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Original poster

Zopiclone help

38 replies

Whatintheworldgirl · 15/12/2023 15:19

I've been on zopiclone 3.75mg for about 4 weeks. Doctor recommended upping to 7.5mg(traditional adult dose) worried about side effects. Surely if I'm okay with the smaller I should be okay with double? Experience appreciated

OP posts:
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 15/12/2023 15:21

If the lower dose is working stay on that.

Original poster
Whatintheworldgirl · 15/12/2023 15:23

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 15/12/2023 15:21

If the lower dose is working stay on that.

The lower dose worked for a few nights then stopped. This is why they've upped me. Have you had a bad experience? Is that why you recommend staying on the lower? Thank you

OP posts:
LunaTheCat · 15/12/2023 15:31

Zopiclone is something you become tolerant to… even after a few nights it can stop working and you can need to increase dose… can you try every second night?

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whichwaytohome · 15/12/2023 15:35

I'm really surprised you've been given it long term. I've had to take it after months of insomnia, and have friends who were given it due to MH problems too, I've only ever known it be given for two weeks max. Then they tend to try other drugs (promethazine/quetiapine/mirtazapine). It's very addictive and like diazepam is only usually prescribed for the smallest dose, for the minimum time.

I wouldn't try going up (unless you plan on stopping within a week), as you'll become tolerant to that too.

amusedbush · 15/12/2023 15:37

whichwaytohome · 15/12/2023 15:35

I'm really surprised you've been given it long term. I've had to take it after months of insomnia, and have friends who were given it due to MH problems too, I've only ever known it be given for two weeks max. Then they tend to try other drugs (promethazine/quetiapine/mirtazapine). It's very addictive and like diazepam is only usually prescribed for the smallest dose, for the minimum time.

I wouldn't try going up (unless you plan on stopping within a week), as you'll become tolerant to that too.

That was my first thought too. Most GPs are reluctant to prescribe more than a week or so in total.

It’s not a medication I’d be keen to stay on.

Original poster
Whatintheworldgirl · 15/12/2023 15:41

whichwaytohome · 15/12/2023 15:35

I'm really surprised you've been given it long term. I've had to take it after months of insomnia, and have friends who were given it due to MH problems too, I've only ever known it be given for two weeks max. Then they tend to try other drugs (promethazine/quetiapine/mirtazapine). It's very addictive and like diazepam is only usually prescribed for the smallest dose, for the minimum time.

I wouldn't try going up (unless you plan on stopping within a week), as you'll become tolerant to that too.

I was in hospital for about 10 months and experienced a really bad trauma so I literally couldn't sleep. My doctor has been quite callous with meds I suppose. I don't take it every night. I was on diazepam for 6 months and stopped no problem so I'm hoping I can with zopiclone too I just desperately need some sleep! Even if it's just one night I really feel like I'll be in a better place mentally

OP posts:
whichwaytohome · 15/12/2023 15:45

@Whatintheworldgirl I'm sorry Flowers I've had it a few times, when I've been manic, but they gave quetiapine (which works really well).

When my daughter died I was in a really bad place and couldn't sleep. I literally begged for Zopiclone, but was given mirtazapine (which I couldn't take as it wiped me out too much and I had a 16 month old).

I hope things get better for you soon. Not sleeping is literal torture.

Original poster
Whatintheworldgirl · 15/12/2023 15:52

whichwaytohome · 15/12/2023 15:45

@Whatintheworldgirl I'm sorry Flowers I've had it a few times, when I've been manic, but they gave quetiapine (which works really well).

When my daughter died I was in a really bad place and couldn't sleep. I literally begged for Zopiclone, but was given mirtazapine (which I couldn't take as it wiped me out too much and I had a 16 month old).

I hope things get better for you soon. Not sleeping is literal torture.

Oh gosh I'm so sorry! You are such a strong person, honestly. You're my hero!

Thank you so much for your support and I hope that you're doing better now. I can imagine the pain but I do hope you're managing to enjoy the holidays a little xx

OP posts:
whichwaytohome · 15/12/2023 16:11

@Whatintheworldgirl thank you I'm really not strong, but had to pretend for DD1. It was 12 years ago now. I really hope that things improve for you. It seems like it's forever when you can't sleep (menopause has totally wrecked it for me), but it will get better, even though it's a black fog when you're in it x

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 15/12/2023 16:30

There was no reason they just like to keep you as low as possible.

I’m on 2.5 but haven’t developed tolerance for over 2 years. I’ve just realised though I’m on Zolpidem. I never found Zopiclone very good

therealcookiemonster · 15/12/2023 16:38

@Whatintheworldgirl hi there OP, long term zopiclone is not a good plan I am afraid. I totally sympathise with your sleep difficulties as I suffered from severe anxiety induced insomnia for similar reasons to yourself - here are a few strategies that might help

  1. magnesium supplements (careful which one you take as it can be a laxative)
  2. try melatonin - it's highly effective and it's essentially a natural hormobe produced by your body
  3. therapy to deal with the trauma and causes of anxiety
  4. mindfulness/meditation before bed
  5. no screens 4 hours before bed and solid bed time routine
  6. exercise as much as you can during the day
  7. going outside for a few minutes just as soon as you wake up (recent evidence demonstrates this stimulates melatonin production)
  8. for me I find background noise eg. rain sounds/sleep stories/political podcasts very helpful but this is not for everyone
cezannesapple · 15/12/2023 16:48

I’ve taken the higher one, OP. No problems with it at all, maybe a tiny bit groggy in the morning but a cup of coffee sorts it out.

MumChp · 15/12/2023 22:07

After 3-5 weeks it won't work any more without anincreasing dose.
You need yo seek alternatives. Try melatonin.

Mistymist · 15/12/2023 22:13

I took the 7.5 for a while. No side effects, just a bit more tired and thirsty the next morning, however I became tolerant quite rapidly.

Thistlelass · 15/12/2023 22:41

It is highly addictive and I am very surprised you seem to have an ongoing prescription. I have mental illness and my sleep is terrible. I am allowed no more than 7 tablets per calendar month.
Perhaps a referral to appropriate services to address the trauma issue would be better.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 15/12/2023 23:02

MumChp · 15/12/2023 22:07

After 3-5 weeks it won't work any more without anincreasing dose.
You need yo seek alternatives. Try melatonin.

I found the opposite.

Melatonin wears off for me. Zolpifem doesn’t. I get 2.5 mg 14 times in 21 days. Prescribed by a pschyiatrist. Melatonin stopped working after 6 months.

MumChp · 15/12/2023 23:11

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 15/12/2023 23:02

I found the opposite.

Melatonin wears off for me. Zolpifem doesn’t. I get 2.5 mg 14 times in 21 days. Prescribed by a pschyiatrist. Melatonin stopped working after 6 months.

Show quote history

Good for you but against all medical advice and research .

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 15/12/2023 23:35

Why? I get 2 nights on and then one night without. In the US it’s prescribed much more widely than in U.K. Why would he go against current guidelines? I’d tried everything else including quetiapine. It was a end case scenario. And l take a tiny dose.

.3 different psychs have told me it’s not that addictive.

EmmaEmerald · 15/12/2023 23:41

Opinions vary

I took 3.75mg in phases of various things - for as long as I was allowed - a week I think, it worked. I'm very sensitive to meds so usually take half of things!

I would give anything to have that again, or zolpidem.

i hope things improve for you. 💐

Geppili · 16/12/2023 03:33

When i stopped taking Zopiclone because I became dependent on it, I had the worse rebound insomnia ever. I wanted to die. Be careful!

PepperIsHere · 16/12/2023 03:52

I took zopiclone for 13yrs. Don't need it anymore. Take what you need to live well, everything will be ok

LadyGwendoline · 16/12/2023 04:50

I have weekly appointments with my CPN, am on Rispiredone, Mirtazepan and Zopiclone 7.5mg. My prescription is not to take them more than three nights in a row. The benefit is enormous, first night I took one I dozed on and off the following day but after that it just puts me to sleep and gives me a solid 5-6 hours. My mind fights going to sleep, and staying there, and they make a huge difference to my capabilities during the day.

Marie2023 · 16/12/2023 05:00

My DM is prescribed Zopiclone, but it wears off after a few hours so she’s basically awake from around 3 am. It’s a nightmare. The GO will not up her dose or give her another dose (even half) for when she wakes at 3 am.

RMNofTikTok · 16/12/2023 06:29

Zopiclone stops working after 5 nights due to the tolerence you build up, FYI. There's literally point in increasing the dose if you've been taking it for 4 weeks already. And your doctor needs to stop with the shitty prescribing practices!

Tonight1 · 16/12/2023 06:37

I've always been an insomniac and in the past (about 10 years ago) have been prescribed both zopiclone and temazepam. Neither of them worked.

Speak to your gp?