sleeping

[Evee]

I've been on zopiclone now for over 10 years and they are no longer help me sleep properly. Last night I took about 20 and for the first time in ages I feel rested, I'm only supposed to take 1per night. Does anyone know of sleeping tablet that I could be prescribed in addition to zopiclone?

[jules2105]

Hi evee

I have been prescribed zopliclone but am too scared to take it. I would recommend starting a bedtime routine of going bed earlier with a chamomile tea and a book, it helps me when I stick to it

Jules x

[Evee]

I wouldn't try it as its very addictive and you end up with rebound insomnia when you stop it. I've tried your suggestions but the problem is I wake up very early in the morning and the anti-depressant I'm on causes insomnia but its the only one that seems to work for me.

[Stilltrying_ in reply to Evee]

I completely agree with your last comment Evee. Don't start on sleeping tablets as it is a vicious circle. When I was first prescribed them about 19 years ago I was told they were problem free; the recommended dose then was two times 7.5 mg but I did take a lot more than this and I was allowed to order as many as I wanted and it was not checked.The doctor did sort of know how I used them. I would knock myself out with them and spend days and nights sleeping so as not to be problem to anyone; it was the only way I knew how to cope with the anxiety and not trouble other people. At one point in a 48 hour period I took 16. I felt it had got out of control and went to see a drugs counsellor.

He gave me some useful advice. Basically you only need a certain amount to send you to sleep and you are effectively wasting the rest of your tablets. Evee I do not want to be prescriptive but if you are seriously taking 20 X 7.5 mg that is a hell of a lot and I feel you need help in reducing them and starting to come to terms with the underlying anxiety that must be the reason why you take them. I know how difficult it is as the services would rather you appear to cope than to bother them but the reality is if you are using this amount it is harming your health. It will affect your liver, your heart and also your mind in the longterm. It is only recently they are becoming aware of the harm this tablet can do to your health and the doctors are rapidly backpedalling. They now say 1 is the maximum dose but I feel that 1 is even too much in the longterm.

I would not recommend taking another tablet in addition to zopiclone. I would advise thinking about reducing your zopiclone slowly and also look at changing your anti-depressant as you may find one that works as well and which has a sedative effect. Having said that timing is crucial I know. If someone had said to me to reduce all that time ago I could have ended up doing something far worse. The real issue I felt was really the services could not cope with me saying I was desperate and just blamed me, so I used the zopiclone so as not to be desperate. I no longer feel this is good enough and ask myself why the services seem completely unable to cope when people present as desperate as surely that is what they should be there for? Maybe this is just my own experience I am talking about here but that is how I felt and also that I was constantly criticised and blamed by them for having the problems that I had.

Maybe it would help you to go for some drugs counselling as they can help you look at the underlying issues why you are using these tablets or at least drive it home that really trying to cope in this way is doing you long term damage. If you are reducing you need a definate plan and a drugs counsellor could help you work one out.

I don't have any easy fixes for sleeping as I have a big problem myself but I would rather be sleep deprived than suffer the debilating side effects of long term zopiclone addiction. Really don't mean to be prescriptive as I know how hard it is, but really I feel I need to point out the problems of long term use of this drug. Since I have reduced to a half the feelings of "unreality" have reduced which I had a feeling they would. I no longer get such a feeling of being outside my own body or as blatantly panicky as I did. I plan to come off them completly in about a month.

Gemmalouise

[Evee in reply to Stilltrying_]

I've tried loads of antidepressants but the one I'm on now has the least side effects so I'm stuck in a vicious circle. My CPN keeps saying she's going to refer me to drug addiction support but nothing has come of this. I'm on a long list of people waiting for psychotherapy, in the meantime I'm left to cope with just the meds

[Stilltrying_ in reply to Evee]

I referred myself for therapy to Aquarius. That is in the West midlands but i don't know if there is one in your area? I do appreciate it is very difficult. You say in a later post you are also addicted to co-codamol? I know how hard it is; you will need support and i do understand how long all the waiting lists are etc. Could you maybe try and cut down with the help of your GP or google to see if there are any places where you can self refer in your area? I know that there are no easy answers to these things and it is all very well me saying to you to cut it down but also I do understand that it is hard if/when it is an emotional problem and there is not really the right help forthcoming. Sending you warm wishes and sorry I cannot come up with any better suggestions. x

[Hidden]

Hello

If you have been on them for ten years you really need to start and reduce them as these tablets are not recommended for such a long time period, discuss this with your GP

If you have taken twenty of these medications you may need to see a GP as they can cause damage.

Why did you take such an excessive dose ??, are you alright now??.

BOB

[Evee in reply to Hidden]

I was feeling really low, my CPN has been on holiday for 3 weeks so I had no one to talk to. It is my GP who has been prescribing me Zopiclone for the past 10 years with no mention of coming off them

[Hidden]

Hello

If you are overdosing, to make the drug work, this is dangerous, so you really need to see your GP and explain what has happened. Sometimes a repeat prescription is prescribed automatically and a review may be long overdue.

This may not be the case and a medication may need to be prescribed for a long period of time

If you need a chat you know where to come to for support and understanding, Please tell your GP REGARDING OVERDOSE

Good Luck

BOB

[Evee in reply to Hidden]

My GP and CPN already know I overdose on co-codamol but don't seem to be helping me, its like banging my head against a brick wall.

[Hidden]

Hello Evee

I also overdose on Tramadol, only when in flare up, just an additional two 50mg capsules . It would seem you need to talk to someone regards to the high doses you are taking, is there a second opinion you can get at your surgery.

That is all I can suggest

Good Luck

BOB

[Photogeek]

Evee you need to talk to your own Dr. It's damaging your liver by taking

20 tablets. I think you need to start managing your own illness and take

Positive steps . You now have dual problem of addiction and depression,

So you will need specialist help.

I won't give advice as I am not a pharmacist or Dr. But you need to

Get help .

Hannah

[Luckyring56]

Evee,

Hope you don't mind me asking which antidepressants you're on and whether they've tried you on trazadone, maybe as augmentation as it's the best sedative antidepressant, much better than Mirtazepine in my opinion.

You shouldn't need to be overdosing on anything including cocodamol...did you know that some people can't metabolise codeine and therefore, no matter how many you take, they won't reduce pain. However, Oromorph usually does help. Been there, done that, got the tshirt - took 50 high strength cocodamol all at once...surprised I'm still here!

Zs are no better than benzos (diazepam etc.) for addiction properties. Got that tee too Hun! Took 1000mg diazepam in one go - knock an elephant flat out but not me...how am I still here?

Rather surprised but not OMG amazed at your GP and CPNs reaction. I assume you take painkillers for pain, not just for the hell of it. My GP & psychiatrist are pretty much the same but thought they were unusual.

Care in the community is a total shambles!

Would really luv to help you Hun.

Think about it please.

(((Hugs)))

Lorraine

Xxx