Mum lives with hubby and I and though she has pretty much always been awake most nights all nights, she would fall asleep as dawn broke and then sleep through until lunch time. Now however, she is going through a phase of not sleeping at night or day. I do not know how she copes and its like she will not give into sleep. As soon as its bed time, she comes to life and makes life so difficult, almost like having a teenager again! Of course I'm shattered and just want my bed as I've been at it all day but mum is wide awake. The GP gave me some sleeping tablets for mum Zopiclone but told me they are addictive and not to be given too regularly. I gave mum her first one and she went to sleep and slept pretty much all night which was great. Didn;t give her anymore for a few nights and she was back to square one, awake all night and day. Gave her another but that didn't work she was still awake pretty much all night. So next night I braved it and gave her 2 and zonk, she was out cold within an hour and slept for 12 hours! It worried me I kept checking on her but actually she was fine when she woke and looked really refreshed. Again left it 2-3 nights gave her 1 1/2 this time as I was worried 2 was too strong but this took 3 hours to get her to sleep, then she was awake again after a few hours. I really don't know what to do now as it says on the pack should not be taken for more than a month. So after this what next? Sounds awful but I am at my wits end with mum not sleeping. Shes so tired shes really unsteady on her feet and she may lay down and cat nap but the littlest noise disturbs her so shes not really sound asleep. Hubby jokes she needs an elephant tranquiliser! Her short term memory deteriorated about the time this bad phase of sleeplessness started so maybe theres a link. Mum is on Aricept, has been for 6 years since diagnosis and anti depressants which also appear not to be working. Frankly I don't know where to go from here.