|
|
Post by elaine on Apr 9, 2015 3:32:01 GMT
My doc is going to give a prescription for a sleep aid to help combat one of the effects of the mega IV steroids I'm on. I'm hoping I'll only need it on the first couple of nights after each treatment. I have 11 more weekly treatments, so can't go without sleeping much for that long.
My doc has offered up these two as my choices. For those that you have used both of these, which do you prefer and why?
|
|
|
|
Post by cmpeter on Apr 9, 2015 3:52:47 GMT
I took Lunesta for a few months years ago. It worked great for sleeping but left a soapy taste in my mouth and gave me headaches.
A couple years ago I needed something short term and my doctor was going to prescribe it again. However, my insurance no longer covered it. They did cover Ambien, so I took that. It worked well, but I only took it for a few days.
|
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Apr 9, 2015 4:02:51 GMT
I've only tried ambient and it works for me.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 20, 2024 15:36:42 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2015 4:04:57 GMT
Ambien=Cinnamon buns. Enough Said.
|
|
|
|
Post by crimsoncat05 on Apr 9, 2015 4:07:14 GMT
I haven't taken either of these, but a few weeks ago there was a thread talking about some of the odd things people sometimes do while taking Ambien including sleepwalking, shopping online, baking, eating, etc. etc. and that was enough to make me think I would not want to take it unless there was no other choice. Apparently doing things like this is a possible side effect. ETA: HAHA!! Delta Dawn was posting at the same time I was!!  |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 20, 2024 15:36:42 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2015 4:17:30 GMT
I was on Ambien for years (because of perimenopause sleep issues). I did do my share of sleepeating, sleepwriting, etc., but i knew my limits and NEVER drove while on it. I never tried Lunesta. I did switch to Temazepam for a sleep aid. It's meant to be an antidepressant but it helps you sleep, and I get NO side effects like I did with Ambien (or Xanax). Hope something works for you!
|
|
|
|
Post by foolana on Apr 9, 2015 4:21:28 GMT
I take Ambien and while it doesn't really put me to sleep, it keeps me asleep. Does that make any sense? I've never tried Lunesta but years ago I tried Sonata and it worked well. I don't know if they make it anymore.
ETA: I've never had any side effects like doing things in my sleep. |
|
azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755 
|
Post by azredhead on Apr 9, 2015 4:22:22 GMT
Lunesta! :  We've had the Ambien discussion! LOL! It did not go well for lots and lots of chocolate and habit forming eating and late nights.I am all nighter anyway. It's frighting. (ETA you and me I mean!  ) |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 20, 2024 15:36:42 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2015 4:35:21 GMT
I would pick lunesta. The effects of ambian's activities while "asleep" is well documented officially and in peadom. You may be able to take it fine without sleep shopping, sleep driving, sleep hiking, moving furniture, cooking/eating.......or you may not..
|
|
|
|
Post by elaine on Apr 9, 2015 4:38:06 GMT
Okay, will try the Lunesta first. LOL!
When I looked into the side effects for both Ambien and Lunesta it listed the various sleep activities as side effects for both of them. Which surprised me. I was hoping that since it is newer than Ambien, I think, that it wouldn't involve sleep eating, etc., but hopefully it isn't AS likely, and I'll take that.
I've never done anything but talk in my sleep, so I so hope I won't start raiding the pantry.
|
|
|
|
Post by foolana on Apr 9, 2015 4:46:08 GMT
|
|
azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
|
Post by azredhead on Apr 9, 2015 4:46:18 GMT
That's what's nice about the lunesta my goodness I'm gonna sound like a drug addict- cause on the other thread we're talkin about Tomapax.  I like the Lunesta cause it shuts your brain off. I'm really on few medications with my health issues thank goodness. Those are my two. I am a night owl anyway but the Lunesta I can take about 11 and then crash otherwise I am up all night. Lunesta is one of the safer ones - My Dr really liked it after she had kids. |
|
|
|
Post by spitfiregirl on Apr 9, 2015 4:57:32 GMT
i would never use ambien after reading the amabien thread here!
|
|
|
|
Post by lucyg on Apr 9, 2015 5:18:36 GMT
Benadryl.
|
|
gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,225
|
Post by gina on Apr 9, 2015 5:22:43 GMT
I commented on the last Ambien thread saying I had gotten up to pee once while using it, and couldn't get off the bowl. lol Actually, it wasn't that funny.  It just sounds funny to type it out. I felt like I was glued down. It was so bizarre. I never took it again! I respond awfully to those types of sleep aides unfortunately.  I tried melatonin once and felt like a zombie for 2 days after. Not worth it. I hope you have better luck! |
|
|
|
Post by traceys on Apr 9, 2015 5:54:14 GMT
I take half an Ambien when necessary. Probably not more than a handful a times per year. I have never had any weird side effects, but I don't wake up during the night at all. And as someone who needs to get up a couple of times a night to go to the bathroom......well, this can present a problem and requires that precautions be taken.......  |
|
|
|
Post by elaine on Apr 9, 2015 10:41:32 GMT
Lucy, I wish! It is my normal go-to. Benadryl and Unisom aren't even making an iota of difference with this. |
|
|
|
Post by elaine on Apr 9, 2015 10:45:07 GMT
Thanks for this link! It is really helpful - lots of good info about all the choices out there. |
|
|
|
Post by missfrenchjessica on Apr 9, 2015 10:57:33 GMT
I've tried both. Lunesta did absolutely nothing for me. I stared at the ceiling all night wanting to cry because I still couldn't sleep.
Ambien has been the only sleep aide I've been able to use and actually sleep through the night. The only issue I've had is that if I take it more than a couple of days in a row, I can feel pretty groggy for a few hours in the morning which makes working a bit of a drag. Otherwise, I am good to go.
ETA: I never had any of the strange side effects. No night eating, driving, talking, texting etc. I just got some restful sleep. YMMV.
|
|
|
|
Post by DinCA on Apr 9, 2015 11:00:58 GMT
Ambien=Cinnamon buns. Enough Said.   |
|
|
|
Post by krc11 on Apr 9, 2015 13:55:56 GMT
I took Ambien - no weird stuff for me. It was the only thing that cut through my weird dreams and really gave me a restful nights sleep. But my dr is not into drugs as an every day thing so I'm currently off it. I take melatonin 10 mg every single night. I fall to sleep quickly but am wakeful throughout the night due to the weird dreams. I've tried histamine and get a little less wakefulness but 9 out of 10 times wake up with a headache that last all the next day. I think I need to go find another doctor. I've never tried Lunesta.
|
|
emptyskullz
Full Member
Posts: 121
Jun 26, 2014 18:09:38 GMT
|
Post by emptyskullz on Apr 9, 2015 14:05:21 GMT
I was addicted to Ambien for two years, just this past month quit cold turkey. I have been dealing with health issues and not a single dr could figure out my symptoms. Something was making me sick, like I had adrenal fatigue, so I quit taking the Ambien, within two weeks, I had more energy. I used to "leak" when I sneezed or coughed, that cleared up. I was constantly having UTIs and that has stopped as well. I can't sleep worth a crap now, but I wouldn't go back on that mess ever! They say its not addicting, but it sure is. Be careful of which ever you choose.
Cynthia
|
|
|
|
Post by littlemama on Apr 9, 2015 14:07:35 GMT
I've been on oral steroids for 3 months, and my Dr gave me Ativan to help "calm the brain" so I could sleep. So, it's not a sleeping pill, so to speak, but when my brain calms down and stops racing, I can sleep better. I've only used it a few times, but it is definitely effective. I would ask about something like this, because I have heard some pretty bad side effect stories with the sleeping pills. Just something to think about.
|
|
|
|
Post by lucyg on Apr 9, 2015 16:06:38 GMT
Lucy, I wish! It is my normal go-to. Benadryl and Unisom aren't even making an iota of difference with this. I know, I was really just being a smart ass. Sorry about that! |
|
|
|
Post by seriousscrapper on Apr 11, 2015 21:52:08 GMT
I love Lunesta and had no side effects. I slept well and woke up feeling refreshed. I had terrible hallucinations with Ambien and will never, ever take it again! HTH!
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 20, 2024 15:36:42 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2015 22:08:52 GMT
DH and I have taken both over the years. He had sleep walking issues on Lunesta (he decided he was Dion Sanders one night!) but it was otherwise ok. He uses Ambian occasionally now. It gives him headaches, though. It would sometimes gives me headaches, too, but my bigger side effect was that I developed memory issues, and it started to affect my daytime performance. So, I switched to Lunesta, and I like it. To my knowledge, I've never tried to be Dion in the middle of the night. LOL
|
|
akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
|
Post by akathy on Apr 11, 2015 22:09:56 GMT
Ambien did not work for me so I take Lunesta. I've taken it every night for almost 10 years. It's the only thing that works to make me fall asleep and stay asleep. I have no side effects from it and do not feel groggy in the morning.
|
|
|
|
Post by elaine on Apr 11, 2015 22:25:17 GMT
Ambien did not work for me so I take Lunesta. I've taken it every night for almost 10 years. It's the only thing that works to make me fall asleep and stay asleep. I have no side effects from it and do not feel groggy in the morning. That's good to hear. I picked up my prescription yesterday after giving blood and will try it Tuesday night after my next treatment. Now, if they could come up with something to combat the bruising at the IV site... |
|
YooHoot
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,418
|
Post by YooHoot on Apr 11, 2015 22:27:36 GMT
I take 5mg of flexeril (1/2 of a 10mg tab). It's enough to relax me and put me to sleep. Flexeril is a muscle relaxer.
|
|
|
|
Post by lilacgal on Apr 11, 2015 23:13:45 GMT
I hope the Lunesta works well for you. The only side effect I had from that one was the taste of nickels in my mouth.
Ambien worked quite well too but got me pregnant.
|
|
We've had the Ambien discussion! LOL! It did not go well for lots and lots of chocolate and habit forming eating and late nights.I am all nighter anyway. It's frighting. (ETA you and me I mean! 
) 
I like the Lunesta cause it shuts your brain off. I'm really on few medications with my health issues thank goodness. Those are my two. I am a night owl anyway but the Lunesta I can take about 11 and then crash otherwise I am up all night.
It just sounds funny to type it out. I felt like I was glued down. It was so bizarre. I never took it again! I respond awfully to those types of sleep aides unfortunately. 
I tried melatonin once and felt like a zombie for 2 days after. Not worth it. I hope you have better luck! 
