I'm very worried

[munster1]

ONE big worry- I'm on day 8 and in the day I feel great.  I started working out two days ago, I just started tonight the melatonin and some other minerals and vitamins.  I went the first week using ambien and xanax and decided for week 2 I'm not doing it.  I didn't sleep a wink friday and it's now 2 am and not sleeping .  at what point does someone become worried like this?  and in all honesty, does anyone know of anyone who quit vicodin but then had to take one or even a half at night?  does alpa stim help?  I want to stress I don't miss vicodin at all and never ever considered even one since I quit except for the sleep thing.  I need to get to sleep

[salsinator]

Hi Munster,

Welcome to the forum.  I abused vics and other opiates for years and have been through a couple detoxes.  The last hump to get over is the sleep cycle.  For me, I was lucky if I got 3-4 hours of sleep, but just know this will improve.  You have to remember that your brain receptors need to heal and this takes the longest.  Not to freak you out, but it can take a few weeks before the sleep cycles get back to normal.  Don't stress over this, it can't hurt you.  Try taking a hot bath before bed, it does wonders.  Of course exercise and a good diet help too.  I unfortunately just relapsed on Tramadol after 2 years clean, thankfully it was a short one, but it still took me a good week to get back in sink with the sleep.  You will find that you will start sleeping 15-30 minutes longer each night and before you know it, you will be back on track.  Congrats on kicking the vics, it's not easy.  Keep posting, tons of great experience and support here.

[hiskidd]

Oh - if you still have pills, flush em. If not, you will start the cycle all over again. Why waste the clean time when you know it was hell getting to this point! Stay strong. Keep posting!

David

[hiskidd]

Hey! This lack of sleep will be one of your biggest temptations to "just take one pill..." cause you "need to sleep." I remember telling myself that...

Anyway, melatonin, Cham teas, etc. work for some, but they don't do jack for me. Oh, Valerian root helps some too. BUT, all in all, a good OTC sleep aid - like max strength sominex or something - could help you. It works about 70% of the time for me.

A good man says we have to "be okay with not being okay for a while." Sleep may take a week, a month, or 3 months to regulate, but it will come. Just don't regress or you'll be starting all over.

Friday, I went through the day having only slept from 1am to 4am the night before. I was tired, but still did my treadmill and other stuff. When I finally took my OTC I was out for 7 hrs.

Hang in there! Watch funny or action flicks. Nothing depressing :)

[tingtongtom]

Hello, and firstly kudos for wanting to and kicking your vice. I am not too skilled with pain killers, but I am when it comes to benzos, and xanax is a benzo. I have heard many times people who are trying to give up opiate prescription drugs using xanax to sleep, even though this may be suggested by a doctor, it is not always a good idea. xanax can be just as addictive in the long run, it is no funny thing trying to get off of benzos as you cannot usually cold turkey them, you have to do it slowly and gradually. Why not consulting a doctor and or trying to get some non addictive sleeping meds, there are plenty out there. It would seem better for your sleep problems whilst you detox fully. If you continue to use xanax like you have been, you wll become dependent mentally and physically. In my opinion, it is not worth it as you may somehow swap one addiction fr another, but that is just my opinion. All the best and hope things work out,

Tom