I see this is really old just checking in to see if you sorted your mum out. Hope all is well xx
None of us can really comment properly as we dont know if it part of palliative care,while 22.5 may seem high to us,im sure the dr knows the patients history,im prescribed 40mg on Diazepam (5mgs,as i find it very rare a Dr will prescribe 10mg tablets these days,the excuse is 'incase you sell them' im sure if you were,the buyer wouldnt care if they 2mg,5mg,10mg) for daytime and for sleep i get 1 7.5 and 1 3.75 of Zopiclone,as i always wake around 4am,and found i couldnt get back to sleep,so i take the 3.75 when i wake,and gets me through until 7.30 ish,ive tried Temaz,Nitraz and find they dont make sleepy at all just 'relaxed',I was prescribed Temazepam 25 years ago,and slept right through on 30mg,but they then stopped the Gel ones,stopped the 30mg and changed the recipe (its 100% not my tolerance)-shame as they worked great-the only thing that comes close now is Rohypnol,but your more likely to win the Lotto than have a normal GP prescribe you that,but if you go private it seems 'money talks' and they will prescribe,same with Xanax (alprozolam),by far the best for anxiety,but not prescribed on the NHS,i got them privately but just couldnt keep up with the costs
I am an expert on Zopiclone, having taken it successfully for 16 years without too much side effect. 22.5mg per night is way too high. On that level she will be like a zombie by day, with poor mental abilty, memory loss, and more, particularly poor motor control, hence the falling down.
You need to get her down to 7.5mg
Try going wiithout any at all fir one night. Her sleep will be terrible or non-existant. Then follow that with an early night with the 7.5mg dose. She will be so tired that she'll slleep.
I take 15mg
I think he was being sarcastic? Meaning he was scared to sleep incase he died!
50mg a day william thats a lot of zop
Hey dave did u get something sorted for using zop in the day? I also use them during the day
I do know in older people the recommendation is half a tablet. My mother in law was on that in rest care and she slept fine.
May I suggest as a 73 year old Zopiclone taker by repeat prescription, that your mother drops off the 250 Amitriptyline which in my experience is the real problem here. Prior to taking Zopiclone and being a severe insomniac, I was given the rather dubious Amitriptyline for mild depression and to aid sleep. That alone destroyed my mental abilities, made me a fat, indolent "Zombie" who just wasted each day in a mental fog. ( I was on no other drugs ) In one year I had 57 falls, many included head injuries and just before the one that almost killed me, I fell down 16 outdoor concrete steps. I survived somehow, just, without breaking any bones. My weight had doubled in five years and for the first time in my life I was fat and unfit ( age 71 ) . This was just the precurser to the "big one" which occured in my kitchen around midnight Dec 17th 2014. I just fell in my kitchen for no apparent reason. I was unconscious for eight days with severe blood loss, head injuries and almost at the point of death (Temp 28 c ) when a Paramedic broke the door down and saved my life. In hospital for over three weeks unable to stand and walk, and still cannot walk any distance without help all my head and brain injuries affected the functions of lower limbs and abdominal organs only. I now depend totally on the Internet for all my shopping etc, I was returned home with full time nursing care which was gradually reduced until I was helped by family members alone. I had still not even heard of Zopiclone at this point. Kept on a reduced amount of Amitriptyline the falls continued and there were times when I had to sleep on the floor, or should I say, try to sleep because I couldn't get back on my feet. Following a further twelve months I decided exactly one year ago to stop taking Am' and binned them all. There were several weeks when I went without sleep for four or five nights then short spells or maybe a couple of hours when I seemed to doze off a little. Gradually my old personality returned along with all my talents as a musician, writer and artist- all of which had vanished while "drugged up" on Am'. The insomnia continued making me feel ill but not stopping me from working full time- average 80 minimum a week, but at least I was me again and the weight I had gained simply fell off me and one year later I am back to my normal wieght of eight & half stone. My new Doctor prescribed me Zopiclone 7.5 mg x 2 per night and I now sleep without any difficulty for approx' 5-6 hours per night, all I need. My mind is as clear as a bell and I have never felt better, Attending College again in my 70s, learning the piano and about to have my second novel published. I am no longer the "fuzzed up", and dopey person I was on Amitriptyline, in fact my mind is better than it has ever been, sharp, clear, creative etc. No drowsiness or loss of balance whatsoever, no more worry about not sleeping, no slurred speech as I give Public Lectures etc. My memory is superb, I can still speak three languages, play instruments, write books and articles and plan to tour the world. Therefore, I hope this will help you. Perhaps your mother should give up the real culprit which nearly cost me my life and take just two Zopiclone tablets. She may have to struggle a little at first but other than insomnia I did not have any back effects from throwing away the overly prescribed and rather "unknown" drug Amitriptyline. The best thing I ever did and I did not even consult a Doctor I just knew that drug was destroying my life little by little. Now I an fit, alert, socially active, hardworking, slim and raring to go. Please come back to me for any further information and I will help in any way I can. My family can back up any word I have written here as they witnessed all the changes and no longer worry about me, I have not had a single fall in the past year or even been wobbly - 250mg Am' was almost my death sentence but Zop' has been a God send. This is just my personal experience but I felt I had to respond to your plight immediately. I get the impression that Doctors consider Am' a cure all, it is not, in my opinion doses over 50mg should be banned, no one really knows how it works or what it does and it will do her no harm to get off this chemical nightmare and perhaps reduce the Zopiclone just a little, she should come back to life unless she has some other medical condition causing memory problems. I was tested and x-rayed for a multitude of possible ailments due to my clumsiness, forgetfulness and continual falls and all the time the cause was this high dose of Amitriptyline and no-one questioned it and still wouldn't so I made the decision myself and now all is well and couldn't be better as I approach age 74, and my world tour.
I'm sorry, please read my comments below- you are no expert as you are not including her mother's almost leathal dose of Amitriptyline, a drug I know only too well. Her mother's problems are caused by the other drug she is on although the combination may be making matters much worse. Her Zopiclone may be a little too high but I have taken that strength on odd occasions without any adverse effects whatsoever and I work on average an 80 hour week and also have many responsibilities of a very serious nature which require me to be 100% alert. I do realise drugs affect each of us in a particular way, but this cocktail is a dangerous one and the greatest danger is not the one you mention and the one which has obviously served you well. You actuallu re-inforce my arguement that Zopiclone is a good drug for those really in need of it and some of us are. Although 73 I am busy day and night ( by choice ) I have every reason to be totally worn out and tired but I remain an insomniac without Zopiclone. A problem which in itself can be dangerous and requires treatment. I am not talking about those who have spells of not sleeping on and off, but those of us with a genuine medical condition which threatens life and limb. If you read my other comments directed to the person requesting help you will see what I am referring to.
sarah61989 my story is so similar to yours
been thru a lot of what you have my only difference is I ended up with fibromyalgia 1st off then went thru all the trials n tribulations as you did
I also did too survive 4 yrs ago this June
I was on zopiclone 15mg for about 6 months and take a single doze 7.5mg during the day I eventually was also prescribed trazadone 50mg and used that to get off of the zopiclone now I only use it when I go thru stressful times which bring me terrible nightmares omg they would be amazing movies but during those nightmares I can hurt myself in trying to get away from the danger
anyways my point I trying to get to is I currently going thru a stressful life situation once again and my fibro pain is so bad and I cannot find any meds that will help with the pain getting opiates is next to impossible these days where I live (canada) due to high levels of overdoses in our cities almost 1000 in the past year due to street dealers lacing fentanyl with other opiates and illegal drugs
How is your fibro these days and do u have your pain managed could you share your cocktail of meds if u please
I have tried all the obvious Lyrica Cymbalta ampitrpylin gabapenten
I am beginning to have bad thoughts again and want those out of my head this pain is starting to control me and I want me back so any updates u have I would love to hear
sorry for the rambling and I hope this finds you well and in a good place thanks in advance
Whoa she needs help fast. I was on 7.5 a night .8 saw my doctor who gives 3.75 and I go between that and half a pill. They don't work after a while but help me chill really. Please get her help .
Hello there! Can see the post was from sometime, I am actually a pharmacy technician, so medicines and does are a subject I know well.
Firstly Zopiclone being hypnotic to help the effects of insomnia and other sleeping disorders. It comes in two strengths, 3.75mg usually for elderly patients over 65 years of ages. Although, this lower dose can be used for patients where the 7.5mg is not suitable due to other ailments such as liver failure. The other is 7.5mg tablet is for all those over 18-65 years and should not be give to anyone under the age of 18, the dose states 7.5mg maximum in 24 hours. Zopiclone is a schedule 4 controlled drug and should only be prescribed in short course of 4 weeks. It is open to abuse, both physical and mental, that you need it to sleep and that you know not taking it will result in no sleep at all.
My advise would be to take away the Zopiclone for one night, results to be expected would be no sleep at all, however on the second reintroduce the Zopiclone for one night and repeat the alternating effect, so slowly wean off.
Amitriptyline, has multiple uses, depression although not recommended, mostly neuropathic pain, and migraine prophalaxis! It comes in 10, 25, 50 milligram tablets as well as oral suspension too. The maximum dose is around 150-200mg so 250mg is too high if even see as a small amount. Severe reactions can occur even in small cases of over dose. What concerns me most is that most cases of amitriptyline overdose has a high fatality risk. A tolerance to the drug can be built and side-effects can cease with tolerance increase.
Amitriptyline treatment is recommended to be withdrawn gradually and anyone whose received more than 8 weeks of treatment should not stop abruptly. It should be reduced over a period of four weeks but can be withdrawn over a sixth month period in severe cases. Withdrawal symptoms can vary from mild to severe but are very self-limiting. Symptoms include, insomnia, irritability, influenza like symptoms, sweating, vivid or abnormal dreams, movement disorders of some kind like a tremor or involuntary movement, and headaches.
In my opinion it is best to speak to your GP baring in mind all things mentioned are confidential and there should be no embarrassment felt. It maybe difficult to come to terms with the severity of dependence but getting help from professionals is the best way and of course support from family during this time. Feel free to ask me anymore questions if this hasn't helped best of luck
Years ago, on my arrival to NZ, to continue my Psychiatric Reigistered Nursing career ( following years in my homeland, the United States; as well as years in my British Island experience ), I was seriously injured during a WORK TRAINING exercise. 4 months following my arrival. Practiced support and take down procedures, with difficult and dangerous hospital patients. Neck and Head injury, Whiplash conditions; seemingly ending my professional mental health nursing .career.
My recovery has been long and tedious, often using a neck brace to help with my condition. What appeared to be successful in treating my condition was Oxycodone and Terrazosin and citirizine as my medication choices. Horrible choices were Notriptyline, and Risperidone and Prozac. Causing unpleasant feelings of inadequacy, fear, pain, constipation,
I took 7.5mg tabs of zopiclone for about 6 years straight basically everynight. I hate them so bad because they made me lifeless, bad memory, very emotional an agitated forgetting things always tired still yet i got powerhouse sleep which is big reason i kept taking them. took 3 weeks at least of complete hell trying to suffer withdraws trying to get them out of my system.. there was a point where i was taking 3 sometimes as my tolerance got higher i started to sleep less an less till down to couple hours sleep on them so i finally got off them.. for just over a year of never sleeping.. literally never sleeping has driven me mad crazy always on edge getting very angry at things not responding to people accourdinglly. its been hell but i've learned that since i dont sleep i have to meditate.. when i lay down at night..ive had to leave work on medical leave for the second time now because not fit for work an many other things from no sleep.. so brain dead.. starting to forget my point here already... ok so after the year of no zopiclone an having to leave work again on medical leave docs said i have to take some zopiclone because i have to sleep.. ive tried 6 or 7 different sleeping pills an they never worked out for me... everytime i take zopiclone an then stop taking them it just makes me problem a million times worse... ive been to sleeping clinics and have tried everything anyone has every suggested.. but now the docs gave me something new to me which is Temazeepam 15 mg.. so far worked first night an hopefully tonight as well.. going to see what these meds can do for me.. good luck to everyone out there having sleep issues... im an insomniac unless i have pills which suck so usually i dont sleep cuz pills make me sick an retarded.. plus there only suppose to be temporally fix.. and just wanna say Zopiclone is a horrible pill that i would never ever recommend to anyone.. too many bad side effects an make people stupid.. seen it happen to family.. anyways keep fighting to make your lifes better an go through the hard times to get to the better.. ive learned to accept not sleeping but still yet im trying another pill for just some sleep... till ive taken too many an they stop working.. take care everyone sorry if i got confusing here.. only slept last night for like 4 hours out of the last couple of weeks.. so i dont always have my focus on task.. oh bottom line Zopiclone is bad in my opinion an many others ive met an talk to about them.
Have been using Zopiclone nightly, for over 5 years, to help me sleep, as I suffer from severe neck injury / head injury, work related, 11 years ago.
Am concerned that my addiction to 1-2 tablets nightly, to help me sleep for 5-6 hours, is not good for my overall health.
Tried Temazepam, ages ago, when I fwelt like Ｉ ｎｅｅｄｅｄ ａ ｂｒｅａｋ ｆｒｏｍ ｉｍｏｖａｎｅ
Ｓｕｒｅ ｙｏｕ ｈａｖｅ ｔｈｅ ｒｉｇｈｔ ｍｅｄｉｃａｔｉｏｎ？ ａｓ ｉｍｏｖａｎｅ－ｚｏｐｉｃｌｏｎｅ ｄｏｓａｇｅ ｉｓ ｕｓｕａｌｌｙ ７．５ｍｇ
In the long run on zopiclone I've personally found that they just made my severe insomnia way worse.. once i stop taking them i went back to never sleeping everynight an once the pills were out of my system finally learned to relax more at night even tho i dont sleep id much rather not take the dam zopiclone because they make me worse.. I just got the 2nd sleep in over few weeks taking my 15 mg of temazepam an i dont feel the same crappy side effects as zopiclone.. i dont plan on taking these new pills long as all pills are suppose to be tempory.. i think i have PTSD as well that could be messing with my subconscious from sleeping.. i donno.. tried soo many things feels like what should i do next.. IF possible I'd stop the zopiclone an try somethign else.. but keep in mind the withdraw are complete hell.. for me they were anyways so i hope the best of luck to you..
its way to much its irresponsible for a G.P to think its ok to give that much
I have taken Zopiclone for over ten years and found out early that less is more. The Dr prescribed 1 7.5 mg a night. When I took that dose I would get to sleep quickly but would wakeup after about 4-5 hours. This did not give me the restful sleep I needed to help cope with my anxiety and depression that I was being treated. I reduced this dose to 3.75 mg and found that I would sleep longer and feel more rested. After a while I found that even half of a 3.75 mg dose worked just as effectively. If I had to get off the medication, the only withdrawal symptom was that I would have trouble getting to sleep for a couple days. This eventually went away.
What I see as the trap most people have fallen into is they are taking way too much. I can't believe that a doctor would prescribe 5-7.5 mg dose for anyone. So these people are obviously cheating the system.
Its equivalent to drinking a beer to relax versus drinking a dozen. The result is you have an alcohol dependency.
By the way I got on Zopiclone because benzo's were so addictive. As soo as I started I needed more and more. That's what I consider an addictive drug. I would like to know how many people were able to get off Zopiclone by substituting Benzo's. I see this as jumping from the frying pan into the fire.