Zopiclone or Amitriptyline for sleep?!

Posted , 4 users are following.

Ugh I'm so confused and don't know what to do, I'm partly confused due to the fact that I have to do all this research for self help because my doctors are no help whatsoever.

But the thing I'm wondering is, what would be better to take to help me sleep. Zopiclone or Amitriptyline? I am on 100mg of Sertraline and obviously one of the side affects is insomnia which I've been suffering with for over two years, I have broken sleep when I do eventually sleep and can't sleep more than two hours straight, I'm just always waking up every hour.

I'm tired and just want some god damn sleep, and to be able to sleep like a normal person. Zopiclone was given to me as a one off by my doctor, she gave me 7 tablets and said she'd never give me them again after that and it was just to help me get back to sleeping properly.

But I've done exactly what she told me to do previously as she gave me instructions to follow regarding a sleeping schedule; unfortunately the insomnia has not been cured and I'm still exactly the same.

I've heard some people on Sertraline are also on amitriptyline as amitriptyline can be given as a sleeping aid at a low dose; which I'm thinking of trying but I just don't want it to do any harm to me or make me worse with mixing the two. (It'd be great if it could also help my anxiety at the same time haha)

Or should I take zopiclone, I know that zopiclone isn't a long term fix and I know all about how it's addictive- I've suffered with addiction before and I can control it now so I wouldn't allow myself to become addicted to zoplicone (I know people will probably say it can't be helped) but with my willpower I think I'd be able to manage it.

Can someone give me advice please on what I should do or take?

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    I understand. Amyitriptyline works for some people at night. It is also an antidepressant. 

    Ive been on both. The issue I have with Zopiclone is that it is hard to stop taking then after you start. Which you have mentioned. 

    Thats why I prefer Benadryl chewed. 

    I also have anxiety with panic disorder. I stopped the clonazepam because of the addiction aspect. 

    Im a Registered nurse in Canada however not a doctor. 

    Try what your Dr. suggests.  You’ve done your research just ensure you write down your concerns so you don’t forget them at your next visit. It can be overwhelming. 

    Not very helpful. Sorry. 

    • Posted

      I did try what my doctor suggested, tried and didn't work unfortunately. But at the end of our last appointment she was like "I've had no complaints from anyone after they've done this" Like she was expecting it to definitely work for me? BUT I was the one who had to ask "So should I come back in two weeks to see you?" She half heartedly said "I suppose" so... I missed her appointment and didn't go.

  • Posted

    Sleeping pills just aren’t the answer. I had the same issues and took every sleeping pill commercially available in the US. They help you sleep maybe 5% more for a night or two and then it’s right back to the same tossing and turning and waking up every 15 minutes. They are road to nowhere. It’s tough to hear but your doctors are right.  Do a search in this forum for threads about pills.  You won’t find many where someone took just the right one and started sleeping like a baby again. 

    The best advice I can offer is to get a handle on your anxiety through therapy and seriously consider doing something for work that has a normal schedule with daytime hours. You might also try an anti anxiety med with your doctor. 

    • Posted

      My doctor won't allow me therapy, so that's why I'm trying to do everything by myself. Thank you for your advice though and I'll take it on board.

    • Posted

      I agree with neckbone. I was on amitryptyline for 20 years and took off overnight bad move. It did put me in the zone ready for sleep but still all night I as waking up still. Next day always tired hardly any appetite. I would try all other avenues before any drugs off doctors if I could go back and have my time again. Plus some of these drugs can be a total nightmare to get off if you suffer with withdrawals.. Some people can easily get off others I know have been trying for many years but can't. Like Russian roulette basically. Doctors lie through their back teeth when it comes to these drugs anyway. I'm done with doctors and their lack of knowledge. Good luck anyway.

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