Anxiety/Depression after the W/D's

[honeyswife]

I posted once before regarding my husbands detox from oc, he is now just past 12 hours into his 6th day of being off those nasty pills and for the most part feeling normal other than still has the runs but it's not uncontrollable and he hasn't needed to take Imodium so that's fine. The thing really bothering him is he is on a emotional roller coaster now, one minute happy and the next crying and depressed and it's driving him nuts. He did have ativan for the initial detox which helped him stay relaxed and get sleep through the worst of it...now he can't sleep at night and we both feel that is making him feel more emotional during the day. We went to the doctor yesterday to get help with the sleeping part of it and she was no help at all once she heard he had been on the oc and gotten them illegally. Then she wanted to put him on suicide watch in the hospital and that would be the worst thing for him, he would go nuts. I told her that he feels most comfortable at home around his family (me and the kids) it's what keeps him grounded and staying clean. We give him the motivation to continue. So I got her settled down after he walked out of the appt. So we got him some over the counter sleep aids yesterday, a different type than what he had before (that wasn't helping) he managed to get 4 hours of sleep last night compared to the 2 the night before. But I am just wondering from those who have been through this withdrawal process and had the depression and emotions running wild did it get better by week 2? I know it will get slowly better as his body recoups but since I haven't been through this myself I want to be able to reassure him with facts to back me up so he can see there is light at the end of this struggle. It's like his body is resisting anything he puts in it to help him sleep, yet he's tired and wants sleep.

[honeyswife]

Thanks for your comments :) He hasn't had the RLS since saturday (the worst of his wd's) Maybe it's the pounds of banana's he's been eating who knows, I've been reminding him to take a vitamin cocktail each day...the l-tyrosine and a b vitamin complex and another of just minerals. I just hope this part of the wd's starts to recede soon and he can finally get the sleep he needs I think that will help a lot.

[flmagi]

All of the above suggestions are great, have him try them, but also have him try to get some exercise. I know that about the last thing he's gonna feel like doing, but it's one of the biggest things to get the body back to normal faster. It will help with sleeping, RLS and the depression. Tell him he really needs to force himself to get out and either walk, or do some exercise inside. Good luck to both of you.

[refusingbondage]

Hey there- Congrats to him for making it this far. Yes, sleep is such an issue.  There are so many different suggestions.  Check out the amino acid protocal on the health pages - some good natural suggestions - melatonin, etc.  None of it really worked for me during the first week and a half.. not even my Lunesta made me sleep.. but eventually sleep does return.  The insomnia and RLS are two of the most difficult symptoms.  Yes the depression, crying, mood swings are all part of withdrawal.. as well as probably symptoms of no sleep.  Not sleeping can make you a bit crazy - I was a sleepless, crying, zombie mess... but he will sleep again.  Try anything for relaxation -hot showers, baths, over the counter stufff, vitamins.  Stay positive too.  Its a lot part mental.  Please let him know that he is doing great and there is certainly a great big beautiful light at the end of this tunnel.