# Took Ambien and it didn't work **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 27, 2012, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/took-ambien-and-it-didnt-work/639047 "2012-10-27T14:25:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/took-ambien-and-it-didnt-work/639047/81 "2012-11-05T03:50:59Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Huh - sounds pretty tasty (except for the egg, I’m not a fan), though what are Bragg liquid aminos? Looks like some kind of hippie soy sauce. Each soybean is individually coddled and only goes into the batch when IT’S ready. No judgments. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/took-ambien-and-it-didnt-work/639047/82 "2012-11-05T15:03:14Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > I used to take it - then decided to stop. When I called to re-up my prescriptions, I specifically said not to fill that one. > > But the pharmacy filled them all. And the Ambien looked just like my ritalin. > > The day after picking them up, I was working at home with a colleague from out of town. I reached in and took a ritalin. He got up to go stretch his legs or something. When he came back, I was \*literally \*drooling into my keyboard. … Oh dear. Am I bad person for giggling at this? I think I remember you posting this tale once before. Getting back into the “didn’t work for me”… yes, stress or other issues can certainly overwhelm the drug, however strong it is. A couple of years ago, I was having severe itching related to a gallbladder attack, and hadn’t slept more than a few minutes in 36 hours. So I took a Sonata, and was awake again within 3 hours. And, foolishly, I didn’t put the computer away and try to go to sleep as soon as I took the Sonata. It’d never been a problem before, it simply doesn’t make me go night-night that suddenly, but apparently on top of 36 hours of sleep deprivation, it can hit a little harder than usual. Turns out, I’m a “happy drunk” and like to share the joke with those around me. Fortunately the email I sent (to a large email list) wasn’t _ **too** _ bad. :eek::smack:. ---
**Author:** ![ljlabbate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c0e974/32.png) [@ljlabbate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ljlabbate)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2013, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/took-ambien-and-it-didnt-work/639047/83 "2013-09-21T01:57:20Z")
> [@67java89](#): > > Has this happened to anyone else? I took 5 mg. as prescribed by my doctor. Is it possible the dose is too low? > > Also, I didn’t have anything else that would interfere with it, like alcohol, caffeine, other meds, etc. Not looking for medical advice, just want to hear people’s experiences. In answer to your question…I take 10 MG and it works great…5 MG will work for some people but in either case it should be taken on an empty stomach for best results…Digestion will slow down effects. But I have been taking it for almost four years on an almost every night basis with no side effects, unless the second head on my shoulder should be something to be concerned about!..Just kidding of course ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2013, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/took-ambien-and-it-didnt-work/639047/84 "2013-09-21T02:06:10Z")
It used to work for me, but not any longer. When it was working, I’d take it maybe 2 or 3 times a month. I hadn’t taken it for probably 7 or 8 months and I tried some the other night. It almost did just the opposite. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2013, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/took-ambien-and-it-didnt-work/639047/85 "2013-09-21T02:13:18Z")
Musta worked on this thread, it slept for almost a year! ---
**Author:** ![variousreasons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e47774/32.png) [@variousreasons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/variousreasons)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/took-ambien-and-it-didnt-work/639047/86 "2014-03-14T23:10:57Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > I HATE Ambien!! It has this weird atypical effect on me; I get _extremely_ drowsy and get to the verge of sleep but am unable to ever actually cross that final threshold into restful bliss. It is simply maddening! I feel drugged and half-conscious; sort of this weird ‘nether-world’ between wakefulness and sleep. Ugh. Truly awful. I had the identical experience. It was awful. Told my dr. and he recommended doubling to 10 mg. but I’m too afraid of having a night like that again (half asleep-half awake all night long:mad:) Unisom works far far better! ---
**Author:** ![sandysue44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f4b2a3/32.png) [@sandysue44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandysue44)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2014, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/took-ambien-and-it-didnt-work/639047/87 "2014-03-15T23:18:16Z")
I take Ambien the same dosage as you. I only take it as needed because I don’t want a dependency. It almost always works and I sleep well but sometimes I awake either early morning or the middle of the night and can’t sleep. I made the mistake of drinking a very moderate amount of wine with it and I totally blacked out. I have to make sure I am in a safe place because my boyfriend says I stumble a little. No heavy machinery! lol [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/took-ambien-and-it-didnt-work/639047.md?page=4)