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Original poster

Zopiclone not working & the anxiety-insomnia cycle is getting worse

27 replies

Ghhaan · 27/09/2022 08:50

I think I’ve had a nervous breakdown (aware it’s not a medical term but it’s what best describes it for me). Referred to psychiatry & talking therapies but might be a few weeks.

Im constantly crying, hyperventilating, pulling at my hair, nausea and panic attacks. I can’t sleep in the day as panic attacks jolt me away. My body aches so much, I feel constantly dehydrated with a banging headache. I’ve reluctantly been signed off work because of how bad it is.

I can almost handle all that, if I could feckin sleep. But it comes to 11pm, I take 7.5mg zopiclone and do a muscle relaxation tape. I feel positive and sleepy! Then I wake up at 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am, 5am until I eventually get out of bed at 6am for another day of anxiety!

Ive been put on sertaline but it hasn’t kicked in yet. Had a sort course of diazepam the first week that didn’t really do anything (and I don’t like the talk around addictiveness).

I can’t take propanalol or any other beta blockers because I have arrhythmias. Which is shit because beta blockers are amazing for panic attacks.

I just don’t know what else to do Sad it’s a vicious cycle - I’m anxious so I can’t sleep, I’m exhausted so I get more anxious, I’m more anxious so I get less sleep.

any words of wisdom would be appreciate so much!

OP posts:
ThePomegranate · 27/09/2022 08:57

That sounds really rough. Do persevere with the sertraline. Are you taking it early on the day? I found taking it in the evening gave me terrible insomnia.

ThePomegranate · 27/09/2022 09:00

Have you tried cutting out caffeine? I have become massively sensitive to it since being on sertraline and have had to cut out coffee, tea and even chocolate to avoid insomnia.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 27/09/2022 09:01

Zolpidem is stronger.

Sertraline can make insomnia worse. You should be on one that has sleep as a side effect. So Amitryptiline, Mirtazapine or Trazadone.

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General health Sleep
Onesipmore · 27/09/2022 09:02

Hi I feel your pain. Im currently having CBT for mine.Still having to take 2 Zopiclone 7.5, melatonin and trazodone .Unsure of your age but Progesterone at night can help (and magnesium and zinc) I really really feel for you on this. its makes every day very difficult x

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 27/09/2022 09:03

I do feel for you Flowers I've been exactly where you are. Have you tried mirtazipine? It's another AD which really knocks you out at night. I had to stop taking it after a few weeks because of restless legs (a side effect for some people) but those few weeks of deep deep sleep were a lifesaver.

Onesipmore · 27/09/2022 09:03

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow None of those 3 worked for me :( possibly might for OP tho' ?

Nightynightnight · 27/09/2022 09:05

Don't discount sertraline. It worked wonders for my insomnia/anxiety cycle. You may need to tweak the dose.

EmmaH2022 · 27/09/2022 09:07

I have been there OP

I agree with pp that Zolpidem is better

I am a big fan of strong meds, wouldn't be here otherwise. But I have also found a herbal product called Stressless to be good for this.

I also had aches and pains post breakdown. Epsom salts in a bath are good.

TabithaTittlemouse · 27/09/2022 09:10

Mitazipine worked for me.

Onesipmore · 27/09/2022 09:14

Im literally stuck on strong meds until I can get the CBT to kick in Bloody awful :(

Original poster
Ghhaan · 27/09/2022 11:02

thanks for all the replies, it’s so appreciated!

I’m in my mid 20s so not too sure if I need progesterone or not at the moment but thank you.

I have cut out all caffeine about 6 weeks ago, I also quit smoking 7ish weeks ago. I know in the long term giving up both will help anxiety. No cravings for either.

been to drs and they’ve upped my sertaline to the highest dose, told me to continue with zopiclone, given me diazepam, an anti nausea medication, and recommended melatonin over the counter too.

im surprised I can take zopiclone with diazepam?? Anyone taken both before??

OP posts:
Original poster
Ghhaan · 27/09/2022 11:03

Onesipmore · 27/09/2022 09:14

Im literally stuck on strong meds until I can get the CBT to kick in Bloody awful :(

So sorry you’re going through this… it’s horrendous

OP posts:
EmmaH2022 · 27/09/2022 11:09

OP "im surprised I can take zopiclone with diazepam?? Anyone taken both before??"

yes. My doc thought it was a good way to recover....calm in the day and asleep at night. I've also taken zolpidem and diazepam.

glad you've got some more to work with. I've never taken sertraline, does it cause nausea? I sometimes wonder if I should switch from fluoxetine as my teeth grinding is so bad.

DontTouchThat · 27/09/2022 11:42

I know how tough this is op. I’m on citalopram and propranolol, neither are working anymore. I have adrenaline surges constantly that terrify me. I wake all through the night with panic attacks. I’m both wracked with anxiety and at the same time feel like I’m made of lead. I don’t know how to fix it either.

Onesipmore · 27/09/2022 13:12

@Ghhaan Im quite surprised by Diazepam and Zopiclone together ! May be worth having a blood test to look at Progesterone.You are right you would be a bit young for that. Other thing blood test could check is Thyroid x

Original poster
Ghhaan · 27/09/2022 15:21

Onesipmore · 27/09/2022 13:12

@Ghhaan Im quite surprised by Diazepam and Zopiclone together ! May be worth having a blood test to look at Progesterone.You are right you would be a bit young for that. Other thing blood test could check is Thyroid x

Me too. I didn’t ask for diazepam, just a change of sleeping medication. Dr told me he was concerned I was in crisis and had a high rate of anxiety that concerned him. He took my obs but I didn’t ask what they were.

I do think I need proper sedation as I have had no rest now for weeks, not even for a second. My doctor is very young (i usually found the older ones are more likely to give you meds) and doesn’t usually dish out medication, so I’m confident that it’s an okay mix to have for now.

He was great and spent about 20 minutes just listening to me.

Bloods are clear for thyroid etc, but not sure about progesterone! Is that included in a full blood count or do I need another type of test?

OP posts:
Pinkandpurplehairedlady · 27/09/2022 15:24

Zoplicone and diazepam normally work for me but you could also try Temazepan - my psychiatrist told me that diazepam is good for anxiety but temazepan just knocks you out.

Onesipmore · 27/09/2022 15:50

@Ghhaan good that he listened to you etc. Not sure if Progesterone comes under the usual blood tests. Magnesium and Zinc over counter are also good. I really feel your pain, having only one or two hours sleep a night for a very long time. I take 2 Zopi's, 2 Melatonin and 2 Trazodone and that just about works. Starting CBT too.Best of luck

nowtygaffer · 27/09/2022 16:11

Hi OP, sounds like you are having a tough time!

I've been watching YouTube videos about the vagus nerve. Lots of the ideas are simple and might relax you a bit while the meds get sorted.

Sorry this is only a suggestion and obviously you need more than this but might help slightly x

ThePomegranate · 02/10/2022 14:46

How are you getting on OP? Are you sleeping any better?

wfrances · 02/10/2022 14:57

I take mirtazapine and nortripiline, sometimes I still can't sleep so take diazepam zopiclone and phenegan .
It doesn't always work though

Vanill1 · 31/12/2022 09:29

@Ghhaan how are you now? X

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 31/12/2022 09:33

Ghhaan · 27/09/2022 11:02

thanks for all the replies, it’s so appreciated!

I’m in my mid 20s so not too sure if I need progesterone or not at the moment but thank you.

I have cut out all caffeine about 6 weeks ago, I also quit smoking 7ish weeks ago. I know in the long term giving up both will help anxiety. No cravings for either.

been to drs and they’ve upped my sertaline to the highest dose, told me to continue with zopiclone, given me diazepam, an anti nausea medication, and recommended melatonin over the counter too.

im surprised I can take zopiclone with diazepam?? Anyone taken both before??

Yes,I have it's fine. I took the. Diazepam at about 9pm then the zopiclone at about 11pm . Your body needs to be relaxed for the zopiclone to work so doing this helped.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 31/12/2022 09:34

Sorry, I didn't realise this was an old thread, I hope by now you're feeling a bit better.

iloveeverykindofcat · 31/12/2022 09:38

For me mirtazapine works as well as anything for sleep and my GP is happy for me to stay on a low dose. The problem with zopiclone etc is you can't stay on them and trying to stop can have your insomnia worse than ever.