Zopicione for insomnia: thoughts?

[Eloise01]

Went to GP today as worried about chronic headache and earache over past day and a half. (Feeling a little better now.) Asked him if he could give me anything to help me develop a regular and good sleeping pattern. I take ages to get to sleep (isn't helped by the fact that as well as a f/t day job, I work two evenings a week and there's lot of preparation for these sessions).

Anyway, he prescribed 7 x Zopicione (3.75mg). Went out, bought the pills. Then did some reading. Seems that this Z drug can be addictive and cause any number of difficult side effects - obviously, this is true for so many drugs but nevertheless I worry rather as I know that I'll want to continue - such is my sleeplessness.

Any experience of Zopicione to relieve insomnia or, better still, help develop sound sleeping habits?

If I was advising me (!), I'd say give up the evening jobs (you'll need to budget ever so tightly but you do anyway as DH doesn't have regular work). You'd have time to resume any number of hobbies; see more of your DH and kids and generally feel more energetic in your day job.

Much prefer the idea of natural remedies but I have these things now and am so tired. Any thoughts much appreciated!

Yes I used to use Tamezepam for occasional use as I am prone to bouts of insomnia, my doctor gave me Zopicone last time and it works really well for me, no side effects. I use very sparingly and never more than one night at a time, I mean I might only use one in a month because these types of drugs are hugely habit forming, create dependency and can have horrible withdrawals. That's why your doctor only gave you 7. They might help break the sleepless cycle. I know how horrible that is.

I use relaxation CD's in the evening, they seem to help.

Take them! I had to take these when i wasn't sleeping due to work stress - they are brilliant if used as they are meant to be used, as a short term solution to reset your sleep cycle. Its a weird sort of sleep that you get, i find i sleep like a log and wake quite early and if feels like the sort of sleep you have when aneathatised as in you feel like you wake as soon as you shut your eye but you feel refreshed. I took them for about four days and was fine. I have a box i keep in the cupboard but wont take them unless i really have to as they are addictive. Taking them for a week will not be a problem.

My husband has been prescribed these today for insomnia. He is currently googling side effects and scaring himself.
I hope they work, many nights of broken sleep are really taking their toll on both of us.
I'll report back tomorrow.

Tell your DH to google the side effects of paracetemol - he wont take them either :)

Thanks, all, very much for your replies. I think I'll do something to relax now and then go to bed - will take a Zopicone tomorrow if I need to and will, like NameoftheRose, report back. Dread anything like dependency - so taking all the warnings here about using sparingly.

That made him smile, LEM.
Thanks, now I won't have to sit in his chest and force them down his throat so that I get a good night's sleep.

I've had them and they do work really well in the short term. One word of warning though OP, don't take them if you have anything major to do the next morning. The first night I took one I felt like I'd been 10 rounds in a boxing ring the next day!

Had you won, though, BigOrange?

You bet your bottom dollar I won! I felt massively foggy for the whole morning but I'd slept like a log for the first time in weeks so I felt bloody fantastic! Zopiclone is actually mainly responsible for curing my insomnia to be honest. With me a big part of the problem was that when I got into bed I'd start to panic that I wouldn't be able to sleep, which I'm sure you all know is then a self fulfilling prophecy. Once I'd had that first proper night's sleep I started to lose the fear because I knew that if I couldn't sleep I could just take one of them and I'd conk out. Because I was worrying less I wasn't keeping myself awake doing it!

don't drink milk the next morning either - tastes foul! I almost preferred the old things like temazepam instead, just because it didn't have the sort of metallic taste after effect that lasted for quite a while and spoiled anything I ate for hours. They did put me to sleep, somewhat, but didn't knock me out or anything; at times I still lay there for ages.

Oh yeah, the taste thing the next day is vile!

The 7mg dose got me through a bad fortnight. I was then allowed a 14 day course of the 3.75mg a few weeks later. Was told I would be point blank refused anymore. Fortunately I didn't need them all and have some left.
They were wonderful. I still woke up occasionally, even with the stronger one but I could drift straight off again. They lasted for 7 hours and I woke up refreshed and alert. Magic. No side effects whatsoever.

I can see why people like them so much. But yes to them breaking a habit. Sometimes that is all that is needed.

O took them for insomnia caused by post natal psychosis ams they were great, still have a few in the cupboard somewhere. They just helped get me back into a decent sleep pattern.

I take them at times for short periods every few months-no side effects for me apart from the metallic taste in my mouth.

OH slept the best he had for weeks. Which meant I did too. 9 hours!
He did wake up a couple of times but was able to turn over and go back to sleep.
What an incredible relief, well worth the bitter taste.

Pleased to see this nameofthe rose - its surprising just how much lack of sleep can impact on your life. I don't know how i managed babies :)