After reading all of these horror stories I think that it is pertinent to talk about my experiences with Ambien over the past few years

After reading all of these horror stories I think that it is pertinent to talk about my experiences with Ambien over the past few years. I really think that the drugs effects are strongly dependent on a patients lifestyle, mood and any other prescriptions or habits.
The first time I was put on ambien, I was also taking Klonapin and Seroquel. That ended poorly. I was very depressed and anxious and getting out of a seriously abusive relationship. Under those circumstances, I sometimes too ore than the prescribed about took it every night and experienced side effects ranging from vomiting and nausea to hallucinations, fighting with friends and memory loss. I never tried to drive or do anything especially weird in my sleep but would sometimes wake up in costumes and avant garde makeup with only vague memories of dressing up. However, after contracting swine flu I was running a high fever and ened u taking a half dozen ambien oer the course of the night, which the doctors say made me a lot sicker and unable to get medical attention until it was almost too late. I had to have my roommate call a ambulance when I woke up vomiting and running a 105 fever with a swollen heart. I stopped taking everything when I realized that the drugs were probably making my life worse and have been working hard on recovery for a few years.
Unfortunatly I have been an insomniac since I was 11. The last time I wen to the doctor about it was because I was starting a great new job and couldn’t afford to go in tired all the time. I was wary when he prescribed ambien but this time things have worked out much better. I am not taking any other drugs outside of supplements prescribed by my herbalist. I do yoga and exercise and eat obsessively well. I take 5 to 10 mg most nights and the only time I ever hallucinate or get any weird mental effects is if I dont take it for a few weeks and start back with 10 mg immediately.
This drug can be very very helpful. I am really happy with my life right now and feel like I couldn’t be doing as well without it. As I have had experiences both terrible and beneficial, I just wanted to outline how to take the drug to its maximum beneficial effects:
1. LAY DOWN after you take it. Dont stay up laying ont he computer talking on the phone or watching TV. It is supposed to help you sleep so in the words of Sammy J, go the f* to sleep!
2. Do not take it if you are drinking heavily or taking BZDS. Honestly from all of the stories that I hae read on here, it might not be okay to mix ambien with anything else!
3. Dont put the bottle by your bed. keep it somewhere away from where you sleep. MAybe even portion it out into daily pill bottles.
4. Make sure you hae at least 7 hou or so to sleep. You dont want to wake u in an ambien haze for work.
5. Dont take every night. MY doctor told me specifically to only take it when I felt like I needed it. I only take it on nights when I have to work in the morning.
6. If you are feeling deressed, go see someone. IT doesn’t have to be a professional. Everyone gets depressed sometimes. Talk to friends, call your sister, go to a site for other people experianceing the same problem and dont try to solve it with drugs. if you think its the pills call your doctor and discuss other solutions.
7. Dont take on a full stomach. Takes longer to digest i.e. longer to kick in and will stay in your system longer.
8. Take with plenty of water.
9. Give youself enough time to wake up in the AM. Oh, and set multiple alarms. A nice run or quick 10 minute cardio set will clear your head before you have to drive to work. Vitamin B12 helps me a lot too on those rough mornings.
10. Eat better.

These are just things that have helped me use this drug better this go round. I have struggled with depression before and it really can get better. Take time to wok on yourself. You really can fix your problems. After embracing the utter absurdity of existence and deconstructing first order principals I was taught defined meaning I feel better. Als not drinking to excess or doing street drugs.
Good luck. I know that you can get through it. each person has something to offer the world. Everyone matters to someone. We make the world around us. Now get some sleep and do something delightful when you get up!