For those of us who fly and have a hard time sleeping on a plane, we know what a GODSEND Ambien can be.

I have had trouble sleeping all of my life. Ambien works very well on planes. The only time I slept on a plane was when I had been up for around 36 hours straight. The great thing about Ambien is it essentially shuts you down - you sleep and thats that. I find I can use it to sleep at my normal sleep time of my destination, and then I suffer zero jetlag.

I only had Ambien once. I had around 90 pills that lasted me around 2.5 years because I used them sparingly and never became addicted or felt I needed them - only used them in situations like flying or when I was having a hard time falling asleep on a Sunday night every few months, etc. Since I ran out, I've gone to two doctors who have been unwilling to prescribe it. Not because of me personally, but they either are skeptical of the side effects, or they feel that the person with sleeping problems just "needs to relax more".

A lot of folks on this site talk about using Ambien to sleep, especially on planes. Has anyone else had problems getting a prescription for it? If so, how did you resolve it? Anyone been to a doc in the North Shore Boston area that had success? I dont have a primary care physician, and going to a new doc and asking for Ambien usually meets with a negative response, but I don't want to 'build a relationship' with a doctor only to find out he is against Ambien on principle and my time has been wasted.

I can't help you as I don't live in your area, but I imagine you can go to any travel doc in your area and they will prescribe it liberally. I go to my doctor's office before a trip and he usually gives me ample samples to get me through the flight and then the adjustment period (1 or 2 nights each way).


Oh..and they have this new stuff...Ambien CR -- it is controlled released so you don't feel totally stoned upon 15 minutes of taking it....and you stay asleep longer.

--Sioux

Must be something about the doctors you have seen. My physician (who I maybe visit twice a year) gave me a prescription last July for twenty - 10mg pills, based upon a phone call to the receptionist. About two weeks ago I called the office again, and asked the same receptionist if I could have a refill, as I was going to Asia in a few weeks, and might need some more.

Three hours later the receptionist called me back and asked for the name of the pharmacy I use. On the way home from work, I stopped by the pharmacy and picked up another twenty.

Suspect the key here, is twenty every six months does not sound abusive to the doc.

BTW, the price is right. With my medical plan co-pay, the twenty cost just over $15.

Yeah but that feeling is half the fun

Seriously, I buy mine from online pharmacies since I don't go to doctors. I think my last order worked out to $.90 per 10mg pill with shipping.

I also recommend you make an appointment to see a travel related physician. The purpose of your visit would be that you are planning an international trip and you want to know the health risks in the area. This would be a good time to review your inoculation history, consider updating or adding to your protection, etc.. Ask what the physician recommends you carry in your "medical emergency kit" and then consider requesting a round of antibiotics for upper respitatory, GI issues, etc and well as tamiflu for exposure to flu-like viruses and the "bird flu" particular in Asia (and perhaps someday in the US?) to put in the kit. I would then mention your problem with sleeping on planes, jet lag, etc. and I am almost certain you will have no problems with the sleep-aid (ambien, etc.) matter.

By the way, the best part of this approach, in my view, is that having such a kit while outside the US will likely save you a lot of time and money if you do have an illness.Also, nice to have an established relationship with a specialist if you need to have a medical consult by phone while outside the US.

I wish you comfortable, healthy, safe travels.

That reminds me of the time two years ago when I got my first prescription for Ambien. A few months later I was getting a new individual health insurance plan to replace the group plan that I was on. It turned out that the prescription for Ambien was a sticking point with BC/BS of NC. I had to explain to them why I had it prescribed, etc. I ended up having to pay a higher rate because of that. (rant for another day....)

Anyway, when I needed more I just asked the doc and he writes a new prescription. Shaking his head as to why someone would want to fly to London and turn around and come back and sleep during the whole thing.
Oh, and for some reason I do not run it through the prescription benefit program.

I've had no problems getting it. Every couple of months I'll call my doc and let him know I've got a couple more trips coming up and would like another dozen ambien. When I pick up the prescription, it's usually 24 10-mg tablets.

I've found that key is letting him know it's not for insomnia, for which he'd be likely to investigate the root cause. I let him know it's merely for adjustment of sleep cycle due to travel and time-zone differences. Using it for just a couple of days at a time is unlikely to have the rebound effects associated with longer durations.

I haven't yet tried the ambien-CR but will next time.

Just ask your regular doctor. If you have a good relationship and explain what it's being used for, I am sure they will write you a prescription.

What are these rebound effects?

I got Lunesta (which is similar) and took it for 6 months, then ran out of pills. I went a whole week without them and could not sleep no matter how tired I was. Finally I got some pills and now sleep like a baby. I can not sleep without them. BEWARE OF ADDICTICTING PILLS!

" A problem that may occur when sleep medicines are stopped is known as "rebound insomnia." This means that a person may have more trouble sleeping the first few nights after the medicine is stopped than before starting the medicine. If you should experience rebound insomnia, do not get discouraged. This problem usually goes away on its own after 1 or 2 nights.

Ambien is habit forming. Stopping this medication suddenly can cause withdrawal effects if you have taken it continuously for several weeks. Talk to your doctor about the safe use of this medication. "

Ambien is by far the BEST sleep aid for longhauls, and the CR version is a nice improvement. I've yet to meet the doc that had a problem perscribing it. Another option for you would be if you've got a nurse practictioner that can perscribe Rx, who may also be very willing to do so.

You could always throw the "free samples" line out there, since Ambien is constantly advertising for those now (if your doc/NP isn't willing to hook you up with a 'script, perhaps he/she'd be game for a trial run at first.)

Umm, I don't mean to come off completely dense, but how do you buy Ambien from an online pharmacy w/o an Rx?

I love ambien! However; I have seen the same doctor for over 10 years so she knows me. I ask her to write out a Rx for 30 pills and have it refilled every 8 months or so. They aren't addictive if you take as prescribed which means 5 - 7 nights MAX.

I usually take one the first night that I'm away and it helps get my body into the right synchronization. I also take them every once in awhile on a flight and it helps me get a good 7 hours of sleep. I awake totally refreshed.

Overseas pharmacies...not in the US and they do not require an RX. You pay them and they ship you the meds. It really is that easy...most of my stuff comes from either India or Fiji.