Ambien or Lunesta

[Stuxnet]

I haven't slept more than 4 or 5 hours a night since about 1997, and I'm really fscking tired. Has anyone tried Ambien and/or Lunesta? Which one worked better for you? I've tried all the OTC crap and nothing has ever worked. I could chase 14 melatonin pills with a bottle of NyQuil and a shooter, and I'd still be sitting there staring at the ceiling until about 6:30 - right about the time I need to hop in the shower and go to work.

 

[leftyman]

stop snorting meth

 

[George P Burdell]

Ambien

 

[darkxshade]

exercise more

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: darkxshade
exercise more

thats the best. I was prescribed ambien after having surgery to help me sleep. I thought it was pretty good stuff until my percocet ran out and I was just taking ambien before I went to bed. It did not do jack. Now if you can get your hands on some percocet you will sleep like a baby.

 

[Juno]

eat more lean meat to produce red blood cells then you'll be able to sleep well.

i have a question, are you smoking?

 

[pontifex]

did the military cut out the part of your brain that requires sleep to turn you into the ultimate soldier?

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: jbourne77
I haven't slept more than 4 or 5 hours a night since about 1997, and I'm really fscking tired. Has anyone tried Ambien and/or Lunesta? Which one worked better for you? I've tried all the OTC crap and nothing has ever worked. I could chase 14 melatonin pills with a bottle of NyQuil and a shooter, and I'd still be sitting there staring at the ceiling until about 6:30 - right about the time I need to hop in the shower and go to work.

the commercials make them seem like the be all end all. i guess if you've exhausted all other ways that would help you to get a good night's sleep and nothing is working it's time to see your doc for some help.

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: darkxshade
exercise more

I run 20 miles a week. I've run as much as 40; still can't sleep.

 

[robphelan]

ambien is a wonder drug for me... but you need a full 8 hours (or more) to sleep otherwise you will wake up groggy.

I used to have fitful sleep and wake up exhausted. ambien made me sleep deeper and wake up like a brand new person... (too bad it didn't make me wake up WITH a brand new person, but that's another story).

it can be habit forming, so watch out.

never tried lunesta, but it's not supposed to be habit forming.

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: Juno
eat more lean meat to produce red blood cells then you'll be able to sleep well.

i have a question, are you smoking?

Maybe I should have provided more background:

While I appreciate the help so far, be assured that I have tried EVERYTHING under the sun. The problem is simply that I hate to sleep. My mind never settles down. I have the proper diet, I get plenty of excersise, etc etc etc. Aside from my sleep issues, I am a VERY healthy individual.

I even went to a sleep clinic, but he told me I was narcoleptic. No sh*t... that's what happens when you don't sleep at night: you fall asleep during the day.

So honestly I'm just looking to hear from people who have either taken Ambien and/or Lunesta, or know someone who has and can speak on their behalf. I'm not really looking for other "solutions", as I've spent a decade already going down those roads.

Don't mean to sound cranky or ungrateful, but I'm really fscking tired right now.

(oops: edit - don't smoke, never have)

 

[LikeLinus]

Originally posted by: jbourne77

Originally posted by: Juno
eat more lean meat to produce red blood cells then you'll be able to sleep well.

i have a question, are you smoking?

Maybe I should have provided more background:

While I appreciate the help so far, be assured that I have tried EVERYTHING under the sun. The problem is simply that I hate to sleep. My mind never settles down. I have the proper diet, I get plenty of excersise, etc etc etc. Aside from my sleep issues, I am a VERY healthy individual.

I even went to a sleep clinic, but he told me I was narcoleptic. No sh*t... that's what happens when you don't sleep at night: you fall asleep during the day.

So honestly I'm just looking to hear from people who have either taken Ambien and/or Lunesta, or know someone who has and can speak on their behalf. I'm not really looking for other "solutions", as I've spent a decade already going down those roads.

Don't mean to sound cranky or ungrateful, but I'm really fscking tired right now.

(oops: edit - don't smoke, never have)

"My mind never settles down"

Have you been checked for things like ADD and Hyperactivity? There could (and probably is) a medical reason for this. See a doctor who deals with these sorts of problems before resorting to asking ATOT for drug help.

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: robphelan
ambien is a wonder drug for me... but you need a full 8 hours (or more) to sleep otherwise you will wake up groggy.

I used to have fitful sleep and wake up exhausted. ambien made me sleep deeper and wake up like a brand new person... (too bad it didn't make me wake up WITH a brand new person, but that's another story).

it can be habit forming, so watch out.

never tried lunesta, but it's not supposed to be habit forming.

I read about the habbit-forming nature of Ambien. Have you found that you can just take it as needed? I would be very hesitant to take it two or more days in a row. So would I just be able to take it if I find I can't fall asleep in the first 30 minutes of trying, rather than having to take it for a week straight before getting some sleep?

I might try Lunesta first. It seems to be the "weaker" of the two, so maybe it would be best to try that first.

I know a lot of people are wondering why I'm not having this conversation with my doctor, but I've found that most doctors simply don't know much about the drugs they prescribe. I know that sounds really pessimistic, but beyond what's on the label, they can rarely tell you anything. They're aware of the interactions with other drugs, but they can't give you the details of the experience like someone who's taken them firsthand can.

 

[TheGizmo]

try ambien if that doesnt work ask your doctor about the benzodiazepine category of meds... maybe something more powerful like valium, klonopin, xanax, etc...


btw, i know you said you tried everything.. but have you tried Velerian Root extract?

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus

Originally posted by: jbourne77

Originally posted by: Juno
eat more lean meat to produce red blood cells then you'll be able to sleep well.

i have a question, are you smoking?

Maybe I should have provided more background:

While I appreciate the help so far, be assured that I have tried EVERYTHING under the sun. The problem is simply that I hate to sleep. My mind never settles down. I have the proper diet, I get plenty of excersise, etc etc etc. Aside from my sleep issues, I am a VERY healthy individual.

I even went to a sleep clinic, but he told me I was narcoleptic. No sh*t... that's what happens when you don't sleep at night: you fall asleep during the day.

So honestly I'm just looking to hear from people who have either taken Ambien and/or Lunesta, or know someone who has and can speak on their behalf. I'm not really looking for other "solutions", as I've spent a decade already going down those roads.

Don't mean to sound cranky or ungrateful, but I'm really fscking tired right now.

(oops: edit - don't smoke, never have)

"My mind never settles down"

Have you been checked for things like ADD and Hyperactivity? There could (and probably is) a medical reason for this. See a doctor who deals with these sorts of problems before resorting to asking ATOT for drug help.

How's this little cocktail for you:
- ADD
- Hyperactive
- 150 IQ

I'm not posting the third item to brag; just pointing out that I am in constant search of mental stimulation, so when you combine those three things you can kiss a goodnight's sleep goodbye .

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: TheGizmo
try ambien if that doesnt work ask your doctor about the benzodiazepine category of meds... maybe something more powerful like valium, klonopin, xanax, etc...


btw, i know you said you tried everything.. but have you tried Velerian Root extract?

I haven't tried valium or klonopin, but I did try Xanax once. Didn't do much for me. I got creative one night and took 3 Xanax and a glass of wine. While I didn't sleep, I did have one helluva good time.

Haven't tried the root extract, though...

 

[GasX]

I once mixed a valium with a six pack of beer. Now, I am not saying it was a good idea, but I slept for 14 hours and woke up ready to take on the world...

 

[TheGizmo]

I'm not sure how many mg xanax you took, but its one of those meds that you have to take as you are about to get into bed.. otherwise you get used to it and just stay awake.

you should look in velerian root, it is an AWESOME over the counter extract pill that can hep you sleep. They also sell the root at some farmers markets and you can make a tea out of it. Anyway, excellent stuff it really does work.

edit: oh btw, pay the extra few dollars for the lemon bombed velerian root extract b/c its some foul smelling crap and makes your breath smell like it too. FOUL, DONT BE CHEAP BUY THE LEMON BOMBED KIND. ITS NASTY SMELLIN TO YOU AND OTHERS. LOL

 

[911paramedic]

Taken both, currently on 3mg Lunesta. (highest dose) The first few nights it worked well, but not much better now. Ambien may as well have been a sugar pill, nothing.

I too have insomnia, quite badly in fact. The ONLY thing that works is Klonopin AND Lunesta. The Klonopin settles your mind down enough to let the Lunesta do its job. Problem is, Klonopin is a benzo, so some docs may not want to prescribe it because it is an addictive drug. I just show my doc that I have more pills left than he prescribed when I see him, that shows him that I take fewer than he allows me to.

Insomnia is a real downer, if I am not doing something I get REALLY drowsy and want to fall asleep...like you do. And we both know that sleeping during the day is the worst thing for insomnia.

Good luck.

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
I once mixed a valium with a six pack of beer. Now, I am not saying it was a good idea, but I slept for 14 hours and woke up ready to take on the world...

LOL

My Xanax/wine episode was interesting, to say the least. I stared at the ceiling for 8 hours straight in what I can only describe as a "conscious coma". I pondered everything under the sun and when it wore off, I actually felt pretty good.

Definitely not something I'm recommending to anyone, and I have NOT done it more than once. I just needed to get rid of the last 3 pills so I took one for the team. :evil:

 

[pontifex]

what about OTC sleep aids? i use CVS brand sleep aid and it works most of the time.

i find that it usually takes about 2 hours for it to take effect on me. I only take it when i don't feel tired. if i feel tired or feel like i won't have a problem falling asleep, i don't take it. i've been using it off and on for about a year now and haven't become dependent on it.

i also find that it seems like every time i use it, i dream. i usually don't dream. maybe its because i am getting a deeper sleep?

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: jbourne77

Originally posted by: LikeLinus

Originally posted by: jbourne77

Originally posted by: Juno
eat more lean meat to produce red blood cells then you'll be able to sleep well.

i have a question, are you smoking?

Maybe I should have provided more background:

While I appreciate the help so far, be assured that I have tried EVERYTHING under the sun. The problem is simply that I hate to sleep. My mind never settles down. I have the proper diet, I get plenty of excersise, etc etc etc. Aside from my sleep issues, I am a VERY healthy individual.

I even went to a sleep clinic, but he told me I was narcoleptic. No sh*t... that's what happens when you don't sleep at night: you fall asleep during the day.

So honestly I'm just looking to hear from people who have either taken Ambien and/or Lunesta, or know someone who has and can speak on their behalf. I'm not really looking for other "solutions", as I've spent a decade already going down those roads.

Don't mean to sound cranky or ungrateful, but I'm really fscking tired right now.

(oops: edit - don't smoke, never have)

"My mind never settles down"

Have you been checked for things like ADD and Hyperactivity? There could (and probably is) a medical reason for this. See a doctor who deals with these sorts of problems before resorting to asking ATOT for drug help.

How's this little cocktail for you:
- ADD
- Hyperactive
- 150 IQ

I'm not posting the third item to brag; just pointing out that I am in constant search of mental stimulation, so when you combine those three things you can kiss a goodnight's sleep goodbye .

Maybe you should try ADD medication

 

[TheGizmo]

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: jbourne77

Originally posted by: LikeLinus

Originally posted by: jbourne77

Originally posted by: Juno
eat more lean meat to produce red blood cells then you'll be able to sleep well.

i have a question, are you smoking?

Maybe I should have provided more background:

While I appreciate the help so far, be assured that I have tried EVERYTHING under the sun. The problem is simply that I hate to sleep. My mind never settles down. I have the proper diet, I get plenty of excersise, etc etc etc. Aside from my sleep issues, I am a VERY healthy individual.

I even went to a sleep clinic, but he told me I was narcoleptic. No sh*t... that's what happens when you don't sleep at night: you fall asleep during the day.

So honestly I'm just looking to hear from people who have either taken Ambien and/or Lunesta, or know someone who has and can speak on their behalf. I'm not really looking for other "solutions", as I've spent a decade already going down those roads.

Don't mean to sound cranky or ungrateful, but I'm really fscking tired right now.

(oops: edit - don't smoke, never have)

"My mind never settles down"

Have you been checked for things like ADD and Hyperactivity? There could (and probably is) a medical reason for this. See a doctor who deals with these sorts of problems before resorting to asking ATOT for drug help.

How's this little cocktail for you:
- ADD
- Hyperactive
- 150 IQ

I'm not posting the third item to brag; just pointing out that I am in constant search of mental stimulation, so when you combine those three things you can kiss a goodnight's sleep goodbye .

Maybe you should try ADD medication

Don't try stimulant ADD medication ( adderall, ritalin, dexadrinm, etc )

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: jbourne77How's this little cocktail for you:
- ADD
- Hyperactive
- 150 IQ

I'm not posting the third item to brag; just pointing out that I am in constant search of mental stimulation, so when you combine those three things you can kiss a goodnight's sleep goodbye .

I have none of the above three to the degree you describe, but I know exactly what your problem entails. You might want to try ensuring a large amount of stimulation every day to ensure your brain gets a workout. Surfing the internet is not the right type of stimulation. Try solving some puzzles, reading about something complicated, throwing yourself into a challenging project at work. Another thing that will help is exercise. You would be surprised how much your brain gets tired when the body is exhausted. Go for a 5 hour hike in the afternoon and see if you don't sleep well that night...

Try making yourself absolutely exhausted with EFFORT rather than STIMULATION for a couple of days and see if that doesn't help.

 

[Stuxnet]

Getting some great advice everyone... truly appreciate it!