Zopiclone

I agree that it's a very odd thing for a GP to do - he/she should have been seeing you regularly rather than issuing repeat prescriptions for a drug which should only be taken short-term.

I don't think you should have gone 'cold turkey' though, it might have been better to cut down gradually to let your body get used to less, and eventually taper them off to nothing.

Good luck!

I think it's wrong of your GP to write to you about coming off them, he should see you to talk about it and offer some sort of support while you do. 15 years is a long time to take any drug you can't be expected to just stop. I was under the impression that they are for short term use only, why was he prescribing them for so long?

Oh dear GITM, I hope you did get a good few hours of sleep in. Welcome to GN if you're new.

That's interesting that your GP sent you that info about zopiclone, the "Z drugs are being looked at a lot more closely in recent years. And I think it's easy to fall into substituting with alcohol ...

I don't have any magic wand ideas for sleeplessness, sorry. I hope someone else comes along with some good advice soon.

I have been on Zopiclone for 15+ years, but then received a letter from my G.P. to advise me to come off them as they are associated with a 3-fold increased death rate, a 50%. risk of dementia. an increased risk of falls, addiction and daytime sleepiness.. After a spell in hospital for a hernia operation, I decided to try to o stop, but had so very many sleepless nights that I started to knock myself out with. alcohol, and ended up with withdrawal symptoms. from that. It's now 2-30a.m., and I'm. still wide awake. I should love to know if anyone knows how to get a good night's sleep. I have twenty-five 6 year-olds to entertain in a few hours, and wonder how I'll cope, feeling like a zombie.

That sounds a sensible plan. x

Aiming to stay on 1/2 tablet for a bit.

You've got down to a very low dose Alie, well done (and I mean that sincerely, having been there!).

I think disturbed sleep is a very common occurrence after a bereavement, it will get easier after a while but it's useful to have a bit of help in the meantime.

Slow and steady is the way. You will get there.x

I just went to check and they are 3.75mg.
Not being too hard, I think, I just want to cut it down slowly, not suddenly.

I am scared to stop it from here, as the one night I ran out, a while ago, I got really paranoid the next day - I thought someone had stolen my other packet! Now that's scary.
So - I will do it s.l.o.w....

What dosage are your tablets, Alie? The ones I was on were 7.5mg but I know they also come in a 3.25 dosage.

It's hard cutting down if you have to cut the tablets up - good luck but don't be too hard on yourself. Perhaps try a natural remedy on alternate nights and keep the zopiclone for emergencies when you're ready?

Should be 3/4 tablet tonight. But I did sleep in this morning, having been awake 3-5 or 6 so I have no idea what time i will be able to sleep!

No it's not all that refreshing a sleep half the time.

Well done Allie. I remember quite a long while ago being offered a sleeping tablet when in hospital before surgery next day back in the early 80s. They were dishing them out around the ward like smarties. I think it was temazepam. I seem to remember that although I actually slept it did not seem to be a very refreshing sleep, if you know what I mean.

I have also twice taken valium for a very short while one pack of low dosage. One was after a car accident when I was very shaken up and another when my OH was diagnosed as needing urgent brain surgery.
My GP offered me some support. I thought I could manage but rang him next day to say yes please. It saw me through a dreadful week and I did get some sleep.

"Whatever gets you through" is often very helpful.

That is real progress - you are doing so well.

Now down to less than 1 tablet, about 7/8. Sleep ok, but heat woke me early.

I think you are doing really well, as well Alie. I'm thinking of you, and sending positive vibes, as I'm sure are many others.

Alie I think you're doing really well.

Still going very slowly....b* dogs near me were out at 7.30 barking, so could have done with a bit more sleep.

- But I was up to water in the garden before it got too warm.

Tonight it is one tablet. In two halves, as it doesn't keep me asleep.

That is good news - you have done really well.

Great to hear that Alie

Have reduced the Z very carefully for 2 nights and although I have lost sleep I have FAR more energy! And a clearer head.....

I was concerned about the sleeping drug (Lorezepam - also addictive) I was given during my depressive illness and discussed it with the doc - his phrase was: "Whatever gets you through." It certainly illustrated that he understood the difficulties I was having and how desperate I felt.

I take it very rarely now, and then only a half or a quarter - just enough to get me through the side effects of the anti-depressant which strike mainly at night. And I have found it very useful in a tiny dose when I have a migraine - I am able to just sleep it off.

What I am saying Alie is that it was there for me when I needed it desperately, but that now I have been able to tail it off and just use it occasionally. It may be that this is something you need at present, but as time goes by, in discussion with your GP, you may be able to tail it off carefully. But just at the moment it may be a case for you of "Whatever gets you through."

jings I'm amazed at how unaware some doctors can be. My nephew was staying with us when he had a back op. He came home with boxes and boxes (really) of valium and Tramadol, a very powerful painkiller. He took them as indicated at first and was like a zombie (he is young and strong), so he ditched them. We eventually took most of the script to the pharmacy as 'surplus to requirements'.

more about. sorry

I think on the whole, doctors know what they are doing. They know about the drugs than we do.

She doesn't say, admittedly, but there is mention on the thread about Alie's daughter that she's worried that she's been on them for too long.