Stress Center Peer Support

I took Ambien for sleep for about two months and it worked great at first. After a while I started having problems with anxiety which I haven't had for years. My interest in this site is mainly for depression. The anxiety became stronger daily and I thought this program was bunk because it is supposed to help a person cope with anxiety. The anxiety would taper off about noon-1:00 but I felt as though I had drank too much coffee the rest of the day. Since I take no other medication other than blood pressure med I began to suspect the Ambien. Antidepressants don't work for me. I figured I would take the last Ambien on a Thursday so I would detox Friday through Monday being Monday was a holiday. Friday night I had some symptoms of detox which were no sleep, night terrors and a form of restless legs. Saturday and and Sunday I wasn't to bad so figured that was it. Monday it hit me. The most intense anxiety I had ever experienced. It was like a panic attack. I almost went to the ER but it tapered off after about 5 hours. Tuesday I got the worst headache of my life. The whole time I had nausea, shakes, cold sweats and felt like I had a horrible hangover. I don't drink. I have never been so miserable in my life. Ambien is not safe and should be used very carefully. There are many horror stories about it. Google "Ambien withdrawal".

Forgot to add, I never took more than the recommended dose 10mg. I took only a quarter to a half.

I'm glad you shared that as not everyone reacts the same to every medication. But I'm not sure I'd make the statement that Ambien is not safe. I have taken it on and off for a couple of years now for help with sleep, and take 1/2 pill at a time when needed (5 mg). I have never experienced any increase in my anxiety, and when I don't need it, sometimes weeks at a time, I have never had any kind of withdrawal symptoms.

Just wanted to add that so as not to panic everyone taking Ambien. It does not have a negative effect on everyone, the same as any other drug...

The key point is that not everyone reacts the same to the same medications. My psychiatrist (who I love) said that in a relatively high percentage of people (maybe 20%), Ambien will cause anxiety. I really feel that the major problems I had with anxiety and anxiety induced insomnia were exacerbated by the medications my regular doctor gave me for it (Ambien and Klonopin). I will never take either ever again, and I think the medical community does us a disservice by handing out medication without properly warning us of key problems that can occur by using them. Especially when one of the key side effects is to make the original condition worse!

That is a good point, ironically I take klonopin too and it does not increase my anxiety. I think I heard that Wellbutrin could also cause an initial increase in anxiety, wonder why these meds that are supposed to help it can sometimes make it worse?

I just think there is a real problem in the medical community with understanding and admitting that there are people who do not tolerate medications, and it's not just psychological. It's great for the people who tolerate them, but the medical community really needs to admit there are people who have problems. Research does show it. Let the people who do well on medications take them, and validate those that have problems with them by finding them other options:). Why is that so hard?:)