Has Anyone had side effects from Zopiclone (sleep meds) and Ideation

[PhoebeFriends]

I have recurring suicidal ideation - it’s quite severe for about 2 out every 4 weeks.
I also wake up repeatedly through the night (no problem falling asleep). I am exhausted although l’m sure the waking is not linked to the suicidal thoughts.
GP has prescribed Zopiclone via phone appointment - he asked if I was depressed and I did say no, to be fair, going by my previous experiences I’m not - I just have these suicidal thoughts.
He knows I’ve previously had ADs but don’t take them now.
I’ve just read the leaflet which states a potential side effect is suicidal ideation which makes me less keen to take them.
I wondered if anyone had taken them and had a positive experience?
They are only to be used in the short term so by the time I’d next get to speak to a GP I’d have finished the course.
Would you just go for it and take them?

Zopiclone helps you fall asleep, but it doesn't make you stay asleep. Also gives you a hangover feeling the next day. I tend to have middle of the night spending sessions when I take them, that I can't remember the next morning!

I don't think the GP has really listened to you.

@LizDoingTheCanCan that’s not good, I’ve been known to engage in a lot of online drunk spending. I think I’m going to need to make another appointment as you’ve mentioned they don’t seem fit for purpose. I don’t want to mention the ideation though as I imagine that will stop him prescribing anything…
Thank you for your speedy reply.

I had zopiclone for quite some time. I would do things in the night like spending, eating etc and I would have no idea I had done it until I saw sweet wrappers, plates or email confirmations the next day! It was horrible having no recollection of anything that had happened the previous night. Although it did help me get some sleep it was still only a few hours a night. It did not make my existing mental health issues worse.

Zopiclone can give you a nasty aftertaste the next day, it wont necessarily leave you feeling refreshed in the morning, Most if not all antidepressants also have suicidal thoughts/ideation as a side effect.. I would give them a try, people do find them helpful, if you dont you dont have to take any more, it might give you some respite and that's not a bad thing.

I’ve had them loads of times. I’ve had suicidal thoughts on them when I’ve been on a specific med. But not in any others.

I take 1/2 before l go to sleep and the other 1/3 about 3.00 am. I have no side effects at all

I tried one on Tuesday and when I woke up I was very close to taking the whole packet…

I’m still processing this - I’ve phoned the GP and have to phone back next week to make an appointment.

I’m not taking any other medication-I had ADs for years but would never take them again - I lost years of my life to the numbness.

The problem is balancing the need for sleep with the ideation - I’m guessing if I tell he GP about my thoughts he won’t give me any sleeping meds of reasonable strength.
I need to get the meds and get my sleep sorted and then deal with any side effects (I think).
The other concern though was on reflecting about taking the packet, I started wondering if I was already dead.

Oh gosh, I definitely wouldn’t take anymore then OP that sounds scary.

I can empathise as I have fairly constant suicidal ideation and the only time I’ve actually acted on it as an adult was the morning after taking zopiclone. I’ve never taken it since. I had taken it many times before so I can’t say for sure it was linked but I don’t risk it anymore. In A & E after this incident the psych recommended I try Promethazine and that’s what I use now. It’s available over the counter as Sominex (blue packet) if you’ve never tried it. I find it very effective to get me out of bouts of insomnia. Of course speak to your GP and don’t just listen to some random on the internet (!) but wanted to mention just in case it’s helpful. I know how utterly debilitating it is to live with, both the suicidal ideation and the insomnia.

Thank you @glitteringfishy for your kind words - it kind of helps to know I’m not alone in feeling this way.
I started off with promethazine - sadly it didn’t work for me.
I’m using a sleep app but although it doesn’t seem to be working yet I’m keeping on going in the hope of change.
I do still wonder though, especially at times like this, if I have ended up in hell… my rational brain tells me I’m being - irrational but it is never ending.

Interesting thread. I’ve been using zopiclone now for about 4 months. First the low dose which worked for a day or so, then had a lessened effect other times I used if. My body adapted so with Dr’s agreement, I’m now on 7.5mg - no more than 3 times a week. I get a really strong metallic taste in my mouth soon after taking the tablet, throughout the night, and well into the next day. It’s nasty, but if it helps me sleep so be it. But that’s the point…

It’s having a lesser effect each time I’m taking it now. I have heard that Zolpidem has a better ability to keep people asleep, which is my problem when on zopiclone. I sleep, but lightly - I’m very easily broken and wake up multiple times throughout the night.

I see here mention of promethazine. Does this help with insomnia? I’ll try anything - literally - to get decent continuous sleep. :(