- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee boards
I've taken both Lunesta and Ambien and prefer Lunesta.
I always woke up with migraines and felt groggy while on Ambien. It also took awhile for the Ambien to kick in which was kind of a pain.
Lunesta works very quickly so you have to take immediately before you are ready to go to bed. I always had very bad nightmares on Lunesta but somehow I slept well and always felt extremely refreshed in the morning.
The reason I stopped taking Lunesta was because of the after taste.
My mom used to take Ambien, and it made her sleepwalk and eat in her sleep. yes eat!! (She used for about 6 months) and brother took it once and he went Sleepdrving and got in a car crash! he doesnt remember a thing, but he had rdrinks before that, and you shouldnt mix the two! we have done some research and this seems to happen a lot with ambien so we are not fans.
just a story i thought i would share! i have never taken either.
I don't have any direct experience, but I have heard that Ambien is very addictive. If I'm not mistaken, it's what contributed to Heath Ledger's death, correct...?
Hopefully she can send you to a sleep study center - FI went last year and they were able to diagnose him and give him medicine that works.
Agree about the Ambien... I've heard CRAZY stories! I used to take it and while no crazy sleep walking/eating/driving I would have a hard time functioning the next day if I didn't get ENOUGH sleep (which on Ambien I feel like is more) and if I wasn't in bed when it started to kick in it was VERY uncomfortable feeling. I once took it and tried to finish a paper (less than a page to go, but it does take a while to kick in) and the last paragraph was pure jibberish the next AM when I read it... I remember trying to type and feeling like my keyboard was swaying in waves like the ocean!
Any sleeping pill (or DRUG for that matter) could do that to you, just thought it was a funny/weird story :)
THIS is the post I read about Ambien reactions... hilarious! (but also scary!)
yeah - I've asked on another board as well as people here at work and it seems like I actually want to stay AWAY from ambien...I know Lunesta has the weird metallic taste - but maybe that'll be worth some sleep! lol
I honestly have had sleep issues probably since childhood but never really thought of it as a problem til recently...especially seriously thinking about the RLS. I remember when I first heard about it, I thought "hey, maybe THAT'S what's wrong with me..." but I hate thinking certain things are wrong with me (even if they are) because I don't want to be looked at as a hypochondriac...but now I truly do think this is my problem...and again, my grandmother WAS diagnosed and my mom's pretty sure SHE has it too...
I am very hopeful and excited about doing a sleep study - I'm sure she'll recommend a good one - and maybe once I go and they realize it IS restless leg syndrome, they can give me something for that INSTEAD of lunesta or ambien...course there's really not too many things they can do for RLS either...but we'll see! I appreciate everyone's feedback - and anyone else who adds to it! :)
I have been on Ambien numerous times and it is not the best. Same effects as listed above, and I don't always fall asleep on it.
Right now I have Ambien as an option, but take a real old school anti-depressant called Trazadone for my sleep, which usually works without any after effects. 150 mg works for most people.
Also- have you tried Benadryl? I know a few people who use that at like 25-50mg and they get a great nights sleep. I too have used it before.
Ambien is scary strong. I took a whole one once and couldn't move my body. It was really frightening, actually. I've taken a half of one a few times since then. Works ok, but leaves me feeling weird and not myself the next day. I've heard good things about Lunesta. I also will use Tylenol PM when I really need to sleep.
@offbeat bride - no I haven't tried Benedryl for sleeping...
I HAVE tried:
1. drinking wine (works sometimes but obviously NOT something I want to rely on for many reasons...)
2. Melatonin and or Velerian Root
3. Tylenol PM
those things work a little - but some nights don't work at all and a lot of it is it's like I'm up every few hours and I just can't STAY asleep. I wake up and look at the clock, thinking it's 7 a.m. and time to wake up - but nope it's only 2 a.m. then it's 3 a.m. then it's 4 a.m....you get the drift - and that's how most of my night's sleep goes...so again I'm excited to talk to my doc tomorrow and see what she says!
I have taken both and prefer the Ambien over Lunesta.
For starters, with Ambien, I fall asleep and sleep through the night (at least 8 hours) but with Lunesta, I typically will fall asleep for a few hours and then wake up and cannot go back to sleep.
Even worse, one of the possible side-effects of Lunesta is a disgusting metalic taste. It's really gross and almost made me throw up the first time I experienced it. Unfortunately, this side-effect lingers (at least for me) so for two days after taking Lunesta I still had the taste.
So IMO, Ambien is better. There are people that have problems with Ambien though - talk to your doc and see what they have to say. You won't know what works best for you until you try :)
I had crazy sleepwalking problems on Ambien too! But I'm a natural sleepwalker, it was just much much worse (Benadryl and Melatonin also make it worse!)
@hotchild: You are right that there was some sleep meds involved in Heath Ledger's death, but it was really the cocktail of like 3 or 4 drugs that caused his death. I was concerned (one of the ones named, the Benzo, is one I was on for sleep problems!) so I wanted to make sure! :)
@JuneBride: I believe that the sleep inducing ingrediant in Tylenol PM is just benadryl, so you can save your body from the acetominophin by taking straight benadryl :) Also, I think the drug Requip is specifically for RLS, not insomnia in general, so ask your doctor about that! I did a sleep study too (for insomnia and problems stemming from the sleepwalking!) and it was very beneficial. Also I have (what I consider) crappy insurance it was covered minus like 80 bucks. You also may not need to do the sleep study; first your primary doctor will refer to you a sleep specalist or sleep health center, who may be able to diagnose you without the hassle of the sleep study.
Haha and if you do do the sleep study, make sure you can go to work late the next day...they use this super gross gel to connect the electrodes to your scalp, making a long shower absolutely necessary the next day! :)
They both make me feel like a train wreck. Melatonin never worked, either.
I did a sleep study. It SUCKS BIG TIME. THe gel is the worst. Plus, they don't tell you that it takes an hour to hook you up, PLUS you have to sleep with this thing UP your nose. I woke up with the attendant trying to put it back in my nose. Ewww
For me, a muscle relaxer works best. I started taking them nightly for my TMJ (so i don't grind my jaw in my sleep) and then, magically, i was sleeping through the night and not getting up and sleep eating. Yes, I sleep eat!
@MissNoche and JuneBride: There's also a medicine Tylenol has called "Simply Sleep" that's just the sleep ingredient. No allergy stuff and no acetominophin.
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=88364&catid=1192
@HotChild: Haha awesome, I'd never heard of it! This is a great thread :)
my fear - from everything I've read so far about ambien is that it's got more side effects than lunesta does. Obviously not EVERYONE suffers the same side effects but we'll see...course I've also read that lunesta has more of a side effect of nightmares whereas ambien doesn't and I actually do have nightmares every once in a while too - as some of my sleep problems - asides from the possible RLS also stems from my child-hood phobia of the dark and scary movies (yup - totally admitting i'm afraid of the dark at 30 years old! lol). so that is one concern...
we'll see what my doc says - and I'll report back as I figure out how to get some sleep! :p
as for the sleep study - I know a few people online who've told me it didn't too too much for them - but I have also talked to many people (online and at work/in "real life"...lol) who have said it's very beneficial. I'm hoping more that instead of Lunesta or Ambien maybe there's something to help with the RLS and that alone will help me sleep. I must admit - laying on the couch just while watching tv and constantly having my legs twitch with that creepy crawly feeling is getting old too! yup i'm allllll sortsa issued-up! hehe.
as for other OTC sleep aids - if i DON'T end up getting a scrip for something RX then I will try the other OTC aids - but i'm sure my doc'll give me something...
also - my insurance covers it at 100% - as I already called and asked. course, I would have to pay up to $500 out-of-pocket (no deductable) - but I've already met that out-of-pocket with an ear surgery I had this year! :) so the sleep study - as long as it's done before the end of this year, will be covered 100%.
As someone who spent 5 years on call in the hospital, I've used Ambien not infrequently.
There are some cases of really bizarre side effects like the ones mentioned above, but those are not as common as one might think.
There have been rare occurrences of sleepwalking, sleep-related eating and sleep-driving among people taking Ambien, but these conditions may not necessarily be caused by the sleep medication. One source estimates that the incidence of sleepwalking in the general adult population is approximately four percent. Ambien may predispose these people to more sleepwalking behavior. There may be a slightly increased incidence of new sleepwalking with the medication. Researchers are still collecting data on this.
Most sleep medications carry some risk of dependence. However, people with a history of addiction, or alcohol and drug abuse, are the ones most at risk when taking sleeping medications.
The fact is, if you need a sleep medication, using something like Ambien in moderation can be very useful. Any medication has risks and benefits, and you need to balance what your current needs and desires are with those risks and benefits.
There are also other good medications for RLS
Good luck!
Heath Ledger did use Ambien... but he was also on a lot of other drugs. According to his autopsy... when he died, he had Oxycontin, Vicodin, Xanax, Restoril, Valium, and doxylamine (used in some OTC sleeping pills) in his system:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/nyregion/07ledger.html
I don't see Ambien in that list of drugs in his system, but Restoril and doxylamine both sound like sleeping-related medications.
All that said - there are a lot of anecodtal reports of Ambien causing strange behavior (sleepwalking/eating/driving), and I've read it gets especially bad if you mix it with other drugs (like alcohol). I took it for a while, and had a great experience though. I'd still be using it from time to time, but it requires a prescription and I'm too lazy to do all that.
Bee used OTC Unisom, and it cured her insomnia during pregnancy. Maybe start off on something weaker and OTC?
thank you mrs. dg - I SHOULD know more than anyone that side effects don't affect everyone (I actually work in the pharmaceutical research industry)...and I should also know that the only reviews I will see/read on the internet will be the worst of the worst - but at the same time, it IS scary to know that these side effects are possible.
I did try an amino acid recently called "5-HTP" which is supposed to boost seratonin levels and help you sleep at night...it didn't help and after 1 week of the pill (i was on 100 mg/day probably shoulda only done 50) anyways - twice I had nights where I almost had an anxiety attack. both nights I sat there thinking incredibly horrible awful thoughts and I did not like it. but that's really the only side effect I've ever had from anything. so who knows. we'll see. again - all i can do is try for myself and see right?
mrbee - i've tried OTC sleep aids and they just don't seem to work all that well - but honestly i think it's more because of the RLS. which is another reason why I'm really hoping i can do a sleep study and they can give me something for the RLS which keeps me up at night.
I will let ya'll know! :)
Neither. I avoid pharmy drugs like the plague. Instead, I use homeopathic or herbal remedies.
I prescribe both of these meds to my patients. I have also taken both. Let me start by saying: you need to find the reason for the insomnia, not just take a sleeping med. For most people, they can't fall asleep because their minds wont stop racing. Or they wake up multiple times per night. I would estimate that about 85% of my patients finally sleep once I get them on an anxiety medication (BTW- prozac actually causes weight loss in many).
That said- if you are to take a sleeping med:
Sleeping pills can be very addictive. Lunesta's claim to fame is "non addictive". This is not true based on my experience. If you take something often enough, your body expects it and then you cant sleep without it.
Either med can have the same side effects: hallucinations, "hangover", etc. Ambien tends to cause more amnesia (you dont remember falling asleep, waking up at night). Ambien is much quicker acting (Just an FYI- Ambien and Ambien CR have the same length effects, so dont believe when they tell you that the CR will get you through the entire night when ambien wont). When you take Ambien, typically within 30 mins you will become dizzy and very tired- comes on fast. Lunesta comes on slower and is supposed to feel more "natural" to fall asleep. Finally- Lunesta is MUCH MUCH more expensive. Most insurances still are not covering it and if they do, it's often a high copay with limits to how many you can get per month.
Of course- there are always people who have different experiences with each. My info is just based on the 6,000 patients I see per year.
Lastly- I would highly recommend The Vitamin Shoppes Melatonin 3 mg- this has worked for so many of my patients. For whatever reason, it's the only brand that I have had both personal and patient success with.
Coming from a professional point of view: stay away from sleeping pills and figure out the root of the insomnia. Practice good sleep hygiene.
Ambien made me a weepy psycho the next day after I took it.
I've never taken Lunesta.
There are specific drugs for RLS; the sleep center will steer you in the right direction.
I just wanted to add that I work in a nursing home, and I too feel Ambien is VERY addictive.
Don't they have actual medication for RLS?
I've never taken sleeping pills regularly, but I have taken both of these on occassion. Ambien made me sleep much deeper and better... it was pretty effin amazing.
thank you for your input! honestly, i have the vitamin shoppe's brand of melatonin and it does not work. again - i'm talking to my doc tomorrow morning and honestly i think more than anything it IS RLS - I fit all the criteria plus it's hereditary and my grandmother was diagnosed with it and my mother thinks she has it. I've tossed and turned at night for so long - I actually used to date a guy a long time ago - who refused to sleep in the same bed with me after a while (yeah, put a strain on that relationship - lol - course it obviously doesn't matter now! my husband sleeps like a log!!! :)
I asked about the sleep aids because I was going to ask my doc about those...but after doing more research there ARE some specific RLS meds that are supposedly "miracles" for RLS - however those too, of course, have awful side effects...
Mirapex - a lot of people LOVE this to begin with but complain about A. weight gain and B. gambling problems. There's actually a high risk of people becoming addicted to gambling from this drug...again though - is that just a few people? and were they on other drugs?
The weight gain would scare me a lot because I've always had weight issues and I've FINALLY found a way of eating that works (low-carb) due to me being insulin resistant...and I've lost 30 pounds and am finally a normal weight again.
BUT AGAIN - tomorrow morning is my doc's appointment. I am DEF. asking for a sleep study and hopefully they'll have answers for me!!!
@cmkcarasas: Great post :) it's sound like you may be a sleep specialist? If so, that's my "If I could do it all over job"....forget engineering :-P
I've never taken Lunesta. But I have taken Ambien. I was very sick the next day. I puked all morning and was VERY groggy. We were traveling in Europe and my boyfriend had to basically get me around and on the trains. I felt SOOOOO drunk the next morning, so I will never take it again. Haven't heard anything about Lunesta, but just be careful and talk to your doc.
well - I had my doc appointment today. She said they will be calling me back this afternoon to schedule my sleep study! She absolutely agrees that it sounds as if I DO have RLS (restless leg syndrome...). I also DID ask her about Lunesta or Ambien and she actually said neither for now - since there's a lot of other meds out there for RLS specifically and she'd rather we find the cause and treat that instead. Which I agree with...
But the sleep study should either be this friday night or saturday night.
Something else that came up though...I started talking to her, too, about my feet. I didn't mention it above, but I also have extremely sensitive feet. So sensitive that even the THOUGHT of someone touching my feet makes me cringe...seriously. I had a pedicure done when I was in high school for prom - and remember it being absolute TORTURE! my husband who LOVES getting foot rubs (and I have no problem giving them) is always asking to GIVE me one and I refuse. He knows I HATE having my feet touched and he thinks that's wierd - i've just always known that was "me" and thought it was normal...
so anyways - my doc thinks I might be anemic!!! I've never thought about it - had no reason to - I eat an extremely rich protein and high fat diet (low carb) but that's not enough and if my body isn't actually absorbing the nutrients...yeah. So I should know the blood work results tomorrow but if not then by friday. :)
All I know is I'm VERY excited about doing the sleep study. I just hope I'll be ABLE to sleep with all those people watching me! lol
The sleep study is super weird! Just be prepared to have a bad nights' sleep and go home to nap it off =]. It's like sleeping in a hotel with things up your nose and monitors on your chest and everything and goopy glues in your hair. Oh the glue. BTW, Acetone helps dissolve it.
I had a bout of really bad insomnia a few months ago, and Ambien helped me get sleep through a rough time in my life! I took half of a 5mg pill and that worked well for me. I agree with the person above who said a lot of insomnia is caused by anxiety - my anxiety levels were through the roof! That said I was put on a very low dose antidepressant to help calm me down, and I'm now sleeping like a baby. I had no bad side effects from Ambien and am thankful that it helped me get some rest in a tough time. I think if you use it carefully and moderately it shouldn't be an issue, but that said, your doctor should always give you approval. Also - with ANY sleeping pill, you should take them and immediately get into bed. The weird behavior is caused for many by taking it and not going to bed! Good luck to you - I have a friend with RLS and it sounds crappy!
You must log in to post.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| ndreighton | 5 |
| Suikerbossie | 5 |
| Miss Godiva | 3 |
| Future Mrs K | 3 |
| Rivendeler | 3 |
| janetsnakehole | 3 |
| krisanne | 2 |
| hamikay | 2 |
| aussiebee | 2 |
| PaulBabyBallerina | 2 |
Sorry, there are no users yet.
Hello all! Ok, I have my yearly tomorrow and while I'm there I am going to talk to my doc about doing a sleep study. I think I have RLS (restless leg syndrome) - which my grandmother WAS diagnosed with and my mom thinks she has as well...it keeps me up at night as I'm constantly tossing/turning and literally can't sleep because of it. My legs also twitch and feel weird all day long - and I can never find comfort as I'm constantly crossing/uncrossing my legs...
So anyways - I'm actually going to ask her to recommend me to a sleep study center - but in the mean time I also have been doing research on either Lunesta or Ambien. I'm usually NOT one to want to take anything that I could A. possibly get addicted to / have to rely on to go to sleep and B. have side effects...but it's just getting so bad I can't deal anymore...(btw, I've had insomnia since childhood).
My husband keeps telling me, "well, you're NOT relying on anything NOW and look where that's gotten you..." so yeah - I'm gonna ask my doc.
BUT I'd like to know if any fellow bees out there have taken either for insomnia and what your experiences have been. I appreciate the feedback, thanks!!!