Sleeping pills

[ineedtogoshoppingnow]

Hi all, Has anyone had any experience on coming off sleeping pills.
I m 42 and have been taking them since I was 18 (with a break during pregnancy and newborn stage) I've never been diagnosed but counsellors have suggested I have complex PTSD. I know that my insomnia started in childhood where I felt continuously anxious and like I had to be on high alert all the time.
I have a pretty calm life now but that feeling never really left and is worse at night.
I took Zopiclone and Zopidem for years (prescribed) I managed around 10 years ago to switch to Nytol and now take (again prescribed) 25mg of Phenerghan.
My GP has now informed me that a study has found a link between long term sleeping pill usage and early dementia, because I've took them for so long my risk is high.
No advice other than just stop, I actually can't ever imagine being able to sleep without one but I know he's not going to prescribe them again.

Bump

I'm the same :(

Do you have nightmares or "just" anxiety? Prazosin can be effective at treating PTSD nightmares which might help if that's part of the problem.

Otherwise a mixture of PTSD therapy focused on its impact in the present and learning strategies to manage anxiety/sleep, plus slowly and gradually tapering down the drugs so your body can adjust.

But you should be referred for treatment and support to address the underlying cause of needing the drugs in the first place. The dependence on sleeping tablets can't be resolved without treating the primary issue which is the PTSD.

Did your GP give you the citation for the study so you can read it yourself?

No advice other than just stop

That's not good enough and verges on negligent.

Go back or go and see a different doctor and ask them what they are going to do to address the underlying issue and support you. Ask for referral for PTSD assessment and treatment.

You deserve proper care and treatment. They have a duty of care to you.

I only found out about this study when my repeat prescription wasn't at Boots.. Called my GP and this is what he said.
I had counselling years ago that helped. I started EMDR Therapy last year but I can't do it at the moment. Long story short I am going to court this year (after a 4 year police investigation) to face someone due to historical sexual abuse, so therapy that is supposed to help you live in the present isn't really suitable when the past is in my today. (Hope that makes sense) Without sleeping pills I get 3 hours max sleep. I don't get nightmares about trauma memories more that they just play on loop stopping me being able to sleep and when I do get to sleep I have Sleep Paralysis.
I'll phone the doctor back, My work pattern at the minute is 7am-4pm.. So by rights I should be tired.

It's for the best that your doctor said you have to come off the sleeping pills

I don't know if this will help but things you could try are

Lavender mist to help you sleep

Calming music to help you sleep

Comfy pillows and bedding

No phone or tv before bed

Nice relaxing bath

Mood lighting

Hope this helps and a good diet and exercise in the day so you sleep well at night

Have you tried magnesium? That is meant to help with sleep - someone suggested this to me when I was an insomniac for a while. Still take them now and rarely have sleep issues.

I have been taking phenergan 25mg for 3 years and zopiclone now and again. How are you getting on

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