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Original poster

Doctor has taken away my sleeping tablets

120 replies

filee777 · 02/10/2013 23:40

When I went on sertraline, I was given sleeping tablets because I just wasn't able to fall asleep. For a month now I have taken them and it's been a massive part of my recovery to know that at night I will sleep

The doctor refused to renew my prescription today and said I had to make the 14 that I have last.

I've just started a degree and my head is swimming. I am thinking I will have to stop taking the sertraline despite them really really helping me. I just can't sleep. It's 11.30 now and I've been lying here for near on 2 hours unable to sleep, getting more and more anxious about the day ahead.

I've taken a tablet now because I NEED sleep. What can I do? Can I buy decent sleeping tablets? Should I just start dosing myself up with over the counter codeine every night?

I need sleep :(

OP posts:
SueFlaysAgainstTheDaleks · 02/10/2013 23:42

Are you taking the Sertraline in the morning?

I find that I can't slee if i take mine at night.

Original poster
filee777 · 02/10/2013 23:44

Yes first thing.

OP posts:
Elderflowergranita · 02/10/2013 23:53

Have you tried valerian tablets?

A real knocker-outer for me. You should get them over the counter most places, or on line.

timidviper · 03/10/2013 00:00

The doctor is right that sleeping tablets should not be used long term, they are only recommended for short courses as they are habit forming and not particularly effective. That goes for over the counter medication too. You may not be happy about this now but you'd be even less happy in the future if you found yourself addicted to these tablets

I know it is hard as I don't sleep well myself and would love something that could just knock me out but the best solution is sleep hygiene (routines, etc)

silvermirror · 03/10/2013 01:57

What is yr sleeping tablet called and what dose r u on.
How Long will 14 tablets last u.?

Depending on what Type nd dose yr on after around 4 weeks yr body grows tollerant to it and it stops working even though yr taking the regular dose, if u continue to take them after6/8 weeks yr body becomes addicted so when u do stop taking it u can suffer with drawal symptoms and increase insomnia.

I would start to ween yrself of them now.

I Wouldnt recommend codine either as its a painkiller and no use for sleeping issues, if u consume codine over time when u stop the withdrawal can be horrific.

Look at exercise, diet, rest.

Look at theraputic treatments for sleeping disorders.

I use to worry about not been able to sleep when I went to bed, now I tell myself im not forcing myself to sleep, I read, chill to music and as Long as im resting I am at least giving my body a break, there is no preasure on myself to sleep.

Yr doctor is showing you he actually cares about u as hes not willy nilly giving u repeated prescriptions for sleeping tablets, so he Does have yr best interests at heart, to me that makes a very good doctor.

whatnameshallibetoday · 03/10/2013 02:12

I found these better than any sleeping tablet [https://www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/446937114125032553?rlz=1C1GGGE_en-GBGB489GB489&es_sm=93&sclient=psy-ab&q=quiet+life+tablets&oq=quiet+life+tablets&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.53537100,bs.1,d.d2k,pv.xjs.s.en_US.oowl8Mc_jj4.O&biw=1454&bih=687&dpr=1&tch=1&ech=1&psi=QMRMUseAHYOc0QXHzoGICg.1380762681988.5&sa=X&ei=YMRMUpfxBcqU0AW8mYGQBQ&ved=0CFgQ8wIwAA here]]

whatnameshallibetoday · 03/10/2013 02:12

here

Original poster
filee777 · 03/10/2013 07:12

I'm on zopiclone, I can't remember the mg, usual I think.

I can't really see how giving me less is doing anything to aid my sleep pattern or my anxiety to be honest. I'll keep trying to get to bed earlier but I need to get up at 6am for college, I can't be lying awake until after 12!

I'll try those natural ones but I don't do well with valerian, makes me have awful, awful dreams.

OP posts:
Original poster
filee777 · 03/10/2013 07:12

By the way, my doctor is a woman.

OP posts:
Original poster
filee777 · 03/10/2013 10:29

I've decided I am going to stop taking my anti-depressants starting from today.

OP posts:
silvermirror · 03/10/2013 14:09

Zopiclone stops working after 4/6 weeks so it will not be an aid to sleep.

What about an Antidepression that has a seditive effect,such as mirtazapine or similair, u take these before bedtime instead of the morning.

Has yr college or univercity got a councilling service that u could Access to recieve support for yr Anxiety and insomnia.

DameFellatioNelson · 03/10/2013 14:12

I hope this isn't going to sound too patronising and obvious, but are you doing all the sensible things like avoiding coffee, tea, caffeine in fizzy drinks, MSG and other additives in food, excessive alcohol etc? All those things will make it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. I can't drink coffee at all after midday if I want a decent night's sleep.

MrsCakesPremonition · 03/10/2013 14:14

I think you should speak to your doctor before you stop taking your ADs.
That way you can talk through all the options.

susanalbumparty · 03/10/2013 14:51

Please don't stop taking the ADs without telling you GP. There are alternative meds you can take. Ask your GP about mirtazapine, it's another AD which is good for sleep. A psychiatrist offered it to me yesterday for that reason. I have also had promethazine (sp?) to help sleep which is an antihistamine.

Original poster
filee777 · 03/10/2013 14:51

Spoke to the duty doctor, he said fine, my decision but to take one every other day for a week. So that's what I will do.

OP posts:
Original poster
filee777 · 03/10/2013 15:16

The worst bit about it is that I have never felt so clear and happy and settled within myself. I've never been able to get up without a knawing feeling of doubt and pain.

It's been an amazing month.

OP posts:
HoopHopes · 03/10/2013 16:17

Why not stay on sertraline and take sleeping tablets three times a week to help you get enough sleep. Sertraline should not make you wide awake so what will you do if still not sleeping and not on sertraline?

I struggled with sleep for years and had to learn bed at same time, no lie ins, no screen time at night and good habits at night. So if I cannot sleep I do not get stressed, do sudoku, read a magazine etc and know I will cope off less sleep and will sleep more next night which usually I do.

LEMisdisappointed · 03/10/2013 16:24

Filee - zopiclone is addictive, which is why your doctor wouldnt renew the prescription. I have just been given a week supply as i was having a bad time sleeping again and wanted to break the pattern before it became a habit. Dr was really reluctant to let me have them, but I haven't taken them, it was enough to know they were there. I didn't find the sleep on them especially refreshing.

Do think very carefully about stopping the ADs, you haven't been on them for that long - why not pop over to the "village" and talk it over there?

You have done amazingly this month, you should be really proud of yourself, but the begining of a degree course is hard until you find your feet, coming off ADs on top of that would fry my head. Maybe wait until you are settled?

Original poster
filee777 · 03/10/2013 16:30

I've had to take a tablet now because I got really anxious and upset. I'm going to speak to the doctors tomorrow about maybe switching to something that will help me sleep rather than prevent it.

OP posts:
LEMisdisappointed · 03/10/2013 16:34

If you are taking sleeping tablets at 4.30 in the afternoon due to anxiety, there is a problem honey. mirtazipine is supposed to help you sleep, maybe talk about that, but i really don't think that now is a good time for you to be stopping the ADs.

Orangeanddemons · 03/10/2013 16:37

All the Ssri's gave me insomnia, but they did the trick with depression. I'm now on Paroxetine, but take 15mg of mirtazapine for sleep with it.

Try asking for that, or to switch to mirtazapine, although I felt it wasn't a particularly good Ad.

Branleuse · 03/10/2013 16:41

doctors are shit with insomnia. They cant keep giving you sleeping tablets indefinitely, but there isnt really anything else available either.
Its not like theyd say "right well you cant keep on antidepressants forever, so youre going to have to make these ones last and try and get happy on your own"
I have been down this road so much, and its basically got to the stage now where I have to drink red wine or smoke weed to get to sleep, which is a problem in itself, but not sleeping is my major trigger more than anything

Original poster
filee777 · 03/10/2013 16:45

I took my sertraline tablet about 2 hours ago NOT a sleeping tablet!

OP posts:
Original poster
filee777 · 03/10/2013 16:46

Not being able to sleep makes me anxious, upset and I can be perceived as agressive, that then makes me guilty which makes me anxious and hurt and feel like absolute shit.

I can't not sleep. It's been the best thing about this month

OP posts:
Branleuse · 03/10/2013 16:47

btw, i find sominex in the blue packet pretty good - the antihistamine based one. I dont like any of the herbal ones, as even though they work, they give me a terrible hangover the next day. Everyone is different though.

i also sometimes listen to sleep hypnosis videos on youtube on my phone by my bed, which can sometimes relax me enough to drift off