Insomnia, a drawer full of medications and health anxiety

[OhBollocks23]

I've never been a great sleeper, but CBT a few years ago cured me of the worst of my insomnia, until now.

Possibly perimenopause-related but I've found I'm succumbing to anxiety-induced sleepless nights again, especially when I know I really need to sleep.

I had an online consultation with a GP last time I had a bad bout, and he prescribed me Zopiclone. Said he didn't think my anxiety and insomnia were peri-related, as I wasn't having hot flushes.

I have an important work event coming up so the sleep anxiety has kicked in. Thought I'd try a Zopiclone in preparation (for the comfort of knowing they're there as much as anything), and then read that they can cause anaphylaxis, a bit of info that doesn't hugely help with my anxiety, especially when taking something late at night.

I also have phenergan (Sominex) and standard Nytol, both of which bought over the counter but both of which say you shouldn't take if you have asthma (I do, but mildly and well-controlled). When I queried with a pharmacist online (for some reason, Sominex in very short supply in all chemists near me) he just said I shouldn't take too much. But surely that applies to everyone, not just asthmatics?

So what are us slightly intolerant people meant to do?

I know that a lot of this is worst-case scenario, but I really need to switch off and sleep, but the available drugs themselves make me anxious - it's a lose-lose situation.

Don't even know why I'm posting, just feeling frustrated and anxious. And tired.

Hi there,

I’ve taken Zopiclone before although am not asthmatic so can’t speak to that, have you had any reactions to medications previously?

I would definitely see if you can get to grips with what’s keeping you awake, if it’s preimenopause related there are some more gentle ways to support that that might aid your sleep e.g herbal remedies, hormone replacement etc.

Sorry can’t be more helpful but I’ve been in a similar situation before - get anxious about a thing and they give you a pill to help but then you read something that makes you not want to take the pill 😫

What dosage have they prescribed? Think it comes in 3.75 or 7.5?

I get terrible anxiety related insomnia. Over the years tried all the herbal remedies with some success but I have found the most effective "remedy" to be Piriton! The full fat version that makes you sleepy, don't operate machinery one. Works every time.

Thanks for responding. I've been prescribed 7.5 but bearing in mind I'm a) nervous and b) quite small, I've split them.

Happy to report that I womaned up and took half last night, and drifted off quite pleasantly with no ill-effects whatsoever, not even the bad taste lots of people report. Didn't give me the huge long sleep I'd dreamed of, but reassuring to know there's something at hand to get me over the not-going-to-sleep anxiety.

My insomnia is the classic worrying about not getting enough sleep type, and so only really happens when I've got something important coming up that I need to be prepared for. Suspect peri may also be playing a part, but GP is very wedded to hot flushes or it's not hormones.

Piriton used to be my drug of choice but stopped working as well and also left me feeling dreadful.

Mindfulness, exercise and magnesium used to work wonders, and still do most of the time, it's just good to know there is something out there when it's desperate.

And no hangover feeling either!

Sorry to hear about the insomnia. I found the Dr Michael Mosley podcast Sleep Well on BBC Sounds really helpful.

I need to take zopiclone when I get into an anxiety loop and my sleep goes to pot. I take a half tablet and it resets me. I never take it more than 2 nights in a row. I too can’t sleep when I have something big the next day.
But the Dr’s are loathe to prescribe it anymore. It is my saving grace and I am strict with it. I wish dr’s would trust us more. I dread it when I run out.