Taking Zopiclone But Still Not Sleeping :(

[Maggiemay]

Psych prescribed zopiclone as I was weaning off quetiapine and mitazapine, due to q manic episode, and starting aripriprazole. As I was manic (still am, but less so...) I was averaging 3 hours sleep, instead of the 8 I used to get on mitazapine and quetiapine.

However, since coming Off both I'm more or less getting no sleep - an hour if I'm lucky :( This is whilst taking zopiclone & weirdly not tired? I'm worried it's going to fuel my mania to a whole new level... :(

I asked psych for diazepam instead as I know it's worked well for me in the past, but she refused to prescribe it, despite saying when I've taken zopiclone in the past it's done nothing... Urgh!!!! Seeing GP on Thursday.

He did say to call him if I was having any problems, but hard when I feel like a burden...

 

[Deleted member 19804]

Ahw that sucks, Maggiemay. I can't relate to what you're feeling, but I can imagine it must really suck.

Sometimes we just need to be bold and pretty forward to get doctors to listen to us. But perhaps your psych has a good reason for refusing to prescribe diazepam. Maybe you can talk to her about that, have her explain exactly why she chose to prescribe you something else.

And there is no need to feel like a burden! It's your GP's job to help you. He even offered for you to call him, so I'm pretty sure he'd be okay with it :)

Until you get meds that work well enough, try breathing and/or grounding exercises. Those really help me to calm down when I'm anxious or stressed. Perhaps they'll do the same for you.

Good luck!

 

[Maggiemay]

She fobbed me off with the whole 'I don't agree with prescribing it' and was very abrupt - I think because I have the diagnosis if borderline personality disorder, she sees that and won't prescribe. Not seeing her for another 10 weeks, but seeing GP on Thurs so hopefully he can prescribe (as he has in the past and knows how much it helped).

He's Semi-retiring so only working 3 days now :'( but he can across as genuinely worried about psych's plan to stop quetiapine and mitazipine, so I guess he wouldn't be surprised if I rang, but then it's only 4 days til I see him - surely I can hang on?...

Breathing and grounding is good - I'm getting better at using them when I dissociate, but harder when I'm high as a kite... I'm going to miss being manic when it stops...

 

[Deleted member 19804]

Maybe you can write down why you disagree with her and show her at your next appointment? Is there any way you can move the appointment closer to today?

And you don't have to push yourself for another 4 days. There is absolutely no shame in asking for help. In my opinion, your hesitation and expressing fear over being a burden shows that you really need some help right now. If you were someone to call for help over every tiny tid-bit, you wouldn't be so afraid to burden your GP, would you?

 

[Maggiemay]

I could call him today... Have to go to work - let's see if I succeed :( & then seeing T tonight so I can get her input. Being observed teaching tomorrow - although strangely it's not stressing me!! Usually it would, especially as not planned yet - a sign I'm still manic Me thinks!!! The last thing I want to do is take time off work. :(