Question about Lunesta

Inner Peace · Post by **Inner Peace** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:46 am

I have occasionally been taking Lunesta for a few years. Lunesta is supposed to be a sleeping pill that is not addictive, so you can take it as often as needed. Previously, I have taken it only when needed, which has not been that often. Well, the past couple of weeks have been very stressful, so I took Lunesta every night for about 2 weeks. I was feeling relaxed last night, so I skipped it, and absolutely could not sleep! I felt jittery all night and could take little naps, but would wake up only after about 15 minutes . Has this happened with anyone? I wonder if I experienced some kind of "Lunesta withdrawal"

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:55 am

Hi Inner Peace,

I have not used Lunesta but have seen it advertized on TV. They do say at the very end of the commercial that all sleeping aids do carry some risk of dependancy. Something along that line anyway.

You may just have had some anxiety even sub conciously. Do a google search on this med and see what others have to say about it. I feel we really need to know as much as we can about all meds we use. Also you can talk to your pharmacist regarding this med. They are well educated in their field.

Good Luck!!

Alysa_Mae · Post by **Alysa_Mae** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 5:33 am

To me it sounds like you were taking the Lunesta for your stress, and not "just because you had insomnia", anyway, I bet it has allowed your stress to rebound. I have taken it on occasion, about a year ago, but the taste I'd have in the am and most of the next day stopped me!!! BLAH..... I think just like caffeine, you may not die from the withdrawal, but if you do it for 2 weeks straight, your body is going to object when you stop. And yes, I agree with the above poster, it does have a tiny, quiet reminder on the commercial that it may carry some risk of dependency....blah blah, but the butterfly is so pretty that we may not hear it! LOL......hope this helps.

stargazer · Post by **stargazer** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 3:52 pm

I do not take Lunesta, but I do take zolpidem (Ambien) as I was diagnosed with insomnia and mild narcolepsy at a sleep clinic on top of the sleep disturbances due to severe anxiety- laying awake gripped by fear and obsessive scary thoughts, sleeping only 1-5 hours per night; I was not functioning. In my case, and maybe yours, the purpose of the sleep medication is to allow your mind and body to be rested while you learn new and balanced coping skills and a new way of thinking. For some people the physical symptoms of anxiety and depression are so intense that you can't rise above it to learn the ways to help yourself and get better. talk with your doctor again about the appropriate way to use Lunesta. My understanding is that what you are experiencing is rebound insomnia due to a physical tolerance, dependency; you are not an addict in any sense but are experiencing withdrawal symptoms that are well documented with these medications. Talk with your doctor about how you are using Lunesta and how to avoid this. Good luck; let us know how you are doing.