Posted by Ted on April 12, 2001, at 11:04:21
In reply to Ambien for sleep, pros and cons? I got euphoria..., posted by PhoenixGirl on April 11, 2001, at 16:40:08
The jury is out on tendency for addiction. It is related to the benzodiazepines, which are addictive. I take Ambien nightly, and it never causes the euphoria, but I have heard about euphoria and hallucinations from a recovering addict who said it occurs only with high doses (20+ mg). I think you should avoid OTC sleep aids -- they are all either diphenhydramine (benadryl) or melantonin, which is not good to take if you are already having trouble with your neurotransmitters (which you are, or you wouldn't be here!).
Ambien has no sexual side effects, unless you consider falling asleep in the middle of the fun a side effect. :-)
My experience is that I will lay still in bed, relax, and the next thing I know is I am in the middle of a dream. I break 5mg tablets and take only about 3-4 mg nightly, and it puts me out for 9 hours. I wake up refreshed and feeling well.
Feel free to write if you have any more questions.
Ted
> I have a terrible insomnia problem, and have been treated with Ambien. Right now I'm taking over the counter sleep meds every night, and I want to stop because they dry out my eyes and mouth. Ambien worked well as a sleep med, and for about a half hour after taking it I would have a mild euphoria. It was this lazy, everything's-gonna-be-alright, the-world-is-beautiful feeling. I'm not taking it presently because I've only just gotten health insurance again, and it's too pricey without insurance. Anyway, I would really like to stop taking sleep medications altogether eventually. I think that I want to take Ambien again now and then wean off of it if possible. What are the pros and cons of Ambien, especially longer-term use? Does it have sexual side effects?
poster:Ted
thread:59458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010411/msgs/59540.html