Long Term Effects During longer-term treatment (28 to 35 nights) in controlled clinical trials at doses less than 10 mg, the most commonly observed adverse events associated with the use of Ambien and seen at statistically significant differences from placebo-treated patients were dizziness (5%) and drugged feelings (3%). Does Ambien increase total sleep time? Yes it does. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study, subjective measurements showed Ambien significantly increased total sleep time compared to a placebo for all 4 weeks. Switching to Ambien? There are no definitive clinical trials that address switching from other sleep medications to Ambien. Therefore, it is advisable to allow for an adequate washout period when switching from other sleeping pills, particularly long half-life products like benzodiazepines. Discontinuing Ambien As a general precautionary measure, gradual tapering off of the sleeping medication rather than abrupt discontinuation may be needed. This helps to minimize the potential for withdrawal reactions. Storing Ambien Store Ambien at room temperature away from moisture, heat and children, but not in the bathroom.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll try a pill shaver. We have one somewhere, but I never used it. For what it's worth, I only use the dryer for towels and sheets. I sometimes put clothes in for 10-15 minutes to fluff, but never more than that. I'm afraid of my clothes shrinking. I have had that happen too often. Can anybody tell me how to purchase clothing that won't wear out right away? My husband seems to think that anything expensive must be good, but I've had trouble with expensive clothes too. Price is not a guarantee of quality! (And I'm less forgiving of poor quality in expensive clothes than cheap clothes, because I paid for quality.)

My diagnosis for arthritis happened about 7 years ago. I was on DMARD meds and went off them to get pregnant, which was great because I would go in remission with pregnancy. Anyways, that one pregnancy turned into two and after the birth of my second it came back fiercely. This was last year. I started with anti-inflammatories because I really didn't want to go on harsh meds again, which worked for 6 weeks, then went to Celebrex with worked another 6 and had to move to the DMARDS again. I had a pretty strong reaction this time which really worried me as my blood count got really messed up and this when I started a natural route. I did an elimination diet and had results within 10 days - I could pick up a plate with one hand, turn a door handle, pick up my 1 1/2 year old. At the beginning of the diet, if I ate the wrong foods, the inflammation occurred instantly so with paying attention I could really find my agitators. At this point I was at about 80% (3 months in) so I got an IgG test (food sensitivity) and found dairy and soy to be very high on the list. I now eliminate those but will have a cheat with them every so often. Basically, I follow the 80/20 rule. Eighty percent veggies and fruit with remaining being fish, meats, grains, etc. An ideal day for me could be a spinach salad for breakfast (topped with walnuts, fruit), 1 cup cooked oats with 1/2 cup blueberries, an egg with sauteed spinach, onions, asparagus or zucchini - lunch would be something similar, or meatballs with squash, a soup, rice cake with almond butter and sliced banana, dinner can be a salad with souvlaki, hamburger with green pepper and onions, etc. It got easier as I got into it and more food options became available as to what was good for me. I found it hard going by a book as I do believe each person is different for what it good for them. Since being on the diet my blood count (specifically my ESR rate) has changed, my anemia, gingivitis, fatigue, tooth sensitivity is gone. These are all physical changes that happened - I have psoriasis, which is pretty much cleared except a couple of spots but no dry skin either. I have had all these conditions all my life, as they have been monitored, but not in the past 6 six months since starting this diet! My last dental appointment - no lecture! A first for me. I brushed and flossed regularly beforehand and would always get a tutorial and I would follow and would get the lecture again at the next checkup. It's hard and frustrating but I am glad I didn't give up. The next round of meds suggested scared me. I will no longer be skeptical if someone suggests something to me because if I didn't have that reaction to my medication I wouldn't have done it (the natural route). Sorry it's so long.

Well, I'd like to recommend the Sammich of Death! It has never failed me. At the first sign of a cold, put 1 heaping tablespoon each of chopped garlic, chopped ginger, and Chinese mustard -- the kind you get from a restaurant, not the lily-livered stuff in a jar -- on a cracker or piece of bread (or in a cup of broth). Then eat it. When you recover consciousness, you will find your sinuses are miraculously clear and all the viruses have fled your body. I have occasionally had to resort to a second sammich if I didn't catch the cold fast enough. One of the side benefits is that no one else will catch your cold, because they won't get close to you. There's also Sambucol, an elderberry extract that apparently has been clinically proven to shorten colds, but you must take it early on.