Sleeping tablets - been taking them since I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer but my consultant and GP want me to stop taking them. What should I do?

Hello, I have stage 4 bowel cancer and have had nearly 18 months of chemo. When I was diagnosed I asked for sleeping tablets and have been taking them ever since. My consultant and also my GP are encouraging me to stop them. I have tried but poor sleep makes me more fatigued,emotional and anxious. I feel that being perhaps addicted to them is the very least of my worries. The stress of running out of the tablets,(zopiclone),and having to make a GP appointment for every repeat prescription is just adding to the misery of having cancer and using up my limited time. Perhaps too much detail but I live alone, when my partner stays he snores so I need tablets to sleep, I want to enjoy my relationship with him as long as possible.

I’d be interested to know what others think of this and whether anyone has a similar problem. I feel guilty for needing  them and feel that I am a bad patient.

  • Hi Janesfr.  I have stage 4 breast cancer and in quite a lot of pain a bit worse at night.  I have zopiclone too but only take half of one when I need to.  Doctor will only give 14 at a time.  I am lucky that although in pain I have quite a good night sleep.  I also think it is ridiculous that they won't give you them on repeat (same with my doctor).  Yet they give me morphine on repeat no problem.  Yes zopiclone is addictive but so is morphine or other opiates so what is the difference.  Quality of life is important.

    Lee x