Experiencing severe insomania!

[shadowknight]

Hi everyone.

Some of you might know I had abused cough syrup for a year. I am clean from the last 73 days.

But recently I started experiencing anxiety problems and insomania. I am hardly able to sleep for 2 to 4 hours! And I am feeling really weird because of it. A part of me just wants to die!! I dont know whats going on. I just wish I could cry my heart out.

If I visit a doctor, do you think he'll let me use some medicine?? I think I really need meds right now to help me sleep

Please try giving as much help as you can on this. I'll greatly appreciate it

Yours,
...

[shadowknight]

Guys can you blv, Its been 24 hours since I woke up after taking the first sleeping pill.

I woke up at around 8.30 PM, Monday 5th of May. I should have taken this pill to go to sleep at around 10 AM, Tuesday 6th of May (after around 14 hours). But I didnt. I thought I would fix my routine (I sleep during the day and I am awake in the night. I've been like this for a v. v. v. v. long time. I am an owl basically). Now, I waited for 11 PM 6th of May (still Tuesday), took a pill and hit the bed. And I get up in 2 hours! I woke up at around 1.30 AM and its 2.10 AM right now. Was that normal? Or these pills dont wory for me?? And will I fall asleep soon?

[SableZen]

Yeah like Lucy said - just have to be careful with Zolpidem if longer-term anxiety is the cause of the sleep issues (I went through that myself). Better to deal with that more directly or at least get something that is less or non-addictive and less likely to cause rebound anxiety when you stop it. Just have to see what the doc says - but since you are going soon I wouldn't worry about taking it until then.

[SableZen]

I would personally shadowknight... as long as you know it's not something to take long-term and to be careful with. Taking it for a few days isn't going to hurt you. You do need to get some sleep until you can get something better to help.

[lucyred68]

when i was going through wd's, my dr prescribed ambien CR for me.  i took it for three weeks.  had no trouble stopping it.  i don't know about long term effects, but i was very careful to not stay on it long enough to cause problems.  hope this helps

Lucy

[shadowknight]

Sable, I consumed it for the first time yest. Now I am still waiting for an appointment. Would it be ok if I take it for a day or more?

[SableZen]

By the way Zolpidem (or Ambien in the US) should only be used very short-term and is contraindicated for people that suffer from depression. It's a 'sedative-hypnotic'. Cutting and pasting in some of the info you wanted:

"Structurally dissimilar to benzodiazepine, however, has much or all of its actions explained by its effects on benzodiazepine (BZD) receptors, especially the omega-1 receptor (with a high affinity ratio of the alpha 1/alpha 5 subunits); retains hypnotic and much of the anxiolytic properties of the BZD, but has reduced effects on skeletal muscle and seizure threshold."

"Onset of action: 30 minutes

Duration: 6-8 hours

Absorption: Rapid"

10mg is the maximum dose - but also the recommended dose in adults. But you can try 5mg, and if you aren't asleep in 30+ minutes take the other 5mg.

It is addictive...

Hope this helps!

[SableZen]

I think seeing a psychiatrist would be the best thing. For one, he/she should be more compassionate with dealing with a person with a substance abuse history. And second, they will be more familiar with medications that might also help you get a handle on any related anxiety issues affecting your sleep.

I'll bet that if you can just get some decent rest, things will improve for you greatly in the overall picture. Such an important thing sleep is. Keep us updated!

[s10sittnondubs]

I take 6-9 mgs of melatonin depending on my day and 360 mg's of magnesium once to twice a day.  I find that if I use my legs for at least an hour a day of not even vigorous activity it helps becuase my joints really feel tired instead of weary from just sitting and fretting.  Its also a great way to let of stress hitting a punching bag, or lifting some weights...all of these are healthy and good things to do I've found.

[shadowknight]

I am going to try sleeping tonight without the help of Zolpidem. I am not sure if I can visit a doctor tommorow. My cousin is trying to make an appointment with a good psychiatrist. And she said its difficult to get an appointment with a good psychiatrist on a short notice (most offer consultancy twice a week) so I might have to wait for two or three days. Now, the other doctor I had talked to asked me to take 10 mg of Zolpidem. I took it and within 10 mins I fell asleep. I slept for around 8 or 9 hours. I think I could have slept longer but a phone call woke me up. So I want to know, if I find the need tonight, can I split the 10mg tablet and consume just 5mg?

Also, I would like to know how it works. Does it induce the sleep? Or does it just help fall asleep? Like yesterday I was feeling sleepy but I couldnt no matter how hard I tried. So this help my brain relax and fall asleep or... I hope the question is clear.

[louise65]

seroquel is a drug that can be used for anxiety and insomnia, i started it a few months ago and it really does the trick, worth asking about. am also on valium but have quickly built up a tolerance to them and they can be a bugger to get off. good luck

[bladerunnerb]

Shadowknight,

Most of the advice on here is good.  I do think you need to see your Dr., though.  I started Lexapro for anxiety.  Within a week it was much better and within four....I couldn't even believe it.  For that first week, I took a benzo (xanax) as necessary and ambien CR at night to sleep.  I can't stress how much this approach worked for me.  No guarantees for you, but insomnia can be from so many things.  Your doctor should evaluate you to see if you are stressed out (sounds like it) and then decide what is the best for you.  I tried Valerian (help sleep/anxiety) and St. John's, but finally decided that I'd let me Dr. help me.  Hope this helps!

[shadowknight]

How long does this Insomania usually last for?

[sue41]

I know it seems hopeless, but as someone who has gone through the same thing you are, please be very careful with the prescription sleep aids.  I have had an opiate addiction, but I didn't think anything about the sleep aid (ambien) prescribed to me following my hysterectomy.  Unfortunately, it really messed me up.  I ended up driving because I would take it and wake up, then forget and take another.  I wrecked my vehicle 3 times. Thank God I was alone and no one else was involved.  It really opened my eyes to the effects of this medicine.  It will also cause hair and memory loss.  These will eventually return, but mine was so severe that I wore a wig through the summer.  God Bless and I will be praying for you.

[shadowknight]

worried878: I havent slept since the last 36 hours. It just seemed hopeless! I was in no condition to go and visit a doctor either. So I talked to one on phone and told him about myself, the abuse and the fact that I havent slept from the last 36 hours. So be asked me to take 10mg Zolpidem (u know it as Ambien) and come visit him after I wake up. I just hope I'll get some sleep now!

[SableZen]

There is also an antipsychotic called Abilify (aripiprazole) that will knock you out as well (I'm immune to most OTC sleep-aids so I know lol). It's a partial agonist of a couple of the 5-HT receptors and is also sometimes prescribed for insomnia and RLS. There are a lot of sleep aids out there though. I would start with trying some of the mentioned over the counter aids but if they aren't helping - hit your doc up because there a lot of medications like worried878 mentioned that are pretty safe.

[worried878]

oh....phenergan is a fairly safe drug...helps with the tummy and will help you sleep

[worried878]

5htp causes me sleepiness 30 minutes or so after i take it...so does melatonin but i get a "hangover" from the melatonin but may like it...gaba and theanine also help and take your cal/mag at night as well

[avisg]

Magnesium and Calcium  and melatonin with 5hpt  worked for me.

tranzadone may help the doctor ha to perscribe it

[duckandcover]

A couple of thought that might help you before I go off to bed to (hopefully) get some sleep.  I would try the less harsh things first. I've had good luck with just taking Calcium and magnesium right before bed.  Melatonin is a more natural thing to try and being as it's almost always low or out of stock at the local pharmacy I'd bet that a LOT of folks are having success with it.

The pattern I do is to exercise vigorously during the day.  Take a hot shower at about 9:00 PM to get good and relaxed.  Take My Magnesium and Calcium and hit the rack.

This usually works.  Oh and 5-HTP kicks in pretty quickly.   Most of the amino's on the protocol are geared to relax you.  Truth be told though I have been known to take a Xanex on occasion when all else fails.  Never more than once a week.  Sometimes I just need to break the insomnia "cycle".  I absolutely hate doing it though.

Good luck.

[shadowknight]

and worried, how long does it take 5HTP to start working?

[shadowknight]

I guess i'll leave this on the doctor. Do you think that would be the right thing?

[worried878]

SSRIs are slow to kick in...benzos are a much more addictive choice than ambien...some abuse ambien...some abuse benadryl and lunesta as well...it depends on your personality...if u abuse everything u take...nothing but natural choices like melatonin would be a good  for u..I dont abuse ambien and have taken it off and on for 10 years...i do know someone who does abuse ambien..she abuses alcohol, lyrica, xanax, everything she touches...it is an individual choice

[shadowknight]

I might get fired because of this. I work as an offshore developer for a company based else where and I got a mail from my contractor! God! Xanax used to work but now it seems to be causing more problems like you had pointed out.

I just checked on wikipedia and it says Ambien should be avoided by alcohol/drug abusers. How about an SSRI? Or Valium (Diazepam)?

I am praying a lot to God this should just be a phase and should end soon! I really hope it does! Do other users experience this too??

Its the sleep deprivation which is causing all this.

[worried878]

Ambien helps me but many dont like rx meds during detox...i never lost a nights sleep....melatonin, 5htp, theanine also help...and gaba...lunesta works for many..do u have something that has helped u in the past that you can ask for?   I am not a martyr and work full time...will not sacrifice my sleep at any costs...some can...just depends on ur lifestyle and how well u function without sleep...i feel ill without it