I don't want to be taking Zopiclone

Your link says you need take 400-500mg of magnesium before you go to bed, grannyknot, tablets or soluble. I don't understand how spraying oil on would work - is it absorbed through the skin?

I take zopiclone as and when and find it invaluable, but as people have said, GPs are reluctant to prescribe more than 14 days' supply.

I'd love to find a reliable alternative but none of the over the counter 'sleep aids' work for me and some make me feel dreadful in the morning.

Good luck to everyone suffering from sleep problems - it's no joke!

I use zopiclone very rarely. I always know when I am going to have a phase of insomnia so take half a tablet. It says to take 20 minutes before retiring - I find it's better to take it a good hour before! The Doc is loathe to prescribe these but usually gives me 2 weeks worth which lasts for some months. I have a friend who has taken them for about 12 years which is not good news. I read an article recently which indicated that it is more than likely that the chemicals contained in these sleeping tablets lead to symptoms of alzheimers. I don't know what the alternative is : nothing more frustrating or tear-inducing than not being able to sleep and then finally sleeping and waking up late feeling like death . You have my sympathies AlieOxon

This is the one I buy (found it in Amazon). It's a bit pricey but lasts for ages. It stings a bit when you apply it:

www.amazon.co.uk/Better-You-Magnesium-Goodnight-Spray/dp/B002VPDX56

I use a Magnesium oil spray that I buy from Boots to aid sleep I mostly sleep well maybe because I use it regularly , never thought of that till now. Before anyone pooh-poohs it, magnesium works on the GABA receptors, as does certain medications for anxiety e.g. gabapentin. Anyway here's an article that explains it:

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/marek-doyle/help-me-sleep-magnesium-secret-to-sleep-problems_b_3311795.html

Good luck, there's little worse than not sleeping properly.

I have been prescribed zopiclone too. I rarely take it. It's addictive, as I'm sure you know, so not a good idea to take it more than 3 nights consecutively.

I went through a phase of sleeping badly and I sympathise: it's horrible. I have recently been prescribed Lyrica for anxiety which I take at night and that seems to help a lot. I'm on a low dose at 75mg and don't want to raise it because weight gain is a side effect.

Have you tried other meds such as promethazine? Some people find that helps, and it's not addictive. Other than that I'd agree with jinglbells' advice.

Don't go to bed too early. Make sure you are physically and mentally tired - walking and reading are good for this.

And I find that a personal radio with earphones works for me when I wake up in the smallish hours. Must be speech though. Music doesn't do it for me, so World Service or R4Extra.

Mind you, I doubt if the half tablet does you any harm at all.