GP appointment- sleep and depression - what do I do?

[PhoebeFriends]

I have a GP appointment tomorrow- I have waited weeks for this. When I made the appointment it was to discuss sleeping medication - I was previously prescribed zopiclone but it’s not working.

I am exhausted- I am clinging on but struggling.
I also have recurrent depressive episodes. I am currently low - I am losing the grip here.

My problem and question is what do I say to the GP? Do I tell him I’m depressed - if he asks do I tell the truth? If I do l, I’m worried he won’t prescribe any sleeping pills as advice is not to take them if depressed.

If he does prescribe them I’m hoping that will lift my mood as it will give me hope. If I don’t get them however, I feel like I’m going to sink further - I can’t keep holding on.

I’m not currently taking ADs and I do not want to - I have previously taken them for years but won’t do this again - for me that would be the end.

So, if I tell him I’m clinging on there is no way I will get any help.

I think I’ve answered my own question here but any advice would be appreciated.

Actually, I’ve realised what I’m trying to do here. My intentions are not good. In an ideal world I should go with being honest and get the help I need.

I would say- I am having extreme difficulty sleeping and i am worried it is going to trigger a depressive episode (that could be avoided if i got some sleep). good luck x

Is the depression being caused by the lack of sleep? Would having better sleep lift your mood? If it was me I would speak to the doctor about the sleep issue only - then after a few weeks if you are still depressed despite getting better sleep I would speak to him again about the depression.

It's equally possible the lack of sleep is due to depression.

You'll only get a maximum of 2 weeks sleeping tablets, and unlikely anything stronger than zopiclone, which isn't working. Why would you not want to take antidepressants? There's lots of different types, ask for a different one if youve had a bad experience. Otherwise, if the insomnia is due to depression you'll just be back at square one once the sleeping tablets run out.

I was given mirtazapine for sleep issues and reactive depression. Might be worth mentioning as an option.

Agree with YouBoggle. Every time I've had severe depression it's manifested with agitation and insomnia. Zop worked but it's like hen's teeth getting any with my GP. They did agree to 15mg then 30mg mirt though. Still not a full night's sleep but better than it was.
I've also started on 3mg melatonin most nights. I have a feeling it's only prescribed by the NHS in secondary care, and even then subject to a lot of conditionsI buy mine online (usual caveats apply if you're considering this). It doesn't work the same way as Zop etc. in that it doesn't knock you outall the usual sleep hygiene eg darkened room requirements are still needed--but does help reinforce your circadian rhythm.

You do need to be absolutely sure that it's lack of sleep->depression direction cause before self-medicating, though.

Have you tried promethizine for sleep? It's an anti-histamine that makes you drowsy. I used to be on zopliclone but found it stopped working but the promethizine works really well for me and doesn't make me feel groggy in the morning.

Dr prescribed zolpidem, hopefully it will kick in and then my mood will lift without being exhausted all the time - fingers crossed.