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Original poster

Sleeping tablets and rest experiences

13 replies

Urgsleepmoresleep · 05/09/2023 13:38

So I have had a busy year with change and bad luck. For months I have gotten into a habit of only sleeping a few hours a night. I get to sleep 3 hrs a time and wake up for 1 and repeat. Not walking up worried just a nasty habit. I have still tried to function, but I have hit the wall this week. I am finding work and life hard as I am exhausted.

Over the last 6 months a parent died unexpectedly and left a grieving father. Sold my house to move in with my partner an hour away from my social support (he is supportive and I can drive to see people, just planning instead of adhoc). Buying a new build house together. Had a restructure at work where I had to apply and and interviewed for my role again - potentially jobless, but got it. Been in a car accident. Managed a team with high sickness and just other worries. Think I have hit the wall.

I spoke to the GP today finally and they have prescribed sleeping tablets for 5 days and rest. They said I am not depressed or no mental health issues but exhausted and need to sleep and take time out. However I am nervous as I have such a busy job and life I feel anxious of stepping out for a week. Spoke to my manager and they have asked that i hand over today if I am anxious about stepping out with a view to be off sick for a week.

I am anxious and worried more now I can’t sleep. It’s like sleep pressure. Any experience with short term sleeping tablet use to get back to normal? Did it work?

OP posts:
Annaishere · 05/09/2023 13:50

Sleeping pills (if it’s zolpidem that’s usually prescribed) are really effective. Just make sure you lie down half an hour after taking them and close your eyes or they won’t necessarily work) are you struggling to fall asleep or are you waking up too soon ?

Original poster
Urgsleepmoresleep · 05/09/2023 13:51

@Annaishere i fall asleep fine. I just need to stay asleep.

OP posts:
Annaishere · 05/09/2023 13:53

Then I would try taking the sleeping pill after you wake up in order to fall asleep again (If it’s zolpidem, zopiclone or temazepam) because the strongest effects wear off after a couple of hours (short half life)

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Missingthegore · 05/09/2023 14:00

It's a support to break a bad habit.
I had a similar set of circumstances (yours is much tougher) and got myself into some really bad sleep habits including having to get up to pee EVERY night at about 2AM, which was a worry related habit.
I took melatonin for 2 weeks to help reset my sleep hygiene. It worked great. I had tried so hard to do it on my own but that little bit of support got me over the line.

Barold · 05/09/2023 14:20

You’ll be fine. You need some rest and it might help to reset your sleeping patterns.

I take zopiclone regularly but have experience with zolpidem and benzos too.

Since it’s new for you, you might expect a later start or to feel a bit groggy when you get up (but still a hundred times better than being sleep deprived).

🙂

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 05/09/2023 16:24

Dh takes Amitriptyline for sleep which his GP prefers to Zopiclone as you can take it long term then wean off slowly.

floopyben · 05/09/2023 19:52

I have had anxiety related sleep issues for years, I struggle to get to sleep, stay asleep and develop bad sleep habits really easily. Also can't sleep away from home. I took mirtazapine long term for sleep, this worked but caused a fair bit of weight gain. I also find two phenargan which are antihistamines have the same effect as any sleeping tablets.
I did sleepstation through my gp two years ago and was shocked that it worked so well- it's cognitive behavioral therapy for sleep. Unfortunately a toddler getting up at 4.30 through the summer and the death of a parent upset my sleep again. I've taken a benzodiazepine on the odd occasion as well, which works like a charm.
Zopiclone won't work if you are waking in the night, they only get you to sleep.
Be mindful sleep meds can be addictive.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 05/09/2023 21:12

floopyben · 05/09/2023 19:52

I have had anxiety related sleep issues for years, I struggle to get to sleep, stay asleep and develop bad sleep habits really easily. Also can't sleep away from home. I took mirtazapine long term for sleep, this worked but caused a fair bit of weight gain. I also find two phenargan which are antihistamines have the same effect as any sleeping tablets.
I did sleepstation through my gp two years ago and was shocked that it worked so well- it's cognitive behavioral therapy for sleep. Unfortunately a toddler getting up at 4.30 through the summer and the death of a parent upset my sleep again. I've taken a benzodiazepine on the odd occasion as well, which works like a charm.
Zopiclone won't work if you are waking in the night, they only get you to sleep.
Be mindful sleep meds can be addictive.

They can be addictive alarming quickly too.

Annaishere · 05/09/2023 21:52

The new generation tablets aren’t addictive. There’s no high

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 05/09/2023 22:04

Huge withdrawal though

Annaishere · 05/09/2023 22:28

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 05/09/2023 22:04

Huge withdrawal though

you had withdrawal from zolpidem ?

floopyben · 06/09/2023 08:43

@Annaishere
I wasn't referring to any high, merely that they are addictive in terms of you don't think you can sleep without them. That's why I did CBT-i

Original poster
Urgsleepmoresleep · 06/09/2023 10:49

Thanks all. I got given zopiclone lose dose. Took last night and slept through. However my partner had no sleep as I was restless and constantly moving about. Feel groggy this morning.

think it’s spare room till I get into a routine 😢

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