Have you ever had a bout with insomnia. Usually they last about a week, maybe two. If you have had it you’ll understand. I would not wish it on my worst enemy. My insomnia began in 1993 and has lasted for 16 years. I have been through sleep studies, psychiatrist, numerous doctors, and have tried just about everything they recommend. They can not figure out why I have it or how to cure it. I am not anxious or depressed or stressed out. The only thing that helps is Ambien but that is where the wild ride begins 
Ambien is a hypnotic so it does not cause any grogginess and does not do anything but help you sleep. It does have one side affect that is bad. It causes memory loss. There is a warning that tells you this. The first time I realized this was happening was when I received a call one afternoon. The gal calling referred to a conversation we had the night before. I did not remember talking to her the night before so that was interesting. The thing is, if you call me you do not know I’ve taken this medication and I’m not thinking clearly enough to tell you but can have a completely lucid conversation. I have learned to write down any conversations I have after taking this medication. I have sent email to people and gotten responses…the only problem is I get the response and don’t remember sending the email. I have done loads of laundry and I wake up in the morning and don’t remember doing them. I have cleaned the bathroom and wake up thinking wow, who cleaned this.
The worse part is I am uninhibited when I take this medication. Things I would never say or do in a coherent state come out. How do I know this, every once in awhile I don’t delete something I’ve sent and I see it the next day. It’s always fun to try to explain some of those. I have learned to stay off the computer and off the phone for the most part but every once in awhile I do answer a call or decide to get on the computer.
So, for those of you who wonder what I do when the Ambien is not working and I’m up for 3 or 4 days straight, which for the last couple weeks has been the case. I do a lot of reading the first couple days. I write a lot. I research. I pray. I work. I clean. I watch movies. I ponder the great mysteries of life. I lay awake wondering why I can’t sleep. There are times I tweet or facebook but not a lot of people are awake at 3am on a Tuesday.
I could write pages on the crazy things that have happened while on Ambien and while trying to function on no sleep. For those who wonder why I don’t just lay down and close my eyes and sleep…I would love to and I try and insomnia wins every time.
Thanks for reading my brain splatter. I would love to hear about a time you battled insomnia…even if it was only a night or two
Thanks to the enlightening insight into the wonderful Ginger!
Isn’t the memory thing just age?! Kidding :p
What an nightmare that must be! I had “sleeping problems” but wouldn’t class them as insomnia… I could only sleep for 2hrs at a time, no matter what time I go to bed. So the later the better – to wake up for 6AM I will go to bed at just before 4AM. The crazy thing is it wouldn’t ruin my day. I would be full of energy like everyone anyone else and feel great!
Not sure what caused it but it every few months I have to endure 2/3 weeks of it – the first few days are the hardest with adjusting from 8hrs sleep to 2hrs. Hmmmm….
I have to say Ginger, that I have had the insomnia problem as well. I have days on end where I don’t get any sleep at all, and am fully functioning during the day. I am able to get a lot of stuff done when I am like that. I put puzzles together because it is fun. I read a few books, watch movies, and yes you are not the only one on FB at 3AM!!! LOL. I know what you mean about the Ambien as well. I know that when I was taking it, I would have some bizarre dreams. I would also sleep walk. Not to mention the fact that I would answer my phone and say things, and not remember them. And I have a good memory. I can remember things from when I was a little girl. So I am right there with you on the memory loss. I did have one time that I was watching my friends place on Ocean. Somehow I sleep walked to the beach to watch the sunrise. It was quite freaky.
Great post!