Can't sleep but that's okay with me!

I have been on appx .5mg of methadone for 3 days now almost done but I can't sleep at all...what can I do?  Does anyone have a good sleep med, either over counter or RX?  This is the worst part so far...I am really surprised, I have really been okay!!!!!!  Yeah!  I thought it would be so much harder, probably why it's taken 10 years...So don't let it scare you, that was my main problem I was so scared of the what if's I would never just try it and see...I went down very slow and very little and my WD's have been very little.  Of coarse I feel sluggish and weak, but I have been able to do my day to day things pretty good.  So I will just say this for everyone running from Dr to Dr to Drug Stores all over hoping not to be figured out, when you know you probably already are...YOU CAN DO THIS...I am a 31 year old stay at home mommy with two girls, leaving a very blessed life....I owe it to my family and even more myself to be free!!  No more pill counting and hiding bottles and throwing them away at gas station trash cans to keep your family from seeing them...I know every trick and I played the game good, but it gets old and never changes, until you change it for yourself...So if a few sleepless nights are the worst i have to deal with, maybe I should spend those hours thinking of how I never want this to happen again!  I am so thankful for this forum as I know all of you are.  It makes so much difference to hear the stories and triumphs, it just makes me feel so good knowing I am not in this alone.  Well thanks for listening...I really just had a sleep question but I tend to run on sometimes!!  Anyway if you have any suggestions let me know! Always....

[liscamdave]

So are you taking methadone? What was your Drug of choice?

[GoingToMakeIt]

For me, melatonin worked great. The first week I also used about 1/2 a Xanax as needed. Melatonin is safe up to 10mg or so. After the sleeping is easier cut that back to what works. The usual dose is 1-3mg or less.

[kk143]

Well it started with a miagraine med(STADOL)  my pediatrician gave me at about 14 and about 3 years after I first took it, I just picked it up and sprayed it for no reason...it felt cool knowing how I felt and no one else did...then I called one day and ask for a refil myself and they did and so on, until I started college and then this quack gave me lorcet and soma like candy, just because I was cute...it was all down hill from there...years of running around to doctor to doctor...until I finally was caught by my husband (the most precious man alive) and he had made arrangements for me to go to a methadone clinic which I did for about 6mths and tapered down to 3mg and left..I thought I was "cured" guess again...i eventually found a dr to give me Methadone and I have taken 10-15mg every morning for at least 4 years...I just decided about a month ago I had to stop, it was really controlling me again just like the pills before...but it was my security blanket and really helped keep me sane and not having to really "deal with it"...so now I am really doing it down to just a crumb of a 10mg tablet and the only thing is the sleep that is driving me crazy...so that is my story in short form...I am just thankful I can step back and see it all so clear now because then it was just a hazy race...not a life..not at all!

[worried878]

Melatonin works from many..valerian root is what i usually use,,,they have all kinds of stuff and mixtures out these days. of natural herbs to help with sleep...sleep is important to recovery...especially if u r working...impressive tapering down so well off the methadone...takes a strong person to do that and stick with it!

[kk143]

Thank you so much, I have to say I am really proud of myself...I really can't believe it ...seems so weird...I took a herbal combination of all those and it didn't really do anything...I just want to sleep, my legs seem to feel funny too, but only once I lay down...what do you think, call the doctor or try something else...my dad takes trazadone and I had thought about asking him if I could take a few just until I feel better.  I have taken tylenolpm for years and it always worked, but why not i had Methadone in my system...

[sadinmichigan]

I am so glad to hear this..when are you totally done? You could try melatonin..it personally didn't help me. You could try Lunesta,rx...or serequel..for a short time.  hang in there..

[ladyboop]

There are many things you could get from your dr. But you have to watch those as well. people can abuse sleep meds. they do it all the time..

Good luck to you..

[Penelope14]

The problems with sleep are a common drawback that occurs with most people who start detoxing from methadone, it happened to me as well, I couldnt sleep for weeks, I noticed it when I got down to 4mgs of methadone, then when I had 0mgs it got really bad, I tried everything over the counter & even watched sleep videos which did nothing for me, but worked great for my husband, he slept like a baby, go figure? I finally got so tired of being tired that I called my primary care doctor & she put me on trazodone, & that helped me get sleep, I only stayed on it for a month & had no issues getting off it, I now sleep 8 hours per night & am grateful. Take Care Penelope

[kk143]

I have been meaning to write you personally, but just keep forgetting.  I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, I think about you all the time.  This is the first forum or anything even like it for that matter so I didn't even know what to expect, then I just did it and you answer with such kind and caring advice.  I am so excited to be this close, maybe 2-3 more days.  I only had a little crumb this morning and the same for the next few days so I want to make it as painless as I can.  I am having so much trouble sleeping...but like I said earlier, I can deal with it, but I would like to sleep a little.  I am having some cold sweats under my arms and it is driving me crazy but other than that it is has went really good!!  Thanks to you really and the others with their encouraging words,I only wished I had done this years ago!  I was doubting myself, which you probably sensed but you just gave me the courage to go for it...It is just different talking to people who really know what you are dealing with.  Thank you sooooo much, I hope I can continue to talk to you...
Love,
Karie

[sadinmichigan]

thankyou ! I am so very happy for you..and am also happy to have helped. I know this is a b!tch of a drug to get off of and you have done soooo good tapering down.I am in awe of that!! I know you can do this.You are so much stronger than you even realize. I know that the lack of sleep will probably be the most annoying thing to deal with for a bit..I would suggest maybe a stronger sleep med than what melatonin can offer..(I think it's worth a try) but I like i mentioned..maybe serequel or lunesta..I have taken both. Lunesta can leave a weird taste in your mouth..but if it helps..whatever right? But if you do get an rx sleep aid just be careful and try not to take it for too long. There is also Ambien..
The important thing is you are doing this now..and that is awesome. I truly get teary eyed when i think about methadone and the he!! I went through..but it's over..thankgod! and I get so frickin happy when someone is conquering this drug..I think alot of us that have had to deal with this hellish drug wish we could spare everyone from it's lies. I am so very happy for you..and I would love to talk with you more..i know you are going on vacation soon and i hope it is a great one..please pm me anytime..great big HUGS to you..Much love to you...Lisa

[sadinmichigan]

Just checking on you..I am so happy for you..You have been on my mind all day.  luv..Lisa