Ambien vs. otc meds

Okay, so. Before I was diagnosed with OSA, I've been taking Ambien to help get me through college. It has worked consistently and reliably, and tho I have had to fight for it from time to time, it's been there to help out. Anyhow, then I get the diagnosis, and also get put with a doc or two who are adamant against Ambien. One, the latest (I switched from the previous one, whose first statement out of her mouth when meeting with me was, "I don't put people on drugs, I get them off of them"), said that she would consider "a sedative" (Ambien isn't a sedative, it's classed as a hypnotic) once I show 3 weeks of compliance. I replied, 'Ma'am, after 3 weeks of compliance, I obviously wouldn't NEED a sedative". She didn't reply back. She also cut my Ambien off the week before finals. B*tch. What kind of a provider would do that to a student in grad school??

Okay. So now, I've had to resort back to my old tricks ... diphenhydramine (Tylenol PM), doxylamine succinate (Wal-Som), and now I'm learning that certain nasal decongestants also cause drowsiness. I don't normally drink alcohol, but have in the past drank a small glass of wine in an attempt to heighten the effects of the otc meds. I have told doctors this in the past, in explaining that Ambien works fine for me and that my other options are thus. It's as if they think I'm merely trying to threaten them, in order to get the Ambien. What they don't seem to realize, is that I'm seriously having to do what it takes to sleep!!! Duh.

So now, I'm on the CPAP, and it's working! Other than having to wait out this current bit of congestion it's caused me before I start it up again, it's not half bad. I fall asleep faster, and sleep better ... I actually dream again! However, that has all been with the otc meds. I wouldn't be able to sleep without something to kick me off, it's been that way for the last 20 years. Yet now in my further research am I finding that these meds actually ARE sedatives, and that they are probably more dangerous than the Ambien!

Please, someone, any words of advice? By the way, there are 2 other docs in the sleep group I'm currently with. Do I ask for one of them, in hopes that they don't think I'm a drug addict and that they actually understand pharmacology? Or ... ?

From what I have been told (by doctors) diphenhydramine (Benedryl) and other OTC sleep aids (which are also antihistamines) actually interfere with the normal stages of sleep.

Ambien does not do that.

While long-term use of Ambien is not desirable, cutting a grad student off just before finals is just plain mean.

And refusing it for the transition to xPAP is moronic. My doctor offered it for that occasion.

Ambien never worked for me. AmbienCR was a bit better, but still not really worth the effort or the $$. After the OK from my sleep doc, I tried 3mg Melatonin about an hour before bed. That has helped tremendously. It's also inexpensive, and you don't have to fight the doc for it.

As far as changing docs within the practice, I've never heard of that working well. In my gastroenterologist's practice, they won't even let patients switch docs. I guess they don't want to deal with "turf wars." If I were to change docs, I think I'd go to a different practice. Once you take control of your own therapy, it doesn't really matter what doc you have, as long as said doc will write whatever prescriptions you need.

Good luck!

I think it was mean too. I'm just concerned that a 'specialist' could be so seemingly uneducated. I was able to change appointments to a different Doc in the group, but then I relented and made one with The Mean One, but then called and finally cancelled. I'm going to my PCP and see what she thinks (she's been barred from prescribing me any Ambien by The Mean One). i don't FIEND for it, and I never have once asked for it when my schedule doesn't require it ... I'm fine on breaks from school, or when I don't have to get up for 8am classes. But it has helped me tremendously. *sigh* I wish weed was legal, that's all I have to say.

At my sleep study consult, my doc took me off of the Trazodone I was taking to help me sleep. He told me to take Melatonin. It does a great job at getting me to sleep, but it didnt' help with keeping me sleeping. I was so sleep deprived that I fell asleep sitting in a chair folding laundry. I woke up to my autistic 3 year old painting herseslf and my entire kitchen with chocolate pudding. I called right then and begged for some kind of sleep aid. He gave me Ambien. It did nothing. I am sitting here 2 1/2 months later with no machine and no sleep aid. My insurance company keeps refusing to pay for my machine and the doctor refuses to give me any meds for sleep. I understand your pain. I don't dare sit down for any reason because if I do, I will fall asleep and my daughter will escape the house or trash it. I'm sorry you have mean doctors too.

Ambien is bad news long-term, but I'm of the opinion that adults should be able to make their own damn choices. Check out this link:

http://www.drugbuyers.com/freeboard/ubb ... ernational

It is very, very easy to find Ambien (and lots of other stuff) on well-known and rated international pharmacy web sites. I haven't ordered Ambien before, but have ordered other medicines that I had prescribed in the US but which were cheaper to buy online than through my insurance. The above web forum aggregates information about such pharmacies so you can be informed whether they are secure, protect data, etc. Prescriptions, if needed, are usually obtained by filling out a web form that is (at least ostensibly) reviewed by a doctor. You could definitely find Ambien, or a generic version of it, for cheap -- probably cheaper than through your doctor/insurance.

How is Ambien bad long-term? I was taking it fairly regularly on and off for the last 3 years. I asked my Pharm instructor about long-term effects (I'm a PA student), and he said there was nothing like brain-damage, only dependence. Personally, I'm not 100% sure I agree with him, but who knows. I'm just wondering if you might be able to clarify your reasoning. And thanks for that link, btw, it seem to contain better than what I had found online so far.

MigMan wrote:How is Ambien bad long-term? I was taking it fairly regularly on and off for the last 3 years. I asked my Pharm instructor about long-term effects (I'm a PA student), and he said there was nothing like brain-damage, only dependence. Personally, I'm not 100% sure I agree with him, but who knows. I'm just wondering if you might be able to clarify your reasoning. And thanks for that link, btw, it seem to contain better than what I had found online so far.

Well my reasoning has more to do with my wife. She used it for a while and got dependent on it. She experienced short-term memory lapses and just couldn't get to sleep without it. She weaned off, using Lunesta for a short while to transition (which is just as powerful, while not addictive, but also waaaay more expensive). She's been way better off in the several months since she stopped it. I borrowed hers a few times, and it is freakin awesome. No two ways about it. You sleep like a baby on that stuff. But I just think it's too easy to get to where you can't do without out, and I think it can make you a little groggy and forgetful if you use it long-term. But of course, that's just one person's experience and isn't scientific. I definitely think the transition to PAP therapy is one time when using it consistently for a few weeks is justified and it was lame of your doctor to pull the rug out during finals. Screw doctors.

I agree, which is what I told her ... "Now?? I was of mindset that we would keep on through acclimation to CPAP and then gradually reduce dosage!" I mean, that's what I would do! (one day anyways) But no, not her. I agree that you can become somewhat dependent on it, but for someone who has taken otc for the last 20 years anyways, it's been the most convenient. And to tell you the truth, when I went off it this time, people were expecting some major withdrawal episode. Sorry to disappoint them, I was a little cranky but that was it. Anyhow, it was all way too stressful, especially during that time. I lost a lot of respect for her, and won't be seeing her again.

Lunesta, unfortunately, is not an option for me ... it's that aftertaste. Vile. Maybe it doesn't affect others the same way, but it was too awful for me continue even a second night. Ah well, here's to the day when I need nothing but my machinery.

Anti histamines like most OTC sleep aids suppress both SWS/N3 (whatever) and REM sleep. You're basically not conscious but you're not really resting. They also have undesirable effects for the next morning for a lot of folks such as grogginess. They can also unexpectedly completely stop working.