Question About Zopiclone

[Retrochic]

Today I've been prescribed Zopiclone 7.5 mg for stress related insomnia. The doctor was not impressed at my nearly full bottle of wine a night to try and wind down, so we both agreed sleeping tablets were a better alternative. I've been told to take one tablet 2-3 times a week not consecutively and only when really necessary and stop alcohol all together. . I've researched on the net and found out the dosage I've been given is the highest amount prescribed -I've never taken sleeping tablets before and am wondering if I should start with half a one . Has anyone any first hand advice on the effectiveness of Zopiclone and if its worth just taking half a one to start with? I can't afford to be zombie like the next day. Thanks.

[eanceoil]

Zimovane, it doesn't even take affect on me, I'd need 2 to work, I feel I would be more zombie like the following day after the alcohol. It may be the highest dose of that particular sleeper and will probably work for you, personally Dalmane 30 works for me. I have no after affects next day

[Sqad]

Sorry, I have had no personal experience and hesitate to go against the advice of your GP, but personally I would go on the 3.75 mgms at night to start with, which may well do the trick.
However if it doesn't then " doubling up" may be instituted.

[mrs_overall]

A friend of mine would sleep for the best part of 2 days after taking a 3.75 pill. I can take a 7.5 and it has no effect on me whatsoever - I don't even feel sleepy.
People react differently to different meds. Try a 3.75 and if you are still wide awake after 30 mins, take another one.
DO NOT exceed a dose of 7.5 by taking two, and do not drink them with alcohol

[mrs_overall]

That was gibberish. I meant to say do not drink alcohol with them

[Retrochic]

I was thinking it best to have half the 7.5mg pill and if I'm still awake at 1 am take the other half. I have to drive to work at 9.30am so maybe will try this out on a non work day first. I've tried herbal things like Nytol but they have never worked. The only other time I've ever been given sleeping pill was when I had a lumbar puncture in hospital and all I remember is swallowing the pill, being told by the nurse not to move,and then waking up 9 hours later in the same position I went to sleep in.

[mrs_overall]

Retro, not all sleeping tablets work the same

[tinkerbell23]

Ive taken a half and regularly give it as prescribed at work.

worked for me!!

If i cant take meds and i am really struggling i have taken a dose of night nurse but again its addictive and should only be a one off now & again.

I really recommend a sleep app i use.

I know how a glass of wine can "help" but it disrupts any sleep you do get.

Horrible situation to be in xxxx

[Retrochic]

tinkerbell what is the sleep app you have?

[tinkerbell23]

The best one i have found is relax & sleep well by glenn harold... Its a purple one... X

[anneasquith]

why not take what the doctor has prescribed ie. 7.5mgs. and assess your reaction (if any) in the next morning,

[Retrochic]

Anne I'm frightened I won't wake up!

[anneasquith]

retro................. with one sleeping tablet ? ok. as you are anxious re taking the medication, take half a tablet and see what happens.

[anneasquith]

ah, just noticed , nearly a full bottle of wine, every night ? I'm no doctor. but I'd say the sleeping tablets are better than the wine.

[tinkerbell23]

Why dont you take a 3.75 at a "decent" time say 9pm and see what the effects are then if not good enough do the same with a full dose again at a "decent" time xx

[jno]

I occasionally take half a one if I need to be up early; the advantage is it puts me to sleep quickly so I'm not lying awake all night worrying about waking on time. Full-sized ones are even better but they can lose their effect if you overdo them. And they leave my mouth dry the next day.

If I had a bottle of wine every night I'd be waking and rushing to the loo every hour, which would be seriously counterproductive.

[Prudie]

I used to take these when (the shame of it) I couldn't deal with a broken heart. I used to take one with a glass of wine at 9pm and that sent me off to sleep but I was still up for work at 8am. Don't remember feeling groggy. I then cut down to half a tablet and then stopped needing them but as has been said we all react differently. I fully understand being nervous of trying them for the first time. Why don't you start with half first on a day when it doesn't matter so much how you feel in the morning.

[Retrochic]

Update: Well I'm still here lol! I decided to take the full dose as prescribed by the doctor on the assumption that if I didn't wake up then at least my family could sue for compensation (joke!). I took 7.5mg tab at 10.00pm had a warm drink and went to bed at 10.20. Zonked out by 10.30 according to OH and woken by alarm at 7am -I feel for the first time in months and months refreshed when I woke up. I'm going to try without one tonight but no more using alcohol as a means to sleep. It really does not work and I realise now how much it make you feel like *** in the morning.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply I really appreciate it .

[anneasquith]

great news retro. I'm delighted you are still alive LOL.

[tinkerbell23]

Fabulous xx

[lcg]

always take around an hour before bed at 9-10pm and attempt to sleep regardless of whatever else is going on.....and practise sleep hygiene (google it!) e.g. no fone/tv on in bedroom, no coffee late in the evening, no alcohol etc. do not drink that much as you will feel crap every day - hung over and needing it again to sleep. do not take zopiclone at 1am or whatever as this also has a hangover effect the next day. it is a good meds for sleep, but the dose you have will not harm you in any way as it is an innocuous medication and not overly sedating. if you can avoid taking it every night, try and do so, and you may find that if you get your body in a routine of sleeping over a few days or a week, that it will get into the habit of sleeping regularly at the right time (i.e. at night) more independently. if it starts to not work, go back to your gp and discuss another option to help you sleep.