Zoplicone and RLS

[Dexterruf]

I take a sleeping pill every 3 or 4 nights to escape from insomnia. I also take gabapentin , 1200 mg ,which does largely quieten my legs. But recently when taking Zoplicone, I wake after 6 or 7 hours of refreshing sleep to get quite a bad attack of RLS. More than I ever experience as I don't suffer too much. This morning I took another 600 mg and after a couple of hours I got back to sleep. Thoughts anyone? Ps I take magnesium supplements a few hours before bed. Phillip.

[SueJohnson]

I take lunesta which has a longer half life. But if you get 7 hours of sleep that is enough for your health. So I would suggest you just get up. And if you really need more sleep take a nap after breakfast.

[Ruffabug in reply to SueJohnson]

Please what does a half life of a drug mean?

[soppysokes in reply to Ruffabug]

it means the amount of time it takes to eliminate each drug from your system dont forget its, 1 type sometimes takes say a few hours to gradually reduce others can take few days.

[Nanpat in reply to soppysokes]

It’s actually the amount of time it takes for the drug to reduce by HALF

[Ruffabug in reply to soppysokes]

Thanks!

[Nanpat in reply to Ruffabug]

It’s amount of time for the drug to reduce by HALF

[Ruffabug in reply to Nanpat]

Thanks!

[Ruffabug in reply to Nanpat]

thanks!

[SueJohnson in reply to Ruffabug]

The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for the amount of a drug's active substance in your body to reduce by half.

[Ruffabug in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you!

[Madlegs1]

Make sure that the magnesium is taken at least 3 hours apart from the Gabapentin.

[SueJohnson]

Are you taking your gabapentin 600 mg 1 to 2 hours before bed and the other 600 mg 2 hours before that as it isn't well absorbed above 600 mg? And as Madlegs1 mentioned take your magmesium3 hours apart.

[Dexterruf in reply to SueJohnson]

Hi Sue. Thanks for being such a guiding light on this forum. I'm not disciplined enough to follow these timings. I ensure the magnesium and gabapentin stay apart. I have mildish ADHD btw. I take Gaba in the night or early morning as I need it. 600mg at a time. Rattling around..X

[Ruffabug]

Hi. I was recently prescribed Zopiclond as I wake three times every night with hot sweats. I also take Gabapentin 1200 mg for RLS which I spread through the afternoon an evening. Also magnesium, one at 9 A M and one at 6 PM. After the first Zopiclone I slept 8 hours solid the first time for over 20 years! I didn’t get RLS afterwards. Then I took one the next night and I was back to waking 3 times again. Still no RLS. So I can’t help you with that I’m sorry. Does it help if you don’t take them every night, but wait till the third night?

[Dexterruf in reply to Ruffabug]

It's very difficult to get sleeping pills permanently. The nanny state NHS worry you will get addicted. Given how crucial sleep is to mental and physical health, does addiction really matter? I'd prefer an addiction to sleep refreshed good all round health

[SueJohnson in reply to Dexterruf]

I agree.

[Typicallygaslit]

I coped mostly on Zopiclone for over twenty years before the RLS was diagnosed (and things were getting worse). It’s not likely to cause RLS. However what does make my RLS worse is magnesium and various forms of vitamin B. You need to test everything you take very religiously. You really shouldn’t take supplements unless you know you’re deficient. For some people, they can overwhelm the system. Also magnesium is not known other than as heresay to help with genuine RLS so it’s worth being very cautious for that reason alone.

[serengazer]

Hi there I was on Zoplicone for 8 years until a horrified doctor took me off of it. It has stopped working and was causing negative side effects The withdrawal symptoms were rough Three months of night sweats, shakes and nausea.

Here in Canada doctors have been advised to use only for a short term of a 8-10 days per year. (My doctor said he received an advisory to limit use of Zopiclone due to side effects) It is very bad for folks with dementia.

Anyways, I would just suggest you do some research into its side effects and long term use. Wishing you all the best as you work treatments out for your best life!

[SueJohnson in reply to serengazer]

Your doctor should have weaned you off the Zoplicone slowly and then you would not have had the withdrawal symptoms. I'm sorry you had to go through that. That is what my doctor did when I stopped clonazepam.

[serengazer in reply to SueJohnson]

Hi Sue as far as I can remember I did come off gradually but maybe eight years of nightly use took its toll or it was still too quick of a withdrawal I just know there is more concern now about its use than when I started many years ago!

Thank you as well for all your amazing, insightful and helpful posts and answers. I feel like I can’t express my appreciation enough for all the help you and others have given me! Grateful for this site!!

[fifields in reply to serengazer]

I have another non-RLS sleep condition and I’ve been on Zopiclone long term for that - Its ability to help me hasn’t changed in that period still a effective with no increase in dose), but I’m concerned to read about its interaction with Dementia, which I don’t have and wouldn’t want to increase the chance, if that’s in any way possible. So have you seen any studies that link use of Zopiclone to worsen other conditions, as I’m keen to find out as much as I can please?

[serengazer in reply to fifields]

Hi there As far as I know Zoolicone has an adverse affect on folks with dementia and is not a cause of dementia.

I cared for my mom several years ago who had dementia and insomnia. I asked the doctor to put her on Zop. He agreed but said it could have negative side effects on dementia . He prescribed only a half dose. Sure enough she had nightmares and hallucinations and was more restless We had to stop right away. That’s all I am basing it on You would need to do further research

[Ruffabug]

I agree. You are so good Sue and have helped so many people cope with this dreadful condition. Thank you also to all these people who have replied to my question re sleeping tablets. I appreciate your comments. As I have terminal cancer with ( probably) around six months to live, my GP is willing to prescribe Zopiclone if it suits me. But with the poor results I’ve had so far, I don’t think I will bother. Just maybe have some in case I’m desperate for a good nights sleep now and then.

[serengazer]

Hi there Absolutely whatever works for you is what you should do Is it possible to get hold of THC/CBD mix An edible or vape meant for sleep is amazing In Canada it is used a lot for folks living with cancer.

My thoughts are with you and I pray you will find sleep, comfort and peace as you live the rest of your life I woke up in the night last week and this lovely picture and then poem came to my mind I don’t know if it is appropriate to share but it is my hope for you Teresa from Canada