Insomnia, doc and sleeping pills

[Slimthistime]

I know there will be the usual answers to this in terms of addiction etc but I'm really hoping someone can maybe advise or knows of a doctor who isn't massively against these

short version - I suffer with depression, anxiety and insomnia. I have been given enough diazepam to use it twice weekly to help with sleep.

the problem is it has a hangover effect on me, even at a low dose.

In the past I have had zolpidem, which I believe is Ambien in the US, prescribed often and even available as a controlled release formula over there.

This doesn't have any hangover effect.

however, when I have had doctors prescribe it here, it's been for 7 days max in a real emergency (I didn't sleep for 72 hours and lost it a bit!) and they are clearly very against it.

having looked into it, the short term effect is considered to be part of the addiction risk, but the longer term groggy thing with diazepam is really annoying.

I was wondering if I'm unlucky in my GP practice or is just all UK doctors are really anti these particular drugs? It actually seems weird to me, looking at the chemical properties, that they would rather prescribe diazepam.

I wouldn't look to take something more than 2 nights a week anyway but the look of panic on their faces when the word zolpidem is mentioned - presumably they have major issues with addicts etc?

anyway, interested to know if anyone has a doctor who is okay with it.

thanks.

I've only ever heard of GPs prescribing very short courses of them.

Could you try amitriptyline? There is a hangover effect but it gets better after a while and you would probably only need a small dose. It's not addictive.

Living, I tried that and as well as not working, the hangover effect was appalling. I also had it when I had a spinal injury and I hated the hangover effect even when I had enforced bed rest all day, though it did help the pain.

I've been reading up on this and the safety profile of the z drugs was originally meant to be better than the azepams but then they u turned on that one. It's hard to keep up with all the findings!

Through talking with my psychiatrist, neither are preferable. It might only be twice a week but if that's every week then they become a habit/ addiction. Take it from someone who knows!

What else have you tried to help with sleeping? Yoga, sleep hygiene, keeping a notepad by your bed so you can note down anything on your mind to deal with tomorrow? And not just trying them for a few nights, you need to get into a routine over weeks and months.

I hope you find something that helps, but prescription meds are not the long term solution.

All UK doctors are going to be really anti long term prescriptions of Z-drugs and benzos. Even for 2 nights a week regular use.

For sleep hygiene you have to do ALL of it and stick to it for it to work.

Ah I had some success with amitriptyline, but I do have to take a lot more than most people (150mg). The hangover got better 3 weeks or so in I think (been on it 13 years so not 100% sure). I don't sleep at all without it.

Tried melatonin?