7 wks clean and STILL NO SLEEP!!!!!! WTF??????

[reallyneedhelp76]

ok so WTF?  i mean seriously this is getting ridiculous, i cant even remember the last time i slept, not even for five minutes!!!!  Otherwise i feel fantastic, no cravings, no thoughts of pills ever, but abso-f'ing-lutely no sleep.  i try to lay down and its like the second i lay down in bed i go crazy, cant get comfortable toss and turn, change rooms, tried the couch, just a constant case of ants in the pants.  i really tried to remember when the last time i slept was i can't.  and the worse part is i'm going going going.  i am NOT taking anything for sleep either.  this has to get better right?  i look like i've got two black eyes, its getting stupid now.  so yes i tried the melatonin, i tried the valerian root.  i even tried some OTC stuff and nothing.  it all just made me swimmy headed and crabby.  ANY ADVICE???  before i go coo coo for cocoa puffs?

[gnarly_1]

HI   I detoxed off methadone and dident sleep for 2 mo so I feel for you I found a hot bath as hot as you can standv it ebven for 5 min then take your towl to the top of your bed and dry off there then let the air slowly cool you down this seamed to work for me I often had a cup of the sleepytime tea from walmart 1/2hr b/4 bed between the 2 I started to get broken up sleep then slowly regular sleep a goood night for me now is 5 to 6 hr I guess thats what you get being strung out for 16 1/2 yrs....I still long for a solid 8 to 10 hr sleep though....give what I told you a try and see if it doesent start to help at first it will be 2hr then 3 then 4 andso on but it will be broken up with vivid dreaming.....I almost found it entertaining if I wasn't loosing so much sleep good luck and God bless just know eventually you will sleep I think I still currently have the forum record for no sleep....lol  

[tgtiffany]

That's some good advice.  I know the low lights worked for my husband -- and me too lol.  If the light is on, I can't sleep at all.  It has to be basically pitch black.  I hope you get some sleep tonight as that will make you feel a million times better :) Good luck!!

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

First of all, congrats on 7 weeks clean. What an achievement! Let's examine a few things, though.  How much coffee or caffeine containing beverages do you drink during the day? Got to stop that, or stop after 11am.  Even green or white tea has enough to affect you. What about chocolates? Same goes there.  
Keep yourself busy during the day, don't try to nap or rest, and go for a walk instead. Set up a nightly bedtime ritual:  no TV, take a bath, get into bed make it quiet in the house, wind down with a book, soothing music, low lights.  Make it a nightly ritual, find what soothes you best and go with it.  Y
You said you tried melatonin, but it takes a few days if not a week or more to actually regulate your circadian rhythm to a point where you will see a marked difference.  
There is nothing wrong with calling your doctor and asking for a few weeks of Ambien to get you to sleep.  It is cheap, effective and not addictive.  But I would suggest trying it only as a last resort.  A nice cup of Sleepy-time Extra tea and a warm bath will get you going.  Actually it has been shown that some carbs as an evening snack helps you fall asleep as well.
Well this is more "motherly" them expert advice, but   I think it will do the trick. Good night :)