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Anyone been on Nitrazepam as long as me and do they still work

Posted , 2 users are following.

sapphireN
sapphireN

:After a nervous breakdown over 40 years ago I was put on Nitrazepam and have been on them ever since. Tried withdrawal group in local hospital once but it didn't work. The dose was upped in 2005 and I now take two. Last few months I find I only get about 4 hours sleep at the most and wake mainly at 2 - 3 am. To get back to sleep I have to take another half and not happy with this but can't function on 4 hours sleep.. Would be grateful if someone could relate to this and give some advice please.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • jamesbrown
    jamesbrown sapphireN

    Posted

    Yes, sapphireN believe it or not I have also been on Nitrazepam for about 35 years. One tablet doesn't work, but I still take it because I am too scared to stop or cut the dose down. Some nights I take two, but to be honest sometimes (like the night before last) even two didn't really do much for me, Strange really, because I often feel Sleepy at lot of the next day.......................I would like to cut them out altogether,of course that needs to be taken VERY slowly, and I can never do it. If Icould get off Nitrazepam and on to one of the more modern sleeping medications (those that don't make you sleepy the next day) I would feel a lot better. I started taking Nitrazepam after a bad breakdown years ago too! haven't any constructive advice for you, but at least you know you are not alone in feeling like you do.To be honest, I know I have a sleep phobia, and get anxious just worrying whether I'm going to get off to sleep or not!  sorry I can't be of much help. wow, what a predicament.!!
  • sapphireN
    sapphireN

    Posted

    Yes it is a predicament James and like you I do feel the big problem is worrying about not sleeping.  After getting over a breakdown caused by stressful job, I left the job but alas could not sleep wiithout the Nitra.  I begged the doctor to help me get off them but he said they were not addictive (I guess that is what they once thought).  I am now taking 2 a night on a regular basis and am stuck in that rut but if it is a night "I must have sleep" (I can't stop myself thinking this) I sometimes take another half.  I must say that however much the dose if I can get 7 hours good sleep I do not feel sleepy the next day but if I don't get that I feel really bad and spend a day just worrying. Sorry I am not much help but wonder if your doctor has made any comments about you having them for so long or ever offered to change them for the new ones out these days.  Good luck and thanks so much for replying.  Sapphire
  • jamesbrown
    jamesbrown sapphireN

    Posted

    Hi SapphireN. Thanks for your post................When I get a medication review with my GP, he always tells me to try and cut down the Nit.I would love to, but try to start on three quarters of a tablet, then after about three of four days I am back at just the usual dose, haven't got the willpower or determination to continue. I have never had difficulty getting my prescription, I assume it's because my Dr is so busy with very ill patients, maybe my Nitrazepam seems trivial.I am physiologically dependant on them really rather than physically if that makes sense.Yes, I am just very anxious about sleep in general.I have been known to cancel a day trip or even a weekend away if I don't get a good nights sleep the night before.Crikey, what do I sound like.Despite my username James I am female by the way, whether that makes a difference I don't know!!!! I wish I could be more casual about this sleep business! If I think of any bright ideas which I feel would help I will be in touch again. Here's hoping????I too get nights when I feel, "I must sleep" to be honest, at the back if my mind I worry that the old depression will appear if I don't.....................that's when I feel vulnerable!......The daft thing about all this is when my son was a baby, and was keeping me awake a lot of the time, I could have "slept for England" lol.
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