Insomnia

[maria40]

I've been suffering from acute insomnia for the past week ; it's not Pred, I know what that insomnia feels like and I'm now down to 8.5 and don't get it. This is purely stress induced: my daughter is going through an unpleasant divorce and I have been supporting her financially as far as I can. We thought we were going to get through but now I've been hit with a huge retrospective tax bill on my German widow's pension which I have drawn for five years and declared at HMRC with never a mention of German tax. My mind keeps doing calculations all night. Today I saw a GP who prescribed Zopiclone. I'm very cautious about any new medications. Does anybody know anything about this? I'd be grateful to hear.

[Grants148]

So sorry that you have to worry about this,l always dread ‘brown envelopes’,l had several after my husband passed away although one was quite a substantial refund.lt is no wonder that you are so stressed,it will play on your mind until you can get some answers.l am sorry l cannot help you with this but l know that the HMRC are very keen to take tax on any extra money we may get,providing we earn enough to pay any tax.

[Grants148]

I also wish to add to my post that l do not know anything about zopicione .

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I suspect that if you appeal HMRC's claim you may well be provided with an easier option. My daughter was clobbered for tax on something but by appealing it was dropped - and she did it because a colleague of her daughter had discovered things change when you protest. They chase the little wo/man because they pay up without arguing...

I can't tell you anything about the zoplicone I'm afraid.

[peace_lover]

I’ve been taking Zopiclone occasionally for about 14 years since I was diagnosed with a liver disease and it’s associated chronic fatigue. It helped when I was working and had to get up in the morning and needed to get off to sleep quickly, as I’m a bit of a night bird and insomniac. For occasional use it’s fine, like most drugs, but it it can become addictive if overused. Just don’t become dependant upon it to get you off to sleep.

It can leave you a bit groggy in the morning if you don’t have enough hours of sleep, and can interact with pain killers like Codeine and make you more sleepy so be careful about driving if you are still feeling the effects.

The most I ever used it was for 4 nights out of 7 in a week and I now hardly ever use it and hasn’t affected my sleep pattern in the long run. It can leave you with a funny metallic taste in your mouth though. Hope this helps.

[Angiejnz]

I use zopiclone occasionally, usually just half a tablet to help me fall asleep. I don't seem to have addiction problems as I only take it sometimes. The better pill I've found is melatonin, a more natural substance that works as well or even better - something to think about maybe??? Hope whatever you use works well for you

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Angiejnz]

Melatonin is not available in the UK except for specific uses on prescription. I believe H&B sell a precursor - they can't sell melatonin as such as it can be bought in the USA and other countries.

[bunnymom]

Have you tried over the counter benedry? It's an antihistamine and won't make you dependant. Will make your mouth dry but maybe worth a try. I use it occasionally.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to bunnymom]

The ingredients for Benadryl vary from country to country and I think the version in the UK does not make you sleepy.

[BonnyQuine in reply to PMRpro]

I use Benadryl occasionally. It does help me get off to sleep - not dramatic, but does work. I use the 8 hour one, as the one-a day one makes me a bit drowsy all day - despite saying 'non-drowsy' on the pack.

[PMRCanada]

I took Zopiclone when I was going through 3 stressful events (divorce, dad dying of cancer living in another province, and restructuring at work resulting in lay off from work). Couldn't sleep, no matter what, mind racing. It worked wonders!! The first time I took it I just drifted off and woke up in the same position completely rested. No groggy feelings in the morning either. You can become dependent over time - I only had one prescription of 30 pills which was not renewed. Of note, when I applied for term life insurance, I was asked several questions about this prescription, more so than any other medical questions (perhaps because I was not on any other medication ever except Iron/B12). Lastly, these pills are very bitter, so be sure to swallow them completely on first attempt or you will be have a bitter taste in your throat.

During my bout with PTSD, I once again encountered sleep disturbances, however that time around I tried an more "organic" approach (wink, wink) that did the trick perfectly as well, no side effects or dependency issues.

I wish you all the best as you try and straighten around your finances. Nothing will bring on stress faster for a mom, than worry about her children (kid or adult). Sure hope things work out in your favour in the long run. Keep us updated, stay strong, but also remember how vital rest is, especially given our condition. Rest well!!

Leslie

[Marijo1951]

I've no experience of Zopiclone so can't comment directly on that.

The main UK equivalent to Benedry (mentioned by bunnymom) is the non-prescription Nytol, the antihistamine version, not the herbal version. Take care because sometimes the herbal one is on the open shelves but the antihistamine one is behind the counter. There are also cheaper, but just as effective equivalents like Boots Sleepeaze and I've been told that Tesco do their own version. The active ingredient is Diphenydramine Hydrochloride. The tablets usually come as 5 mg or 2.5 mg. I find that one 2.5 mg is usually enough to give me a peaceful night's sleep and I wake up refreshed, but the 5 mg one makes me feel a bit punch-drunk when I wake up.

Regarding HMRC, I strongly second the advice to appeal their decision. I have somebody close who works for HMRC and he finds it very frustrating that the 'little' people who owe a bit of tax - often through no fault of their own - are chased hard, while the real tax evaders often get away with it. A well-worded appeal often leads to a fairer solution.

[nuigini]

Zopiclone helped me get through the first few months following PMR diagnosis and high prednisone dose of 40 mg, which severely affected my ability to sleep. When I decided to go off the medication I went cold turkey and had no problem doing so.

[PenelopeVita-Finzi]

I have taken zopiclone in the past when going through a bad period of insomnia due to steroids. It works very fast so you have to be near or in bed before taking it. It did work but I never felt well the day after. It does sound as if you need something to help you get through a very difficult period so I would definitely give it a try. Good luck.

[Purplecrow]

Maria, I use a tea that contains valerian root. It helps settle the racing thoughts and relaxes me. Should find it in health food stores. Also, some of the night-time pain tabs contain a sleep aid. Helps ease aches and pains and eases sleep.

As others have said, please fight the tax issue...squeeky wheel gets the grease..... some times those letters are generated by computer review, and human hands never touch them. So Sit down and write a letter to the humans running the agency.

Explain your situation and ask for help.

Send it to the address mentioned in your tax bill. Keep copies of all communications.

Kind regards, Jerri

[Hellyowl]

Hi,

I had stress related insomnia for years because of the job that I did, I was never very successful with medication. Now, if I am having a bad night I don't fight it, I just try to distract my brain, listen to the radio or read a good, but not heavy book. I try to stay in bed an rest my body even if I am not resting my mind. If it is really bad I find that breaking the tossing and turning by getting a warm drink and bringing back to bed with said book. My partner has to be a bit understanding, we have dimming bedside lamps and luckily he sleeps well.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hellyowl]

The trouble with dimming lamps is that they shoot up to full brightness when switching them off!!!!

[Perkey]

Zopiclone been on it for 18 years never had any trouble with it. I think I am immune to it now and it is all in the mind but as it doesn’t make me feel ill and it works sometimes I will continue luckily my doctor lets me go down this route.🤨