Hi All
I have been taking Zopiclone regularly for getting on for 2 years I think. At first I found the 7.5mg dose beneficial, but ignoring my doctor's advice to only use the medication 2-3 times a week at most I soon found my body had developed tolerance for this dose and so I doubled it.
Now, I wouldn't want to encourage anyone to do what I did next because believe me I am now in a worse state than ever, but over the following months I increased the dose more and more because the pills were not helping much at the normal dose any longer.
When I was in hospital the doctor cut my dose to 3.75mg at first and I had 2 weeks when I didn't sleep at all and finally it was increased back to 7.5mg, which helped to a degree but I still didn't sleep much as I'd be abusing it so much at home.
Finally the psychiatrist at the eating disorder unit wanted me off the Zopiclone and to put me on Zispin (a tricyclic antidepressant) instread. However, I read the side effects and researched experiences of others on this medication and discovered weight gain and increased appetite were very likely. So, I refused the Zispin and they stopped my Zopiclone and I experienced severe insomnia again.
As soon as I got home I started taking it again.
Now I am at the stage where even the high dose I take (don't ask where I get it) only gives me 2 hours sleep at most and I want to be able to get off it completely. However, my other mental and physical health issues mean I don't want to be awake 24 hours a day.
Sorry for the long post. I wanted to ask if anyone has any suggestions to make withdrawal easier. I cannot cope with the insomnia but I cannot live on Zopiclone for the rest of my life. I have even resorted recently to taking different sleep medication on top of the Zopiclone.
Has anyone managed to successfully withdraw from Zopiclone and if so do you sleep for a decent number of hours now?
Thanks for reading this far and for any suggestions. I have already searched for previous posts but couldn't find any with my particular circumstances.
Karen