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Help Required - Coming off Zopiclone

Posted , 5 users are following.

ben04432
ben04432

Hi,

I have been taking 7.5MG Zopiclone for approx 10 years. I have trouble sleeping due to my brain being so active. I run a business and have many pressures to deal with, as well as a very active mind, especially at night when I'm trying to go to sleep! I have tried many things in the past to deal with the problem, from counter sleeping tablets (which make me not function the next day), through to natural remedies such as having a bath, excercising etc before bed. Nothing seems to relax me to the point that I can sleep and so my doctor prescribed me with zop years ago, which I feel really did help, and was the only thing that would relax me to the point I could sleep, and feel ok the next day. Now 10 years on, my new doctor is very concerned I have been on them for so long and has instantly cut my dosage to 3.5MG per night. 

The problem I face is that even the 7.5MG dont work anymore, and I feel my mood is being effected, and having read up about the side effects, I just want to get off them. I understand they are a drug and not natural to your body. I feel in a catch 22 situation as without them i dont think i will sleep, but long term they are no good for your body, and the dosage isnt working like it used to. So, I decided to go cold turkey 5 nights ago (since i had the week off from work). I havent had many hours sleep each night and i do feel really fuzzy, and as expected VERY tired and lethargic.

I am not sure what to do about the cold turkey situation....

Personally i want to just stop taking them, but I am concerned that i will not function properly the next day as I am already experiencing. It is fine at the moment because im just at home, but if i was at work, i would not be very productive at all! I am also feeling quite ill, but its more a cough and cold, which could be due to the cold weather?

I think a lot of the time its mind over matter, but im aware this is an addictive drug and that science might play a part in this, and if so, there might be proven best effective ways from coming off zop. Ive read about people being prescribed other drugs, but im not sure thats for me. I just want to stop altogether. but is it dangerous to stop cold turkey? 

And whats the point in weening off them to 3mg per night when the 7.5mg isn't having much effect? 

Im so tired, im a little confused which is probably one side effect, most likely due to lack of sleep. But i just don't know what to do, or the best way to go about it.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

 

0 likes, 23 replies

23 Replies

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  • jacqueline01135
    jacqueline01135 ben04432

    Posted

    Why is it with the people who are not sleep deprived are hell bent on stopping

    the Zoppy users to stop us using it. I am a user ,thank goodness .I need it as I

    suffer from Tinnitus and the never ending orchesrtal noises are louder at night

    consequently NO sleep .I have no side effects from the ""drug"" only a good one,

    I sleep. t

    Thousands of people take far more toxic drugs for years, without being

    constantly badgered to stop taking them ,and lots of them have unbearable 

    side effects 

    Lack of sleep is a far worse condition ,and causes many problems, in a catch

    22 situation .

    SO ,stop stressing yourself out ,go to bed take the Zoppy''''''''s ,and tell

    yourself that you are going to have a "really good sleep. Mind over matter ,

    most important . Sleep tight, hope the bugs don't bite !!!! Grandma always

    used to send me off to bed saying that  

  • vivien58797
    vivien58797 ben04432

    Posted

    Hi Ben,

    .

    yes, mostly I do get of to sleep ok on one 7.5mg. Occasionally, they don't work, but very rarely do I take more than that.  I find sleep relaxation methods help.  Also, if I can't sleep, listening to the radio, LBC. Helps.

    no, I don't get any side effects that I am aware of. My memory is very poor, but that could be down to my age.  Also,  I don't have a lot of energy, but the trouble with zopiclone is they are only in the bloodstream for around five to six hours, so the most sleep I ever get is around five hours.  Hence tiredness and lethargy the next day.  But I reckon five hours is better than no hours.  I still function ok the following day, at least I think I do.

    • vivien58797
      vivien58797 daniel19975

      Posted

      Hi Daniel.  In answer to your question, I am seventy years old.  I have been on zops for around twenty years I think.   Before that it was mogadon and before that is nitrazepam and various others.

      believe it or not, in the late sixties and early seventies, doctors prescribed barbiturates for me, not a good move as I ended up taking an overdose.

      Unfortunately, I am a hardened insomniac.

      Of to the docs soon to do battle and try to get my zops back. It's always a worry when they say they need to review them.

    • daniel19975
      daniel19975 vivien58797

      Posted

      Thank you for answering smile I guess their is little point you changing something you've had for most of your life? If it keeps you stable and you sleep then I would continue, have you had any health issues from long term use?
    • vivien58797
      vivien58797 daniel19975

      Posted

      No, I don't think so. Or none that I am aware of.   I am another one with an overactive mind, especially at night.  Without a tablet, I just can't sleep.
  • roger08365
    roger08365 ben04432

    Posted

    Hi Ben

    Like you and others, I also seem to have an over active mind.  I have been taking zopiclone for the best part of four years but have cut down to a very low dose over about a six month period.  I think that the comments on this site reflect widely differing experiences with effective dosage and withdrawal rates - seems to be a very individual experience. 

    I think it is worth trying meditation if you haven't already done so - you may find it is a helpful (and gentle) form of relaxation.

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