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Have a prescription for Zopiclone...... advice please

Posted , 7 users are following.

matthew87206
matthew87206

Hi all

Today I visited my GP and have been given a prescription for Zopiclone 7.5mg to treat my Insomnia.  I'm also taking Fluoxetine 40mg.  After a recent suicide attempt I'm worried about taking these and becoming dependant on them.  He was going to prescribe me Mirtazapine but my psychiatrist was against island upped my Fluoxetine to 40mg.

I'm new to all this and always research before taking any new drug.

My Gp also thinks I may have Serotonin Syndrome as I suffer from constant shakes but I think it is just bad anxiety.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated 

Matt x

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • jimmy_48419
    jimmy_48419 matthew87206

    Posted

    I'm not going to offer any advice but I will share my experience of the drug.

    I had just 20 pills over the course of two months around July time this year. My sleeping became worse and I now have permant tinitus in both ears which is a depressing reminder of this horrible drug.

    Everyones experience is different and I'm sure there would be some positive ones but mine is not. I have few regrets in my life but taking that pill without proper research is one of them.

    I've since used an app called "Andrew Johnsons Deep sleep" which, despite reservasions, really helped me.

    Good luck :-)

    • matthew87206
      matthew87206 jimmy_48419

      Posted

      Thanks Jimmy, I also suffer from Tinitus but find that I can block it out or tune into it and I find it somewhat comforting (weird I know).

      I think I will go back to my GP before I even start this drug.

      I'll try the app and see if that helps before I start putting something else in my body, although a good night's sleep would be welcome 

      Matt x

  • jimmy_48419
    jimmy_48419 matthew87206

    Posted

    lol yes after 6 months of tinnitus I'm used to it and it doesnt bother me too much. I would prefer it would jog on though !

    My sleep issues are caused by ME - going down the drugs route was wrong for me but may be OK for some.

    That App is bizzarre. I used to lay there for hours trying to sleep but it knocks me out in minutes. It did take a few nights for I felt any benefit.

    Theres also a book called - The Effortless Sleep Method. If you dont want to take any drugs then the advice, although some is common sense, is worth a read :-)

    • matthew87206
      matthew87206 jimmy_48419

      Posted

      Cheers Jimmy. I also give it a read, if it's boring may put me to sleep anyway.

      Thanks for replying.

      Matt x

  • lisa82294
    lisa82294 matthew87206

    Posted

    hi matt

    please, please. dont take zopiclone, they have ruined my life. i have been on them for severn years. i ended up on 7x7.5mg a night, now down to three 7,5mg. but the withdrawl is killing me. my doc has no idea how to help me, so im in a living hell. so please dont end up like me. so sorry to hear about your recent suicide attempt, but these evill pills will not help. be kind to yourself. will be thinking off you. take care. lisa x x 

    • jimmy_48419
      jimmy_48419 lisa82294

      Posted

      Lisa - thats awful. How come they gave you so much in the first place. At least you're on the right path and have cut down :-)

      x

    • matthew87206
      matthew87206 lisa82294

      Posted

      Hi Lisa, thanks for replying..

      I have an addictive personality and know that I won't give these up hence my research first.

      Surprised my Dr gave these to me knowing everything about me.

      Going to go back to the my GP tomorrow and see if there is anything else he can suggest.  The fluoxitine make me jittery so maybe Mirtazapine at night is a better solution.

      Matt x

    • lisa82294
      lisa82294 jimmy_48419

      Posted

      hi jimmy

      like an idiot i got them off the net, so i could have taking anything. 

      lisa x

  • UK-Ven-medicate
    UK-Ven-medicate matthew87206

    Posted

    I have taken it whislt using Mitazapine and also recently when on Venflaxine. I never took the dose you took and always was given 3.75 tablets and told I could go up to 7.5.

    I found after 3 day my sleep was worse to a degree, as i feel more tired in the morning. You can always stop the zop if it doesnt work

  • jimdandy
    jimdandy matthew87206

    Posted

    I am no doctor but have taken plenty of Z-drugs.  Practical experience tells me that Zopiclone is not a drug that worsens depression or suicidal tendencies. Unlike Zolpidem, which definitely does in some people.

    I also know a guy who had cause for deep depression and he tapered off with Mirtazapine , which is a known therapy for this.

    The issue with Zoplidem is that once you rely on it for sleep, you cannot sleep without it. Getting to sleep without is a bigger problem than when you started. So don’t take it for more than 3 weeks if you can.

    Fluoxetine is an SSRI and I have seen the effects of SSRIs many times, and in some people they will all be unsuccessful.  Doctors seem to love them, but I have never met a person who felt better long term for them

    Life must be highs and lows, and you need some lows to appreciate the highs. Artificially boosting your serotonin seems to send some people into a worse state. 

    And the big thing about depression, I believe, is to identify the underlying cause – if you can – and try to remove it.  That may not be possible, but if you can you are on a far better road.

    But out of taking an SSRI or Zopiclone I would always choose the latter, but don’t be tempted to up the dose.

    • UK-Ven-medicate
      UK-Ven-medicate jimdandy

      Posted

      Anti Depressant I agree only help with symptoms they dont solve problem, that's not to say they don't have a place in treatment of depression
  • linda83143l
    linda83143l matthew87206

    Posted

    Zopiclone are highly addictive and within a short time of three weeks, coming off them is hell..try taking then on alternate nights hence reducing the chance of addiction

    Mertazapine has a sedative quality that will calm you and help you sleep. Its also a mood stabilizer.

    Give zopiclone a try and you may get a good nights sleep but remember they are highly addictive xxx

  • sandrao02050
    sandrao02050 matthew87206

    Posted

    Dont go on them I have been on them 3 yrs very dependant on them now. I have the shakes really badly too doctor put me on mirtazapine 15mg a day then hasnt helped have tryed serotonin that gave me the runs really badly DONT DONT DONT GO ON ZOPICLONE NEVER EVER EVER worst drug I think that could be issued by doctors
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