Has zopiclone ruined my life for ever?

Hi fizzlestix,

I take it you've tried all alternatives,

Magnesium, melatonin, 5htp, valerian root chamomile tea etc?

If you have you will have to see your doctor again they can also try you on a cough mixture Benylin I think and also an antihistamine.

I've been there Zopiclone didn't work benzodiazapines I need to have twice the amount I should.

Had the anti psychotics anti depressants (I'm Bipolar).

Yesterday I had 1 and 3/4 hours sleep can't sleep tonight, 3 am now and I feel so ill and horrible so flipping tired it hurts.

No choice but to keep trying really.

But try some of the things I suggested if you haven't done so before. I have had some success with valerian root 900mg but it doesn't work with me for long.

Good luck.

Hello Fizzlestix,

No your life is not ruined. I know you don't know me but trust me. I have gone through something similar and it's still a struggle but I have kept trying and have made so much progress this past year after 4 years of suffering. I'm only 28 and the insomnia started at 24. Very crucial years to build a career and life.

Last year my doctor prescribed me ziploclone. It helped me too on and off for a year. But I realized it wasn't a permanent solution and it was only effective sometimes and 7,5 mg is a lot.

I switch to Doxypin and don't take much and it worked great for a month straight. Since then, I try to mix natural with western meds. A lil essential oils and also some doxypine 10-25 mg.

Or look for Bach Flowers spray or oil... put it on your pillow before you sleep. The comforting anti-stress smell mixed with your meds should help.

I know we want to cut off the meds altogether but it's really hard in these cases. I feel like its better to sleep 5-8 hours having taken meds than sleep 1-3/4 with none or something too light.

Also I go to the gym and run at least 20 min at least 2-3 times a week. Also I drink no caffeine and alcohol very infrequently.

All these methods after only sleeping 20-60 min a night for a horrible 6 months led to lil improvements. First 3hours, then 4 then 5... finally now I sleep usually 6-8 hours a night and sometimes 9 on the weekends to catch up. I still have the occasional bad night of 3 hours. But I can say the quality of my life has improved ten fold.

I wish the same for you. Find your way.

I agree melatonin can help for occasional times too. Plus other plants and infusions teas like verveine.

I've been addicted to sleep drugs for 40 years and have seen dozens of alternative therapists but I'm better now than ever ive been because for 5 years ive combined 7.5 mirtazapine with 3.75 zopiclone it gives me that relaxed sleepy centred feeling. I also take my iPad to bed and play selected Indian native flute music. I've tried masses of music but the native flute is the most condusive sleep sound ive ever found. The problem with insomnia is that we think about it often subconsciously this music distracts this thought process in my experience.