I searched the forum for this topic and found passing mention of it but no threads. I’m taking Ambien CR 12.5 mg pretty much every night. I’ve found it to be a godsend as it really helps me get to sleep and stay asleep almost all night. Like a lot of you, the PN really interferes with sleep so since this works for me, it’s a part of my anti-PN arsenal (that also includes Gabapentin and Tramadol).

I was wondering if anyone else here has used Ambien long-term and if so, did it remain effective after taking it for a while? I’m worried that it will stop working—I’ve been using if for about 10 weeks, and so far, it seems to work as well as it did the first night.

I have a feeling that someone is going to say that there’s something terrible about this drug and that I should stop taking it. I really hope not because it has so improved the quality of my life.

Hi JoanB

I don't want to burst your bubble because everyone reacts to drugs differently but I can only share my experiences with you. I have had 2 family members and 1 close friend really struggle with long tern use of sleeping pills (2 were with Ambien). Your body can reach tolerance with these drugs and you may have to continue to increase the dose, much like benzos. My poor brother reached tolerance 3 months on Ambien and had to keep upping his dose until he started taking higher than recomended doses. He turned into a complete zombie. Unfortunetely, he had to slowly wean himself off with his doctor's help but it was quite rough. He was up for a total of 6 straight days at one point in his taper off.

Here is a quick review from the web:

Some studies show that AMBIEN may alter the sleep architecture in the same way that benzodiazepines do - by reducing the amounts of restorative Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and increasing the non-restorative sleep patterns. This can result in daytime drowsiness and poor cognitive function. Therefore only short-term use of AMBIEN is recommended and discontinuation should be done in a gradual dose reduction.

I understand that lack of sleep can make pain so much worse. Both my brother and I have been using concentrated tart cherry juice for the past year and it has been a huge help. It took about 4 weeks to really start working. My borther also uses a light box every morning from 9:00 - 10:00 and he lives by it. Hope these help.

Now that I think of it, I have been on it for 3+ months and it's still working for me. I haven't even thought of increasing it. The times I've tried not taking it, I just went back to not being able to sleep, which was the same as before I started taking it, but no apparent withdrawal symptoms.

So far the two side effects I've noticed are dry mouth and crankiness in the afternoon. But the latter hasn't caused me too much trouble since I've recognized it and know that if I'm ready to bite someone's head off, I have to tell myself "Joan, it's not them, it's you, so be nice, shut your pie hole and just smile!" That seems to work out OK. (Then again, I guess that's pretty good advice for everyone most of the time.)

And I just don't know what to believe and what not to when it comes to web reviews. Here's something that indicates that it seems to work long-term: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/47098.php. But for all I know, medicalnewstoday.com is a mouthpiece for some invested interest. Sanofi-aventis is the manufacturer, but if it says who exactly conducted the study, I can't find it.

All that being said, it does sound like it sure was big trouble for your brother! I appreciate your feedback and certainly will take it under advisement.

Hi Joan

Like you said in an earlier post, every reacts differently. I am still quite bitter with big pharma as the last 2-1/2 years tapering off Paxil was the hardest thing I thought I had to live through. Little did I know once I completed coming off the drug, PN was waiting for me! However, if your quality of life is better than you have to do whats best for your situation.

Joan I am just on the plain Ambien and it has been a life saver to me. I have two health conditions that makes nightime or rest impossible. I have been on it for at least 2 to 3 years and never increase the amount.

I have been one of the luckier one that it has continue to work. I hate taking long term medicine but not sleeping can become a nightmare.

My concern is the effects of long term medicines I am taking, but at least it gives me some life back. I am able to have some of "me" back.

Trish

Dan, I don't blame you for being bitter. I've never had any reactions quite as bad as your experience with Paxil, but I did have a little trouble with Effexor--serious brain fog that made doing my job almost impossible. Then I got used to it but it didn't help the problem for which it was prescribed (visceral hypersensitivity). Getting off of it made the fog come back and I swore I'd never take an antidepressant again! (Now I'm talking about trying Cymbalta, so that should give you an idea of my steadfast resolve!

[QUOTE=JoanB;575399]I searched the forum for this topic and found passing mention of it but no threads. I’m taking Ambien CR 12.5 mg pretty much every night.

*** I've been taking regular Ambien for almost 18 months. I, too, worry about dependence. I generally take it 5 out of 7 nights a week. Only rarely have I had to take more than the one pill (10 mg if I recall). Always works. How often are others taking it?

I just ask my doctor to prescribe me Ambien 10mg and he granted my request. But, he told me not to use it every night as it could become habit forming. He gave me a prescription for 30 pills with no refills. He said the presciption should last me 3 months.
My mon, 81 years old, has been on Ambien for 3 or 4 years. She takes it every night and it does not seem to have affected her in a negative way. It just puts her to sleep.
I say that for people who deal with sever PN pain everyday any medication that gives one peace of mind is a good med. I have to use opiates to manage my pain (I go to a pain specialist)and one cnsequence of my usage is physical addiction. I am willing to take that risk to have some quality of life. Life is too short to live in constant pain or go without sleep for days.
I glad the Ambien is working for you. Just be as careful as you would be with any other strong drug.

I have sleep apnea and had insomnia. My doctor wanted me to use Ambien CR, but it contains gluten, so I couldn't use it. He doesn't like Ambien, not sure why. So he put me on Lunesta, which was suppose to give me 8 hours of sleep...didn't work for me. So then he put me on Sonata, which is suppose to put you to sleep quickly, and last 3-5 hours, I rarely got 3 hours from it. So, I went against his wishes, and tried melatonin. It worked the best for me, although, insomnia was still a huge problem. Then, because of other issues, I stopped using dairy, my insomnia went away!How could dairy cause insomnia, who knows, yet I have found others who have the same issue. I take 6 mgs per night, even now with the insomnia pretty much gone. I still have a few nights where I just can't sleep, but it's much better.

We have melatonin in our symptoms naturally. I think sometimes, especially with gluten intolerance, a person like me is lacking in the proper levels of vitamins and nutrients. I will continue on the melatonin, it seems it may be something I need.

I second that--life is too short. I respect the choices of people who don't want to take drugs, but for me, if there is something that will relieve pain or help me sleep, I want it, as long as it doesn't come at an unacceptable price in well-being.

And darlindeb, maybe sleep meds are like all the stuff we talk about for PN--we all react to them differently. I tried Rozerem, and like you with the Lunesta and Sonata, it wasn't much help. But Ambien CR puts me down and keeps me down for a minimum of six hours. Sometimes I even get eight, and it's wonderful

But of course, the best solution of all is to get to and fix the underlying cause like darlindeb did. And I'm still trying to do that with the PN. If there's any possibility that I can do that, the insominia will go away on its own. One very annoying medical professional recently suggested that I go for a sleep study, which I refused. Come on people, I can't sleep because my feet hurt! You need a study for that?