The following information is NOT intended to endorse drugs or recommend therapy. While these reviews might be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care.
I've taken 12.5 mg Ambien CR on an off for 3 months now. Within the last two weeks, it's been more like every day. I was so groggy all day. Also, I'm not sure I slept... It was more like just being turned off rather than in a state of recuperative sleep. I cut the pill in half last night and had only 4 hours of sleep, where I awakened twice. I still feel more refreshed than ever, probably because this is the first time in weeks I don't have an ambien hangover. It's a great medicine, but I'd like to ween myself off of it. I suspect it's either causing depression, or is amplifying a depression I didn't know I had.
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First time I went on Ambien CR, I was disoriented and felt like I was having an out-of-body experience. I was on it for 5 days. I decided after trying several other medicines that I would try it again. Now, I get 8 hrs asleep and I feel better now that I am getting to sleep. Still am a little tired throughout the day but I don't feel insane from lack of sleep. Definetly hooked on it because when I miss I know.
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Insomnia is one of the tag alongs with my Bi Polar. My doctor prescribed every medication on my Group Health formulary to no avail. I either had radical side effects or they only worked for 2 to 3 hours. Ambien CR is a blessing. I actually now get at least 5 to 6 hrs of sleep a night. For those of you with Bi Polar, you understand sleep is crucial to preventing mood swings. The only problem I have experienced is Ambien tends to build up and quit working every so often so I have clonazapam to use for a few days until the tolerance wears off. Thank God for Ambien CR.
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This drug does work great for sleep. I have used it for several years actually and it never fails to put me to sleep. PLEASE BE WARNED! I did take some and had an accident,(no one was hurt thank Goodness) but I did receive a DUI for it even though I was just 0.002% (and yes I mean percent not mg) above the legal threshold for intoxication (no excuse, just saying courts don't go easy on you). I was not taking more than prescribed but I had it in my system when I rear ended someone. This was after taking it for years so I was very tolerant of it and I remember everything from it, it was a just a minor accident. Do not drive if you think there is any in your system. I am not saying be afraid of it, it really really works. Just be careful.
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Great drug. Never knew how important sleep was to the human body. Would only sleep 3 hours a night and thought that was normal. However since I have been on Ambien, I eat at night and do not remember it at all. My family tells me I am funny but do not remember talking to them. Never had dreams before, now they are vivid and real and colorful, this is a bit on the weird side.
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I've tried several different sleep medications for insomnia and while attempting to get used to the CPAP machine for sleep apnea. Ambien CR works great, I can get a full nights sleep, however go to bed within 1 hour of taking the medication or you will feel a bit drugged. I don't recommend taking every night, it is addictive (try not to take more than 3 nights in a row). It is more difficult to wean off from than regular Ambien. Overall, if needed this is a good medication if taken responsibly.
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I have been using Ambien CR for 3 years. I love it. I make sure to take it on an empty stomach and in 20-30 minutes I am asleep. The only things I would warn about is: make sure you have at least 8 hours of sleep time, it doesn't work well if you eat before taking the pill, and I have done some things I have no memory of doing. My husband has tried Ambien CR and said it doesn't work on him. I would recommend Ambien CR to anyone who has trouble falling and staying asleep.
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This is very effective, but TAKE ONLY RIGHT BEFORE YOU GO TO BED. I did not do this once and ended up sleep walking to my car, driving and rear ending someone. I had no memory of doing this - only found out details by reading the police report. Take only as prescribed.
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I took Ambien CR for a year and at first it worked pretty good except for a minor side effect that left a bad taste in my mouth. I didn't let that bother me as long as I was getting my 8 hours sleep. After a year it stopped working so I tried to double my dose. Big mistake, I had to stop using it because I started sleep walking and having conversation with others without remembering anything. Ambien works but be cautious of side effects.
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I successfully took Ambien not every night. And it was great.
However, Ambien CR has caused vivid dreams, memory loss, sleep driving. I stopped using CR when I had a sleep driving event and no memory of the event. Will have to battle my sleep problem without it.
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Ambien CR is great. You can expect a full nights sleep waking up refreshed. Sometimes, however, I have problems with it not working at all. I will take one, wait two hours, take another, and after a little while longer will take a third. Not only does it not put me to sleep sometimes, but it gives me a headache and having been laying in bed for hours hoping for the Ambien to kick in, my anxiety levels shoot through the roof. After this I surely need a few benzodiazepines to calm down. But then again, I'm still awake despite the three Ambien CR!
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I would fall asleep but wake up a few hours later. I don't know how anyone can fall asleep while taking this medicine but everyone responds differently. Tylenol PM makes me feel a lot more sleepy than this medicine.
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I was taking regular Ambien and was waking up after a few hours and not able to get back to sleep. I switched to Ambien CR and have been sleeping through the night. I have not experienced any side effects.
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I have been taking Ambien CR for about 6 months now. I have had no side affects. I have not gotten up and got on the computer or driven to any place that I was not aware I was going. It helps me not to have nightmares. If you need something to help you sleep then take it.
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I have been taking Ambien for several years, and recently started taking Ambien CR. It works very well, if taken on an empty stomach. However, I was having only mild sleep difficulty when my doctor prescribed it. I have tried other sleep medicines, Ambien is one of the strongest prescription insomnia drugs available. I highly recommend trying something with less side effects first, and only if absolutely necessary, try Ambien. Ambien is very difficult to discontinue after extended use.
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MY HUSBAND WAS TAKING THIS AND WAS EATING LATE AT NIGHT, GETTING ON THE COMPUTER, AND DOING OTHER THINGS AND HAVING NO MEMORY OF IT THE DAY AFTER. HE FELT DRUGGED WHEN HE TOOK IT. I DON'T RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE.
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My Father was taking AMBIEN CR and drinking alchol with it. Falling down and not remember things was a everyday problem. I tried telling his doctor this but he did nothing but gave him more pills.
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Kbod77 said: 
