Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
4053085 tn?1350154547

Cold sweats - how long?

I'm almost thru with day 9 of getting off of hydros, which I was on prior to and for 4 days after back surgery. I finall got 2 1/2 or 3 hours of sleep after basically none since going off the meds. When I woke up, my tee shirt was drenched with sweat. I took it off, dried off, very chilled, put on a another tee shirt and went back to bed but couldn't get in any more sleep.

I understand that the sweating is part of getting the toxins out and I'm wondering how long I might expect then to last?

Also, if anyone has suggestions on how to deal with the insomnia and/or the cold sweats it would be greatly appreciated
Best Answer
2122807 tn?1560619706
hey friend,
congrats on day nine, yay!!!!!

The cold sweats got better and better, but it was slow. it was two weeks and I was still with sopping wet socks and a dishtowel I used for my hands whiel watching TV. I forget how long the cold body sweats lasted, at two weeks I still had them, and then at 30 days it was just about gone but I still had a little bit of hand clamminess, but it was great not having to shower 3 times a day, LOL.

keep up the great work! Oh, and its not just the body getting rid of toxins, it's also the body adjusting it's chemicals with the brain. The narcotics dry you out, and then when you stop, it all goes wacky while the brain is getting it together and healing.

you are doing great!
hugs,
Lily
24 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
4053085 tn?1350154547
I sould add that I woke several times and te sweats were lighter. The first time I woke up I did change my tee shirt, but it wasn't yet drenched like the other time. The other times it was just damp and I left it on.
Helpful - 0
4053085 tn?1350154547
Got a little sleep last nigt but dad to take a valium, which I'd rater not have to start doing regularly just to get a little sleep. I need some encouragement.
Helpful - 0
3655415 tn?1352837277
I've been reading your post and I am so proud at how good you're doing. I have to say I'm jealous... I'm addicted to percocet and want to go off so badly but I just don't see how I can do it working every day. At one point a few monthis ago I made it to day 7 but gave in. :( I think it's awesome that you are stopping. One day soon I hope to be where you are.
Helpful - 0
4053085 tn?1350154547
I made it to the market and back with no problem today. I actually feel that I should go do another walk.

I also came across our blood pressure monitor so I figured I'd check what mine was. It's 119/69, which is on the low end of what is normal for me, and my at rest pulse is 87, my normal is usually mid-60s  . Most of the information I see is tat WD increases BP. Does anyone know if that is reason for concern?
Helpful - 0
4053085 tn?1350154547
Thanks Sarah!

I'm going to walk down to the corner market, almost a mile round trip and about my limit after the surgery right now, for a few things.

I might even try and mow  the front lawn, or part of it anyhow, a little later or tomorrow.
Helpful - 0
495284 tn?1333894042
COMMUNITY LEADER
I know the sleep thing suks but i would try and stay up with the hopes you can sleep tonight.  Get some exercise and fresh air and hopefully tonight you will sleep like a baby.
Helpful - 0
4053085 tn?1350154547
Thank you for your encouraging words!

My wife just left to go work the fairs I mentioned. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle that. I think part of the reason I did not sleep is that I was overly focused on trying not to disturb her so she could get the rest she needed. The strange thing is that I'm feeling more energy, despite the complete lack of sleep, tan I have since going of the garbage. Does that make any sense? Maybe later in the day I'll crash. Would it be unwise to sleep during the day or should I just let it come when it does?
Helpful - 0
2122807 tn?1560619706
i forget exactly when my first good night of sleep was. I think it was about 10 days or so when I finally got like 4-5 hours, and then about another week or so to sleep a full eight. Everyone is different though. You should be getting there real soon, congrats on day ....10 is it? My first milestone was at 15 days where I felt god enough to actually go out and relate with people, I was so thrilled, I will never forget that part of it.

Hang in there, you re doing so well, and you are almost there.

hugs,
Lily
Helpful - 0
4053085 tn?1350154547
6 am and no cold sweats.......problem  is, no sleep to wake up wit them.

How long before lack of sleep kicks in and lets sleep start again?
Helpful - 0
2122807 tn?1560619706
aww sweetie, that is a shame. I feel for you, Well, try and look at it this way, while she is gone you will heal. so when she gets back, you will be that much more healed.
take the time when she is away to go through some thoughts and things that are yours and yours alone, hunker down, watch some TV, try to relax as mch as possible.

When i was in your shoes I hated the thought of anyone being nearby, so at least you want it, so that is good in itself.

hang in there, better times are coming.
hugs,
Lily
Helpful - 0
4053085 tn?1350154547
The other issue I'm facing right now is my wife is leaving in the morning to go work some out of state fairs for 3 weeks. I am sad thinking about her not being here, she has been an angel caring for me. I'm getting around well enough to care for myself now, after the surgery. I almost wish I was going along, but I don't think there's any way I could tolerate the 10 our drive, not being able to move around since activity is what is making both my back and my soul feel better. We desperately need the money though, so I'm just going to have to work thru it.

I'm sure I'll be on here frequently seeking encouragement.

Thanks again to everyone for input and for cheering me along.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I posted this a few days back too... Avoid niacin near bed time. Valerian root for sleep! My sweats were awful lasted about 3 weeks... Now I'm clear! Good luck my friend!
Helpful - 0
2122807 tn?1560619706
nah, don't think it had anything to do with the sweats, the sweats are just unpredictable. Even when I was starting to feel terrific and hugging trees and all, I was still getting the sweats.

Thanks GOd it leaves!! After I was feeling really good I had a few days of really low energy too, but that also passed, it all passes.

You are doing great! day ten is awesome!!!  5 more days or so you should hit a milestone, and then again you will hit them. I can't wait to see you post how darned great you feel.

hugs,
Lily
Helpful - 0
4053085 tn?1350154547
Thanks everyone!

I'm now officially on day 10.

Another thing I should have noted is that I did my first Epson Salt soak last night. Might that have anything to do with why the sweats were so heavy? I'm going to do another tonight as it seemed to calm me down so I was able to get the little sleep that I did manage.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I know some people will not agree but I went the Suboxone route It was not bad at all but my habit was not quiet as bad as yours. The thing about the Hydro wds is it will not kill you even though you may feel like it. I promise time will make you better, hang tough.
Helpful - 0
1926359 tn?1331588139
The type of water doesn't matter so much as the amount that you drink!  Drink three times as much as you feel you should.  Potassium and magnesium are what you need most- so eat foods that are rich in these and there is a great CalMag hot drink called Calm which I drank through detox and beyond that really helped.  I also like Vitamin Water.  It's great when your tummy is upset too.  The fluids flush the toxins out.  You are sweating, sneezing, and getting rid of all that toxic waste.  You want to encourage your body to do this as much as possible.  The quicker the garbage is out, the quicker you will feel better.  It's why saunas are so good.  Try to see all of this as the VERY positive thing that it is.  
You are doing great!
Lu
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Awesome job!!! keep at it!!! gonna keep getting better and better! I was going to suggest to just try and stay hydrated since the sweats are bad. Have you tried melatonin or maybe Tylenol pm or benedryl to help sleep?
Keep trucking along!!
Helpful - 0
2122807 tn?1560619706
I would definitely be taking vitamins with minerals. I still take them at 106 days.
If you do that it doens't matter about the minerals in the water, just drink what you like.
:o)

you are doig great!!!
hugs,
Lily
Helpful - 0
4053085 tn?1350154547
Lu, that brings up a question, is filtered water or spring water better? I would be inclined to guess that it would be better to go with spring water, which would contain minerals, since our bodies loose a lot of minerals sweating.

I'm also guessing it is a good idea to be on a vitamin and mineral supplement to help to start to get things back into balance.
Helpful - 0
1926359 tn?1331588139
Congratulations on your 9 days!!!  So awesome.  The sweating is a s*&^%# side effect for sure, mine went on for quite some time.  What helped the most was going in a sauna (infrared) and sweating MORE.  If you have access to one I highly suggest it.  The other thing that helps is exercise.  At 9 days you should be feeling a bit stronger so a super brisk walk or run, or some kind of cardio will really help.  Most importantly, you are losing a lot of fluid so HYDRATE.

Listen, you are doing great.  Be proud of yourself and keep moving forward.
Sending support,
Lu
Helpful - 0
2122807 tn?1560619706
well, the showers were just to keep me from smelling, as I was sweating so prefusely, and the cold sweat, ugh.
What I would do is wake up in the middle of the night and have to change my pajamas, and sometimes even the sheets, but i never took a shower in the midddle of the night because i knew that i would be drenched again by morning anyway.
Oh it does feel so good when those sweats are overwith!
not too much longer.

hugs,
Lily
Helpful - 0
4053085 tn?1350154547
Thanks so much for your reply!

I was wondering if it might help, when I wake drenched in sweat, if I took a quick shower before getting back in bed. Were any of your showers for that purpose?

Kind regards!
Helpful - 0
3038444 tn?1345694749
BTW this may be the reason why you have dry mouth.  I read that if you are sweating at abnormal levels, this could be the reason why you are experiencing dry mouth.  Just wanted to let you know :o)
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community

Top Addiction Answerers
495284 tn?1333894042
City of Dominatrix, MN
Avatar universal
phoenix, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.