journalist

I'd been waiting six months to try Lunesta and I'm so disappointed. I tried it once, a 3 mg. tablet, and the taste in the back of my throat started within 5 minutes, spread to my mouth, nasal passages and sense of smell were affected, everything tasted and smelled metallic, I was extremely nauseated and had stomach pains and did not fall asleep until three hours later when the side effects wore off. I'd never even give it a second try. Previously I've used Ambien, and it worked 60% of the time, but the side effects going into sleep were disturbing (hallucinations), my husband experienced my sleep walking and talking about people being in the room, which I don't recall at all, and I also experienced an overall feeling of illness bordering on a hangovrer sickness the following morning. The most success I've had has been with temazepam (Restoril), which worke s 98% of the time, no after effects, side effects. Although it's not recommended for long term use, my psychiatrist has had me on it for over a year due to severe and chronic insomnia and the effect of sleep deprivation on my health. Although Lunesta is supposed to be safe for longer term use, the side efffects were shockingly severe and I'd never use it again. I reproted my reaction to Sepracor, the manufacturer and you should also.