ambien
 

Have read a few of you use ambien to help with sleep onthe plane. Does it help?
Any problems with it? Have also read it causes hallucinations.

Thanks, Tania

If you take it what is the timing for sleep onset?

I take it on occasion due to insomnia and I have never had any hallucinations.

Some people say that you should only take it when you get into bed as it knocks you out immediately. I have taken it some nights and STILL not had any sleep, however, it often puts me out in a matter of 10 minutes.

Did you try a search? If you type the word ambien in the search box at the top of the screen, you will find dozens of discussions covering the topic. I'll give you a hint, no one is in agreement...
:-)

I think it also depends on the dose you're taking; I think it's either 5mg or 10mg; the stronger one made me pass out right away & I woke up a bit groggy - the 5mg is just right.

Also that it is not a good mix with alcohol (which they say about every drug but with ambien they really mean it!)

I take Ambien every time I fly overseas. It helps me fall asleep fairly easily, stay asleep through most of the flight, and help me stay awake during the first full day of our vacation.

That being said, I do have an Ambien story. Not really a hallucination story, but a story... we were flying from Detroit to Nuremburg last year with a layover in Amsterday. The layover was 4 hours long and we had planned on leaving the airport for about an hour to check out some of the city. So I take my Ambien and fall asleep. I wake to eat dinner and for some reason think I can't go back to bed (I think I was daydreaming or something) so I take another one. I don't remember getting off the plane in Amsterdam, and I don't really remember much about being in Amsterdam. Its strange because I have all these pictures of me in Amsterdam, smiling and looking happy, and I don't remember hardly anything at all! Its all like a big foggy dream. But the effects wore off fairly quickly and I was fine. No other side effects to mention. Because of this experience, I take my one Ambien and then put the Ambien in my carry-on bag that is stored in the bins above me, so I can't easily get it out. Haven't had a problem since.

Tracy

Although I occasionally take ambien at home for sleepless nights due to the antics of an irreverant child, I personally would not take it on a plane.

Even though I take only a 5 mg dose, one of the effects it has on ME is that while it is working, it is almost like a paralyzing sleep...like being in a coma. If there were an emergency on the plane, I wouldn't be able to function or react.

In a "public place" like an airplane, I wouldn't want to feel and be so helpless. But this is just my personal reaction and my personal opinion.

If you do consider taking ambien, try it out BEFORE your trip.

That's why there's a large camp who prefer an anti-anxiety medication instead of one actually for sleep (i.e., valium, xanax, anything in the -zapam family).

I do take it to sleep on the plane and it does affect me very quickly. I took it one time right about half way thru dinner and had no recollection of them collecting the trays. I had no food bits in my hair so I trust I did not end up face down in my food! I do think that the next day it makes me a little woozy but that may be due in part to the time zone / body clock changes as well.

it does work, definately. i slept right through the second meal, and only woke up because we were nearly landing! i took a half of one, as i'm only 4'10. tylenol pm didn't make me feel as disoriented when i woke up.

Just be careful with that Ambien. You might end up raiding the plane's food supply in your sleep and wake up to find that the flight attendants have hog-tied you and are ready to throw you in the local jail upon landing.

I usually feel the effects of Ambien in 15-20 minutes. The first time I tried Ambien, I got the 5mg and it didn't make me drowsy enough to stay asleep. Now I get the 10mg. I suggest you try it at home before you leave since everyone seems to have different reactions to meds.

My personal experience with it....got it for our last trip because I never sleep the night before, can't sleep on the plane...which leaves me utterly exhausted
for my first day in Europe!! :( Didn't do much for me...wasn't able to sleep on the plane...which happened to be full, most heading to the Oktoberfest in Munich. Have heard it helps you fall asleep but not into a deep sleep. I had taken in before hand to make sure I didn't have any adverse reactions (recommended). Guess it affects everyone differently. Good luck!

I prefer a glass of wine.

My ex took Ambien for a night train trip---we were traveling 1st class from Florence to Munich in a private compartment. He took a pill, went to take a shower (the shower room was separate, at the back of the car). . . and didn't come back for 45 minutes. I started banging on the door after 30 minutes, but he couldn't hear me because of the water running. I was close to calling the conductor about an emergency when he emerged, smiling---totally oblivious to the amount of time that had passed. He was in a sort of dreamy state. I've never tried it, but after that experience, I won't.

I'm about 5'6" and weigh 120 and the 10mg knocks me out in less than 20 minutes and leaves me more or less comatose for 7-8 hours, then groggy in the morning for another hour or two. The 5mg still helps me fall asleep but I do wake up periodically throughout the night. However I'm not groggy in the morning plus I could function in an emergency. I'd recommend getting a prescription for the 10mg and then you can just cut it in half if you need to

TexasAggie - I'm 105 lbs. and the 5 mg doesn't really make me sleep so I don't think it's totally a weight issue. I think everyone has different metabolism and the way their body processes a medication.

Hi kybourne,
Didn't mean to imply it was only a weight issue, just that body weight could be a factor. I only mentioned it b/c that is what my doctor told me when I came back from our last trip and told her that her 10mg prescription had turned me into a zombie! ;-) I just thought it might be useful knowledge to the OP.

That's why my doctor prescribed the 5 mg the first time - because of my weight. When I told him the 5mg didn't really work for me, he gave me the 10mg for the next trip. I only take it on overnight flights.

I've taken Ambien and Lunesta. I don't necessarily fall asleep right away with them, but I do sleep soundly when I do fall asleep. I agree with Sun Travler's opinion; I personally won't take them on planes. I want to make sure I have some active brain cells in public.

Hi again kybourbon,
I just have this really funny image of your tiny little self metabolizing all this medicine super fast ;-) But seriously, you have a very good point that there could be any number of reasons why different people might metabolize Ambien (and other meds) in different ways. Hopefully the OP will try it out before she gets on the airplane!

Besides weight or metabolism people simply react differently. Over-the-counter ones some people use, such as Benedryl or Tylenol PM make me really wired.

One thing to consider when taking a sleep med is how recently you've eaten. I find that Ambien knocks me out more quickly if I take it on an empty stomach.

I take it routinely on transatlantic flights, and then the first few nights I'm there to keep me from waking up early. Very, very helpful (for me) for jet lag.

On a recent flight to Paris I was seated next to my 12 year old daughter. I'd warned her that I'd taken a sleep med, and that I might not be easily roused, but that she shouldn't be concerned, and to just step over me if she had to get up to use the WC or whatever. No problem whatsoever, though she did report having to hold my limp body out of the way of the drinks cart when it passed by.

tcreath, I have a similar story.Last year we traveled to Europe.On our trip from LA to London I to took an Ambien. I gave a 1/2 to my 16 year old and 1 to my husband,Benadryl for the little one. Halfway through the trip I found myself awake and took another one. When we arrived in London we checked into our hotel and started our tour of the city. For about two hours I slept in the taxi...I would be looking at something and saying look at that and then would put my head back and start snoring.My son said I was saying the silliest things and acting happy and silly.They still tease me about it. There is a great article in this last Sunday's section of the LA Times on the second page.She talks about Ambien and an approach with Melatonin and starting three days earlier before you travel. When we travel to Italy and Greece in August I will try that.....no more sillies. Annamaria

Thank you. I have realized that we are all different with reactions to medications. I, myself, stay awake allnight if I take Trazadone. So I will try this before my trip.

Though different, Fodorites are the same, in that they are soooo helpful!

Best of luck Tania :-)
Hope you find something that works well for you to help beat that dreaded jetlag

I take a 5mg Ambien and sleep like a rock for 4 hours then wake up refreshed and ready to go.

Quick question: I went on a field trip with my daughters class a few years back. We were on a sailing ship in the SF BAy. I took a Bonine for sea sickness. At lunch I had a cocktail and it knocked me out for the rest of the afternoon & evening. Should I try this on our trip to Spain in June?? I can never sleep on the plane and deal w/ jet lag for several days.

Thanks,

MY

Hi Michelle,
I'd ask my doctor about combining any prescription medicine with alcohol just in case there could be serious complications.

I'm 5-6, 127 pounds. I take an ambien (5 mg) as soon as we take off, or soon after dinner. It makes me sleep lightly ,and I don't feel groggy- just rested. Would suggested you try it before the plane.

On 4/25, I said I wouldn't take Ambien on the plane because I want to be more alert. However . . . I do plan to take Lunesta the night before my trip so I can sleep, and again on the first night or two in Italy to make sure I sleep well.

My doctor wouldn't prescribe me Ambien--and I'm actually an insomniac as it is!

I'm going to try Melatonin...wow, in 2 days!! I'll let you all know how it works for me in my trip report ;-)

I have a heard it on good authority that Lunesta is better than Ambien as far as ability to be alert upon awaking.
But everybody's different.
Only pratice will tell for sure.

Ooby--you're leaving in 2 days??? Where are you going, and how long?

Have a wonderful time!

Hi Maire!!

Yes, I can hardly believe it. May 3rd-24th: Amsterdam, Vienna, Berlin, Dortmund, Mannheim, Interlaken, Cinque Terre, Nice! It will be a whirlwind trip, but I'm excited. I defend my masters tomorrow, so it will be a celebration (or a great way to drown the sorrows if I don't pass, lol).

Wow, Ooby, you have a lot going on right now. You deserve your vacation--it sounds wonderful. Good luck on your Masters--I'm sure you'll do great!

Have a wonderful trip, and thanks for all I've learned from you.

I ordered Ambien on medheavens.com . Ambien is indicated for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset. That's why this help me so much because of my insomnia.

WTF is this latest post!!