Change of sleeping tablet

Posted , 1 user is following.

i have been thinking of asking my GP to change my zopiclone to amytryptilene tablets.

the zops don't work anymore. My daughter changed and reported she has been sleeping much better.

if he doesn't agree I'm worried he will stop the zopiclone.

dont know what to do for the best.

any others think amytryptilene are better than zopiclone.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Vivien,

    good to see you're still posting, you helped me in the past. I've tried switching to ami but I have to be honest it takes about 8x10mg for me to sleep without zop

    at the moment, I've reduced from zop abuse (4 or 5 per day) to half X 7.5mg per night plus 3 amitriptylene. I've been at this level for 4 weeks so on Tues my plan is quarter zop plus 3 ami for the next 4 weeks. My aim is to get free of all sleeping med eventually but a 40 year habit of self medication for sleep will take time. I've cold turkeyed in the past and ssuffered horrendous rebound insomnia so that's why I've decided to be kind to myself. Sorry if I've been unable to help. wishing you success.

    • Posted

      Hi Sheila.

      Thank you for replying.

      So, do you think zopiclone are better than Amytryptilene for you personally.

      its strange, but they seem to work ok for some and not others.

      Good luck.

       

  • Posted

    Hi Vivien,

    I'm so sorry you're still having problems. Amitriptylene is not a sleeping pill, it's an anti-depressant, and I have taken it in the past.

    In combination with zopiclone it didn't do anything useful. I was taking 125mg a day (prescribed) and it actually gave me hallucinations which comtinued into the next day ssometimes.

    Everyone is different. I do understand your worry over your GP stopping the zopiclone - that's happened to me, too. It's terrifying, and it's very bad practice on the GP's part.

    So, to sum up, I amm personally not of the opinion that amitriptyline is of great use, and it is also very dangerous in overdose. It has loads of other side-effects as well (have you googled it/) so for the moment I a wondering if you can change GPs? I don't know where you live. If it's a rural area and there's only one surgery you can attend, changing GPs will be impossible.

    I have mentioned your difficulties at the clinic to the doctor who runs mine, and he is appalled, He said that everywhere is supposed to have such a clinic available, with an expert in charge and at least two GPs on board, whose job  is  not only to see and treat addicts but also to disseminate information amongst all the other GPs in the area. He admits that this isn't happening very quickly, but it's policy now.

    That wasn't very helpful on a personal level to you, I know, but I thought you'd be interested.

    Last resort - download and copy The Ashton Method and take it to show your GP.

    There has to be a way out of this and I'm not giving up racking my brains until you get the treatment you need. Sorry I haven't been in touch lately, but I certainly haven't forgotten you.

    Still thinking, love Tess.

    • Posted

      Hi Tess.

      just read this after I sent you a pm.

      yes, it's a shame the Centre I went to couldn't help me.

      they are obviously more up to speed at London clinics.

      i will take on board what you said. And thanks.

      Thank y

      i will take on board what you said.

       

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