Follow-Up:
I have been taking Ambien for nearly 6 years. I have to take 20 mg because any less simply does not work. Even with the higher dosage I do not usually fall asleep. I am an artist and many times I will wake up and find that I have begun a painting. Sometimes I will move things around. This really FREAKS me out because a few hours after taking Ambien I am up doing stuff, but have complete amnesia the next day. So when I find things moved around I immediately think that someone has been in my house. I try not to use it very much because I have had quite a few times where I have actually gotten dressed and gone out. I don't remember doing it and I can't begin to imagine what could hapen to me in a state like that. Eventually the drug does knock me out but I've been told that before this happens I have vivid hallucinations which I describe to whomever is around at the time. I don't remember any of this happening which is a little frustrating. My Dad also takes it and he also does not fall asleep immediately. He will be awake for a few hours but he does begin to act REALLY goofy before he eventually falls asleep. I can only imagine what I must be like. Anyway, We were told that the reason this stuff doesn't affect us is that we have overactive livers so the drug is processed too quickly and not all of it makes it into our blood stream. This information as well the script for the drug came from Dr. Pepper (yes that is his real name) who was one of the lead Doctors for the Astronauts at NASA in Houston. This drug was developed for the space program so he has been familiar with it for many years before it was made available to the public. I have not yet had a chance to speak with him about these "wanderings" but when I do I will let you know what he says.