Q. I have been taking Ambien for years, and in the past several months have been using it nightly.
I started having problems with reflux, which I attributed to aging and stress. Last week the problem became so severe my esophagus felt like I had eaten ground glass.
I took anything I could to try to relieve the pain. Then I read in your column that Ambien could cause trouble with heartburn. I stopped taking it and within less than a week the pain has diminished. Today I have no reflux at all, which is wonderful, but I am feeling somewhat sleep-deprived. What can you recommend to help me sleep without this medication?
A. Serious heartburn is a common but often unrecognized side effect of sleeping pills like zolpidem (Ambien) and temazepam (Restoril). That was one of the surprising findings from a recent study, which also linked sleeping pill use to increased mortality (BMJ Open, Feb. 27, 2012).
Discontinuing a sleeping pill suddenly can cause rebound insomnia. Gradual withdrawal is usually recommended. Alternative approaches such as magnesium, melatonin, hops or valerian may be helpful while your body is adjusting. Other possibilities, such as an acupressure wrist band, lavender scent for the pillow or a hot bath before bed, might also help you get to sleep.
We are sending you our Guide to Getting a Good Night’s Sleep for more details on these and other helpful options. Others may also be interested in our Guide to Digestive Disorders, with many suggestions for handling heartburn without becoming dependent on medications such as omeprazole or Nexium.
