Ten big loud happy cheers for all the huggers . And another ten big loud happy cheers for the positive benefits, of having, just a little help…(not more than what’s been scripted).. just to be able to sleep.
Hi Jacqueline…glad you are feeling a bit better today…makes a big difference. I am rubbish when I don’t sleep.
I checked it out on Google…yes, you do indeed need to taper Z…you should not just stop it. I think it’s the same for all the benzo drugs. I have a friend in the US who has been using it for years and continues to do so…but in the US as I mentioned it’s approved for long term use.
Do try listening to ocean sounds or rainfall or something that you like when falling asleep…I can’t sleep without a masking noise. I think you need to start taking half a Z one night, then regular dose for a week or two…and then half for 2 nights, increasing it to 3 nights as you go. It won’t be easy but it should make it a bit easier. I do think though you need to work with a more understanding GP. I know from a British friend who visits Thailand who suffers with chronic insomnia that she cannot get sleeping o for more than a week at a time in t he UK. That just isn’t true in other countries. Luckily she has found an alternative to Z (I bought her some whilst I was in Hong Kong last time) here in Thailand. It’s a benzo also but it works well. Any way you look at it…benzos are addictive…but used judiciously and in small does for a very specific problem should be fine. A doctor in Hong Kong told me that very good drugs, such as Ativan, Xanax and Zopiclone are vilified for no good reason. Of course, they must be used sensibly, only as necessary and using the smallest dose which works. UK GP’s seem incredibly insensitive to me…and I am from the UK although haven’t lived there for years. Anyway…hope it all goes well. I know what it’s like..I had to quit Valium years ago and it wasn’t pretty. Cheers, Maureen
Tolerance withdrawal means that your body has become to a certain dosage of the drug that you are on and wants more…if you don’t give it more, you will begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. I realized that I was in tolerance withdrawal when I realized that I felt better after taking my next dose of Halcion which only has a half life of 2-4 hours so that feeling better didn’t last long. That of course alerted me to the fact that I was addicted to the drug and to take more would send me down a negative spiral.
All of this is outlined in the Ashton Manual that I gave you a link to. Being educated by an ‘expert’ like Heather Ashton is very important and empowering. The Ashton Manual is a very good resource.
I was prescribed 7 Zopiclone last week and I was awake all night. Yesterday he gave me 3 zolpidem as I am seeing a psychiatrist on Monday. I have been using sleeping tablets and benzodiazepines for so long now that they have a paradoxical effect. You can read my post about clonazepam if you are interested.
Your doctor could be telling the truth. Apparently people that use benzos and z drugs for long periods are at high risk for dementia/alzheimer’s, cancer and early death.
My memory is damaged from years of use. Rebound insomnia when they stop working is worse than what you first sought treatment for.
Circadin is melatonin which your brain produces at night to put you to sleep and I have been meaning to buy it but I’m not sure if it’s legal in UK. It regulates the circadian rhythm.
Are you in UK Jacqueline?
The words that you’ve used “tolerance withdrawal” are conflicting words.
If you are tolerant of a medication why would you stop, & if your do stop, of course there will be withdrawal symptoms. You’ve stopped the medication. That’s not tolerance withdrawal, it’s simply withdrawal .
On the flip side of that, if you are
scripted a certain dosage & you get to a point where the dosage doesn’t do what it says on the tin anymore, & you up it, you then become intolerant of the medication.
If you decide to stop the medication, intolerant or tolerant, of course you will experience withdrawal symptoms. Unless my logic button isn’t working, this makes sense.
Hello Chiefseattle. Can you please kindly show me scientific proof that “z drugs for long periods are at high risk for dementia/ alzheimers, cancer and early death”. Thank you.
I don’t have scientific proof although I have read it in a few publications and heard it from the medical community. That is why I said ‘Apparently’. I cannot say for certain if it is true or not.
Maybe try investigating yourself.
Hello again ,did you delete my last post ???
No. Why do you think that? I didn’t know it was possible to delete your posts.
Even if I was allowed I don’t see a reason why I would. That would be very disrespectful. I am on here for advice and help, not to disrupt people.
I am new to the group. I doubt members are allowed to delete other members posts. Not sure?
Did you post in another thread?
Good morning, I did not post in another thread ,because I started this one. I wanted to add something else to my reply to your post, but it was nowhere to be found. If you come across it ,will you let me know ,It’s so frustrating. going to the trouble of responding to someone ,and then for it to disappear .I can’t recall the whole content ,such a shame, Did you receive a post from me at all ? It started with …Yes ,I do live in the U K
Jacqueline.
Oh yes I remember asking you if you were in UK.
No I didn’t see your reply to that. I see replies in my emails. Not sure what’s going on?
Well ,not a lot we can do about that one .however .I have posted to you on your message s,see what happens to that one. Let me know if that works !!!
Hello Maureen ,catch up time .I saw my Tinnitus consultant yesterday and told her everything, the nightmares .Doc stopping Zop dead ,she was not happy ,and said that she had NO objection to my taking Zop, as sleep deprivation is not acceptable .She is going to write to my G.P about it .wonder if G.P’s bother to read letters about their patients, from consultants ??We will see.
Yes I got your message. See reply.
Thanks Jacqueline
where is it ??? Did you use the MESSAGE box ,it’s under your name