In the past I have used Ambien 5mg and when my tolerance went up, 10mg. I used the 10mg dose for several years in college and afterward with great success. After a brief period with no sleep medications I was prescribed Ambien CR 12.5mg. This medicine works great, IF you follow your doctors instructions. Takind it on an empty stomach works best, and you must take it literally right before bed. The initial dose released peaks at 15 minutes. Then the delayed release slowly absorbs into your bloodstream over the next 4-6 hours. You should NEVER talk on the phone, be on the computer, watch television, or be in the kitchen eating after taking this med. For it to work properly, you need to take it, hop in the bed, and turn the lights off immedately. This drug gets a bad name for "sleep-driving", binge-eating, and memory loss because people take it improperly. If you take it every night, one or two out of seven nights it may be less effective. No drug is fool-proof. Especially for those who suffer from anxiety and racing thoughts. I apologize for the length of my comment, but I feel it is important to get the proper info. out there. I know how hard it can be to function after multiple sleepless nights. (Tonight is one) I hope this helps some of you out there. GOODNIGHT! Published: January 01, 2008 ::

I've taken Ambien Cr for 4 months. It worked well in the beginning. Now its awful. I have memory loss, which is affecting my work, It takes forever to fall asleep, I wake up a few times during the night and I'm always up very early in the morning...still feeling tired. Mood swings. I freak out if my prescription starts to get low and I'm afraid I can't get to the pharmacy to get it refilled. I hate this stuff. DON'T TAKE IT ! Now I just want to get off of it and you can't stop cold or the symptoms or worse than staying on it. Published: April 29, 2008 ::

Have someone tie you to the bed. This med puts you out. However, I did drive, go to the doctor and then woke up at noon at my desk at work. This was even after I had taken it for a while. While I appeared alert and communicated, I have no memory of any interactions. (this was the next day) At night if you do not go straight to bed, you will stay up chatting and acting drunk. Do NOT take this med alone. Make sure you have someone else has your keys and can make sure you are capable of driving. (Although everyone thought I was okay, and I still drove with no memory) Just be careful and take extra precautions Published: September 09, 2008 ::

when I was in my early teens to early adult age 23 I had problems with sleeping. It went away okay for the past couple months I have tried tylenol PM, advil PM, benedryl, until I talked to my doctor. She put me on Ristoril 50 mg still did not work, then another doctor in the office put me on trazodone 50 mg, still nothing would help me go to sleep and stay asleep. Last Monday my doctor put me on Ambien an that did nothing. So Yesterday my doctor gave me Ambien CR, I took it at 9:45 and by 10pm I was asleep and only woke up once during the night and I went right back to sleep. I have not had no side affects like others have and I would recommend this to anyone having trouble sleeping. Published: December 09, 2008 ::

I have been taking Ambien CR 12.5 mg for almost two years. It works in 15 to 30 minutes and I get about seven hours sleep. I don't dream and when I wake up in the morning its as if someone snapped their fingers and I'm awake. Very unnatural feeling. Published: January 23, 2008 ::

Was told by my PCP to take 12.5 mg's it worked so well I cut it down to 6.25 mg's and still have no problems sleeping and feel great in the a.m. And yes it works very quickly. Normal ambian wasn't working as well and like others I found myself awake after about 2-3 hrs. Sweet dreams all Published: January 08, 2008 ::

Ambien CR (12.5mg) is the only med that makes me get a full night of restful sleep. My fibromyalgia pain and arthritis in my knees kept me awake, and in the morning I felt absolutely horrible..! Since I have been taking Ambien I feel like a normal person again. No side effects whatsoever...simply deep, wonderful sleep. Make sure to take it on a somewhat empty stomach at night otherwise it takes longer to kick in. Once it kicks in - you are out dead... :) Published: December 11, 2008 ::