trouble sleeping

[autoworker]

im withdrawing from heroin can you recommend a sleep aid

[Jinx_777]

benadryl  made me hyper and made it even harder to sleep

[Amandag78]

Hi, i would just like to see how you are holding up with all your symptoms !!!

I hope you are feeling better : )

[slomedz805]

I just wanted to say fuacking right on bro!!!!! 3 days ct off h is no freaking joke. Congrats on making it this far you are almost there!!! keep fighting i would think u will start feeling better soon but everyone is different. Know that you are doing the right thing!!keep posting!! much love . trev

[ariley13]

The best thing you can do for the anxiety is to distract yourself and try to stay as busy as possible. Short walks, even if it's just a few 15 minute walks a day can really help with the anxiety and will help to wear you out which hopefully will lead to a little sleep. Watching funny movie/TV, listening to music, or reading  book all are good ways to get out of your head and pass the time. Also, hot baths really help. There are teas that help with anxiety too. They usually called 'calm' or 'sleepytime'. They contain Valerian Root, which is a supplement that helps you to calm down. You can also buy the supplement by itself at most pharmacies. Other than that, it will just take a little time for your brain and body to heal. Try to be patient with yourself. You are doing great!

[lulu747]

If you are not taking any antidepressants- Valerian root and Kava work awesome for anxiety.  However, I find the BEST cure for anxiety to be exercise and deep breathing.  Hard to be anxious when you're working your a*& off.  Also, it will help jump start your feel good receptors which are starving from opiate detox.  Try not to focus on how long it will last (I know so much easier said than done) and just do what you can in THIS moment to make yourself feel better which does NOT involve using any mind altering substance.
Have you thought about aftercare?  NA meetings are free and a great place to go and get support from a bunch of folks that have been (or are) where you are right now.
You can do this.  I'm rooting for you.
Lu

[autoworker]

     can you recommend anything for anxiety? this is my 3rd day off of heroin.how long do these symptoms last?

[lulu747]

DON/T TAKE BENADRYL!  Will give you really bad rls and you prob already have that.  The melatonin takes awhile to build in your system.  Give it time.  You will sleep when you need to.  I know it f-ing su&^% but you will get through it.
Lu

[slomedz805]

ariley13 is right i would suggest to stay away from benadryl it gave me really bad restless legs when i was detoxing off h. Also i would keep in mind that the more tylenal and otc meds like that will need to be procesed by your liver and may prolong w/d because u need your liver to focus on getting rid of the h. best of luck bro, keep fightin the good fight!

[ariley13]

Hi there! I second the melatonin. You may also want to try either Lemon Balm, or Valerian Root. Both are natural supplements that help with anxiety, restlessness, and sleep issues. I would try to stay away from OTC sleep aids such as Benadryl and PM pain meds. Often times they actually increase your restlessness and RLS when you are detoxing. It really all comes down to time. Sleep will eventually come back, and the more naturally you let that happen, the better off you'll be. Try to listen to some relaxing music and soak in a hot bath. If sleep continues to elude you, don't fight it. Just distract yourself with movies/TV, books, whatever works. Good luck to you and I hope you are able to catch some zzz's very soon!  

[autoworker]

would Benadryl help melatonin didn't work

[slomedz805]

i would have said melatonin also, i would also mention if you are having rls, the dollar store has muscle rub that worked for my rls. Just keep fighting sleep will come if you cant sleep dont just lay there watch tv or post on this website, I commend your effort to start living your life in real truth and real happyness it will come to you in time. good luck

[lulu747]

As scared mentioned melatonin.  I would suggest a higher dose - 20 mg.  Take 10 a few hours before you go to bed and 10 at bedtime.  This advice was given to me early in my recovery days by an addictions specialist.  It will help regulate your sleep/wake schedule.  Also, something that has helped me to get off all the prescription sleep meds I was on and has made me feel soooo much better is tryptophan.  The stuff found in turkey.  Here in Canada I get it prescribed- 1000 mg- 2000 mg a night.  It is a natural seratonin booster and mood stabilizer that improves the length and quality of your sleep.  Wish I'd known about it 2 years ago.  I'm going through a pretty hellish health and pain crises and am still averaging 8-9 hours a night sleep with the melatonin and tryptophan as I am tapering off the last sleep med (a benzo).  Congrats on your clean time.  Keep going.  Keep posting.
Lu

[Scaredformylife1981]

Melatonin 10mg.. Trying light exercise, hot bath with Epsom salts and take a melatonin. You can get them at any pharmacy for about $7.00 for a store brand. I'm dealing with sleep issues too.

[IBKleen]

Hi, Unfortunately there much to do about the sleep problem. It should last for about 5 days or so and then you will begin to get more and more each night. You can try like a Tylenol PM or something but most people say they don't work. I know they didn't for me.

Try light exercise when you can and relax yourself with a hot bath before bed. If you find yourself tossing and turning don't lay there..it will only make it worse. Get up and get occupied until you feel tired again. You can also try laying back in a lounge chair if you have one. That helped me a lot.

Are you having any other symptoms? RLS? Stomach issues? Let us know and we can recommend something to help ease the symptoms. Hang in there. It will be over in a few days.