Symptoms: Brain zaps, emotional blunting, sexual dysfunction, cognitive impairment, insomnia, depersonalization/derealization, tinnitus, GI disturbances
I developed insomnia, due to irritable bowel symptoms, and was prescribed Zopiclone around 2003. At first I took it occasionally, but for the last year (2020), I took it every night. I suddenly developed the most horrific withdrawal symptoms and stopped the medication cold turkey. I got no help from the medical system and was treated like an addict. In fact there is lots of help for addicts, but none for people suffering from psych med withdrawal. There was no acknowledgment that these meds have a withdrawal syndrome. I couldn't function at all for a couple of years.
The irritable bowel syndrome was actually a parasite infection, which I knew I had, but despite multiple doctor visits over 30 years, no one would acknowledge this or order me the proper test. I was offered anxiety medications for this! I refused, and the doctor sent me away. So with no family doctor, I was on my own. After doing a lot of research, I ordered some veterinary medication over the internet. It took seven rounds of medication over 3.5 months, and I am now free of the infection and am about 80% cured. I'm not sure what remaining symptoms are due to the Zopiclone withdrawal and what is the damage the parasite did, but I'm optimistic I will regain my full health again. It seems that doctors are here to make us sick. I feel so sorry for all the people suffering.