Paws

[Lilly1955]

I am struggling with paws I stopped methadone sept 2  they put me on Valium and oxycodone instead  I became a suicidal zombie checked myself into rehab been off oxy and Valium since sept 29 today is 10-19 I haven't slept in days mood swings we go to groups all day but I can't sleep at night it's killing me how long will this last ? I go home next week but I can't handle the not sleeping any suggestions?

[kellygirll]

hey there i did 30 days inpatient in september and i could not sleep there to save my life!!!!! i would wake up at like 1 or 2 and not be able to fall back to sleep i took trazadone vistaril neurontin melatonin NOTHING worked when i was there and i was really pissed cuz i have never ever had a sleeping problem let me tell you as soon as i got home i have been sleeping every night just like before so maybe when you get home you will be able to sleep your in a strange place doing all kinds of work big changes i thought being off the opiates would make me not sleep my dad has been clean off heroin 18 years and he still can't sleep neither can my son so maybe when you get home all will be well in sleepy land lol good job keep it up

[VICourageous]

Yes Indeed!! Just like Dominosarah said the more mix of meds the harder and longer it takes. I came off of a 12 yr ride on a high dose of methadone that I got way down between 30-60mg and jumped..BUT I also was snorting it with street adderral at the end..Yes you can w/d from adderral..I do not have adhd so it was like speed..I took a Benzo (Klon) at night to come down..I went c/t from all 3 and what a mess that was. A Benzo w/d is very dangerous and I was a bit unaware of this..However I was at a treatment and that is what the DR did and tried to put me on Subs. SO communication was not to good when it came to the w/ds from the benzo..So I did not even kick in w/d for 10days..Meanwhile I had 22 days of no sleep..I can NOT take trazadone because it makes me spacy and I do not fall asleep on it..I heard a nurse tell me that it is used to help keep you asleep not put you out,,But everyone is different..I finally broke down and took the BP med Clonidine..I could only take it at night and it did give me a few winks and they also use it for anxiety..I did that med for about a lil over a month or more..Can not remember it has been over a couple of yrs. I do know that when I got home I started to rub Magnesium Oil on my achy parts and on the bottom of my feet..I also would take the Relaxa-Meg with Calcium and Potassium which helped relax my muscles.Plus the Melatonin once in awhile..It is best to keep the room dark and cool and no flashing lights either from a clock or whatever.
No PAWS for you right now..Post Acute Withdraws is a hit and miss subject around here..What it basically comes down to is that after the removal of these stims it affects the emotional/biochemical balance that has been established..The person then has to readjust to living without the previous levels of stimulation, etc. Post Acute Withdraws can last years or more depending on the person..It also has emotional and physiological aspects that are very difficult to endure..NOW in my opinion I think this happens alot more to Addicts that have been using for Years and Years and Years and also used many street drugs. One who just got them prescribed and built up a tolerance for a couple of years will not do that much unbalancing of the brain..BUT who am I to say!! This is just what I have been studying for a long time now and I find it to be harder for long time, more hard core users. BUT we all are different now are we not!!!!
Just give it time and it all will balance out..I wish you the best!
Bless

[dominosarah]

This isnt PAWS, this is withdrawal rearing its ugly head.  Sleep is hard to come by right now but it will return along with energy.  Your emotions are going to be all over the place.  You are coming off some heavy drugs so the symptoms can last longer.  You are doing great so keep going~

[lulu747]

Sorry I can't remember but do you have MS?  I know that my autoimmune illnesses are made worse by lack of sleep.  If this continues it is REALLY important that they help you by giving you something that works, even if only for a few days.  Do you have someone to advocate for you?  Also, you didn't answer my question about the valium.  Did they taper you?  How much and how long were you taking it for?  Benzo withdrawal causes terrible insomnia if you withdraw too quickly.  Of course being clean is the goal here, but your health is the most important thing.  And it is tricky to heal without proper rest.

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

Okay Lilly, you are a bit older than me so I hope you don't mind me asking some of these questions because they are questions I had to ask myself.  Did you have insomnia before you detoxed because of menopause?  I did so I sometimes think that the continued lack of sleep has something to do with that.
  Have you tried any of the natural routes via melatonin, etc for sleep?  If nothing has worked all I can suggest is try GNC and see what they have, perhaps try meditation, some swear by those relaxation tapes you play when you are lying in bed.
  The only thing that works for me (and not every night) is I have to take a really good relaxing hot bath 30 minutes before bedtime, then I take a 10 mg Melatonin (the sundown super one with valerian).  I then drink a cup of sleepy time or chamomile tea.  I think I get 3 good nights sleep a week (and I'm thrilled with that).
  You need sleep obviously....since trazadone isn't working perhaps there is something else they can give you either short term (if it is addictive) or another medicine that is non-addictive to try.
  Also, are you also very anxious or in a lot of pain which also can cause the insomnia.  If so you could pursue some routes to reduce anxiety and reduce your pain.
  Just suggestions okay?
Much peace and praying you get a good rest soon!

[lulu747]

Awe sweetie that is terrible.  They should try a more powerful sleeping pill just to break the cycle.  The thing about sleep is, the more we want it and reach for it, the further away it gets.  I know it's hard but just try to put it from your mind and do as I suggested with the deep breathing/meditation.  If you can get yourself into a deeply relaxed state it will rejuvenate you some.  I promise you that sleep WILL come back.  I know it doesn't feel like it but it will.  Perhaps you will find that you rest easier at home.  I know that I can't sleep very well anywhere except my own bed or a very luxurious cool dark hotel room (:
I will pray to the sleep fairies for you tonight.  Talk to the person in charge of your care and see if there is another option that you can try.  Breaking the insomnia cycle is hard but if they give you something strong to knock you out for a couple of nights, you may be able to end this torture.
Hang in there-
Lu

[Lilly1955]

They put me on the highest dose of trazadone but I only sleep for 2 hours when I was first here I didn't sleep for about 7 days I started on 50 that lasted a day they raised it to 100 got a few hours sleep then in a couple days it stopped working they raised it to 150 I got 3 nights of 6 hours its been 4 days or more in a row with only 1or 2 hours sleep this is torture

[lulu747]

Hi Lily-

Welcome back darlin'!  I'm glad to hear you are off the oxy and valium.  Did they taper you off properly?  I know the not sleeping is terrible.  First and foremost you do NOT have PAWS.  You are still pretty freshly clean.  PAWS is not very common and to my knowledge does not set in until about the 6 month mark, so take it out of your head okay?  It is pretty normal to not be sleeping still.  Have you tried melatonin?  Valerian root?  Tryptophan?  Depending on what other medications you are taking, these are very good natural sleep and anti-anxiety aids, but because they are natural they take a while to build in your system.
Listen, I know that lack of sleep makes you feel terrible, but it won't kill you.  When your body has had enough, it will give in and sleep.  If you are still in rehab why don't you talk to someone about your options?  I know some people have had luck with trazadone which is a non-narcotic AD med that is often used for sleep.  I know you are confined to a wheelchair so exercise is not an option for you.  I didn't sleep for weeks during detox so I would put my earphones in and listen to music and do deep breathing exercises.  You can also google meditations and listen to someone talk you through relaxation exercises.
I know you've been through so much, so be gentle okay?  Make sure you let the people in charge know that you have not been sleeping at all and see what they suggest.
Keep us posted.
I pray for your comfort and peace-
Lu

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

I'm sorry hun I'm not familiar with Paws but I just wanted to offer my prayers and my support.  I know we have a few people here familiar with Paws who should be able to answer any questions you have.  Keep checking back periodically okay?

Hugz