Ambien not as effective with Gastric Bypass people????

I understand from my doctor that anyone who takes ambien or sonata can have the sleep walking issues.  After about 15 minutes it basically turns off the your frontal lobe. (Excuse, I'm parapharsing after about two months of meeting with him.).  I was doing all sorts of things I didn't remember, like shopping on QVC.   Torrey

I have taken Ambien CR and it does the same thing you describe but for me far worse.  I will post it below.  You can also cut those pills in half and take the other half afterwards.  Here is the post from me while i was detoxing off of this crap. Sep 21, 2006   I was prescribed ambien by a doctor when i went in to see them about taking to much hydrocodine for my RLS. They prescribed ambien to me and said to try this for sleep and at least my pain would go away. Well yes my pain went away but didn't like the effects of it but become addicted to it and couldn't go to sleep without it. One of the problems I had with it was that I had sex with my husband and remember it just a little bit. I was coming and going during it. The next morning I awoke to asking myself if I actually had sex with my husband. I called him and asked him and let me know that yes i did. That was scarey to me that I felt like i didn't have an control with my body. Since then, I still took it because it allowed me to sleep and not think about the pain in my legs from Severe Restless Leg Syndrome. I stopped taking the medicine at one point because i ran out of it for taking it so much throughout the nights. I could tell a difference; my mind was there after the first two days of trying to get off it, I felt normal and i had control of my body/emotions for the first time again. When I received my prescription in again for the ambien I started taking it again for the pain and the sleep. The symptoms have started again and now I am coming off of it. I did not take it last night and I am wide awake at 5:00 a.m. and have to go to work. I am scared to go to work because i am afraid of what i will do from the daytime drowisness or from getting off of this medicine. Last night i felt so drugged while I was coming home from the store. I had my wallet in my hand and keys and when i got up to the register i couldn't figure out what I needed to pay for. As i was driving home, I was scared of driving and felt so dizzy that i didn't think i was going to make it. I was trying to park in a spot at my home and didn't know how close i was to hitting another vehicle. I was stuck between two vehicles and didn't know how to get out. Luckily, my mind came back just enough that i could get out of the spot and i just parked somewhere else. I would not advise this medicine to anyone at all. This is a scarey medicine to take...i felt/still feeling like i have no control over my body/mind and I am hating myself for this. How long does it take for it to get out of your system?  Here is link to the website for others... http://www.topix.net/forum/drug/ambien/T91ALGSPM3EDEGPFD Good Luck Marti

Wow! Am I missing something here or is the entire PS board taking Ambien or some sleep aid?? This sleep problem, is this an individual thing or has it developed since everyone's WLS? On the rare occasion I have trouble sleeping (usually because I'm stressed over my teenage son) I just pop a couple antihistamines (diphenhydramine) and about 30 minutes later I zonk out and sleep through the night. No prescription needed and no side effects unless you don't have 6-8 hours to sleep it off, then I'm a bit tired when I wake up. And probably alot less expensive. Lora

I HATE AMBIEN!  Before I stopped taking it, I had:  taken ice trays out of the freezer and filled them up with orange and grape juice, ate a slice of pizza very quickly, ate a bunch of chocolate chips while carrying on a conversation with my daughter.  I called my PCP, and he prescribed temazepam.  Three nights ago I did something with chocolate syrup (it was all over the counter), and I put the remote control in the freezer! I have NO recollection of these events.  My family says that I appear to be totally awake when these things occur.  I have been giving my keys to DH for fear that I would get into my car. Needless to say, I went back to my PCP yesterday.  It turns out that both of these meds are in the same family--benzodiazepams.  So I told him that I wanted something very different from these.  He prescribed amitriptyline.  So far, so good.  But I still give DH the keys to hide every night!

I have problems with ambien too.  Regular Ambien and CR.  Prior to surgery, no problems.  I have (1) the amnesia and (2) the eating problems as side effects.   With regard to the amnesia, Ive had ******** sent text messages, sent emails and phone convesations, etc.  I cannot remember any of it. Its similiar to blacking out like from drinking too much. Ive also ATE AND ATE AND ATE on Ambien.  I wake up the next morning, there are crumbs in my bed, the gallon of milk left on the counter, etc.  My big thing is I make a pb&j on wheat and have a big glass of milk.  Ive heard of people cooking huge meals.  But, I dont cook so this wont happen. Also, I never sleep the whole night.  Part of the reason I take it is bc I wake up every 2 hrs to go the bathroom (yes, Ive been tested, not diabetic) and the ambien allows me to sleep thru the night without having to get up 4-5 times.

i too have taken ambien- (regular) and woke up during the night too- so my dr gave me trazadone with the ambien- ambien i guess just works on getting you to sleep while trazadone keeps you asleep... it took me a good 2 months though to not have to "USE" the stuff.. and i still don't sleep well at night.. (can sleep during the day no problems).. night- it very hard for me.. jennifer

OH MY GOSH!!!    I am so excited that someone else brought this up. For whatever reason, Ambien sucks for me after WLS. My P.Doc said it has to do with our new absorption. I have to take my other meds spaced out through the day. She prescribed Restoril.. it works more like an anti-anxiety drug but puts me to sleep nicely. -Sarah NJ

Wow, am I the only one who takes ambien and has it work properly?  I only take it occasionally, but when I do take it, I sleep soundly for 7-8 hours.  I'm normally a very sound sleeper, so perhaps that has something to do with it.  Anyway, just wanted to chime in that it does work for some folks that have had WLS.   Good luck finding something else that works for you!  Insomnia sucks! Kellie

Ambien still works for me. My dr. had told me that it is supposed to leave the system in 3 - 4 hours. So, if people wake at that time, maybe another option is better.