new sleep?

[franfrog]

So I was on ambien everynight it was so bad.  I have been taking it for so long it was impossible to go without it but it was impossible before that anyway.  Well, last night I talked to my doctor ans she is going to change me to rozerum and hope that helps.  HAs anyone tried this and how did it help?

[Imnew2this]

I have a lot of experience with Rozerem, as a prescriber and as one who occasionally takes it.  Rozerem works to make your normal sleep cycle work better, or to help your natural melatonin work better.  As such, it is not a sedative and won't "knock you out" or induce sleep like Ambien and others.  However, it does work nicely if it is taken correctly and with the right expectations. 

You should not eat any high fat foods within a couple hours of taking the pill because it actually decreases the effects (opposite of Atripla effect).  In fact, its best to not eat anything period for a couple of hours to get maximum effect.

You should take it at least 30 minutes before bedtime, or maybe even up to an hour at first.  It takes time to work, and you dont' want to be lying in bed for an hour waiting to feel its effects.  The good thing is that with ongoing use, it becomes more and more effective and this necessity becomes less.

Finally, since it works on the melatonin receptors, any environmental stimuli will interfere with your sleep, just as it will on your sleep without the medication.  Thirty minutes after you've taken the pill, you should go to the bedroom, turn off the light and TV and close your eyes.  Don't watch TV or read and wait for it "to kick in".  It works better this way and anything that will normally affect your sleep, will interfere with it working appropriately of fully.

I hope this helps.  It really is a good medication and works well as long as its taken right.  I would expect you to have a little trouble for a couple of weeks without the Ambien, simply because they work differently and its just not as simple as taking a pill.  But in the long run, its a very safe and very well tolerated medication.

[franfrog]

Great thanks.  Unfortunately I am going to be miserable until I get this going huh?  I guess I am in trouble too because I have been babysitting lately so I am not going to be sleeping right and then I am not gong to want to get up.  It would not be so bad if it was just my kids since they are old enough to do things on their own if need be.
Does it make you groggy in the am or not at all? 
Thanks for the help.

[Imnew2this]

I dont' think you necessarily have to be miserable.  You may transition just fine to the Rozerem.  You just have to know that it works differently and take it correctly.