how old are you

could be the start of dementia.

sometimes when I am driving I have to think about where I am and how to get to where I want to go. I seem to get turned around a lot easier these days.

BTW, I am 50 and my mom had dementia. I am sure I am going to get it.

dont even say that bud.

Go back to the source: stress. Stress will whack out your mind and body in multiple ways.
I would get a visit with the doc to make sure that there isn't something that is happening. That would be one less thing to worry (stress) about. Then, deal with the stress and the sleep aid may not be needed.

p.s. PLEASE DON'T get medical advice from internet BBS opinions!!! Listen to the folks above and you've got dementia, brain tumors and sleep too much. :rolleyes:
https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/aging-and-sleep

One last thought:
Buy a new puppy immediately. This way you can blame the dog for the puddle in the closet.

Never tried Ambian but have heard too many stories, if it were me I would get to a doc and cut out the Ambian.

I have moved to herbal melatonin based sleep aid a few times a week.

A few years back my doc gave me a script for temazepam, worked great and no side effects in the morning. I only stopped taking it because it worked a little too well, my neighbor had a HUGE fireworks display on the 4th and I slept right through it.

My wife said if it had been your wife's shoes, you'd really be in bad straits. But seriously, I'd consult a doctor.

Easy solution.

Put a litter box in the closet, and put all your shoes up on a shelf.

Stop the Ambien. It affects people differently. I had outrageous recurring nightmares when I used it for a few months, until I figured out what was causing them. Bizarre dreaming, made me hesitant to sleep at all.

A happy place to go in your mind is hard to describe or explain. For me, a couple of monumental surf rides imprinted my memory at the time; one epic hang-ten that went on forever. I go back when having trouble falling asleep. It works. Memories of monumental salamander sex does not work.

If you're taking ambien regularly I'd be careful about stopping it cold turkey.

You need to go see a primary care doc immediately. At the least you need routine labs, and further testing. What you describe is not normal. Further tests depend on your risk factors, and brain imaging isn't out of the question.

Ambien should never, EVER, be taken regularly. Occasional use only. If you take it regularly you build up a tolerance and will not be able to sleep without it. 30 tabs should last you a year...

If you can't sleep, get tested for sleep apnea also...

PS: This is not medical advice, and should not be construed as such. This is random internet banter. Go, see your doctor.

I wish melatonin did something for me - has absolutely no effect, regardless of dosage, length of time I use it, etc.

Agreed.

I also would be scared. Good luck...

we cant stay awake.
we stop moving at night, sit down on the couch and 8 oclock we are falling asleep.

started another band with my brother, I am in trouble. last one I was in I use to come home and go to sleep so I could stay up and play. man its going to really be tough this time.


my wife has this problem and I know of other women that have this issue. they wake around 1am and are up for several hours a night. I think they are going thru the change though.
maybe that's your issue. it is called "men"apause

I should have posted get to a doc then stop the Ambian, as I said I have no personal experience but is is said to be a pretty powerful drug.


Funny how people are effected differently, when I played in a band I was hyped up and it took a few hours to wind down.

It actually not a problem. It how humans used to sleep until very recently.

Google 'pre modern sleep patterns'.

Our expectation of sleeping for 7-8 hours straight is unnatural.

Definitely see a doc!

Before I retired, I was a full time melatonin user; it worked ok, but not great. Thought I had chronic insomnia. Just before retiring, I had a sleep study done and found out I had sleep apnea...CPAP has made a world of difference. The short version is, see a doc, think about a sleep study to see if there's an underlying problem...doesn't and can't hurt.

Thank you all for the input. I love this place.

I used to take Ambien about 3 times a week when I was working. I never had any trouble falling asleep, but I would often wake up at 2 or 3 AM and be wide awake. When I had to work the next day I HAD to get some rest, so I would take half an Ambien. After I retired, if I woke up I didn't care, I knew I would eventually go back to sleep and if I slept 'til 9:00 - no problem. But today was the closing on the new house and I still had to finish lining up the purchase cash. (Long story and a VERY stressful mess) so I had to get some sleep and be at the bank at 9:00.

Like I said 3-4 times a week. I filled the prescription in August and still have 10 1/2 pills left. I have never before taken an whole pill in on night, and I'll sure as hell never do it again. :eek:

When you start doing that while you're awake... THEN start worrying. :D

Hey Patrick.......you have 2 options the way I see it.......

1. Ditch the Ambian

2. Get your arse back to work (this retirement gig is way overated}!

Onward.....;)

Could be worse

A neighbour got up still drunk, stumbled to the bathroom, opened the door, stepped in and extended one arm to brace himself against the back wall and ended up in the basement breaking said arm.


...wrong door.