to ask the doctor for nerves tablets and sleeping tablets?

[FarrowUndBall]

My nerves are shot. We are all under an excessive amount of pressure which isn't likely to end soon, my marriage is on its last legs, my eldest has special needs and I have two younger ones.

I can't sleep. So I drink, and then wake up really early feeling hideously panicky. I'm jittery and short with everyone. I'm not depressed - I was on Citalopram for 18 months and my sleep hasnt really been the same since. I don't want antidepressants, I just want good sleep and less panic.
AIBU?

Look, lovely, it might be worth thinking about whether you have a problem with addiction? Feeling like you need support (even if it's only chemical)/the ability to calm down/the ability to escape is completely understandable, especially considering the stress you're under and the chemicals help give you that. It would be wrong to make you feel bad. However, the doctor was right not to prescribe you any diazepam and tbh, even prescribing you zopiclone was on thin ice, really. Mixing ssris, zopiclone, codeine, diazepam and alcohol is a recipe for serious harm. Have you thought about pursuing individual counselling or therapy? Your GP could refer you to that, and you could get support with the issues in your life, any mh problems and explore further why you feel like you need the drugs to help you. Having ssris in the background would also help to keep you stable. i know you said that you don't like them, but they're all different and so you might find that these ones are better. Good luck

Diazepam and codeine are both addictive and can both affect your driving ability and concentration.
SSRIs are a non-addictive anti-anxiety treatment but it sounds as though you mainly need to stop drinking and read stuff on managing your anxiety yourself in the short term and look at changes you can make to reduce whatever is stressing you. Many people with anxiety have depression as well especially if they're feeling low and tearful and not enjoying anything any more.
It sounds as though your stressors are ongoing so a couple of weeks of anything isn't going to make it all go away.
If you are under huge pressure you need to look at changing your lifestyle so you aren't under huge pressure or seeing a psychologist (but huge NHS waiting list) to help you cope better with your current life events.
There isn't a tablet that is non addictive and nonsedating and makes people magically able to cope with excessive stress.
Your GP wasn't being mean she was being realistic.

OP my friend suffered exactly like you and she too self medicated the situation with alcohol.

She is now on mitazapine and it started to work straight away (it isn't like citalopram, it works very differently) and has helped her enormously.

Id recommend it!

You should absolutely not take diazepam with alcohol.

Propranolol can be given for generalised anxiety/panic attacks.

But you need to prioritise not drinking.

Farrow ... my cousin is a doctor and she recently told me that some recent medical research has found that taking cod liver oil on a daily basis can be just as affective at treating anxiety and depression as SSRIs.

Maybe you could think about giving it a try?

Well you have this 7 day break from sleeplessness using the Zopliclone. Try stopping drinking whilst you have this chance of sleeping through and feeling better. If things improve I would think you might get another week's supply.

I am taking valerian root drops (by nature's answer) for anxiety and I think they work, you could try St John's Wort or 5 htp as anti-depressants but mixed with alcohol are unlikely to work as your moods swing so much with alcohol.

I think the alcohol adds to anxiety and insomnia imo. Exercise outdoors ie walking or running, is a great aid to sleep (and mood), if someone can mind the DCs.

The alcohol is a big part of your problem- it is causing anxiety and sleeping problems.

I wouldn't be looking to medicate yourself further- get rid of te alcohol and many of your symptoms will improve.

Alcohol is not the solution- it is part of the problem- but you know that OP.

www.drinkaware.co.uk/check-the-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/mental-health/alcohol-and-mental-health

As far as I'm aware, the evidence of cod liver oil is rather inconclusive with mixed anxiety/depression. As it's supplement, it would only work if you're deficient in the vitamins and minerals involved.

Thankyou, all of you, for taking the time to comment.

I don't drink every night. But it is too much, I know.
My marriage is in tatters and a bo part of that is sexual dysfunction. The very last thing I need right now is the anorgasmia I had both times I was on an ssri. If there's one that doesn't have that as a side effect then I'm there.

I see a psychotherapist on top of the marriage counselling but again the focus of the therapy is the marriage, whether to stay or go etc.

I've dug out the CBT book and am going to read it properly again. I can't say what would have to happen in my life for everything to feel ok again - so it all goes round in my head and I'm knackered and then can't sleep. And I'm cutting back on the wine - gave it up for January and also did dry November but to be honest I dodmt feel much better as I was forced to think about stuff more!

Sorry Farrow, I haven't checked back on the threads I am on for a few days, and didn't see the question.
I have been taking Immovane (Zopiclone) for many years. Every once in a while I go off of it for a year or so. It is true you get used to it and have to increase the dose or take a break from it. I also tried Cesamet, but it didn't help me sleep and made me headachy and dizzy the next day. I know others who do find it works great for them.