Hi, So glad for your article as my mom has been having same probles, memory loss etc...She seems to think from your report that these people had ALL taken ambien with in hour of being pulled over..From what i understood it was people who took night before ? Can you please verify/

I'm shocked to read and hear of this on the news. My husband was prescribed Ambien for the 1st time, the same day he drove 5 miles per hour and off the road and landed in a ditch. An officer had followed for 1/2 mile and reported that he was asleep behind the wheel and was unable to remember his name or answer why he was in his PJ's. He feel asleep when talking to the officer which called an ambluance that took him to the hospital. He had his prescription with him only missing 1. He is being charged with reckless driving and has started to cost us $. neither of us have ever done any except 2 speeding tickets. It's shameful. He took it at home and went to bed. I wonder will he be considered responesable?

I tried Ambien for a week, for a sleep issue I was having a couple years ago. I would take it and wait for it to make me sleepy. It was so weird; I didn't ever get sleepy, but I DID start to hallucinate worse than I ever did in the 60s! I wasn't seeing "other" things, but the things I was looking at seemed to move and distort.
It happened pretty soon after taking it. I hated the stuff and never asked for a prescription!

I have been using Ambien for the last 8 years, I believe that it is the only thing that helps me get a nights sleep(at least 4 hours), I have not noticed any ill affects other that I do believe that I have become addicted to the product. small price to pay for sleep.

I don't see how people using prescription 'Ambien'for sleep problems don't realize what it can do! The fact that this drug can only be prescribed by a doctor should be a subtle hint that the drug packs more potency then an over-the-counter sleeping aid. I've taken 'Ambien' and I know it comes with warning labels that specifically cautions people about the effects of driving while on this medication. How could they not know about the potential damages they could cause by driving on this medication?! Pharmacies tag warning labels on each prescription bottle. Some medications require tags that warn people "may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and avoid drinking alcohol because it can intensify the effects of the drug". The labels can also warn to "use caution when driving a car or dangerous machinery ". I know 'Ambien' is tagged with these warnings. I am prescribed quite a few medications and take the warnings very seriously. So serious in fact, I made the decision that as long as I have to be on these medications I will never drive. It's just too dangerous. It still isn't easy to accept, and having to take the bus doesn't ease the blow. My alertness and reaction time to things happening around me has dramatically changed as a result of the medications I take. For these reasons I concluded that my ability to drive was compromised and not compatible with what it takes to drive safely. Ignoring this reality would be wreckless and irresponsible of me. I've been on medications for years and the trouble of taking the bus out weighs the potential trouble of causing harm to myself and others. Please people, read the warning labels on your prescription bottles or information pamphlet! It can save your life.

I started taking Ambien several years ago. It was the first prescription sleep aid I have ever taking. I suffer from seasonal insomnia (sleep great during winter, horribly during summer). It is a very potent drug, the onsent is as soon as 15 minutes. You must take it only right before going to bed and knowning you're going to stay in bed 7-8 hours. It has a major problem that I experienced several times during the first several months I was taking it. I was taking it maybe 2-3 times a week. What would happen was that I would wake up in the middle of the night (Ambien was still working at this point) and was just do randome stuff around the house, the finally going back to bed. In the morning I would have no recollection of it. Only the stories my roommmates would tell me. My roommates, which were always up late at night anyway, never saw any concerning difference in my behaviour, just that I was more chatty and somewhat goofy. But besides this, there were to major episodes where I went out driving and out to places (from Bellevue to Downtown Seattle). At some point in the middle, I would snap out of it and think where the hell am I and what am I doing? I would still be somewhat under the influence but wanted to quickly drive home and get out of the situation. I damaged my car twice. I seriouly belive I could have done more serious things like hit a pedestrian or totally go off the road. Luckily I was super-aware of the state of mind and was overly cautious on my drive back home to safety. There is a lot more to all of this. But I'm trying to keep it brief. Finally after some time, I've never had any more of these episodes. Ambien still is my sleep-aid of choice, but I take it was great caution (even hiding my car keys).

This was a very interesting report. I have been on Ambien about 10 years. I have had many back surgeries and have a great deal of pain. Without Ambien I would not get any rest, and who knows what my mental health would be like if it was'nt for the drug. I have stopped taking it for as long as 30 days without any signs of dependence, I just don't sleep. I started sleepwalking about 7 years ago. I have never gotten out of the house but I did set of the house alarm 1 time (boy did that wake me up). I do make some very interesting snacks, mostly thats all I do is eat (thank god I have not gained weight). The worst was eating coffee grounds,beleive me Starbucks is not good consumed in this manner. All kidding aside I never take Ambien before I am ready to go to sleep as it does start to work in about 15 minutes. I would never drive my car while taking it without 7-8 hrs of sleep. The drug does not leave me sleepy or a "hang-over" the next day. Ambien is a safe and effective drug if used correctly. I would not be surprised if the drug shows up in a blood test, the unfair thing is that many drugs can be screened in the blood but does not mean that the person is impaired by it at the time the test is done. I would hope that the use of Ambien would not impose a negative view on the patient as it is like any other medication, a way to survive a difficult medical condition.

The police/toxicology reports don't always make it clear when the person took Ambien relative to when they were pulled over. But in the cases where people seemed to be "sleep-driving", I'm told they apparently took Ambien before bed, with every intention of sleeping through the night. There were a couple of cases where people acknowledged taking it before driving, thinking it would not take effect right away (clearly a dangerous practice).

I take Ambien for sleep problems and have never had any any bad effects from it. First off, NEVER take it you've been drinking. Second, don't take it unless you're planning on going right to sleep, as Ambien can take as little as 5 minutes to start working. This IS something any pharmacist or doctor will tell you if you are prescribed this drug. As with any drug, don't be stupid about it.

I am adding to my previous comment. Individual reactions will differ, I have tried other sleep aids that left me very groggy for hours the next day, Ambien is the only one that works for me with no negative effects. Also, printed on the label of my RX bottle: "This drug may impair the ability to drive or operate machinery. Use care until you become familiar with it's effects."

I took Ambien for over a year and it changed my life. I had not had a deep sleep for years and was having problems falling asleep at stop signs even after having had as much rest/sleep as I could get. When I started taking Ambien I got the first solid deep REM sleep I had had in over 7 years. After taking Ambien every night for over a year I got to the point I would wake up after 3.5 – 4 hours and be wired and ready to go. Not being satisfied now with only 4 hours of sleep I moved over to Lunesta and have been able to get a solid 8 hours every day. These drugs may not be for everyone but for those of us that really need them they are awesome. If they cause you problems DUH! Don’t take them. If it’s your first time, you might want to try taking them when you’re not driving.

Are you people for real...I have just read stories of so many of you that drive after taking a sleep aid. NOT SMART! I have taken the DRUG on a few occassions but only before bed and not before driving. Before Driving I prefer cocain and a bottle of tequila. It's is much safer at least you stay awake.

Are you people idiots? I've occassionally taken Ambien for a temporary insomnia problem without adverse problems? However, I followed the doctor(and pharmacist') advice for it's use. You are not supposed to take it long term and you are supposed to go straight to bed after taking it. Only a !$%##$ moron would think it's a good idea to go out driving, or in public for that matter.
Taken correctly, Ambien works as advertised. As with many drugs, if you abuse it or take it incorrectly bad things can happen.

Kevin, you are a twit. what if you don't know what you are doing? you do it without knowing it!!! of course these people don't plan on driving on sleeping pills - they don't know what they are doing!! do you think anyone wants to fall asleep and get in a car accident? You are the moron

8 days after bypass surg. tokk ambien as directed and could not find the bathroom until the next morning

Don't take ambien is you have children. You will not be conscious if they need you, if they are sick or not well during the night. DO NOT TAKE AMBIEN IF YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OTHERS IN YOUR HOUSE. IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE TO TAKE SUCH A DRUG, BECAUSE IT IS A DRUG THAT PUTS YOU IN A COMA-LIKE STATE FOR SEVERAL HOURS.

ionolsen22 May we exchange links with your site?

Ambien, is a drug. I had gotten into a horrific accident a year ago, broke several bones due to ambien. I made the mistake and drank the night before and took ambien later in the night. I won't reveal what happened but I got up and got into a very serious accident. I am very lucky to be alive. Now a year has gone by. After realizing that I cant sue Ambien, I figured I would never take it again... I started to take Lunesta which I figued as long as it wasn't ambien it was o.k. Last night, I had an ambien since I knew I had to be somewhere early this morning and I had no lunesta left. I knew I was never going to be able to sue ambien anyway. I am on this class action suit which I dont think is ever going to court! Well, I banged into two cars back ends, today and got pulled over by a cop at 9am who told me I look delierious in my eyes. He told me that in my picture9license) I look normal and my eyes don't look so good and I look really out of it. I told him well I am not drunk and I didnt do any drugs! He believed me but he told me I looked really out of it! I thought nothing of it... I continued 20 mintues to work in my car. I could of killed someone. I just figured I was tired, but when I finally got to work, my father asked me what was wrong with me? Everyone at work thought I was high. Not until maybe now that I realized it was the Ambien. I took it one night again since I ran out of Lunesta. This was just another warning sign for me in life. I won't have a 3rd sign, I am done with all sleeping drugs...

9d14f0e06730 Hi

I was taking Ambien nightly as prescribed always 15 minutes before I was in bed Some night I did have 2 or 3 drinks or if anxiety overwhelmed me i would take .5 to 1mg of ativan. the night in question, I went to bed and woke up in Jail. I couldnt remember much. I think i Remember cop but thats it. I found out later 10 days later I hit a sign i knew the next morning i was in jail with my booking slip saying dui and driving under the infulence of nacoticis. my children later told me i did this often nights without alcohol or ativan. i spoke to friends and family who told me i would visit. i thought my children were helping me with the house cleaning but they informed me it was me cleaning. no wonder i always woke up feeling tired. Ambien is a dangerous drug and should be taken off the market. People who say they take it without side effects of amnesia just dont remember.

hi!
i work for a national morning news show- we are looking for someone who has taken ambien and had a sleep-driving incident. Please email me at morning_show@hotmail.com if you want to come on and tell us your story!

I took ambien one night..no alcohol was involved at all by the way and I had put a glass of water by my bed and went to bed. I woke up in jail and im being charged with a DUI. They found me a few miles from my house in and out of consciousness I had hit a parked van and I was delusional and still do not remember anything of what happend. Im dealing with the courts and hopefully I can get help. PEOPLE DO NOT TAKE AMBIEN!!!

I have done sleepwalking too. I feel kinda funny asking , but I wondered if anyone else also had sex and didn't know it. Maybe since it's so embarrasing noone mentions it. But my husband has mentioned it some mornings, and I don't remember anything. I 'd just joke and ask "Did I have a good time too?"
But it really worried me, cause I was afraid I'd wander out the front door some day & not know where I was or who I was with, so I stopped taking it. Too bad, it really helped me sleep when I really needed it 99% of the ime. I did not mix it with alcohol or wait to go to bed.