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Original poster

sleeping pill addiction

22 replies

Grace212 · 21/07/2019 19:09

anyone have any experience of this?

I've been taking 3.75mg zolpidem/zopiclone etc - whatever I can buy - for years. Frankly speaking it's got me through work and my father's death.

I want to stop. Partly because I think it's having a negative effect on my health, partly because - brutal honesty - I think soon I won't be able to get it anyway.

I just wondered if anyone had any experience of this. I have depression and anxiety generally but would say they are currently well managed so now is the time to try.

I do live in an awful area full of resounding thumping noise, so that's going to take some getting used to.

I'm really hoping people have stories of feeling healthier generally after coming off this. It's hard because compared to not sleeping, it's pretty good Blush

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Original poster
Grace212 · 27/07/2019 20:37

Hopeful bump....

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anon812 · 27/07/2019 21:14

Earplugs and nytol could be an alternative?

I've never been totally addicted to sleeping pills but have been a regular user and know it's linked to depression which I have had.

To be completely honest, the thing that got me off of sleeping pills was getting pregnant as you aren't meant to take them during pregnancy. I had no choice but to go cold turkey and the first few weeks were a sleepless hell but I'm fine now and fall asleep naturally. Im 5 months pregnant and have had maybe 2 nights where I couldn't sleep (I think it may be more to do with the heat though).

Sorry if that is not very helpful!

Gigia · 27/07/2019 21:20

I was addicted to zopiclone after being prescribed them following the death of my mum. I bought them online after being refused by the GP as I had them for months. Finally I went cold turkey. I am not going to lie, it was brutal for about four days. Reverse insomnia, cold sweats, felt terrible. A year later I feel healthier, less groggy, forget less stuff and generally sleep ok. I scared myself silly reading the death stats on the stuff and that made me quit. I highly recommend weaning yourself off slowly if you can which I should have done.

Original poster
Grace212 · 27/07/2019 21:22

Thank you, I appreciate the replies

I do wear earplugs but the only ones that can beat the noise here are the steel and rubber ones which are quite painful so I stick with the wax ones

I can’t take nytol or phenergen as they make me feel horrendously ill.

I now have another reason to stop as I think I’m going to be moving and will be starting to drive again. Of course I wouldn’t drug drive.

I was just really hoping someone would say they feel better off them than on them, if you see what I mean! You hear a lot of horror stories about addiction but I’ve never had to increase the dose. I think they make me a bit slower when running and also hear that they are linked to dementia and so on.

How did you find it being off them? Thanks so much for the reply, I really appreciate it as I can’t tell anyone in real,life.

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Gigia · 27/07/2019 21:24

Being off them has made me think clearer, feel less groggy and less forgetful. Long term I think they can be really damaging.

Holenewme · 27/07/2019 21:25

I’m in the same spot as you. Also a complete cop out as I don’t think I’ll be able to get any soon so trying to get myself sorted before that happens. I do worry about my health but to be perfectly honest I think my mental health will suffer more without taking them.

Watching with interest

Original poster
Grace212 · 27/07/2019 21:25

Cross post Gigia

Thank you

I don’t mind 4 days cold turkey if it’s safe, I do contract work and probably won’t work first half of August.

I was hoping the low dose would mean cold turkey is okay? I did try it once before, was asleep for about 2 hours a night but cracked because I couldn’t do my job properly (was in v long hours demanding job at the time).

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Original poster
Grace212 · 27/07/2019 21:29

Cross posting everywhere

Hole, yes, I know what you mean. Me on sleeping pills has done okay over the years. And I don’t cry from sleep deprivation which never looks professional! 🤦🏽‍♀️

So complicated, I had an elderly neighbour who took them for about 30 years and couldnt believe it when her prescription was stopped. She drove everywhere, in those days it was considered fine.

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Original poster
Grace212 · 27/07/2019 21:31

Gigia, I don’t feel groggy but I do feel some sort of cumulative effect is happening, or something is affecting my brain coordination when running.

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anon812 · 27/07/2019 21:34

I 100% feel better off them than on them. I got into a bad cycle of using tablets (e.g. pro plus, modadinil) or strong coffee first thing to counteract the sleeping pills still in my system, then kept drinking coffee throughout the day to stay awake, then to sleep took a sleeping pill.

I don't take any of that now (though still have a morning coffee) and feel so much better pill-free, even with pregnancy brain on top of it.

Jaffacakebeast · 27/07/2019 21:46

My gp would only give them me for 7 days, apparently too addictive, how have u managed to be on them that long? Are u in uk?

Original poster
Grace212 · 27/07/2019 21:58

Anon, thank you
That’s a lot of stuff! I can’t really drink coffee. I’d be flat on the floor if I took all that. Maybe that’s why the half dose has worked for so long.

Jaffa, yes, as per OP, I bought them. GP wouldn’t prescribe them for long.

GP offered diazepam after dad died but stupidly I said no. I now see they use it to get people off sleepers.

I’ve still got some which I’d like to save for emergencies so going to try tonight with nothing. Wish me luck!

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Jaffacakebeast · 27/07/2019 22:03

Good luck! At least the weathers cooled down

Gigia · 27/07/2019 22:18

Good luck, you can do this. Honestly it will only last 4 nights and then you will feel so much better x

Original poster
Grace212 · 29/07/2019 10:59

Thanks all

I’m afraid I decided to reduce rather than stop - after having a look online, it seemed safer.

I obviously haven’t sleep much, don’t feel too awful but oddly hot and my cheeks are very red. I checked my blood pressure but it’s fine.

I think probably continue with 1.75 for a couple of days?

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Gigia · 29/07/2019 13:41

Hi yes it's definitely the safest and best way to do it if you can. Well done for decreasing your dose and good luck

anon812 · 29/07/2019 14:07

Yes that's a better idea, you will avoid the initial hell I went through. Well done on reducing it!

Original poster
Grace212 · 29/07/2019 15:40

thank you

I don't understand why I'm red faced. I feel a bit....headachey - but that's natural of course.

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TickleMyFanny · 09/08/2019 13:48

Hi op how’re you getting on?

Original poster
Grace212 · 09/08/2019 15:24

No too bad, thank you
I had a major headache the day i posted and today. The red face was due to new makeup which I seem to be allergic to. Blush

Apart fro that it’s been okay, haven’t taken any and havevmaged some sleep. I don’t think I’ll ever be someone who gets 7 hours though, but everyone in the family sleeps badly. I have missed my run most days due to being tired but did go Wednesday evening and this morning.

So if anyone is in despair - it’s doable!

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TickleMyFanny · 09/08/2019 17:52

Oh I’m so proud on your behalf!!! Well done 💐

Original poster
Grace212 · 09/08/2019 22:53

Thank you! I suppose I always knew I’d have to, shame I didn’t do it before.

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