jb569
30-04-14, 19:07
Hi,
Since I've been registered with a home treatment team two weeks ago, I've been prescribed 150mg of Sertraline, 2mg of Lorazepam (taken when required) and 7.5mg of Zopiclone to help me sleep. So far, I've noticed that the Lorazepam is not as effective as Valium (in my opinion, anyway), but the Zopiclone miraculously helps me drift off to sleep instantly, but I'm beginning to worry about the possibility of addiction and severe side effects.
Recently, my anxiety and derealization issues have become more severe. I constantly feel jittery and suffer from intrusive thoughts (Existential OCD) questioning myself and the world around me. I've noticed that this has surfaced since I ran out of Lorazepam so is this a sign of withdrawal symptoms? Bear in mind that I have only been on Lorazepam for under two weeks. Before this I took 15mg of Valium a day for one week.
Another concern is the Zopiclone. When my Lorazepam ran out, I substituted the Lorazepam tablets for 15mg of Zopiclone throughout the day (this has been only the last two days, before that I adhered to the one 7.5mg tablet before bed). The maximum dose is 7.5mg and I'm frightened that this will take a toll on my mental and physical health. I've read about the side effects and they're not pretty. I feel that I can't get to sleep without Zopiclone, so I'm starting to think that I'm starting to rely on this.
So, considering that I have only been on the medication for a short period of time, will the above present any bad side effects and should I gradually taper off them? Any advice will be appreciated! :)
Since I've been registered with a home treatment team two weeks ago, I've been prescribed 150mg of Sertraline, 2mg of Lorazepam (taken when required) and 7.5mg of Zopiclone to help me sleep. So far, I've noticed that the Lorazepam is not as effective as Valium (in my opinion, anyway), but the Zopiclone miraculously helps me drift off to sleep instantly, but I'm beginning to worry about the possibility of addiction and severe side effects.
Recently, my anxiety and derealization issues have become more severe. I constantly feel jittery and suffer from intrusive thoughts (Existential OCD) questioning myself and the world around me. I've noticed that this has surfaced since I ran out of Lorazepam so is this a sign of withdrawal symptoms? Bear in mind that I have only been on Lorazepam for under two weeks. Before this I took 15mg of Valium a day for one week.
Another concern is the Zopiclone. When my Lorazepam ran out, I substituted the Lorazepam tablets for 15mg of Zopiclone throughout the day (this has been only the last two days, before that I adhered to the one 7.5mg tablet before bed). The maximum dose is 7.5mg and I'm frightened that this will take a toll on my mental and physical health. I've read about the side effects and they're not pretty. I feel that I can't get to sleep without Zopiclone, so I'm starting to think that I'm starting to rely on this.
So, considering that I have only been on the medication for a short period of time, will the above present any bad side effects and should I gradually taper off them? Any advice will be appreciated! :)