What Causes Pressure Sensation In The Head And Insomnia?

Posted on Tue, 9 May 2017

Question: I have asked about my sister before, and gotten good feedback. But she is still suffering! Her major symptoms are pressure in her head (almost constantly) and insomnia. She occasionally can sleep for up to 5 hours, but she has not had a good night's sleep in over 5 weeks now. This all began after dental work 7 weeks ago, and then got worse after she took 3 Ambien pills over 3 nights, which only made things worse for her. When I looked at the side effects of Ambien, she has all of them but they should not be lasting this long? At the moment, she is not functioning well at all and is just plain miserable everyday. Her fear is that she has somehow ended up with permanent brain damage. Which other doctors that she has seen have reassured her is not the case! Thoughts? Thank you, Dr. XXXX

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Zolpidem is a short acting drug.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Dr. L

Thanks for asking

I can understand your concern. Ambien or Zolpidem is a Z-drug used for early insomnia and is safe to use. Even in high doses the drug doesn't cause serious permanent side effects. Taking only three tablets didn't damage her brain. Her symptoms like insomnia, persistent pressure in head, non refreshing sleep, fear that she has ended up with damage etc could be occurring due to some anxiety. This anxiety should be evaluated and treated properly.

Zolpidem is a short acting drug and the effects doesn't last long. So I don't think her symptoms are occurring due to Ambien.

Drugs like Amitriptyline or Mirtzapine can be utilised for her sleep issues. These drugs will help in controlling anxiety too. These drugs will make her sleep refreshing and she will feel better. So please talk with her doctor and ask for the drugs I have mentioned.

Thanks and Take care

You are welcome to ask follow up doubts.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (58 minutes later)

Good Morning, Dr. Bishnoi
Thank you for your prompt reply! I shared your response with my sister and I think she might finally be getting enough consistent feedback that she believes she does not have any permanent brain damage, and with that enough consistent sleep and having the opportunity to talk about her anxiety her life will be back to normal. Thanks again!
Dr. XXXX

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Zolpidem is a safe to use drug.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

Yes just tell her that Zolpidem is a short acting drug. Its effects doesn't last long. The drug doesn't cause permanent brain damage. The drug is one of safest sedative hypnotic drugs. Her anxiety will decrease by own with time.

You can ask again for more clarifications.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar