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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Trouble Falling Asleep. Worried About Side Effects Of Ambian Sleeping Pills

I ve heard recently heard about ambian sleeping pills , and that they may cause health problems. I have ad serious sleeping problems for 30 years ( not being able to fall asleep), I ve always followed all the rules for developing good sleep habits, but to no avail, I m often awake for 2 days (really),and need a sleeping pill (ambian) to fall asleep. Once I fall asleep I have no problem getting back to sleep after getting up for the bathroom or to let dogs out. Nothing was determined at the sleep institute I went to. Please help if you can. I want to sleep without taking pills.
Mon, 18 Feb 2013
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hi there, thanks for asking. If nothing especial has been noted in the sleep report, you probably suffer from chronic insomnia. It is the most common psychiatric problem. 11 percent of the population suffer from it, although some cases are mild. Ambien is a good medication for chronic insomnia and it is better to be combined with some behavioral and cognitive skills to conquer insomnia. One third of the cases improve with using just a relaxation method, like Yoga or meditation regularly. One other third take advantage of behavioral technics which are: 1-sleep restriction (not being in bed for more than 20 minutes awake, etc) 2-control high arousal sates (no watching TV in 2-3 hours before sleeping, etc) and 3-regular sleep schedule (not nap, etc). The last third can take benefit from cognitive therapy for chronic insomnia which could be done with a therapist. After establishing a good sleep, doctor can decrease the regular dose of Ambien to just "as needed" (like removing the cast from a healed broken bone). I wish you the best health.
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Trouble Falling Asleep. Worried About Side Effects Of Ambian Sleeping Pills

Hi there, thanks for asking. If nothing especial has been noted in the sleep report, you probably suffer from chronic insomnia. It is the most common psychiatric problem. 11 percent of the population suffer from it, although some cases are mild. Ambien is a good medication for chronic insomnia and it is better to be combined with some behavioral and cognitive skills to conquer insomnia. One third of the cases improve with using just a relaxation method, like Yoga or meditation regularly. One other third take advantage of behavioral technics which are: 1-sleep restriction (not being in bed for more than 20 minutes awake, etc) 2-control high arousal sates (no watching TV in 2-3 hours before sleeping, etc) and 3-regular sleep schedule (not nap, etc). The last third can take benefit from cognitive therapy for chronic insomnia which could be done with a therapist. After establishing a good sleep, doctor can decrease the regular dose of Ambien to just as needed (like removing the cast from a healed broken bone). I wish you the best health.