Off Benzos 3 months but Dr has me on Zopiclone. Good or bad thing?

[[Fi...]]

Was having windows of peace for an hour or so at night but now it's just constant. I can't use my computer because the light hurts my eyes so using my phone I guess I'm having a hard time finding info on drug interactions. I specifically asked the Doc if Zopiclone is a benzo and she said it wasn't. Did research and came up with the same answer. Don't want to be taking it if it's hindering my healing. Help please and thanks so much

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Zopiclone is as bad as benzos.  I was addicted to it for 17 years.  It isn't strictly a benzo but it has very similar action and properties.  I'd avoid like the plague.

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It seems that sleep meds, antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers should be avoided during withdrawal. I was taking seroquel for a little while for insomnia and noticed that not only was it not working but it seemed to make my benzo withdrawal symptoms worse. Things were really bad when I quit and then improved. I also noticed that nothing really works for insomnia during withdrawal for me. Like all my other symptoms it comes in waves and has been improving over time. I have a prescription for hydroxyzine, an antihistamine, for anxiety and sleep. It has helped somewhat and I'm not as worried that it will make symptoms worse. The thing that's the most concerning is quitting other drugs while you're in benzo withdrawal and then having multiple withdrawals on top of one another. It's a difficult choice for sure. I wish you the best whatever you chose to do.

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Zopiclone is structurally not a benzo (though it is structurally quite similar), but it binds to some of the same sites on GABAA containing receptors. Essentially, it's just as bad as taking a benzo.

[[Fi...]]

Thank you to everyone who replied. I really appreciate it. Doc put me on when I was at the end of my taper. Looks like I will have to taper off this as well rather go through it now then have to deal with more symptoms later. Thank goodness for your input or I'd be still trusting in the Doc, why??? Hope you are all healing well and send you all positive vibes. Thanks for the support, feel so alone in this.

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Thank you to everyone who replied. I really appreciate it. Doc put me on when I was at the end of my taper. Looks like I will have to taper off this as well rather go through it now then have to deal with more symptoms later. Thank goodness for your input or I'd be still trusting in the Doc, why??? Hope you are all healing well and send you all positive vibes. Thanks for the support, feel so alone in this.

 

You're definitely not alone and I understand why it feels that way. Doctors are uneducated and often don't believe it's happening. It's discouraging. This site has saved me from feeling completely alone, ashamed, misunderstood, etc.  No one knows your body as well as you do. I hope you listen to it and do what is best for you. We will make it through this!