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I've finally done it

Posted , 14 users are following.

mary_70540
mary_70540

After being on zopiclone for five years I found it was starting to keep me awake and if I didn't take them I felt so I'll,so either way I was so tired it was starting to take a toll on my mental health ,anxiety,panic attacks it was awful .I knew things couldn't get much worse so I just stopped ,I didn't hardly sleep for two weeks and when I did the nightmares were something else ,I had the sweats and vomited and felt like hell .then after two weeks things got better within three weeks I was sleeping like a baby having normal dreams for the first time in years I looked forward to bedtime.I'm a happier nicer person and I feel great .I was very lucky because during this time I didn't work as I'm home with a broken leg I'm not sure I could have done this and go to work.so I just wanted people to no this can be done its hard but do able good luck to everyone I'm happy to chat to anyone who could do with some support x

7 likes, 79 replies

79 Replies

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  • carmel91433
    carmel91433 mary_70540

    Posted

    Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement, you are really helping me go through this, I've found a confidence I didn't know I had. After 18 years being on zopiclone 2 nights without sleep is hard but you know what I'm ok with it because I know like so many of you I can do it now. So nice to wake up without that metal taste in my mouth. I am proud of myself, I so underestimated myself. Will keep you posted with my progress. Thank you all.
    • ex-zombi
      ex-zombi carmel91433

      Posted

      Carmel, wonder! Glad you are discovering your inner strength and are re-estimating yourself. 18 years is a long time. Don't give in. Even 1 hr of real sleep is better than that pill induced one. I never thought I can rid myself of zoplicones after 7 years, but now after just over a month without of them I am feeling so much like my own old creative self and totally amazed it can be. Wishing you well Carmel. Dont worry, just do it! smile
    • sheila65847
      sheila65847 carmel91433

      Posted

      Go Carmel! I've just completed a week and though Im tired as had no sleep last night, i feel really good about myself. I'm amazed that I've got through it. It sure feels good
    • carmel91433
      carmel91433 ex-zombi

      Posted

      So happy for you keep up the good work. Three nights now without pills, hardly any sleep but feel good about it, no way I will start again, actually I really didn't sleep better when I was on them. Pure poison that's what they are. Thank you everyone again for your support.
    • carmel91433
      carmel91433 sheila65847

      Posted

      Hi Sheila you're doing it, one week, proud of you keep up the good work. Realize I should have done this years ago but I guess it's never too late right? Don't know how long it takes to get all that poison out of our systems. It will be like experiencing life again when I literally start sleeping on my own, can't wait!
    • sheila65847
      sheila65847 carmel91433

      Posted

      Hi Carmel, that's great news, 3 nights. I'm not going back either. Despite only 3 hours sleep since Sunday. I have no motivation to do anything but from what others have said this will just be temporary. I'm physically shattered but after 10 years of dependency it'sto be expected. Keep up the good work , my friend!
    • mary_70540
      mary_70540 sheila65847

      Posted

      Big pat on the back to us all I seriously feel like I know you all lol ,onwards and upwards xx
    • ex-zombi
      ex-zombi carmel91433

      Posted

      Hello Carmel. Good on you to get to the 6th day and night. You asked about how to cope with the sleepless nights. First 2 or 3 nights I just tossed n turned in bewilderment, but forced myself to stay in bed. Then I started to read, mainly twitter on my tablet, but then found most comforting just to leave on the radio on (bbc 4, my favourite station) and found myself drifting away to sleep. ( I live on my own so the radio not disturbing anyone else smile ,, Even now that I sleep well, I often like to drift off to sleep to the sound of talk radio. I think the trick is not to TRY to sleep and not to stress about it. Easily said, I know. Hope this is of some help. Just hang on there. I so want you to succeed! !
    • carmel91433
      carmel91433 ex-zombi

      Posted

      Hi ex-zombi, I have to be careful not to wake my husband but maybe I'll try headphones and listen to relaxing music maybe that will help. You know I've been told numerous times not to read in bed because it will only make matters worse but I think I will give it a go as well, who knows maybe it would work for me. At this point I figure just laying there awake might as well do some reading. Years ago I was at a sleep disorder clinic and that's where they told me not to read in bed but I'll try anyway. Thank you really appreciate it and the best of luck to you to.
  • mary_70540
    mary_70540

    Posted

    I'm so glad I started this thread the support we have all given each other has been great ,I no it has helped me no end being able to share my story.all of us should be very proud of ourselves and those who are still going through it keep it up and stay strong .I feel very happy thank you everyone x
  • ex-zombi
    ex-zombi mary_70540

    Posted

    Mary, your are great! Thank you for starting the thread. Best wishes.

  • elen52363
    elen52363 mary_70540

    Posted

    Well done Mary, that takes some will power, though as you say, it also helped that you didn't have to go to work. I take 3.75mg four nights a week on average and although I have never upped the dose, I sometimes take it with alcohol, and would really like to wean myself off it makes me feel bad about myself and recently my skin has been awful, all blotchy and spotty (not sure if it's connected to the drug). I would ask for help from my doctor, but the problem is that I am given them by an elderly respectable relative, and cannot tell my doctor in case I get this person (and myself!) into trouble. Any tips would be gratefully received.
    • cris97686
      cris97686 elen52363

      Posted

      Hi Helen, i was taking 7.5 every night for 2 years and I went cold turkey a week ago. I had cold sweats the first night and didn't sleep for 3 nights. I started taking homeopathic pills called "Insomnia" and I sleep pretty well and dream again for the first time in 2 years. I still wake up during the night but I fall back asleep. It should be much easier for you if you only take it 4 times a week. You can do it. Just don't lay in bed and think that you will not sleep. Have a warm lavender bath, have a cup of warm milk with honey and put on relax music and just talk yourself that you will have a great sleep. It really works.
    • elen52363
      elen52363 cris97686

      Posted

      Thanks for your words of encouragement. I took a big step after joining this forum today and contacted the Prescribed Medication Support Service; spoke to a very sympathetic woman there about my predicament (not being on a prescription for Zopiclone myself etc) and she made an appointment for me anyway and said she'd talk to my doctor herself to ask for a referral on by behalf, promising they wouldn't report me or my 'supplier' as it isn't a classified drug. So yes, I'm determined to come off them. Lavender is a good idea but unfortunately don't like warm milk! Where do you get the homeopathic pills from?
    • mary_70540
      mary_70540 elen52363

      Posted

      Elen why don't you try cutting them down more ,try 3 days a week .do you have to go to work ,if you don't I'd try to go cold turkey as you are on a fairly low dose .also I wouldn't mix them with alcohol if the pills aren't working by themselves that its defiantly time to stop .good luck
    • mary_70540
      mary_70540 elen52363

      Posted

      That's brilliant elen you've taken the first step well done
    • cris97686
      cris97686 elen52363

      Posted

      I get the homeopathic pills from the health store. I am in Canada so I don't know where you are but you can also find them online.
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