Hi I stopped Zopiclone after taking it for 5 months 3 nights ago. Somehow I managed about 5 hrs interrupted sleep the first two nights. Last night I had no sleep and feel awful today. The doc said I can still take it if I feel desperate but I know I will slide back into the habit of taking it. Any encouragement would be welcome. I could sleep for England today
Hi Nirithes. I think a couple nights without sleep is going to happen. Is there a way to take part of the tablet. I am not sure if they are tablets or capsules. But just try not to think about it and try something relaxing before you try to sleep. One day at a time is all you can do. I went days without sleep and thought it would never end. of course mine was Ativan for 20 years. Lived on 2 hours sleep a night about 5 out of 7 days a week. But now I sleep GOOD. Wish I could help more. Bet of luck and keep us posted as well. Sincerely, Ruby S
Hi thanks for your response. I'll tough it out again tonight. I'm glad your ok now. Withdrawal is awful isn't it
Hi Nirithes.
I myself have recently finished a Zopiclone detox, I was taking them for over 10 years. My Sleep was very erratic and I found myself being tired during the day because I wasn't sleeping at night, But It Was The Best Thing I Ever Done Because They Were controlling My Life. I Promise You That As Each Day Goes By Youll Feel Yourself Getting stronger. The Withdrawls Dont Last As Long As Other Tablet Detoxs E.g (benzos). Im Two Weeks Free From Them Horrible Poisonous Tablets And The Headaches are Gone And Im sleeping much , much better 7-8hrs a night. Please don't go back to taking them because all the hard work you've done so far would be wasted. I found that talking to someone close really helps and any sort of "positive" distraction will also help. Be proud of what you are doing. I wish you all the best and if you need to chat don't hesitate in msg me. Also Meditating works wonders. It slows the mind down.
Dont try to stop quickly, it s impossible. Have you tried using half the dose? Or stop one day for the week till your body gets use to it for a couple of weeks then stop 2 days etc. Only you know your body well do work with that.
You've done brilliantly. Must have been so hard.
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm definitely going for my 4th night Zop free even if I don't sleep a wink
It's so hard I've felt awful today like and absolute zombie but I'll persevere
Hi Nirithes.
I was just checking in with you to see how you were managing your detox. I hope that all is going well for you cause I know how difficult it is and sometimes a txt or chat to someone helps. Best wishes.
That's what I'm going to do I think
Hi I'm so glad you've messaged me. I gave in after my sleepless night and took a quarter last night and slept 8 hrs. I'm going to reduce slowly. Maybe one night without this week then two etc. I'm so stressed about it all I honestly dread going to bed. Feel so alone in all this
That sounds like a very realistic and manageable plan. It's not a race. You want to do it properly and I think you are. Some people can do a detox different and find it easier because they have people who support them, and support is a big factor because when you take away the 'drug\sleeping tablet you have to replace it with something else, E.G. Exercise, long walks , reading a book, anything really that will tire you out. For me , I attended N\A meetings , which were invaluable to me, because I was sitting in a room with people that were either getting free from substance abuse of were already totally narcotic free.
Please don't feel like you've failed in anyway at all because sometimes when we don't meet our own expectations we kinda beat ourselves up over it.
I think that you're doing tremendous and you'll be free of them very soon. Well done ✔✔✔
Also , I don't know if you've ever tried to do meditation. Some people find it difficult at first (I did), but now I do it most evenings and it's priceless.
You can download a guided meditation app onto your phone. It relaxes the mind, and it can be done very easily in your own home. Good luck over the next few weeks , and if you need to chat , just msg me. Be proud of yourself because it's not easy , but you're doing it. ✔✔
Thank you for your support. I will be popping in if you don't mind. I cant really talk to my family as my Sis has just been dx with cancer so don't want to burden anyone. I'm going Zop free tonight and even if I don't sleep at all I'm going to try not to stress. My doc has upped my Amitryptillin dose from 10 to 30mg so hoping this takes away some of my anxiety soon. Thanks again for your support
I totally understand why you don't want to feel like a burden by telling your family , I think the higher dose of Amitriptyline will definitely make you feel tired and help with your sleep.
I hope you get some sleep tonight , and then maybe you could take 1 Zopiclone every second night , then break them in half as you feel more comfortable and confident , because although the lack of sleep is a major physical side effect , I found that I was thinking about them all day and worrying during the day about whether I was going to sleep that night.
Keep doing all the positive stuff you're doing. Well done.
Hello again. Hope you will get a little rest tonight. Relaxation can be just as good as sleep sometimes.you know I took the Nortriptyline and it didn't work for me. I hope it works for you. I ended up taking hydroxyzine and it worked pretty darn good. Only took it about once a week to get more than 2 hours sleep and I got about 4 to 5. Just remember to share everything with your doctor and TAKE your time. Only you will know how much of no sleep you can handle. I amazed myself on how I survived on so little sleep. Watch your blood pressure just in case and my prayers and thoughts are with you. Sincerely, Ruby S
Hi thanks for your response your really encouraging me.
I didn't have a zop last night and slept 6 hrs very interrupted but at least I know I can sleep on my own. I've also signed up to a guided meditation class.
Thanks so much for your help and hope you are well
That's brilliant , you're doing tremendous . I think that the meditation class will definitely benefit you and you might meet people there who can advise you on now to relax your body and mind.
Guided meditation is very simple cause you just listen to the c.d. and follow the instructions. Please go with an open mind and as I said before , it might take a few times to register, because at the moment you're very Raw and vulnerable. You're emotions are probably all over the place.. Take care and good luck. I'll stay in touch .......
I had no sleep at all last night due to sleep anxiety and no Zop. Feel absolutely shocking been crying etc. Just want to go to bed and not lie awake all night worrying and to feel normal
That s ok, was that your second night wihout it? Try using a whole one 5 days a week and halves for 2 days during the week. You ll be fine eventually. We ve all been through going to bed afraid of not sleeping. Im ok now with no sleeping pills 🙏🏻
Hi yea my second night. Definatel6 taking one tonight
I totally understand just how you're feeling, and its not easy, we take these poisonous pills for years and years , so it's only natural it's gonna take a while to conquer them.
They consume are thoughts so much that they leave us in fear.
Get a good night sleep and start again tomorrow. You're doing all the right things..