I am a 59 year old female artist, and doctor ofClinical Psychology in mostly private practice I practice privately, with some clinical affiliations, and work especially with creative young people. I am also familiar with many clinical frameworks for understanding OCD and addictions. I am the mother of two lovely young women, and have been married for 26 years.

I have always struggled with some level of obsessive thinking and sleep problems, but in the past few years I have been walloped by what is becoming chronic pain which limits my activities and makes me miserable! I have had PT, chiropractic treatment, acupuncture, thumb splints, cortisone 3 times, and all sorts of ergonomic adjustments.

I found this forum through a google search. I have been using 5-10 mg of ambien for sleep for several years, and have come to realize that I rely on it to override pain that has built up during the day. I believe this is an off-label use, but perhaps has some clinical precedent. Ambien relaxes me and I have no negative side effects. I neither want nor tolerate opioids. Ibuprofen is wearing out my GI tract!

I try to avoid misinforming myself by running to the internet, but I did notice a thread that raised the issue of off-label ambient use to override pain that makes sleep uncomfortable.

I am so aware of how people can be perceived as "med-seeking." and I am acutely sensitive to how I may be seen, which prevents me from asking for what works for me. I am interested in finding research and clinical anecdotes that addres the use of ambient to help to override pain.

Hello riv44,

Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

You may have found them already but I'll leave a couple of links below that might be helpful for you.

Chronic Pain Forum

Medications & Treatments Forum

You could also try using the forum search feature for older threads and posts.
e.g. Ambien

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/search.php

all the best to you

Welcome riv44.

I have no knowledge of Ambien, but am entering my 25th year as a member of the Chronic Pain Club. I am always sorry to hear of another member.
The first (and often heard) word of your post which jumped out at me was 'Miserable'. Yes, the daily, grinding pain, disturbed sleep and other issues make us miserable, but this rapidly spirals to Depression. Are you taking steps and getting the support at home to avoid this?
Secondly, you mention Ibruprofen and your G.I. tract. Are you taking anything like Lanzoprazole for it's protective properties?
Being in England I rarely see, and find it hard to understand the culture of 'med-seeking'. I assume it happens, but when your body has been smashed up a bit and you have had Neurological Hypersensitivity for 25 years you take whatever may give relief - however slight. I'm sorry some of your Doctors seem to look on genuine patients this way.
I hope you find the relief we all crave, but clearly Ambien and Ibruprofen do not work. Would it not be better to take a stronger prescription med that takes away more of the pain, protects your G.I . Tract and doesn't leave you miserable?
Whatever you want I am always here for support.

Dave.

riv44,

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. As you can see we have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene