I've had Ambien over the years which my doctor would only give me 7 pills at a time. I would sleep a total of 4 hrs. I have a real problem sleeping and have for many years. The directions tell you not to drive etc, not to take unless you have a full 8 hrs to devote to sleep, not to drive until you know the side affects. I think Ambien is not very good and I've tried Lunesta which is way worse. I woke up with the most horrible taste in my mouth that lasted hours. Now my quack of a doctor seems to push paxil and zoloft at me each time I go there. I am not depressed and I refuse them each time. I don't bother with sleeping aides anymore, instead I just read or get online until I am sleepy. People who use these drugs need to follow the directions . The scarey thing is that I know many people who drive on Valium and Zanex. All these drugs are not to be used when driving. People need to use medications wisely or the law ought to come down hard on them.
The first adverse effect about Ambien that I was taught while training was its propensity for nightmares. Sleep-walking and sleep-driving without any other drugs or alcohol doesn't surprise me. It's classification as a sedative/hypnotic seems appropriate.
Maybe the funny taste in your mouth from Lunesta is from that stupid glow-in-the-dark moth.
I've used Ambien post-surgery, and it worked like a charm, esp. when my incisions were still healing. Kept me still during the night and enabled me to heal more quickly.
Once in a while, I'll take some of the leftover Ambien if I'm trying to make the transition from late-night deadline work to sleep, but I'll only take half. That's usually enough.