Zolpidem

[Romas]

After months of not being able to sleep for more than a couple of hours, my GP has prescribed Zolpidem. Does anybody have any experience of these? Will I still be able to get up for work in the morning? I'm desperate to sleep but worried about side-effects.

Thanks.

As far as I'm aware, they are first class. I use them occasionally, fall into a natural sleep and wake refreshed with no hangover in the morning.

You need to break the insomnia cycle and these should do the trick.

Thanks. My GP gave quite dire warnings about them so I was concerned.

I love them, help me go to sleep, wake up feeling refreshed, no side effects.

I believe prescribing rules have changed recently, GP are extra cautious about prescribing them hence the dire warnings.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zolpidem#Tolerance.2C_dependence.2C_and_withdrawal

Not recommended for longterm use.

You always get dire warnings about the z class drugs. Not had Zolpidem myself, but have a reasonably regular script for Zopiclone. It's a life saver as when I can't sleep, I can go for days.

All night sedation is licences for 4 weeks only.
Problems are developing tolerance and possible dependence.

Using them to break a spell of insomnia can be really helpful.

I hope they work for you .

I've only got 2 weeks worth, GP said I can't have any more whether I'm sleeping or not. I haven't slept for more than 2 hours a night since June and I'm on my knees. It's taken until yesterday to get a prescription for any sleeping tablets although I'm maxed out on ADs.

Going to take one tomorrow night when I don't have to get up for work the next day.

I found them best used for 2/3 days in one week - to break the poor sleep cycle I had. If I got 2/3good nights sleep I could manage the other nights!! That way my limited supply lasted instead of using them all up in 2 weeks.

I have had zolpidem and zopiclone and yes gp are very strict at giving em out now.

Doctors are under a lot of pressure not to prescribe Z drugs and Benzodiazepines (very similar in action) because of the hysteria around 'addiction'.

They can cause dependence in some, but at the same time they are invaluable for others to get some desperately needed rest.

I've not taken zolpidem but I have taken zopiclone which is similar. They work very well but if you take them daily for a prolonged period the benefits wear off. I found it best to try and take them 3 times a week and struggle through the rest.

Addiction is much less of a problem with Z-drugs than with benzodiazepines, but tolerance is a real issue for many people.

Getting a rest is crucial to get better from many situations (whether stress or MH or anything else related), but longterm most people would benefit from looking at the underlying causes of their sleeplessness. Not everybody, but most people.

Drs under pressure - yet.
Believe me, it would be far easier to just dish out sleeping pills left, right and centre than to to try and tease out other issues and how to help in the longterm. Not always possible, but very worthwhile a serious attempt IMO.