Hydrocodone addiction sleep question

I am having trouble with staying off opiates.  The longest I have quit has been 3 weeks and then I screw up and use again.  I have been using hydros 10/325 for the last 3 years, usually 8 a day at the most.  Sometimes I will also use Oxy, but I have been succssful in quitting oxy.  The major problem I am having is staying off the hydros when I quit and it's not just the cravings, but the lack of sleep.  How long before normal sleep patterns return, does anyone know?  I'm willing to quit again, but with a job, baby etc, it's difficult to stay off these drugs.  I know I have to get off them, I am going to try again to get off of them.  I really wish I could get off these for good, I feel so depressed all of the time, just ***** the life right out of you.  Anyway, could really use some input on the sleep part after 3 weeks, just wondered if any long term users ever got their sleeping patterns back to normal.  Thanks for any input!

[Flowergirl43]

Have you tried any benadryl or other sleep aids.  As far as energy I have used the Thomas detox on this site have you read that?  Good luck

[johnnykelly]

Hi tup,yes i can identify.The not being able to sleep in my experience is pure-torture.When we use opiates,they depress our neurological senses that control areas of our brain that control our ability to sleep.Many people use a low-dose antidepressant like anitriplinine or trazadone as they cause droweyness.The other alternative is an hypnotic(sleeping pills) the disadvantage with that is dependance/addiction.but if used for a short period of time i.e. 2-weeks or so they are safe.Goodluck john

[tuptup]

thanks for the comments, I never thought that I would have problems sleeping, but it just goes on and on and on and I believe it causes a host of other problems like twitching, apathy, no motivation etc.  I'll try the sleeping pills, I thought sominox might be a good anti-histamine to try, I have some ambian (i'm not a abuser of sleep aids fortunately!)  When I quit the norco, maybe I will start using the sleep aids at around 2 weeks (just to stay sane) and help me towards the goal of quitting for good.  Thanks again...!

[tuptup]

benadryl is a good idea, hadn't thought of that either, thanks flower!

[broknbck]

When you have quit, was it always cold turkey? I weaned off the pain pills and only had a couple of nights with trouble sleeping. a glass of wine or benadryl  or the melatonin herb worked for me.

[justme__]

I usually used tylenol PM. but when I quit hydros I got bad anxiety (had anxiety before hydros just calmed it) I was put on xanax which has also worked wonders for my sleep. If benadryl or tylenol pm doesn't help, talk to your doctor they may be able to prescribe some good sleep aids until your normal sleep pattern comes back. If you want to try all natural stuff try melatonin.. It produces the natural sleep aid your body provides. Let us know how you do and good luck!

[Jimmy1975]

Hi Tup I was wondering have you ever been checked for depression or anxiety disorder ? Alot of people including myself were finding that the vicodin is great for anxiety. Problem is it takes more and more as you well know im sure . I have an anxiety disorder and sleep sometimes dosent come easy to say the least. I take 10mg. of Lexapro a day and it seems to work well. Ofcourse the vicodin I was taking didn`t do me justice. I also have a script for Klonopin with I only use when needed. Read some of my post and you`ll understand a little more of what im talking about . Take care  Jimmy1975

[tuptup]

Thanks jimmy and justme, I will definitely stock up on tylenol pm/benadryl this time.  I will try melatonin, I have tried valeian root with a little sucsess.  I am currently tapering down from a 8/day 10/325 norco bad habit; used on and off for 3 years.  (I had tapered successfully in the past, but I can't get past the 2nd or 3rd week because I simply cannot sleep).  I think it permamently damaged my brain in the sleeping area, wherever that is.  Would like to kick this for good and at the same time, retain my sanity.  Thanks again for these great ideas for sleep...!

[wannabefree330]

Well knowing that you have this issue at 2 weeks into it is good to know.  This time you can be prepared for it.  Definitely use the ambien every night when you hit the 2 week mark.  You may have to take it for a week, or two but then your body will start to adjust itself.  I take trazadone, as mentioned above.  It is a mild antidepressant.  Not a good AD, because it has a short half life, and makes one VERY sleepy.  So, now it is mostly prescribed as a sleep aid.  it's not addicting in that I don't crave it or take more than i started on 10 yrs ago.  But, if I try to fall asleep w/o it, I can't.  I lay awake all night.  If you need something to help you, use it!  it's worth getting off the pills!

[tuptup]

I'll look into trazadone also.  I was reading through my logs from the last time I tried to quit, and, man the sleeplessness was horrendous!  I would fall asleep at 11:00pm, wake up at 1:30am, lay in bed until 6:00am then go to work for 10 hours.  This went on for 8 straight days, and I wrote in the log that I was literally going nuts and was a complete zombie.  I'll have to see the doc on that one, last time I got a prescription for amben, which I still have a lot of.  

[LONESOME]

I take melatonin and also tylenol pm and have no problems good luck ok

[crazykid]

trasadone didnt work for me, I would feel tired and then stay awake through the whole night, just in misery.  I would try something else, as for the length of time you should expect to not be able to sleep for about 2-3 months and then you should start to be back to normal, seems like a long time, but just remember you were on the other pills for 3 years!

[tuptup]

ugh, I was afraid it would be months of healing.  Just got to try and stick with it this time.  Thanks again everyone for this important info.  I'll post back when I get to my last pill of hydro and jump off the wagon.

[Dezdon]

Hi,
Good luck on you efforts stay strong! Yes, sleep is an issue on w/d's' I am currently in a taper from oxy and Vicoden. I have medical problems with my feet that include spastic nerve problems in my feet and was prescribed Lyrica. It has also worked wonders on making me sleepy and then a good set of sleep hours. before i took this, I would take forever to doze off and then wake like every hour or two. i also understand from this board Benadryl works good also. If you can get on a good sleep schedual, it makes the recovery twice as easy.
Good luck YOU CAN DO THIS!
peace,
-Dez

[avik7]

i was coming off of tabs and and occasional use of oxy then suboxone..i took valium to help w sleep and that helped. al so took hot baths to relax me right before i went to sleep also. good luck to u. u can do it