INSOMNIA...day 21

Arrrrggghhhh!!!! Day 21 and still drug free. The insomnia is killing me. WHEN does it end? I am exhausted and fall asleep at about 11 pm every night and by 2 a.m I am wide awake. Yikes. My Honey is probably ready to strangle me because all I do is lay there and wiggle all night. It's like a mini-version of RLS, except it's my whole body. My brain just wont shut down.

Does anyone know how long this goes on for? When will I be a normal human and be able to fall asleep and stay asleep?
Greatgreebo

[troubleinohio]

I am having the same thing going on, but to be fair Ive always been an insomniac. Before drugs though, I could read my book at night and actually concentrate on it. Now during WD's, I cant concentrate very well on my books and just toss and turn and go nuts. I hope it goes away for you soon !

[Greatgreebo]

Yeah....I was always a bit of an insomniac before the pills. But once I got to sleep I would stay asleep. Not anymore.....I guess our bodies just need to readjust to life without drugs? I really hope it doesn't stay this way. I can't go through life exhausted. I don't want to get any RX sleep meds....cuz I'm trying to stay off drugs. Sigh....good luck to you in getting some sleep also.
I am SO wanting to get some sleep myself...

[IBKleen]

I have had sleep issues since mental-pause, so it is hard for me to tell.

I will say this--everyone is different. Some take years to get a good sleep, some take months. Usually a pretty good target is 90 days. That seems to be the turning point.

Do you have  spare room? Or has hubby already suggested that? LOL It may be an idea while you are going thru this. It won't last forever, that is the good news.

[avisg]

Good question my sleep pattern has been all over the place. It was bad then great then  the last two months had been really bad .I had not been sleeping much at all and when i did it was very shallow.
So I a few nights ago I started melation and thing have been improving .Give your body some more time it will get better .:)

[Greatgreebo]

Actually, Honey can't stand NOT having me in the room (?!?)..but I get stressed out that all my wiggling is keeping him up, which just makes the insomnia worse. So, as to keep us both happy I have set up my camping cot in the bedroom and once he's asleep (and it's torture for me laying there, trying to hold still) I crawl onto my camp cot and wiggle away. Yikes.....
I'm looking forward to day 90. Thanks for the encouragement!!!
Greebs

[Greatgreebo]

Thanks for posting. It's good to hear that time will heal all......It really is a bummer not getting any sleep. I tried melatonin once a couple of years ago and had the most horrific nightmares....maybe I'll give it a shot again. The nightmares can't be any worse than the hell I was living in as a drug addict!!
What's the diet dinner of the day??
Greebs

[SotiredIcantsleep]

sometimes sleep just comes out of nowhere, are you taking vitamins, supplements? Exercising?

The first 5 days of withdrawal I didn't sleep, and even then w/ some meds I slept about 90 minutes a night for the next week.  @ day 20 I started getting about 4 hours per night, last night (day 26) I slept for 6 hours or so.  The sleep isn't very deep, but it feels so nice to go to bed at midnight and wake up around 6-7.  It got better for me really fast, although to be fair I do exercise at least 5 hours per day, I know thats helping a lot.  I also take 50-100mg(1-2 pills) of 5htp, it's supposed to help with regulating sleep cycles, so far no complaints.  

I have always been an insomniac and I have some theories about why I sleep less since withdrawal.
1. My body slept so much the couple months of oxy abuse it doesn't need it.
2.Withdrawal causes your body to release adrenaline(think anxiety and restlessness so that keeps you up.

Everyones different my best friend is on day 11 and he has been sleeping like 4-5 hours a night for the past few nights going c/t off methadone, although he smokes lots of pot so that might help :D

[GoingToMakeIt]

If it's any help. Day 36 and I am sleeping too much. It will get better.
Are you taking anything for sleep?

[IBKleen]

WOW...one can't sleep..one can't stay awake....I havent slept right in 14 years...we are a mess people!!!! LMAO

[GoingToMakeIt]

Either way. I highly recommend being free of these drugs. Life is so much better than having everything revolve around your next pill(s)

[Greatgreebo]

Nope...not taking anything. I'm trying to let my body take care of itself. It's really hard when I'm walking around like a zombie!!
I pray that by day 36 I will be sleeping to much. Right now I can't imagine there being such a thing as 'to much sleep'
Greebs

[catrunning]

I'm on day 21 also, and my sleep has been very sporadic.    My doctor, who knows that I am ct'ing and is supporting me prescribed me a few sleeping pills.    He said that's not enough to get addicted, just enough to break the insomnia cycle.      Last night was my first sleeping pill, and I woke up refereshed for the first time in.....actually I can't remember how long its been.

[Greatgreebo]

Get some sleep for me :-)
I don't have a sympathetic doctor. In fact, I'm avoiding doctors all together because all the ones I deal with seem to just want to write pain pill scripts :-(
I'll give it until day 90....if now relief by then I will go to a doctor and demand sleeping pills!!
Is there such a thing as an insomnia cycle? how does that work?

[NautyOne]

Hi hun.  Wow! what a great job......so proud of you.  Please try the melatonin......it has to be the sublingual kind that you get at GNC.  I swear they work......I was so skeptical, but My Dear Fladdict told me about them and they are the bomb!  I tried the kind you get at the drug store and they don't work.  I don't know why, but if I had tried them first.......I would have said **** it.......Thank God for Fladdict.  good luck and congrats.........

Luv,
Nauty.................

[catrunning]

Yes, you can definately get in an insomniac cycle.    I've gone thru them for much of my life.    For some reason your internal clock just resets itself after a while.   I've had several doctors tell me that I should take sleeping pills (short term only), just to break the cycle.

There are several new sleeping pills out that aren't addictive.   I also suggest melatonin - I've used it in the past.   Also valerian root and camomile tea.   They aren't as stong, but they do work.    The key is not to take any stimulants (coffee, energy drinks, etc) that counteract these herbs.  

Good luck and stay strong.   I've never made it to 21 days before - I've always caved in about 10 days.     This time, I came clean with my doctor and he is very supportive in not giving me any additional pain meds and helping me thru this.  (Downside - if I ever "need" pain meds, he probably will never script them for me, but I was so sick of the anxiety, etc, that is was a risk worth taking.   Naturally, I've second guessed myself  on this quite a few times).    Since there is a real mind/body component to paid, he also prescribed an antidepressent (Elavil - tiny dose), to help me process pain in a more beneficial way.  

[jess27]

im on day 3 of  FREEZTURKEY..lol.WOW 1st time i LOL in 3 days,cant belive it..i went to the gym,the beach,and a walk,felt way better to be outdoors,soon as i got home and nite fell in,im getting the W>D>symtoms (symptoms),i  am praying itll get better soon,i have to go to wrk,but i have a very dangerous  job,and hvnt slet more then 3 hrs in 2 days.any ADVISE?

[Greatgreebo]

Nauty,

So happy to hear from you!!!! Long time no talk....did you fall off the planet?!? I will head to GNC tomorrow and get the melatonin (sublingual). You are right...FLaddict is a Gawd send with advice. Haven't seen FLaddict online for quite some time. Thanks for the encouragement-I really appreciate it. I want my life back and I will get it back period. PM me when you get the time-miss the chit chat.
Greebs

[Greatgreebo]

Thanks for explaining  the 'cycle' to me. I'll start with melatonin. I hear ya' about coming clean with the doctor-It's good for your health but kind of screws you if you ever actually need the pain meds. Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.
I'll check in with everyone and let them know how the melatonin is working. Hopefully it will help me sleep!!!!!

[catrunning]

One more thing my doctor offiered - vicodin caugh syrup to help with the withdrawals.  Apparently it's halflife in syvup form is condsiderately longer than the regular vics, percs, etc.    It somewhat stabalizesitsusers.the ssituation.

[BOLD FOR JESUS]

you said you cant wait to give advice, you have given me some of the best and me and jesus thankyou for it.keep on keeping on.

[BOLD FOR JESUS]

my computer is screwed up sorry i told you that so many times i hit the wrong key or did i . Once a doctor told me something and he said now write it a thousand times so i wouldnt forget his advise.