Pros and Cons of Ambien?

I had a very hard time getting used to the CPAP when I started. Doc started me with Lunesta at first and it worked well for getting to sleep and getting back to sleep during the night as I fought with CPAP issues but it left me groggy until late morning, even till noon sometimes.

Doc switched me to regular Ambien after a month on Lunesta. It worked well in helping me get to sleep, but once i woke up during the night it was very difficult to get back to sleep. The morning "grogginess" factor from the Ambien was much more tolerable.

With continuing struggles with CPAP issues and the inability to get back to sleep, the Doc switched me to Ambien CR. Not quite as good for getting to sleep, but it did help me get back to sleep/stay asleep better than the regular Ambien. After a few months on the Ambien CR, I noticed more and more of a "foggy" brain feeling during the morning eventually extending further and further into the day.

Then, after 9 months of sleeping pills and CPAP problems, I found this place (cpaptalk.com) and was able to figure out how to solve my CPAP problems.

Getting off the Ambien was difficult with several nights of no sleep, but it has been over 4 years since then and I am glad to be off the pills.

Still working on the CPAP issues and glad for all of the knowledge here.

Dennis

Just one comment about long-term use of Ambien/Zolpidem: According to my sleep doctor, Ambien has been approved for indefinite use by the FDA. I don't have a link or research to prove this, I'm taking my doctor's word on it. As mentioned before, I am currently not using anything beyond Melatonin and am sleeping pretty well. But, Ambien was an absolutely essential part of getting me through a VERY difficult orientation to Bi-PAP. I keep some handy in case I have a bad night, but so far, I've only used it a few nights when I was out-of-town, sleeping in an uncomfortable bed.

Tony

I was prescribed Ambien and Alprazolam about 2 years before OSA was diagnosed. The alprazolam was actually prescribed for occasional stress?anxiety but it made me too sleepy. So I used it more for a sleep aid.My sleep doctor said I could continue the Ambien as needed but I should not take the Alprazolam for sleep as it would not be good for the OSA. I now take the Ambien very occasionally, it woks great for me with no morning hangover and no change in my AHI.

The alprazolam made me sleep extra late if I didn't take it early enough in the evening.
It never occurred to me to split the pill and take only half--worked just as well, but without being tardy at work.
I believe I will check with my sleep doctor on this drug, even though I only use it very rarely.

Took Ambien to get over the strangeness of having something on my face. Stopped after I got use to the mask.
If I had to do it over again I would still take the Ambien. Lay down right after taking it. Everyone reacts to RX's differently.
No side affects. Felt wide awake and refreshed the next morning.