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Without knowing what other things you do or don't do to help you fall asleep at night it's pretty hard to comment. There could easily be other things you can do that don't involve drugs of any kind.
Every once in a while, something's on my mind to the point I can't doze off. Tylenol PM invariably works, but if I wait too long and take it in the wee small hours I'll feel it the next morning. Before midnight is usually OK.
Seems counterproductive to take a daytime nap if you're having trouble getting to sleep!
Ambien is a federally controlled substance. Using Ambien long term can create dependency. Your dependency may or may not be the med itself. The dependence could be psychological/placebo effect (if I take the pill I'll sleep. If I don't, I won't).
re: the bolded:
For me it's the exact opposite. I'm a chronic insomniac. I have been one since before they invented Ambien. It normally takes me 3-4 hours after laying down to sleep, before I actually fall asleep. If I'm to get 8 hours of sleep without meds, I'd need to be in bed for up to 12 hours every night. That's half my life, wasted.
Ambien (zolpidem) allows me to get between 6-8 hours of productive sleep every single night. Am I dependent on it? Of course! I spent the better part of two decades wishing someone could invent the stuff.
I'm very happy to be dependent, physiologically, mentally, psychologically, on zolpidem. My doctor is happy about it too. It means I'm well rested in the morning, which also means I'm less likely to suffer from a myriad of illnesses that the sleep-deprived have less resistance to.
I've been taking zolpidem since before the generic became available, when only Sanofi made it, and it was brand name or bust. Sleep specialist said as long as I don't start needing 'more' of it in order for it to work, AND I don't ever take it when it's not bedtime, I can continue taking it indefinitely.
another vote for melatonin. 3 mg pill, cut in half. Also, I have determined I only need 7 hours sleep a night, not 8.
I've tried Ambien, great sleep for 4 hours and then wide awake for the next four. No thanks. Xanax makes me a zombie the next day. Valium is my favorite Rx sleep aid. I rarely use it though.
My regimen now is diphenhydramine, 10 mg. melatonin, & varying amounts of magnesium. Then I plug into a YouTube sleep video & hope for the best.
I tried trazodone, all that did was make me so dizzy that I was afraid of falling down on the way to the bathroom, no thanks.
If your PCP will prescribe Ambien, consider yourself blessed. There is way too much concern in my area about addiction. I’m old, I don’t live in a tent & I don’t bother anyone, I just want to be able to sleep, but apparently I am considered in the same category as the meth heads & opioid zombies.
For those of you who eat a brownie, etc., please share your dosage. I live in a “legal” state, but I don’t want to feel like I’m tripping on acid!
My doctor put me on a low dose of Trazodone for this reason. It's very helpful.
My friend takes those, and it's the only med that works for him; I think I'll try one of his before going through the hassle of a prescription.
Any side effects I should be aware of?.
My friend takes those, and it's the only med that works for him; I think I'll try one of his before going through the hassle of a prescription.
Any side effects I should be aware of?.
If you're asking about Trazadone, it IS a prescription drug.
If you're asking about Trazadone, it IS a prescription drug.
Re-read Sunbiz's post. It mentioned taking one of the friend's Trazodone pills. Not the same as trying to get it OTC . Not that I would consider that smart. "Borrowing" someone else's prescribed medication usually isn't a great idea. There are counterindications:
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. Not that I would consider that smart. "Borrowing" someone else's prescribed medication usually isn't a great idea. There are counterindications:
