Long term use of Zopiclone
Posted , 27 users are following.
I realise that nowadays, GP`s aren`t keen on prescribing the \"Z\" drugs, however I started taking Zopiclone in 1994, and to be honest, I still find them the most useful sleeping tablet, even after 17 years. The others Zolpidem and Zaleplon did not work at all for me.
Back when I was initially prescribed them the dose was 15mg and that`s what I take to this day. When I started my journey I was totally messed up, in many ways, and I was lucky to find myself under the care of a Consultant Psychciatrist that wasn`t afraid to prescribe \"unfashionable\" medications, hence my still being on them.
Initially, I was going through divorce, redundancy, bankruptcy, suicidal, self harming... etc. etc., and the main cause for this was my poly drug abuse, and alcoholism, and the problems with Family, ex, friends, health this caused.
To cut a long story short, all this caused a Heart attack when I was 37 years old, and this was the \"prompt\" that finally caused me to grow up.
I`ll restrict this to Zopiclone, as I think this drug is getting a bad press, and although some of it is deserved, I think that if taken properly, it remains an effective way to get some sleep.
From my experience, 15mg is the maximum effective dose, taking more will not make you sleep anymore or get to sleep any quicker, infact in my case taking over 15mg is counter-productive, and can be dangerous.
Basically I had to learn (and it took a long time) not to expect \"knock-out drops\", I find it is best to take them, and within 1/2hr be prepared to sleep. That is in bed, comfortable, dark, and quiet (if all these things can be managed that is). I don`t expect any extreme feelings of drowsiness, etc. in fact I usually cannot remember falling asleep, and often cannot remember dreaming, usually it seems that I close my eyes, and that`s it, it`s morning!. I also found that although many people find the amnesia that sometimes occurs can worry people, my way of looking at it is \"well that`s 33% of my problem solved\", as I`m sure everyone will know, there`s nothing worse than insomnia when you`re Depressed, anxious or worried, or in pain or whatever is keeping you awake 24hrs a day.
Everyone is different, and I see that many people find that Zopiclone is not for them, for many reasons.
If taken as prescribed, I haven`t found anything more effective than Zopiclone for Insomnia.
Hope this helps someone.
Cheers Egggbert
6 likes, 121 replies
beth3070
Posted
I was very interested to read your story. right now i'm a complete mess. My main problem is extreme depression. I have no reason for it, i have a wonderful life with a loving husband. I'm desperately trying to find a reason for this. I have been taking 3.75mg of Zopiclone maybe once a week and wondering if this is causing my depression. when i read your story i realize this is rediculous. I have aslo been taken off prozac put on sertraline for 8 weeks which had no effect and they now want me to start taking citalopram. I can't even leave the house to go and get the prescription. Are you on any other drugs and if so what. I cannot stay in bed any longer i've been hear for 2 weeks now with my thoughts and anxiety's and fantasies of what it would be like to be dead. any advise. thank you for listening
gemmahopley
Posted
beth3070
Posted
Its so good to read when others are going through the same thing. I was interested to hear that you had been referred to a psychiatrist. I have an appointment with my doctor this afternoon as really think i need a referral. at present i'm having CBT. I've only had 4 sessions but to be honest i think the poor CBT guy is out of his depth. He keeps coming up with 'plans' of silly things i'm supposed to do like 'go to the gym' and yet i can't even get in the shower. i have been struggling for year with mild depression and mild anxiety and now it just feels like i can't hold it together any longer, I'm exhausted. to be honest i would like to go residential somewhere just to be totally cut off from my life. Lets see what the doc comes up with. you didn't mention if you were feeling any better on the sertraline, would be interested to know if you are functioning ie, getting our of bed, going to work, cleaning the house, managing bills, seeing friends etc
egggbert
Posted
Prozac/Seroxat I found it near impossible to sleep at all whilst taking these.
Although I personally found that they do rapidly improve depression, in my case they made me extremely impulsive, to such an extent, that I ended up being sewn back together by a Plastic surgeon after a rather nasty suicde attempt., this was 9 years ago.
For Depression I now take Mirtazipine, and Diazepam PRN.
Obviously along with the Zopiclone for sleep.
Hope you find what is right for you
All the best Egggbert
egggbert
Posted
gemmahopley
Posted
skinny_phil
Posted
I had a particularly bad bereavement last April (I was on a flight with my mother and she died on the plane) as a result I was interrogated by the police under video recording and I had to strip so they could have my clothes for forensic examination. As a result of all that had happened I had a "nervous breakdown". Was medicated on Citalopram and sent for CBT. The CBT did not work for me as I could/can not turn my thinking around to banish thoughts/feelings. Also was/am under the community mental health team. Citopram was increased but had no real effect for me. To start I had headaches that felt like a vice was being turned and my head in between it. I was in a "bad place" at this time as I was purposely starving myself and had virtually no sleep for weeks. I got so low that I took all my citalopram (about 30 in mixed strength) drank a bottle of wine and left a suicide note. Didn't work, woke early in the morning feeling terrible and hid the note. Was then put on fluoxetine 20mg then increased to 30 (fluid as only done in 20mg caps) this eventually went up to 50mg. Never did any good. Eventually the CMHT decided to put me on 20mg Fluoxetine & 30mg Mirtazapine. To start off with the Mirtazapine was a miracle cure. Brilliant night sleep (at least 10 hours and the most brilliant realistic exciting dreams) and a ravenous hunger (my weight had dropped to less then 8 stone and I'm 6ft). Got used to Mirtazapine and sleep went to pot. Mirtazapine increased to 45mg and after 6 months sleep stopped again. Now I'm on Mirt, Fluox and Zopiclone (was 3.75g now 7.5g) I only take Zop when I REALLY need a nights sleep as if they stop working I will be like the walking dead!
Sorry about the length of this and hope it might help. I would recommend Mirtazapine especially if you are losing weight as well as suffering insomnia and depression too.
beth3070
Posted
your story is truly awful. YOu have been to hell and back. My thoughts are with you. I only hope you have good friends and family to support you. i also hope you are getting other counseling apart from the CBT (which also was no good for me). I'm going to sit it out with the citalopram for a couple more weeks. its just all such a lottery. Best of luck phil i just hope this next year will be better for you
mikeyboy100uk
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leanne61948 mikeyboy100uk
Posted
mskanji
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skinny_phil
Posted
Hope you are okay. Best wishes Phil.
(I had virtually no sleep yesterday so roll on my 7.5 Zop.
skinny_phil
Posted
Hope you are okay. Best wishes Phil.
(I had virtually no sleep yesterday so roll on my 7.5 Zop.
skinny_phil
Posted
Hope you are okay. Best wishes Phil.
(I had virtually no sleep yesterday so roll on my 7.5 Zop.
boneladyone
Posted