Posted by 4WD on May 15, 2005, at 16:47:06
In reply to Ambien and Lunestra, posted by shellypup on May 14, 2005, at 23:50:02
> I have been reading all of your posts with great interest since I have been taking Ambien for chronic insomnia and am now trying Lunestra for the second night, since it was recommended to me. One thing I have noticed is that I have a little different experience with generiic Ambien (zolipidem) than name brand Ambien. Has anyone else found that? One thing I found very interesting is that I had a long talk with the pharmacist about Ambien and Lunestra (I've been going to the same neighborhood pharmacy for a long time). I asked her about Lunestra being designed for long term insomnia and Ambien being designed as a short term treatment for insomnia. She told me that the difference is actually based on the way the companies get FDA approval. She gave me a long complicated answer, but the gist of it was that the company that manufactures Ambien only sought approval as a short term treatment drug, but Lunestra sought approval for being used as a long term sleep aid. Has anyone else heard this? Also, I have heard of Ambien addiction, but how would you know if you are addicted to Ambien? I mean if you had insomnia before you start taking it and then insomnia came back after you stopped taking it, how can that be addiction? I'm just confused on that. By the way, sorry for all the questions, but I don't know anyone else who sufferes from chronic insomnia(by the way, mine is from hypothyroidism and hypoadrenalism). Thanks in advance for any answers and/or help!
Hi Shellypup,I think the issue with ambien addiction is that when you stop it after long term use, the insomnia becomes even worse than it was before you started taking it. That gradually eases as you withdraw but you'd be in for some really long nights for a while. You might also find yourself anxious for a while after stopping it.
Marsha
poster:4WD
thread:497904
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050510/msgs/498150.html