Question for former Suboxone users

[ScarrieAnne]

Let me start by saying I am in no way complaining about this new situation I find myself in @ 65 (?)
days. I was just curious if any of you, after you get through the worst of the withdrawal and start sleeping pretty well again, if all you want to do is sleep. I sleep on average 7 hours a night, and can still take naps 2 or 3 times a day, and still go to bed and sleep. I don't mean long naps, but several power naps. Pre-opiates, I was not a nap person, I could never nap, no matter what time I got up in the morning. I used to be only able to sleep in my dark, quiet cool bedroom. Now I can fall asleep sitting up, in a recliner, on the couch, wherever! I was just wondering if this is a new phase of detoxing, or if it is just me. On a side note I have hypothyroidism/Hashimotos disease, which could be all out of whack due to the length of my Suboxone usage, I have an appt. to get that bloodwork done. Any input would be greatly appreciated! I love the sleep I am getting now, but it is a little excessive, still not complaining and am very grateful, especially because I maybe slept a total of 24 hours total my first month. Thanks everyone! Much Love to you all

[ScarrieAnne]

Hey Chels! I am so happy for you that you are sleeping! 17 hours is awesome, I would love that, lol! I guess we just need to give our brains time to heal. Im sure it will even out for both of us. For now, I am loving it.
Take Care'
Carrie

[Chels44]

Yes! I'm SO glad you posted this! I thought there might be something wrong with my brain - I slept 17 hrs last night. I've only begun to sleep more than 4 hrs about three days ago. It totally makes sense that its just your brain making up for lost sleep. :)
I'm glad you're finally getting some sleep though! Yay! I bet it feels awesome after two months! Lol.
Take Care,
Chels

[ScarrieAnne]

Thank you Amanda! It is nice to know someone coming off subs went through the same thing, and that it eventually passes. I am still taking a lot of vitamins and minerals, but have slacked off, and don't stick to the Thomas recipe to the letter anymore. I will have the Dr. order my TSH, vitamin D and iron when I go. Id rather rule out any problems! Thanks for the advice.
XOXO C.

[Amandag78]

Hello my gorgeous friend, all i can remember personally about recovery after subs, i slept 12-14 hrs a night, with an afternoon nap as well for about 3 hrs.
When i reached 6-8 mths clean i started sleeping from 12-5am, but i still have a day time sleep now.
I did read, sometimes after long term drug abuse, our sleep pattern can change forever and we have to work around it.
I think maybe its just recovery still, but as kelly said, your vitamin D could be low, which would explain too much sleep. Also low iron levels can cause you to feel tired as well.
Its so hard after drugs, finding out the cause of some of our symptoms, because it could be from stopping drugs, or it maybe vitamin deficiencys sp?.
I was forever at the docs with multiple lingering symptoms and they could never find anything wrong.
Let us know how you go, its always good to take a vit D and iron with folate supp daily anyway, mainly because we are women and our body needs it, but also to rule out that being the reason for tiredness and lack of energy and our happiness.
xoxo

[ScarrieAnne]

I will Kelly, thank you for that advice! I take a lot of vitamins, but sunlight is lacking, so it would make sense if it is low. I will definitely have that checked!

XOXO Carrie

[ScarrieAnne]

Thanks Moyte, I am loving the sleep, but sometimes is at at the most inconvenient times! I WISH I had a babysitter! I am hoping my body is just catching up to the complete and utter lack of sleep I had in month 1. Like I said, no complaints here! Id rather sleep 12 hours a day than 15 minutes a day! I am also moving around a lot more, getting motivated and not just sitting around, so Im sure the increased activity has something to do with it. Im sure it will pass, from what everyone has said Im still detoxing, even though I feel pretty good.
XOXO Carrie

[ScarrieAnne]

Thank you so much! I am on it! I didn't know they made bulbs like that, so I guess a visit to the hardware store is in order. Im  going to look up the light boxes also. I appreciate all the info, it has been extremely helpful. I will post if it solves or helps the problem. Take Care.
Carrie

[kellygirll]

hey when you get your bloodwork done ask for a vitamin D level to be drawn i to have sad well self diagnosed i  get depressed after fall and couldn't bear the thought of the impending winter every time i ever had my d level done it was always extremely low so my therapist suggested vit d3 i have been taking 5000iu for about 2 weeks and boy WHAT A DIFFERENCE in the way i feel its incredible

[motye51]

I read your post earlier but couldnt post at that time...you know what sober grandma is good for?? Babysitting on New Years...so had my hands full.
i remember reading a long time ago that any sleep your body misses out on, it will get it at some time. So its very possible your just catching up on missed sleep. I felt "off" for awhile after getting the subs out of my system so i wouldnt worry about it. When i finally could doze off, i tried to enjoy it as much as i could. I found myself sleeping at work sometimes, usually around 2/3:00 in the afternoon. My head would go back and i was just out!!! Some of the guys at work would laugh at me, but, oh well..... :)

[dwhitti777]

Did a quick search... Look for "full spectrum" bulbs. Also a quick search and you will find many sources for light boxes... but I also found an ehow site that gave instructions on how to make one.

[dwhitti777]

You can probably find them online. I'm very familiar with SAD because I lived in arctic Alaska for 8 years. We didn't bother with the light box. Instead I put some bulbs that are made to have the sunlight spectrum around the house. Put some plants near them and they did double duty. You can probably find them at a local home improvement store.

[ScarrieAnne]

Thank you for your reply. I DO have seasonal affective disorder, but failed to make the connection. As of 3 months ago my TSH levels were normal, but that was before I quit Suboxone. Once I get my bloodwork done, I will chalk it up to SAD or the crazy changes the body goes through during opiate detox. I appreciate your insight! Happy New Year.
I have heard a light box helps with this, but am not sure how to obtain one.
XOXO Carrie

[dwhitti777]

Hypothyroidism can certainly add to your sleep issues. That should improve with treatment. Also it is winter and less sunlight can make you sleepy. That is a normal mammal reaction. It can also cause depression in some which can lead to the desire to sleep more. Check out seasonal affective disorder (SAD). You might try increasing the lighting around you...perhaps even buying some light bulbs that have more of the same light spectrum as sunlight. Regular bulbs and florescent bulbs don't.  The light is picked up by your optic nerve and causes your body to make chemicals to wake your brain up.

[ScarrieAnne]

I will, Weaver, thanks for the insight, hopefully it will even out, once I get my bloodwork done, I will be more able to have a definite answer. I sleep, but have odd sleeping hours, Im sure it will pass, however, the sleep has been a welcome change.
XOXO C.

[weaver71]

Most aspects of my circadian rhythm swung like a pendulum. Insomnia, then sleep a lot, back and forth, until the penical stops somewhere in the middle. Apeotite, natural waking and tired cycles, digestion, all my systems and bioclock took about a year to really balance out. One of my old issues was, I still have the genes of fsrmers. I wake up a hour or two before daylight and sleep an hour or two after dark. My patterns cyhange with the longer days and shorter nights. Only lately do I allow myself to be my natural self. I can't do 9-5 lifestyle, now I stopped resisting that, so I suppose my sleep feels more balanced and only changes gradually. You'll balance out, just keep your eye on the pendulum.

[ScarrieAnne]

Thanks Cricket! I hope you are well on this first day of 2015! may the New Year bring us many blessings! I am sure some sub people will come around soon enough, I just wanted to know if this is typical, and if it passes. I am loving the ability to fall and stay asleep, but would like to make it through the day awake, lol! I am proud of you for continuing to do well, keep on rocking it!
XOXO C.

[Cricketk92]

Happy New Year Carrie!  And I dont have an answer to your question but just wanted to say hurray for sleeping for you!  It wasnt long ago that you were up all night!!!  SO congrats on that and on your 65 days!!!!   I just woke up from a nap myself and I so enjoyed it on a day off!!!  But I can understand your concern!  Im sure someone will have an answer for you!!!