Ambien and memory problems

I've been taking it on and off for many years. I split the 10mg pills in half and only take it sun-thurs so it gets out of my system on the weekends. I have experienced amnesia, doing things that I don't remember on a couple of occasions. I don't take it until I get into bed but if it doesn't put me to sleep soon I'll get up and do things and then have memory problems. Otherwise, no other side effects.

The first night I took it (10mg), I took it about 1/2 hour before bed. Got extremely dizzy and I don't remember anything after brushing my teeth. Took it 2 other times after that 1 5mg 1 10mg. The 10mg worked better. In every case I was in a daze the next day until about noon. Thinking back, I did have some memory problems during that time period.

HAS AMBIEN GIVEN ANYONE ANT MEMORY PROBLEMS? I HAVE BEEN TAKING IT FOR 3-4 YEARS AND IT SEEMS LIKE MY SHORT TERM MEMORY HAS GOTTEN REALLY BAD. I WANT TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE IS THE SAME.