To ask you have you ever taken sleeping tablets (prescribed)

[mumof2sarah]

I'm living on hardly any sleep. And today I had my first Councilling (CBT) session. The lady was amazing and was able to confirm she feels I'm clinically depressed and anxiety. I'm actually away from t feeling very positive and wanting to sort myself out. I'm thinking of going to the drs to see about sleeping tablets to help with that side of it, my question is:

Have you ever taken sleeping tablets? If so what were they? And did you suffer any real side affects?

I know it a very personal thing and you might not like to talk about it but I'd appreciate any feedback.

I also know they are a few people who don't believe in them or have very strong opinions on why you shouldn't take them and I do appreciate the fact everyone is entitled to their opinion on that. But I'm not asking for a "you shouldn't even be thinking of taking that rubbish" etc. Just off people that have/are taking them would be very very much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

I have periods of insomnia and generally am a bit crap at sleeping.

However last year my dp had some severe (but thankfully short-lived) health problems and I was really struggling to function to look after him, my kids, my home and work full-time. Gp was fab - I explained what was going on and I was prescribed one month's supply of sleeping tablets.

They worked a treat - it meant I could tackle life whilst not be kept awake worrying every night. Thankfully all is now well and I'm back to my usual sleep pattern

THANKYOU every single one of you!

I've read all your responses and I've got so much to think about.

@ParkheadParadise I just want to say I'm so sorry for your loss. Lots of love for you

I was prescribed Metformin in Dec 2015 (28 tablets) and still have half the box left.

It works really well for me when it’s been a week of still being awake at 3am and having to be up at 7am. I take one on a Friday and Saturday night and that’s enough to reset things for me.

I explained to the GP that I wanted something to help me get to sleep as I was scared to drive after midday because of the exhaustion but I have an addictive personality so needed to be careful what I took.

My sleeping is still pretty shit but I know what I can take a tablet when it’s overwhelmingly awful.

I don’t have any side effects from them but do need to go to bed within 30mins otherwise I still don’t sleep but feel groggy all night.

No. I feel quite strongly that create more problems than they cure unless used in very short term.

I've taken Zopiclone on and of. They can be habit forming so I take them sparingly.

I haven't had any side effects.

My doctor would only prescribe two lots of a fortnights worth of zopiclone.

After the first few I took, I then cut them in half then in quarters to eek them out for longer. That seemed to work for me.

Yes on and off andcthey helped . Also tried the valerian tablets they help too. But do you know I have found so good last few months . The Honest Guys meditation . I turn my iPad screen down low switch it on to one of the sleep meditations and I’m gone in 5 mins . I have the YouTube set to just play one as you can have on auto so it switches off itself . This time 3 years ago I was in a horrendous state from no sleep and I’m so much better now .

@MaitlandGirl
Metformin for sleep? I don't understand how it could possibly help with sleep - it's for diabetes, sometimes PCOS, but never heard of it for insomnia?

@Huggybear16 Damn autocorrect!! Should be Melatonin, not Metformin. Oooops!

OP - don’t ask for Metformin for insomnia, it won’t work.

Not me personally, but I have a friend who suffers sleep paralysis when taking sleeping tablets.

Zopiclone for me too – bloody horrible but boy did they work!

I had them prescribed for a 2 week course (to knock me back into a pattern) but were so strong I cut them in half and took them for a month. They definitely made me sleep but I felt like a zombie the entire month, wouldn’t rush to go back to them.

I find the Nytol one-a-night a lot more gentle but effective (the ones you can only get from the pharmacist, not the herbal shelf ones) I usually take 2 not the recommended amount of 1, and that knocks me out after about 20-30 minutes 

@MaitlandGirl
Glad you replied before I took a handful expecting a good night's sleep!

I've taken several over the years and have found zolpidem to be the best (it's known as ambien in the US but hasn't made me racist in the 5 years I've been taking it). I think it must be expensive though as there's been some reluctance to prescribe it recently (I don't take it all the time). I don't get a hangover from it but I do only take it if I don't have to get up early the next morning.

I found zopiclone left me with a constant metallic taste in my mouth that I couldn't get rid of. I stopped really eating cos everything tasted of metal which was not healthy. But I know other people who rave about it so I think I was unlucky.

I know that a lot of GPs are reluctant to prescribe sleeping tablets as they'd rather deal with the underlying issue so be prepared to get turned down. I'd also recommend trying sleep hygiene methods so you can go in and explain what you've already tried rather than going straight to the drugs.

I find the otc 50mg sleeping tablet from pharmacies works as well as prescribed zopiclone. I take it if I've had two nights of poor sleep or if I've got something important on he next day, I also take melatonin which I buy in the US.

I was given nitrazepam for sleep when I had anxiety so bad I was pacing the corridors and crying all night when in hospital. I had a good few nights sleep, I felt drowsy in the mornings but it was worth it.

Zolpidem is a godsend.

Tried Zopiclone but had to stop taking them as I couldn't cope with the terrible taste it leaves in your mouth. Lingered for days, nothing helped shift it.

Zopiclone - addictive, leaves you with a bitter metallic taste in your mouth the following day, but works well most of the time.

Benzodiazepines (lorazepam, temazepam) - sedatives, addictive, hangover/groggy the following day. Work if it’s difficulty falling asleep that’s the issue.

Melatonin (sleep hormone) - no real side effects, better if you can fall asleep ok but have trouble staying asleep. If you’re someone that dozed off but then is awake at midnight, 2am, 3am etc then I’d go for these. Also v useful for jet lag.

With clinical depression and anxiety I’d also think about a short course (6-9 months) of an SSRI.

Yes, Zopiclone, about 10 minutes ago :) I get 2 of them on a repeat prescription once a month, as a sort of hangover from when I needed a couple to get me through a dentist appointment. I often suffer from disturbed sleep, but relish the 2 nights a month when I can be sure of dropping off in a timely manner. Goodnight all!

Melatonin works an absolute treat for me. I buy it online. I daren't take it at the moment because I have a newborn baby and I worry I wouldn't hear her in the night.

Yes Zopiclone when v depressed. I felt foggy minded all next day tho (not eating too so poss why). Dr was really not keen & said 2weeks only as short term as anti d's kick in around then anyway & better sleep usually follows. .

I have twice, both short courses of a week each. They helped me enormously, reset my insomnia and got me back in a pattern. I don’t remember having any side effects at all.

Was on temazepam for months, too long (bipolar) so GP and I talked it through and on zopiclone again. It keeps me vaguely sane, alongside the myriad of other meds. Also on quetapine which I hate as it gives you a real hangover.

Try herbals first op if you can. I wish I could be free of the sleepers, but am now worse without them.

I've had zopiclone a few times. Worked brilliantly the first few times but less so over time. I needed to be in bed, lights out by 9pm at the very latest though to avoid feeling groggy the next day. I never experienced the metallic taste but did once have a pounding heart straight after taking one, which scared me and put me right off.

Yes.

Sonata.

Green diarrhoea and I still couldn't sleep.

Zopiclone occasionally. Asleep within 15 minutes. Fine in the morning. Great for those nights my brain just won’t stop whirring. Try it.