Why can't I get to sleep when I take Zolpidem?
Have just started trying to take zolpidem after reading your book, but I can't get to sleep after taking it. Is this normal at first or does it mean it isn't suitable for me? Was on clonazepam for several years prior to this and this was much better but still not getting sufficient sleep on it, hence the change. Any advice would be appreciated as I am so sleep deprived and need to do something to change this very troublesome insomnia. Many Thanks.
Answer
In my patients in this setting, I am more likely to add the zolpidem/ambien to the clonazepam/Klonopin, as stopping the Klonopin may result in withdrawal that could be keeping you awake. In addition, I will sometimes have people crush the Ambien between their front teeth and put it under their tongue to absorb more quickly into the body, or have them take it a half hour to 45 minutes before they want to go to sleep. The Ambien is most helpful at putting people to sleep rather than keeping them asleep, so I add the other treatments discussed in my book as well.
L&B,
Dr. T
Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.
