Long term sleeping tablet user dilemma

Patient11

My Doctor has had me on sleeping tablets for last 5 years for my chronic insomnia.

These tablets have helped me deal with my insomnia and lead some what of a normal life.

But the problem I have now is that my GP has retired and the new GP I saw today won't even entertain the idea of putting me on sleeping tablets.

He said the authorities have got very strict in Ireland and don't want doctors prescribing sleeping tablets anymore.

Not sure if that was BS just to get me out of his office ?

Is there anyway I can get sleeping tablets legitimately prescribed ?

I don't want to break the law but if I can't get them through legit sources I will be forced to look at other means of getting them.

I find this whole clamp down on "z drugs" a bit of a joke when they are been sold openly on the street.

Would it help my case if I go to a new Doctor and can prove I was legitimately prescribed sleeping tablets for the last 5 years ?

Wesser

Your gp can be pulled in front of the medical council if their average prescribing rates are too high. It is not BS. Sounds to me as if the new GP doesn't suit you and you should find a new GP .

alibab

Wesser wrote: »

Your gp can be pulled in front of the medical council if their average prescribing rates are too high. It is not BS. Sounds to me as if the new GP doesn't suit you and you should find a new GP .

Yes but it’s extremely bad practice to just let someone who has been on sleeping tablets for 5 years to just stop cold turkey with no weaning off period or other help etc . If this GP was worth his salt he would have offered a weaning off programme gradually reducing down the dose etc . Find a new GP

Patient11

alibab wrote: »

Yes but it’s extremely bad practice to just let someone who has been on sleeping tablets for 5 years to just stop cold turkey with no weaning off period or other help etc . If this GP was worth his salt he would have offered a weaning off programme gradually reducing down the dose etc . Find a new GP

Cold turkey is no problem for me I have stopped them before.

The problem I have is that if I don't take them I can't get a full nights sleep.

If my sleep ever returned to normal I would stop taking them in a heartbeat

Spanish Eyes

Some anti depressant drugs can help insomnia. They are not addictive and there are few restrictions with prescribing.

Maybe that would be an avenue to take?

Other than that, NO, I don't think doctors will prescribe Benzodiazepines except for short term maybe three days or so.

They have to be mindful of addiction and the rules.

Have you tried any other sleep methods? Magnesium is great and prescription free.

Patient11

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Some anti depressant drugs can help insomnia. They are not addictive and there are few restrictions with prescribing.

Maybe that would be an avenue to take?

Other than that, NO, I don't think doctors will prescribe Benzodiazepines except for short term maybe three days or so.

They have to be mindful of addiction and the rules.

Have you tried any other sleep methods? Magnesium is great and prescription free.

Anti depressants are poison I'd prefer not to take them.

Also when I did take Anti depressants for a short time they did nothing for my sleep.

Skyfarm

Have you heard or tried calms? they are a natural remedy and alternative to sleeping pills from pharma.

I can vouch for them as I took them for awhile I needed them etc

valerian root tea is very good as well, check health stores and they give great advice on the best use