Ambien (the drug) - No wonder Colin Powell is seeing things in the desert!

[happynewyear]

And this is not to defend Colin Powell on any level, but holy cripes, this drug that is prescribed for sleeping will have you very delusional very fast.

I took Ambien for awhile and had several horrendous experienes (most recently the night before last).

I was doing some searching on the net about it and crippers! This stuff is a hypnotic and yeah, it will and does make you delusional!

Where are those trailers Colin? IN YOUR FREAKIN' MIND!!!!

:dem:

[HuckleB]

1. It basically affects the same parts of the nervous system as alcohol.

Might as well have a glass of wine or two before bed, instead. At least you get some health benefits there.

[happynewyear]

2. I've been hallucinating and didn't know it!

I got up during the night and went back to the bedroom and thought I saw a person sitting in the chair next to the bed. I SCREAMED and thought I was going to have a heart attack!

More creepy dreams and I don't bother to elaborate on them! Yikes!

No wonder everyone in the White House is so screwed! Yeek!

[SiouxJ]

3. I've never experienced anything like that

used it for over a year- only maybe once a week or so. Of course I take a very low dose, I split a 10mg in half. On a very rare ocassion I'll take a whole one. :shrug:

[HuckleB]

4. Yeah, it's more like the "things you see" when you're groggy.

Folks who have issues with it are those who don't metabolize it fast enough. We're all built differently in this way, so it's going to be too much sleep and too much grogginess for some, which can lead to one feeling like one is seeing things, but its not what one would call a hallucinogen, not by a longshot. For others, it's just right, though it really shouldn't be something one takes forever.

[happynewyear]

5. 10 mg. here

and it was 20 mg. for awhile being there was a death in the family.

My husband threw the shit away after the episode night before last.

Creepy damn stuff IMO!

I won't elaborate on the dreams I've been having! :nuke:

[HuckleB]

8. Same thing could happen on Trazodone or other meds.

Especially at a time of stress. It's not just this medication.

Our chemistries are all different, so specific drugs affect us all in a myriad of ways, and no drug is without side effects. However, a great many people are helped tremendously by such medications, in combination with other therapies. Meds alone should never be the treatment. Anyway, it's a matter of finding the right med for the right person at the right dose -- that is, if meds are actually appropriate for treating that person.

Best to you.

[happynewyear]

10. Trazodone

yeah I was on that one years ago and broke out with big red spots all over myself and ended up in the ER twice in 2 days.

Needless to say I'm not a regular person medically on any level.

Soon, I will be able to take no more pills of any kind I can see.

Time to smoke up!!! :D

[happynewyear]

9. admittedly I'm major screwed up

If I wasn't major screwed up I'd be at a job working right now. I'll have to go back to the doctor. I seriously thought I was going to die last night. Something is very wrong. :(

[HuckleB]

11. Are you taking meds for other health conditions?

Not that you have to give that information here. I wouldn't expect you to do that. It just sounds like you've got a lot going on, so I guess I'm being an advocate for you to really advocate for yourself, which you very well may already be doing, I acknowledge. No assumptions on my part, I swear.

I guess my point, if any, is keep seeking out the right team of physicians and health care practitioners. Is there a pychiatrist who specializes in patients with other health care issues in your area? Such a person may be more aware of how the whole of your treatments work together. And, in general -- here comes the lecture, sorry -- don't just stick with a doc because that's who they sent you to. Fight the bastards, if you must. And definitely go to a psychiatric practitioner for psychiatric medication. Your case appears to be complex, and I'm already of the opinion that general practitioners don't have the time to fully assess patients on psychiatric matters. But, again, alas, the tools of the psychiatrist are many, and they help a great many people, but none of them work for everyone. So it can be very frustrating for patients and practitioners. But, to repeat myself, your chances of finding a treatment that works goes up if you've got someone willing to take the time to do the full assessment necessary, and a general practitioner just doesn't have that time. A GP is only shooting in the dark, when it comes to psychiatric meds.

Again, so sorry to be such a lecturing type.

I wish you all the best.

Salud!

[happynewyear]

12. after I became so sickened yesterday ...

I have decided to fire the whole lot of them. I am very ill yes.

Thanks for your concern. :hug:

[flamingyouth]

6. I had the completely opposite effect

I've only taken 10 mg for 10 nights or so, and I haven't taken it more than two nights in a row. But I was suffering from severe insomnia after my husband's death, and I was having nightmares. When I took the Ambien, not only could I sleep, but I didn't remember my creepy dreams. Every drug affects people differently, though.

[happynewyear]

7. yeah it wouldn't allow me to sleep either much of the time

however, recently it has worked but only after taking a large dose of it. Problem now is not a death in family (well another one coming soon :( ) but recent surgery that has been horrible back in November and yeah I'm still suffering.

Damn these doctors. Do they have a clue what they are doing?