I am new here. I have been very encouraged by your postings about Fibro CFS. I was finally diagnosed in 1998 although I have been experiencing symptoms since 1985. I have a wonderful PCP. She has been very supportive. Presently I am taking Zoloft, Flexeril, Prevacid, Ambien, Ultracet, and Premarin. I have tried many other combinations but this one works fairly well. My main concern is the Ambien. Any suggestions?? I have read postings about the Benadryl and or Tylenol PM but they only make me anxious and restless...and we all know we don't need that Well I hope my message isn't too long.
I guess I am just excited to be in the company of others who understand my condition.
Welcome to the board. We are all jealous because you have a good PCP. Does he/she make housecalls? I was on trial of Ambien only a long time ago for sleep, but it did not do anything for me. It might have help though had I been on a combination of drugs. Flexeril at night time has helped me with sleep tremendously although I had to increase dose, but it has lowered pain significantly. However, I am now noticing pain creeping up during day so I am sure I will need an adjustment in meds or something else added on next visit. Hopefully I will get on a regimen that will work permanently so I can be done with all these trials. (TT)
Hey TT I am glad the flexeril is still helping you..my PCP also told me to up
the dose at night if I wanted to..so some nights when the pain is really
bad I take 20 mg of the Flexeril and sleep really well and I have also noticed
when I get up in the morning my muscle/joint pain is significantly less at least
until a few hours later..My PCP wanted to add a sleeping pill to my mix but
I declined as in the last year since this dx I went from taking just one med-
Synthroid to now bextra,flexeril,neurontin,alprazolam and vicodin....have
you thought about trying a pain med for prn use during the day when
your pain flares up ?
Chris, I have started keeping a daily journal of Flexeril dosage and different pains that are erupting until I see her in July. If they get out of control again I will call her sooner for help. I believe that arthritis/severe osteoporosis is playing a part in this picture also, but previous trials of arthritic drugs did not help. I really do not want to be on too many drugs either as I do not want to be walking around like a zombie. I had previously questioned physiatrist with statement wondering if I was having compression fractures in lower back. Her smart come back was " I do not believe this as you would be in severe pain (which I was). We could do an MRI but what is the purpose as there is nothing we could do about this?" I made this comment to rheumatologist and she stated simply that she did not agree with this. I know I have not been able to sleep in bed for many years and then slept on couch and now have to sleep in recliner due to damage I will do just by rolling over and difficulty in getting out of bed whereby I am almost unable to walk. Like all of us, I am blessed with having more than one problem so it is going to take fine tuning to try and get everything under some sort of control. (TT)
I have talked to many about the lasting effects of Ambien. What is your take on it? I mean, I have to sleep, and of course I won't unless I take something. i have been thinking about taking 20 mg of Flexeril to see how that helps, as it stands it doesnt make me sleepy at all if i only take 10mg. I just keep hearing that Ambien is habit forming and all, but heck if I have to take it anyway...any thoughts?
Oh and thanks for welcoming me I feel much better with my dark secret of FMS/CFS I can finally talk about it.
On a Mission-
I have taken ambien for several years. I have noticed that I do not remember things as well, especially after I take it. After i take the med, I don't remember much of anything. I'm not for sure if it's habit forming, however, I HAVE to take somthing for sleep no matter what. I am also taking flexiril at night. With all that, I am still having a problem sleeping.
Oh my goodness! My memory is terrible! I manage to sleep well with the Ambien but I always seem to need a "catch up" conversation from my bf the next day...b/c I usually can't remember the last hour or so prior to falling to sleep. But it is certainly good to hear that someone else takes Ambien for longer than I have with positive feedback. I kinda feel the same way about the whole habit forming thing, we need it to sleep so oh well!
Thanks a bunch, and I hope you get some good sleep soon.
On a Mission-
I also wanted to post that my husband says I am very combative in that last hour before sleep. he says i always try to start a fight. So I have tried to be more aware of that.
I have been taking ambien for almost 4 years. I am at 15mg, and i dont have that sluggish feeling. I usually do get a better sleep (rest) with it. I wouldnt give it up for nothing. To me it is the best sleep med i have ever tried.
I tend to get munchies pretty bad shortly after I have taken my Ambien. It also acts as a sort of "truth serum" for me I once told my EX husband what I really thought about him...LOL After taking my evening meds...
New to HealthBoards 
Well I hope my message isn't too long. 
I manage to sleep well with the Ambien but I always seem to need a "catch up" conversation from my bf the next day...b/c I usually can't remember the last hour or so prior to falling to sleep. But it is certainly good to hear that someone else takes Ambien for longer than I have with positive feedback. I kinda feel the same way about the whole habit forming thing, we need it to sleep so oh well!
After taking my evening meds...
