I have been with this doc only a few months, he knows nothing about me! I have been an insomnia sufferer for some years now and when I changed my doc I thought I would try and get off the zopiclone tabs I was on, so I did not mention them to my new doc. However, within a week I was pacing the floor again, and so, I returned and asked to have the zopiclone reinstated. He refused , saying that his clinic had a policy of getting patients off these drugs, but, he was quit easy about giving me an antidepressant drug in its place called amitriptyline which is used to treat bulimia,to prevent migrain and to treat a pathalogical weeping, laughing syndrome assosiated with multiple sclerosis. I have none of these conditions. Should I seek help elswhere?
2007-02-25 23:41:47 · 17 answers · asked by bonnie-bee 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
If you don't like his opinion, you are entitled to a second one. No one here is qualified to judge if he was correct or not.
2007-02-25 23:45:38 · answer #1 · answered by cuddles_gb 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'd say: give the new doc a chance. If you look up drugs and see the lists of things they treat; it goes on and on. He must know what he's doing and the reasons behind it. If you check out some of the conditions that they treat; you would be amazed at the extreme differences in illnesses that they cover. It's impossible to list them all at one time. Try to relax and give the drug a chance to work and give the new doctor a chance. If you are uptight the new drug isn't going to get a chance to work. If his clinic has a policy of getting patients off of certain drugs, there must be a good reason for it. If he seemed easy to give you what he did; he must know that drug very well and knows what it will do. They don't just pick a drug out of the sky; he must know what the drug can do from experience. You want a doctor who can help you; this may be the one. Take the new drug with confidence and believe that it will work; doing so will cause it to work even better. You and your body fighting back can prevent it from working.
2007-02-26 00:58:20 · answer #2 · answered by Barbra 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the problem is that you went cold turkey in giving up zopliclone. Zopliclone is good for one or two weeks because then you're not on it long enough to form a physical addiction. If you have been taking them longer than this you probably have a physical addiction to them so stopping them straight away it is no wonder you will have been pacing the floor!
Insomnia is a terrible thing...it can drive you completely ape...I know. Try really tiring yourself out with physical activity and don't eat anything after 6pm. When you go to bed, practise really relaxing all the muscles in your body and some deep breathing. When you have relaxed all your muscles and you are lying there in a state of deep relaxation...this is almost as good as sleep for your body.
You'll find that you may drift into sleep with deep relaxation. Buy a couple of relaxation CD's and use headphones.
Also don't do anything or watch anything that stirs up your mind for the hour before you go to bed.
Have you thought of trying Kalm sleep? This is a herbal sleep mixture.
Your bedroom should be cooler than the living room as this change in temperature has been proven to help induce sleep.
The main thing is try not to worry about whether or not you will sleep as this in itself will cause you NOT to sleep!
As for the antidepressants....I'm not sure, I have been on these...they didn't agree with me at all. They can help with anxiety which in turn may help you to sleep but they usually take around three weeks before you see the full benefit .
Perhaps see how you get on with these for a few weeks, then decide.
Best wishes.
2007-02-25 23:55:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I take amitriptyline. Like you I was a bit unsure about them as I was not depressed or anything like that. I have spondylitus of the spine and the pain stopped me from sleeping through. I only take half the prescribed dose if I have 2-3 nights with out sleep. Should take 50mg but only take 25mg.They make my mouth dry. One other way I help myself is my CD player and head phones I have the radio part on all night and that helps me drift of. I find that better than any pills. Give them a try, I don,t like taking tablets at anytime but these have helped me get sleep. Good luck hope you get sorted and get some sleep. x
2007-02-28 02:17:48 · answer #4 · answered by Eunice 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I sympathize for you. I had the same problem of having insomnia and decided to stop taking drugs that induce sleep, because I felt like I had a hangover every day. And I am not a drinker. I decided to cure this the natural way by taking certain vitamins to help me relax and to straighten out my metabolism. Exercising with a long walk a few days a week also helps.
2007-02-25 23:50:45 · answer #5 · answered by Yafooey! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are not happy then you should ask for a second opinion. His only defense is that he does have your medical notes and they are supposed to read through them before seeing you.
I was prescribed Amitriptyline for insomnia and they do work, they are mild though which is why they are used for other things too. It might be worth giving them a try for a while and see how you get on.
2007-02-25 23:52:01 · answer #6 · answered by entertainer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think i would ask for a second opinion from another doctor. You must explain your full history and the Length of time you were on zopliclone. You need to say how this is effecting you.
You were foolish to try and stop the zopliclone as abruptly as you did. no wonder you were pacing the floor! this medication should be stopped gradually under the GP's supervision.
2007-02-26 00:07:03 · answer #7 · answered by laplandfan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I and most people on here cannot comment because we are not qualified. However working in a hospital i know that medications can treat a variety of things which can interlink and overlap. For example i was given anxiety tablets for migraines, it was not on the slip but i worked. You are fully entitled to a second opinion so seek one. Good luck
2007-02-25 23:55:19 · answer #8 · answered by Ben E 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should have mentioned the zopiclones to the doc, when you come off these sleeping tablets the doctor should wean you off them gradually. Coming off them all at once could be dangerous as these are addictive drugs. Get a second opinion or change your doctors.
2007-02-25 23:49:34 · answer #9 · answered by spensmum 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Amitriptyline is given for all sorts of reasons but it does help you to sleep. Why don't you give it a try and if it doesn't work go back and see another doctor?
2007-02-26 00:02:30 · answer #10 · answered by unicorn867 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with cuddles - ask for an appointment with another doctor at your surgery and ask for a 2nd opinion.
Your confidentiality is intact - Docs are not permitted to discuss cases between each other.
You should not feel bulldozed into taking drugs you don't think are correct for you.
2007-02-25 23:49:28 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋