg). Melatonin can cause vivid dreaming, which can be good or bad, depending on what's on your mind I guess.

Most melatonin supplements on the US market are WAAAY too much. It will hang out in your system overnight and then completely scramble your body clock when you're exposed to bright light the next morning with melatonin still in your blood. Melatonin is a body clock sync signal, NOT a sleeping pill. Source: literally 20 years of trying to get my sleep cycle under control, which included a fair bit of research. Low-dose melatonin simulates something called the Dim Light Melatonin Onset which is disrupted by electric light, for some people worse than others. High-dose melatonin just overwhelms the clock entirely. I weigh a bit under 200lbs and take about 3/4 of a 300ug (0.3 mg!) tablet about 3 hours before bedtime, at the same time each night. If my sleep cycle is drifting I up it to the full 300ug. Low-dose melatonin and morning/daytime bright light exposure is the only thing to *ever* successfully control my delayed sleep phase long term.

Jouhou wrote:

I'm prescribed Ambien long term because of my delayed sleep phase syndrome. Without it, i'm naturally wired to be wide awake and unable to sleep at night and sleepy during the day. I keep my cell phone away from me after I take it. I always referred to taking it and not actually sleeping as hanging out with the walrus. I've sleep cooked, sleep cleaned, sleep sexed, sleep driven etc. It helps to change your waking habits to avoid the most dangerous of these (I started walking to work instead of driving and I never sleep drove again)

Haha, the "walruz," as my friend group call it (plural is "walren"). Because we'd seen the comics and some time later one of us was on chat on Ambien and spelled it that way and the name stuck.

Ambien is quite the pill for me. It makes most flat surfaces look biological in nature - for example, I used to have a bathroom with smooth beige stone tiles, which became a surface more like tightly stretched parchment-like skin when I had summoned the walruz, as we called it. Also the surfaces which turn "biological" tend to slowly undulate and pulsate, somewhat similar to the lesser visual effects one might see on LSD. If I'm trying to read, the rows of text turn into mountain ranges marching off into the distance, I wish I could explain it better but I can't. My ex-girlfriend didn't like when I would take it, I knew that I got somewhat obnoxious (and was in fact consciously enjoying it as I was doing so) but she had objections with the *way* I was being obnoxious, as if it was some fundamentally unsettling alteration of my personality. I never did figure out what she was talking about.

Anyway, do NOT let yourself on ebay or Amazon once you've summoned the walruz. One time I ordered an 8-pack of size 40 scrubs, I think because I wanted pajamas. I was a size 32 at the time and was definitely way less enthusiastic about "just selling the others and saving so much money" when they showed up in the mail and reminded me of what happened. I managed to stay off the e-commerce sites after that. I think there's a walruz comic about buying a chandelier, actually.

I have DSPD and the walruz was about as useless as everything else for me, with the sole exception of low-dose melatonin and light exposure.

luckyone wrote:

Why exactly we think this is a safe option for long-term prescription is lost on me.

We don't. Prescribing guidelines say 2 weeks max. The drugs are technically, chemically non-benzodiazepines, but they're essentially benzos. A lot of people are grandfathered in.

Given all the weird side effects, if they're gonna give people these, they might as well just give them xanax. It's sure as hell not perfect but I'd be absolutely shocked if the cognitive and perceptual side effects were anywhere near as common as with the z-drugs.

CitizenJustin wrote:

I use ambien as well for Insomnia. The amount of apologies I’ve had to send after waking up and reading in shock the texts I sent people are countless. Now I try to turn my phone off.
People coveniently call it AMBIdialing.

It doesn't freak you out enough to stop using the drug? If something made me do things I'm not aware of I'd look for other alternatives.

treetreeseven wrote:

afcjets wrote:

Ironically if you are going to take melatonin, the harder to find lower doses are actually way more effective (mcg instead of mg). Melatonin can cause vivid dreaming, which can be good or bad, depending on what's on your mind I guess.

Most melatonin supplements on the US market are WAAAY too much. It will hang out in your system overnight and then completely scramble your body clock when you're exposed to bright light the next morning with melatonin still in your blood. Melatonin is a body clock sync signal, NOT a sleeping pill. Source: literally 20 years of trying to get my sleep cycle under control, which included a fair bit of research. Low-dose melatonin simulates something called the Dim Light Melatonin Onset which is disrupted by electric light, for some people worse than others. High-dose melatonin just overwhelms the clock entirely. I weigh a bit under 200lbs and take about 3/4 of a 300ug (0.3 mg!) tablet about 3 hours before bedtime, at the same time each night. If my sleep cycle is drifting I up it to the full 300ug. Low-dose melatonin and morning/daytime bright light exposure is the only thing to *ever* successfully control my delayed sleep phase long term.

Jouhou wrote:

I'm prescribed Ambien long term because of my delayed sleep phase syndrome. Without it, i'm naturally wired to be wide awake and unable to sleep at night and sleepy during the day. I keep my cell phone away from me after I take it. I always referred to taking it and not actually sleeping as hanging out with the walrus. I've sleep cooked, sleep cleaned, sleep sexed, sleep driven etc. It helps to change your waking habits to avoid the most dangerous of these (I started walking to work instead of driving and I never sleep drove again)

Haha, the "walruz," as my friend group call it (plural is "walren"). Because we'd seen the comics and some time later one of us was on chat on Ambien and spelled it that way and the name stuck.

Ambien is quite the pill for me. It makes most flat surfaces look biological in nature - for example, I used to have a bathroom with smooth beige stone tiles, which became a surface more like tightly stretched parchment-like skin when I had summoned the walruz, as we called it. Also the surfaces which turn "biological" tend to slowly undulate and pulsate, somewhat similar to the lesser visual effects one might see on LSD. If I'm trying to read, the rows of text turn into mountain ranges marching off into the distance, I wish I could explain it better but I can't. My ex-girlfriend didn't like when I would take it, I knew that I got somewhat obnoxious (and was in fact consciously enjoying it as I was doing so) but she had objections with the *way* I was being obnoxious, as if it was some fundamentally unsettling alteration of my personality. I never did figure out what she was talking about.

Anyway, do NOT let yourself on ebay or Amazon once you've summoned the walruz. One time I ordered an 8-pack of size 40 scrubs, I think because I wanted pajamas. I was a size 32 at the time and was definitely way less enthusiastic about "just selling the others and saving so much money" when they showed up in the mail and reminded me of what happened. I managed to stay off the e-commerce sites after that. I think there's a walruz comic about buying a chandelier, actually.

I have DSPD and the walruz was about as useless as everything else for me, with the sole exception of low-dose melatonin and light exposure.

luckyone wrote:

Why exactly we think this is a safe option for long-term prescription is lost on me.

We don't. Prescribing guidelines say 2 weeks max. The drugs are technically, chemically non-benzodiazepines, but they're essentially benzos. A lot of people are grandfathered in.

Given all the weird side effects, if they're gonna give people these, they might as well just give them xanax. It's sure as hell not perfect but I'd be absolutely shocked if the cognitive and perceptual side effects were anywhere near as common as with the z-drugs.

My DSPD treatment plan is mostly to just roll with it and work at night. The ambien is needed because I still have to be able to accomplish things during the day more often than not, so I use the ambien 4-5 days a week (not all 7!) I make more working nights anyways.

Redd wrote:

CitizenJustin wrote:

I use ambien as well for Insomnia. The amount of apologies I’ve had to send after waking up and reading in shock the texts I sent people are countless. Now I try to turn my phone off.
People coveniently call it AMBIdialing.

It doesn't freak you out enough to stop using the drug? If something made me do things I'm not aware of I'd look for other alternatives.

The benefits outweigh the negatives in my opinion. Not being able to sleep is horrible.

Goddamn it! Every time I take a freaking Ambien, I think about this thread and hope I don’t do something stupid. Well, good night.

This was a pretty famous case

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/apr ... vanvasagar

Peter Buck of REM was looking down the barrels of a prison sentence in the UK after going freaky on Zolpidem and red wine on a BA flight. He was arrested and prosecuted, but cleared of the charges.