randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
as you know i have been suffering with horrible excruciating headaches for oh about the last 3 weeks.
i've been researching everything and trying to find out what i have. thought i was having strokes, brain tumours, heart attacks, well you know....
finally, finally i looked up ambien!! imagine my horror when i read about people who were having such pain they ended up in the hospital. some took vicodin, morphine, anything to end this pain....IT WAS THE AMBIEN....
they said the stopped it and within a couple of days, the pain lessened, and in some cases, a couple of weeks later it had gone away.
i can't believe i've just continued to take this crap....and i'm stopping it.
i'll just deal with the getting 1-2 hours a night, unless somebody can recommend an herbal or natural remedy...
so please if you are on ambien and having headaches....look into this...
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Randi,
I will come along later with some links for natural sleep. I have a bunch of stuff in my brain but no links compiled.
you might just start by looking for HerbSom at www.hepapro.com
that has worked well for me in the past but since I now take andrographis, sleep is very easy.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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I find the Hepapro HerbSom to be wonderful. I have used Milky Oat seed tincture and Scullcap tincture, too and find both very nice. Scullcap is more sedating and I began with just one drop.
Some people like melatonin but be aware that we all can react differently. I have tried many times and, with each trial, can only go for 3 days as it causes my mood to drop dramatically. It could be that even a small dose is too much for me-- but I have heard it of it increasing depression for some people.
Melatonin is not for use by anyone under the age of 25.
Magnesium and B-6 (P5P) are very helpful to settle down the excitatory NMDA receptors (that wired, but tired cycle
I love Seven Forests Zizyphus 18, too. That is not listed below but can be found in a Google search.
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In addition to articles you can find through Google on "Sleep Hygiene" . . . .
Schisandra berry is sour in taste, astringent and warming. It calms the mind and nerves, nourishes the Yin, generates fluids, strengthens general vitality and tonifies and protects the heart, liver and lungs.
(note: This says to be cautious with seizure disorder. However, my ND discovered that this actually helps me keep seizures down - could be because it can help the liver but also can normalize brain function . . . best ONLY in a balanced formula, though. )
Scullcap tincture is an excellent and extremely reliable nervine. It relaxes and strengthens the nervous system in a manner that can be felt within thirty minutes.
This is a calming formula, similar to Tea for Tension and Tea for Mood, relying on lemon balm, valerian, and hops that have been adopted widely throughout ...
posted
I've taken Ambien off and on for years. Thankfully, no problems.
For other help with sleep go to Vitacost and buy Source Naturals time released melatonin. Take 3-6 mg per night.
Also try valerian or a mixture thereof. You could probably find plenty of options at Vitacost also.
You could also get a script for Trazodone from your LLMD. Works great for sleep and depression too.
Hope something here will help you.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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jamescase20
Unregistered
posted
Yes, ambien causes bart like migraines...so does benzos...however...is it killing bart? Could be...since in these diseases the pain often signals killing of the bugs. Do be careful...this is a tricky disease. Thats mother nature for ya!
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posted
Lymestop .. Get tested for the cortisol levels. I take 10mg of cortisol every morning since mine is low. I guess it helps. Not sure.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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In addition to understanding how cortisol (and endocrine dysfunction) affects our sleep, often the very meds that are marketed for sleep are not that great for the liver. Some are quite toxic to the liver. Even tylenol is very hard on the liver.
If the liver is stressed, sleep is compromised.
This book discusses the endocrine connection and what can help with that. He also has many pages on the importance of sleep and suggestions for that, both Rx and natural.
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This book, by an ILADS member LLMD, holds great information about treatments options and support measures:
Supplementing with glycine (2,000 - 3,000 mg just before bedtime) is a safe and often effective way to increase slow wave sleep. In addition, glycine helps to increase REM activity (dream sleep).
Dekrator48
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18239
posted
Hi,
The same thing happened to me with Ambien CR.
I kept taking it because I wanted to sleep and therefore didn't want to discontinue it to see if it was causing a problem.
After I finally did discontinue it, it took 7 days for the horrible headache pain to subside.
It felt like there was a large-bore drill drilling through the base of my skull and coming out my mouth.
It was absolutely excruciating 24/7 for about 4 months. It was the only time I have ever been incapacitated.
I also had moderate memory loss. I would be awake and talking to my husband, but had no memory of our conversations.
I have talked to another person who also had the same problems with Ambien CR.
-------------------- The fibromyalgia I've had for 32 years was an undiagnosed Lyme symptom.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". -Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 6076 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
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Marz
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3446
posted
I thought maybe it was the ambien, but since headache has been a lyme symptom I can't be sure.
There are some days I have no headache even though on ambien and have been for a long time.
I thought since it has such a short half-life, it didn't accumulate. My headache is always worse in late evening, so isn't it always out of your system by then?
Posts: 1297 | From USA | Registered: Dec 2002
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