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zopiclone

Posted , 4 users are following.

julie1111
julie1111

hello all i am going through so much at the moment and trying to get my life back together, i start some courses at the end of july and down for CBT . they have cut my zopiclone down and im worried, i wont be able to move on from this black hole with out sleep. im at the doctors on monday as the last doctor i seen had no empathy at one stage while i was crying she said why u worried u dont work,, i had a terrible time afterward, felt no support from her! i would like to ask you all is there anything else i could ask for that will help me sleep from the doctor , so i can ask them for that on monday.. please help..julie

1 like, 21 replies

21 Replies

  • keith09733
    keith09733 julie1111

    Posted

    I really don't think most doctors have any idea about the Z drugs and how addictive they are. When I went to mine the first time and told him I was addicted to them and took 4 a day, his response was 'I've never heard anything like this, I'll have to consult a specialist'.

    I would take the CITA stuff along, tell them you get withdrawal symptoms if you try and cut down and you need to be referred to someone who can help you cross over to diazepam (as CITA suggests) over a period of time.

    As for the comment 'why are you worried' that is irrelevant and rude! Remind them they have a duty of care towards you. I actually wrote a letter to my doctor (as that always rattles them, they have to file such communication) and he rang the next day to assure me he hadn't forgotten and he would keep precribing me until I got started on the referral.

    • julie1111
      julie1111 keith09733

      Posted

      hi keith thanks for the reply , i have noted every thing down im at docs on monday. i was hurt when she said that to me unbelievable .. thank you x
    • keith09733
      keith09733 julie1111

      Posted

      Her comment was probably unthinking, but that's what we seem to have - people don't understand what the problem is so they trivialise it. She thinkks just because you don't work, the problem is less than if you did. Well it's not, its the same problem. The results may be different (e.g you may be rendered incapable of working) but the problem is the same.

      I do sometimes think that we who are suffering from Z's should either work closer with CITA or form some organisation to help people who are struggling with their doctors/whatever, as apart from this forum there is little help and support for those who struggle against the Z's. And since joining this forum there seem to be plenty of people who are not getting the right help and advice (me included, lets wait and see!)  to help them get off this horrible drug.

    • julie1111
      julie1111 keith09733

      Posted

      hi keith we all need to stick together here! my worry is im trying to get my life back together with courses and volunteer work to help me build my conferdence up after a terrible year! i was a cook and the stress made me ill long story, i need to sleep to do these things. thank you for ur message x all i want is to sleep and zopiclone was helping me and now there trying to take that away from us..ive been on it years and not done me any harm! if u know of anything that could help me sleep please post.. have u come off zopiclone keith x
  • RobertT
    RobertT julie1111

    Posted

    I don't think you should take immediate umbrage from what your doctor said. Maybe she just meant that if you weren't working and you didn't sleep at all one night you could catch up on your sleep during the day. I went for years like this, where I didn't sleep some nights or didn't get to sleep until the early hours of the morning, and, although I had some Zopiclone in the drawer, I didn't use them unless the insomnia became impossible. Just think that your doctor may just be trying to do her best for you by getting you off the drugs.

    If you get less than 5 hour of sleep per night (or day) for 5 nights (or days) running, I would guess you should take your problem back to your doctor.

    If your insomnia is related to PTSD or it is primary insomnia no drugs other than a benzodiazepine or a Z-drug (excluding barbiturates, painkillers, etc) are likely to be totally effective, I would suggest. If it's depression or anxiety related then perhaps other drugs might help. If it's just a habit you've got into ...

    • julie1111
      julie1111 RobertT

      Posted

      hi robert thanks for the message, i have been on zopiclone for years its a habbit . plus im on sertraline and they seem ok! my life isnt good at the moment so depressed about that, im trying to get my life back together and will be starting courses soon to help and applied for voluntary work, only a few months back i hit rock bottom and now im getting back up there! coming off zopiclone is causes me anxiety and i dont want to get depressed again! is there anything i could take to help me i cant go back down there again x
    • RobertT
      RobertT julie1111

      Posted

      It sounds as if you need to sort out what's at the bottom of your situation. Maybe the CBT will help, but it's not the be all and end all of psychiatric help the health service would like it to be, IMHO. Of course, talking about things with a close friend is known to be at least as good as a session with a psychologist on occasions.
    • julie1111
      julie1111 RobertT

      Posted

      im under councilling at the moment robert and due to finish i have my name down for CBT , i did find the doctor i seen wasnt empathising with me , i just want my life back! i dont have many friends so come on here and the internet to talk to people who can support me..u have helped because when u said maybe the doctor was helping me how i dont know ..its a new surgery and she knows nothing of what ive been through..thank you keep posting its so helped thank you x
    • RobertT
      RobertT julie1111

      Posted

      It may be that your doctor is not capable of empathizing with you. In my case, I can't see how anyone who can continuously work 9 to 5 or whatever every day can understand my inability to sleep knowing I must do such and such the next day. Perhaps your doctor needs to be able to see, you must let her see, you must explain to her your inabililty to function without the drug. Tell her what will happen if you don't take it. You must make it inconceivable to her, without faking anything of course, that there's any chance of your getting by without zopiclone. Ask her at which point you should call the emergency services before you become incoherent through lack of sleep.
    • julie1111
      julie1111 RobertT

      Posted

      hi robert i will not see that doctor again i didnt connect with her even if she thought she was helping , i am seeing another doctor on monday what shall i say to them? x
    • RobertT
      RobertT julie1111

      Posted

      I'm not a particularly (not at all) a religious person, but I think it says somewhere in the Bible not to think out or think about what to say to someone beforehand – flow with the situation and speak candidly. But do think about all that might come up and check with people and on the Internet about things. Just be realistic. If you can't go on in certain way, say so if necessary. And if you think something is being missed out say that too.
  • RobertT
    RobertT julie1111

    Posted

    I'm a little curious about this counselling you receive. Have they not there given you some help or direction as to how you are to deal with your circumstances, including the problem with sleeping pills?
    • julie1111
      julie1111 RobertT

      Posted

      hi robert yes we spoke of me doing voluntary work ..what do u mean ? xx
    • RobertT
      RobertT julie1111

      Posted

      Hello Julie

      You say the zopiclone is a habit. Is this something you feel yourself or is it something that others, your GP, your consellor, has essentially induced you to say and think? Why do you think it's a habit and not a medical problem?

    • julie1111
      julie1111 RobertT

      Posted

      relying on it. like you need it to sleep! if someone gave me two tablets and believed it was a sleeping pill id sleep . but it does make you drozzy so if theres alot on your mind and u cant stop thinking about it then it sends you to sleep 
    • RobertT
      RobertT julie1111

      Posted

      Part of the disinclination to prescribe sleeping pills is related to the possibility, even probability, of there being an underlying problem. I'd expect that they'd checked this out with you before deciding what you did or didn't need.
    • julie1111
      julie1111 RobertT

      Posted

      i was put on them when i was going through a hard time and got to root of it and been taking them since it was easy given to me was never questioned really only at a review of meds cos im on blood pressure tablets ive become dependant on them now all this whats going on his worrying me and caused me anxiety, as i have things coming up and dont function like all of us dont with out sleep, i know the problem i went through a awfull time last year i was abused and have been having councilling for that robert and getting my self into a better place by groups and voluntary work. 
    • RobertT
      RobertT julie1111

      Posted

      Well, I fancy lack of sleep wouldn't be at all good for your blood pressure.

      If the voluntary work is something you like doing, or fulfills you, or at least occupies you, then maybe, probably, it will be a good thing. But having to do something just because others say so is just further abuse, I might think.

    • RobertT
      RobertT julie1111

      Posted

      Also, as I tried to piont out to my doctors at one time, I don't think dependency is always the same thing as addiction. You take the zopiclone to sleep; you don't crave it during the day.
    • julie1111
      julie1111 RobertT

      Posted

      these are my choices we all need to build conferdence its life thank you for your reply 
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