Sleeping medication

[AnonLupi]

Hello Tonight I'm seeing a psychiatrist to discuss getting sleeping medication on the recommendation of my rheumatologist.

I'm hardly sleeping at all and it's effecting my everyday life. I'm a bit worried about taking more medication but I just want some sleep. I have tried all normal routes... any advice?

[Lizzo32]

Gardening?! Cheaper and more effective! Long forest or nature walks!☝️

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Lizzo32]

I've been given zopiclone for 2 wks by gp following the attack on Hugo and I last month. I'd garden if I had one and I'd do long walks if I hadn't recently had ankle surgery and developed stress related breathing issues. Sleeping meds are a last resort sometimes x

[AnonLupi in reply to Spanielmadlady]

Definitely my last resort too! Speedy recovery for your ankle x x

[Spanielmadlady in reply to AnonLupi]

Thank you. X

[cathie in reply to Spanielmadlady]

zopiclone gives me a good nights sleep but I’m very aware that it’s addictive. So I’ve used short courses to establish a healthy sleep pattern. That works for me

[Spanielmadlady in reply to cathie]

I've been given the lower dose for 14 days so fingers crossed after that I won't need it x

[cathie in reply to Spanielmadlady]

I’ve found that deep relaxation techniques like meditation help with sleep too

[AnonLupi in reply to Lizzo32]

Oh believe me I've tried! I've just completed the Lupus UK March challenge dog walk. I walk in the forest everyday x

[Spanielmadlady in reply to AnonLupi]

Well done x

[Tiggywoos]

not sleeping and poor quality sleep is horrid and yes if does affect waking life (and sleeping life ) . I do hope you got on ok in your appointment ?

Sleep is a very complex issue and I’m sure you’ve explored all the reasons why you’re not sleeping . A short course of sleeping tablets (if that’s what the Dr prescribed) certainly can get you back into the rhythm .

Take care x

[AnonLupi in reply to Tiggywoos]

Hello!I had a good chat with the psychiatrist and I explained every method I've tried to sleep. She prescribed a month of zopikloni (I'm in Greece) and she is sure that it will help and get me back into a natural rhythm. 😊 thank you for your reply x

[Tiggywoos in reply to AnonLupi]

Ah I’m so pleased . You might find that it doesn’t take that long 🙂. Well done you for reaching out that takes guts . Don’t forget we’re on here if you need us xx

[AnonLupi in reply to Tiggywoos]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. Enjoy your day 😊

[Tiggywoos in reply to AnonLupi]

Ah you too .. you’ll feel so much better once sleeping again 🙂

[CecilyParsley]

I really hope that it helps you. Sleep deprivation is dire. For the past 14 months I average two hours a night, some nights no sleep at all. Currently no one will prescribe anything to help so I understand only too well your predicament, it makes you crazy xx

[AnonLupi in reply to CecilyParsley]

Oh that's awful! I hope you find some sleep soon. I'm hoping this might help. I tried. Last night and had 3 hrs, usually 1 to 1.5 so I'm keeping my fingers crossed 😘

[CecilyParsley in reply to AnonLupi]

Good news I really hope that you start to get more sleep from now on 🤞🏻xx

[dg70]

I take Gabapentin which is excellent for pain and just putting you out for the night. Before that I tossed and turned all night and woke up 15 to 20 times a night. Not sleeping is a nightmare in itself. Some people try amitriptyline but I found it gave me too vivid dreams. You will find what works for you I guess. Also you're female and menopause age. My sleep got worse around my early fifties but once I started hrt gel and one progesterone tablet a night my sleep improved a bit. It was the pain that the gabapentin completely blocks the signals from body to brain for me. You have a lot in the mix at your age. Menopause and Lupus are not good for producing a great nights sleep.

[AnonLupi in reply to dg70]

I'm hoping that the hot flushes will pass soon (please!). X

[dg70 in reply to AnonLupi]

Mine haven't yet (I'm 55) finished menopause too. They are a bit less. Trouble is having lupus can make you uncomfortable with heat too. Its a joy menopause and lupus! Hope you find your sleep resolution soon. My GP sorted me out. It's a drug sleep but at least I sleep now. Xx

[AnonLupi in reply to dg70]

Thank you! Xx

[JenniferW]

I started taking magnesium glycinate a few months ago and it has helped a lot with sleep.

[Cal48]

I was up and down going to the toilet a physio suggested desmoressin ,it works well I take it inthe evening before bed

[marypw]

I take a low dose of amitriptyline - works fine for me, although I know a lot of people don’t like it.

[AnonLupi in reply to marypw]

I used to take it too and it worked really well. Unfortunately it's impossible for me to find it in Greece. Thanks for replying x

[Tiggywoos in reply to AnonLupi]

That’s such a shame it’s not available in Greece as it’s used by a lot of people on this forum and others 😬. Definitely would better to be taking amitrip than sleeping pills for you for sure xx

[AnonLupi]

So I have taken three nights of zopiclone (one 7.5mg each night). Last night I woke 8 times! I'm not sure if it takes a few days to work or mb I'm intolerant to it! I have to call the Dr in 7 days to check in. I feel like a zombie and idk if that's from this constant insomnia or the tablets too now

[Tiggywoos in reply to AnonLupi]

I would call Dr and check in today . It might be that zopiclone isnt right for you and they may offer something else ..

or they can tell you let you how long it should take to work but I’d of thought pretty quickly ! Let us know how you get on . Providing you don’t drink alcohol with it and you take it an hour before bed I wouldn’t expect you to feel too zombie like . I expect is sleep deprivation that’s making you feel like a zombie 😟xx

[AnonLupi in reply to Tiggywoos]

I called the Dr yesterday, she's swapped the meds. So fingers crossed it arrives at the pharmacy today x

[Tiggywoos in reply to AnonLupi]

Ah that’s good 😊 xx

[AnonLupi in reply to Tiggywoos]

😊