Zoplicone

[StormsDontLastForever]

Hi, has anyone been prescribed ziplicone by their gp? I've had trouble sleeping for months and gp has prescribed zoplicone 7.5mg but can be doubled if required.

I have a dd (6) so don't want to be in too much of a deep sleep at night or very groggy in the morning.

Just wondering if anyone could share their experiences.

Thanks

@rawalpindithelabrador luckily they're fairly good with that. I hobbled in and she had diazepam on prescription before I sat down (I was diagnosed with cauda equina 4 weeks later)

@rawalpindithelabrador it is. Google it.

[quote 2021mumma]@rawalpindithelabrador it is. Google it.[/quote]
Google what. I trust my consultant more than Dr Google, thanks, 2021, it's a far wiser course of action to take than relying on the internet for personal medical information.

I use it once or twice a year around anniversary of major bereavement.

@rawalpindithelabrador you’re the one that questioned me saying it was ‘highly addictive’ exactly prescribed for short courses of trauma.

NHS direct: If you just take it for a few weeks, you're unlikely to become addicted to zopiclone.

You may become dependent on it if you take it for longer than 4 weeks.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice about stopping zopiclone.

They can help you come off your medicine gradually if you have been taking it for a long time, or if you're worried about becoming dependent on it.

@feistyoneyouare

The 7.5mg dose of zopiclone works very well in my experience. I suffer from delayed sleep phase syndrome, which translates into severe insomnia when I have to try and sleep at 'normal' times, which I do because of work. Although I can only take it occasionally because addictive etc, I do find it handy for nights before something important is happening, when I absolutely must sleep.

Although I've heard of people doubling the dose I can imagine that leading to a really zombified state. I don't find 7.5mg makes me too groggy though.

Just one caveat: I've been drastically cutting back on my use of Zopiclone lately because of links to cancer and a possible increased mortality risk generally. I don't think anything concrete has been proven about a cancer risk, but I've read a number of articles online recently that flag this up, e.g.
www.ukmeds.co.uk/blog/do-sleeping-tablets-cause-cancer
www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20120227/sleeping-pills-called-as-risky-as-cigarettes

I should just stress I'm not a doctor or scientist, I'm just sharing what I've read.

I think in reality I don't run on a 24 hour cycle either. Maybe 30? I think it is common for sleep problems to resolve.

I am terrified of long life, the longevity gene on my mum's side of the family is horrific. So it doesn't worry me, those articles - but who gets prescribed enough for that to be a factor?!

It's a running joke among my friends that I plan to start drinking and smoking if I am still here at 60. Absinthe! (I've never tried it btw).

*to resolve after retirement

Sorry, very important bit of sentence missed there

@2021mumma I guess that's the same for any drug really. But it's not so addictive that I can't have 7 tablets a year! I'm fine without them the rest of the time

I don't have enough eye rolls for NHS cut and paste links, or for the NHS in general when it comes to treating non-acute situations, tbh. But by all means let them rule your life.

Luna, absinthe is disgusting. It's really, really nasty-tasting.

@rawalpindithelabrador

Luna, absinthe is disgusting. It's really, really nasty-tasting.

Oh, shame

Maybe I'll just make really strong Manhattans!

Although I've heard of people doubling the dose I can imagine that leading to a really zombified state.

Doesn't for me

@middleager

Thanks Luna and Rawal

I'm going to head over to the menopause/perimenopause section!!!

I had insomnia and anxiety for about 2 months just before Christmas. Most unlike me and so I had a blood test and am peri-menopausal.

I started HRT gel about 2 weeks ago and am totally back to my normal self. Sleeping properly and my anxiety has gone. I am just 50 and so prime age, but I cant tell you how much better I feel!

Funnys

That's great news that you resolved the issue.
I think I need to talk to my GP again.

I used to be prescribed sleeping tablets regularly - but only about 10 or 12 a year, which I would use to break a pattern of not sleeping.
About ten years ago my GP then refused to prescribe any more because of the dangers of becoming addicted - less than one monthly, real junkie!
He did recommend nytol (the original antihistamine one, not herbal) - they serve the same purpose for me, and still rarely take more than one a month, and the half strength one works fine.

I also got myself a weighted blanked a few months ago, which helped my sleep a lot.

Is it really not addictive? My ex used to see a private psychiatrist to get it presrcribed and he didn't have any sleeping issues without it but he just wanted it. I remember the first time he was prescribed it, having not taken it before. I was just baffled as to why he wanted it in the first place because I used to hear him snoring away every night - as I lay awake because I was the one with sleeping problems!

@BaggoMcoys

Is it really not addictive? My ex used to see a private psychiatrist to get it presrcribed and he didn't have any sleeping issues without it but he just wanted it. I remember the first time he was prescribed it, having not taken it before. I was just baffled as to why he wanted it in the first place because I used to hear him snoring away every night - as I lay awake because I was the one with sleeping problems!

You heard him snoring before he began on zopiclone?

That's odd. Perhaps he wasnt well rested due to snoring, I think it can indicate other issues.

Re addiction

It's so complicated

We all know City boys who did coke and heroin and could take it or leave it but we also all know ones who ended up in rehab. Personality will be a big factor.

I don't have cake or ice cream in the flat unless I have a guest. But there's a bottle of vodka in here that won't be opened again till visitors are next allowed. I don't feel the need to drink it but I could eat cake all day!

I order Melatonin from the US and it arrives here in the UK in about a week. It's brilliant stuff. My ADHD teenager takes it when needed and I've had a few too.

@BigusBumus

I order Melatonin from the US and it arrives here in the UK in about a week. It's brilliant stuff. My ADHD teenager takes it when needed and I've had a few too.

My son has it prescribed and it works okay for him (has ADHD and ASC).

@BigusBumus which site please? Dd won’t sleep and wait list hell for Camhs!

I was prescribed this years ago, awful taste in my mouth that persisted for a couple of days every time I took it. That was a dealbreaker for me because I couldn't eat anything (and I don't have a big appetite) without that vile taste so I skipped eating. Zolpidem is better by far. Good nights sleep and no rotten taste.

Highly addictive. Addicted to it in the 90s when prescribed it for too long. Never been allowed it again. STILL crave it, all these yrs on. Miss that horrible bitter taste even. Be cautious!

@indemMUND

I was prescribed this years ago, awful taste in my mouth that persisted for a couple of days every time I took it. That was a dealbreaker for me because I couldn't eat anything (and I don't have a big appetite) without that vile taste so I skipped eating. Zolpidem is better by far. Good nights sleep and no rotten taste.

Sorry, I much prefer Zolpidem but tend to get them mixed up.

Re melatonin - as with anything, be really careful trying it the first time, especially on a child. Melatonin made me feel awful too.

@Deedeedocket I get them from a company called Pipingrock in the USA. 5mg fast melts. Come in about a week and cheap. But good. Xx

Ordered thanks @BigusBumus x