Sleeping tablets

[ld31]

Hi, could anyone help me decide weather to take sleeping tablets zopiclone, I'm so stressed and sad about my health problems, can't sleep with high anxiety. Don't know what to do. I don't drink alcohol. So I am at my wits end I've had 2 heart surgerys and have a I.c.d. pacemaker in as well..ld31

[Hidden]

Id,

Sleeping tablets have their place but it is better to get thyroid meds working and then ( hopefully) sleep will happen more naturally.

Sleep is often disturbed due to adrenal problems caused by undiagnoised or mismanaged hypothyroidism.

You indicated weight gain in a previous reply so I'm guessing you are undermedicated or aren't allowing the right conditions for thyroid meds to work.

Low thyroid hormone will encourage conditions that cause deficiencies in VitB12, Vit D, folate and ferritin. These are the very nutrients required for good thyroid function so ask your doctor to test.

Post results along with any recent thyroid test results, complete with ranges

(numbers in brackets) for members to comment.

Eating three healthy meals of low GI carbs, fats and protein will help to stabilise blood sugar levels during the day and relieve stress from the adrenals glands. Eating a g/f cracker with peanut butter before bed will help keep glucose levels balanced for the regeneration that happens in the liver between 2 & 4 am and can wake us if low.

Having a bath before bed with Epsom salts will help relax you as the magnesium found in the salts is thought to help promote sleep.

Flower

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

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[imagisal]

Hi id31. I have been in a similar situation and the temporary use of zopiclone helped me through the worst times. Underlying causes should be investigated as Flower007 writes but until then using the sleeping tablet just might give you some rest to have enough energy to find your wY through what sounds like a particularly challenging time. The doctors always lay on the guilt about them being addictive but used properly and with the knowledge they can only be temporary they can make a huge difference. I have also been using mindfulness meditation and a good book called The Chimp Paradox to deal with anxiety and panick attacks while working on getting to the root cause. Best wishes.

[ld31 in reply to imagisal]

Thanks.

[Hidden]

Hi I agree with magisal, I have used them at times also, and found them very useful.

My only advice is to use the 3.5mg and see if that works for you rather than 7 which I found left me a little slow 'ish' in the mornings but worth it for the restful sleep!

[ld31 in reply to Hidden]

Hi where do I get magisal I've never heard of them before can I get them at chemist or drs, I live in UK. Thanks for help.

[Hidden in reply to ld31]

Sorry ID31 not clear what I meant! Should have read I agree with imagisal, the reply before mine. It's zopiclone I have used.

[Clutter in reply to ld31]

Ld31, Zopiclone is prescription only in the UK. I found them useful before thyroid meds were optimal but my GP would only prescribe 7 per month to avoid addiction.

[ld31 in reply to Clutter]

OK thanks.

[humanbean]

Have you ever heard of 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan)? It is a non-prescription supplement that helps many people feel less anxious, less depressed, and helps people to sleep better. Look it up on Amazon and read the reviews. It's extremely popular.

If it interests you, please try it before trying zopiclone. And because 5-HTP increases serotonin like many other anti-depressants, it must not be mixed with any of the following medications :

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serot...

(Note that anti-depressants must never be mixed, and that applies to prescribed ones as well as over the counter ones.)

I take 50mg per night which is a low dose by most people's standards but it works for me. I've been taking the same dose almost every night for nearly 5 years. I have very occasionally doubled my dose but it has never become necessary to increase my dose permanently - in other words I haven't developed any tolerance.

5-HTP doesn't work for everyone. But if it is going to work you'll probably know within a week. If it hasn't made any difference within two weeks it isn't worth continuing to take it. If you decide to try it, don't buy a large amount to begin with.

Taking too high a dose can make some people (including me) feel twitchy. Start with 50mg and only increase the dose if absolutely necessary. It's a bit difficult to find 50mg capsules or tablets, most manufacturers sell 100mg capsules, but it is worth searching for the lower dose. Once people know what dose works for them they can buy capsules in a suitable dosage size.

Although I got a very quick improvement in my depression and anxiety the effects on sleep took a bit longer.

The reason 5-HTP works to help sleep as well as depression is because it is converted in the body into serotonin and melatonin.

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...

[ld31 in reply to humanbean]

Hi, can you buy it from chemist ,

[humanbean in reply to ld31]

You can buy it from Holland & Barrett or GNC. Any shop dedicated to selling supplements will probably stock it. I've never tried to buy it from a pharmacy.

hollandandbarrett.com/shop/...

gnc.co.uk/shop/product/gnc-...

5-HTP from Holland & Barrett isn't cheap, and there are lots of cheaper options, particularly online from Amazon. However, I've been using the H&B 5-HTP since the start and I have never tried changing it since it works for me. I always buy it in their penny sales - buy one bottle get a second for a penny - to keep my costs down. But one of these days I will have to experiment with different brands to try and save myself some money.

[humanbean in reply to humanbean]

I forgot to say - Tesco has sold it in the past. I don't know if they still do.

[ld31 in reply to humanbean]

You know what humanbean I never thought about supplement stores, you are the greatest I wish I could kiss u in the flesh right now, but sorry this will have to do xxx going there tomorrow morning fingers crossed it will work ,rather than drs meds is zopiclone. Thanks again. Have a good night. Sleep well...

[Hidden in reply to ld31]

Id,

I use 5-HTP (as suggested by HB) and find it very beneficial.

I only take 50 mcg as when I went higher it gave me internals tremors.

My endo told me he uses it too ! !

Hope it helps you.

Flower

[ld31]

Thanks flower007 will try tomorrow let u know how it goes night. Ld31

[CarolineC57]

I definitely agree with those who've said try 5-HTP first. I've been using it for a while as my chronic insomnia was driving me mad. Definitely much better to use a natural product like this rather than potentially addictive sleeping tablets. My mum ended up addicted to sleeping tablets (thanks to the policy in those days of simply keeping going with repeat prescriptions rather than reviewing them) so I've been trying to avoid them at all costs. Good luck!

[ld31]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. Ld31

[ld31 in reply to ld31]

Where can I get 5 htp hydro ox tryptophan for my sleeping problem, I know you can get it from Holland and Barrett. I've tried to buy online but I just can't do it keeps saying no to me. CAC anybody help please. Ld31

[humanbean in reply to ld31]

Where are you trying to buy it from? Which website?

[ld31 in reply to humanbean]

I tryed Holland and Barrett but no joy then Amazon and it kept saying my passwords were no good. I'm not very good on this buying online, thanks for trying to help, I'm going to go to Holland and Barrett tomorrow, theve got some good deals on. Ld31

[humanbean in reply to ld31]

Good luck.

[ld31 in reply to humanbean]

Thanks..

[ld31]

I, don't want to go down that road with starting drs meds like zopiclone, I want to try the herbal way first, especially with my heart and mechanical valves, thanks. Ld31 I'm actually 47. Never mind.

[Clairedelalune]

I use Valerian if I am really not able to sleep. It doesn't interact with my thyroid meds and it doesn't leave me too drowsy. You should be able to easily find some in stores.

But watch out for OTC supplements containing HOPS or MELATONIN as these can provoke an auto-immune flare.