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Woman blames 'sleep driving' on Ambien

Mar 16, 2007 | www.khou.com

You've heard of sleep walking, "sleep eating," other bizarre behaviors associated with the medication Ambien.

On Wednesday, the FDA urged drug makers to add warnings about these side effects on their labels.

But for one North Texas woman, the caution comes too late.

She may be headed to jail because of what she did while she was sleeping.

"Earrings, diamonds, pendants," says Phyllis Graham, were all the result of what she calls an "Ambient night."

"I was on QVC and Ebay."

She has no recollection of buying any of it.

"I'm very embarrassed that any of this has happened to me."

And while compulsive sleep shopping might be embarrassing, it's not criminal.

But Graham could go to jail for something else she can't recall.

About two years ago, after taking her nightly dose of Ambien, she slipped out of bed and into the driver's seat of a truck.

"Last thing I remember, I was in Arlington jail."

What she can't remember before that, is driving down the block, crashing into this house, then wandering home.

"Then the next thing I hear is her knocking on the window and she's wanting in the house," says her husband Bobby Graham.

He says he was stunned when police showed up and arrested his wife for DWI.

The police report shows Phyllis Graham "intentionally or knowingly" drove the vehicle "while intoxicated."

She says that's not true.

"I did not know I did this. I was not aware of anything. I don't even drive my husband's truck to begin with."

A breathalyzer test Graham voluntarily took showed no alcohol.

She says Ambien caused her to crash into the house.

Arlington police confirm a urine test did show traces of Phenobarbital, a drug used in her reflux medication and Zolpidem - also known as Ambien - but no alcohol.

On Monday, Phyllis Graham goes to trial for driving while intoxicated.

And, she is pleading.

"Yes, I'm innocent, 100 percent innocent."

In the meantime, she latches her door at night.

There are now three latches on the door.

"I make sure there's no way I can get out."

Phyllis Graham hopes home is the only place she'll be locked up.