Insomnia, 9 months clean. Restoril?

[BarbRTR]

Hi everyone. So, I am dealing with major insomnia. I don't believe it's opiate related. I dealt with it some prior to opiates too.

I'm sleeping 3 hours a night max. At least two nights a week, none. It's affecting my health and well being now.

Opiates I quit 9 months ago. Xanax, I quit in March. I wasn't mentally addicted to Xanax, but withdrawal was horrendous. I had been on 17 years. I quit only because my Dr moved, and I had not much warning. During wds I was too sick to seek a new Dr. Then upon reading, I felt I should try and stay off Xanax, and I have.

I went to the Dr the other day, for this insomnia, again. I have been taking Clonidine but it isn't helping. Ambien makes me wired. Lunesta samples helped, but it's too expensive. I use Valerian Root too. I actually slept ok during detox of opiates. I think this is Xanax withdrawal still, 6 months later, coupled with my previous insomnia, and anxiety.

My Dr feels I should take Restoril. He says it will be ok since I didn't abuse the Xanax. I'm afraid of it. However, something must be done. My lack of sleep is messing with my activities of daily living.

Does anyone have any thoughts? Restoril is a benzo, a hypnotic. I have tried every natural item I can think of. I'm desperate now. I haven't filled yet, probably will tomorrow, but thought I'd ask opinions here first. Also, Ambien and Lunesta are the only non benzo sleep meds I have tried. So, perhaps someone has experience with a different kind? I cannot go through another benzo withdrawal. So I'm afraid if I do fill, I'll be on it forever. Going without sleep, or 10 hours a week only isn't an option anymore. I know it's said here nobody's died from lack of sleep, but after 6-7 months, you lose your mind. Also, although I'm not sleeping, I'm sleepy. So I fall asleep at  bad times. I always jerk back awake within seconds, but that's no good when driving!

Any comments would be greatly appreciated!
TIA

[BarbRTR]

Vic, how long after you quit the benzo did it take for you to be able to fall asleep when waking at night? Like, if I wake now, there is no going back to sleep.

I filled them. However, there are a few things on your list Connie I haven't tried. The Kava and L-Glutamime, nor the Jamaican dog wood. ( Not heard of it) So, I think I will try to get those first, and give them a try. I'm thinking too that knowing I have the Restoril here, in case, might calm my mind.

Something scary happened last night. I was on the computer around midnight. At 4:30 am I woke on the couch, fully clothed, no book or phone in my hand, and not remembering how I got there. I noticed later I had been playing my Words With Friends game on my phone, and leaving chat messages with a couple friends at 2am. I remember nothing past the computer at midnight. Lack of sleep does some crazy things to you. I hadn't taken anything except Exedrin, b/c I was out of Valerian Root and Melatonin. Weird!

Thanks all for your advice and thoughts. Greatly appreciated!!

[clean_in_ks]

I understand you are completely worn out, Barb.  And I also understand why you said you were scared to begin taking a benzo again after being on one for 17 yrs.  That's a long time when compared to being off them just 7 months.  If you think you can take it several times a week and not take it for longer than 2-4 weeks....maybe you won't become addicted to it.
Only you can make that call cause only you know your own history with benzos and how they affected you.  I definitely understand your being scared/"leary" of beginning a benzo again....and also being desperate for some healing/restful sleep.  Of course, the question is, will it bring you the much needed relief you are seeking and not cause you "common benzo tolerance" or "rebound sleep" problems in the future should you choose to quit taking it.  Just thinking outloud with ya.  

I know you have tried NUMEROUS non addictive methods of achieving sleep.  Since I can't remember the specific ones you have tried, I'll just throw out some non-benzo/natural ones I've written down that may be of some help to you:  (I think you have tried  melatonin, alteril, valerian root and some teas?)

5-HTP
L-Tryptophan
L-Theanine (sleeptime amplifier)
L-Glutamine (preferred precursor for GABA); GABA receptors help to regulate brain activity and stimulate sleep.  Although the body produces glutamine, during periods of stress or illness, it can become a "conditional" amino acid.  Elevating levels thru diet can also promote better sleep.  Glutamine rich foods:  eggs, dairy, meat, celery, papaya, cabbage, Brussel sprouts (Gag me w/a spoon..lol), kale, carrots and spinach.

Iron, Cal/Mag and B Vitamins MUST be in balance to promote sleep and your blood work should help you out there, huh?

I used all of the above at one time or another during the past 15+ months.  I also used these nervine botanicals that can be used together or taken by themselves:  kava, jamaican dog wood, lemon balm, and avena.

Hope this helps in some way and that the sleep fairy blesses you soon~

[VICourageous]

Well I had mentioned to you that the Pharmacist told me that out of the 3 drugs I c/t that the Benzo was why it took me so long..My sleep was messed up for at least 6 months after that. It did start to balance back here and there but it was not right at all. I was taking the Cal, Ds, Magnz and Melatonin. Then after I set up a regular schedule to go to bed and wake up it started to bounce back on track. BUT I still have some issues of waking up a lot during the night. I had a crash time when all I could do is sleep..I called it my "Catch up Sleep"..I am sure you are not napping in the day..BUT if you do this is OK..Sometimes the Meds we use can do the opposite. Well what do I know about this..ha!! I have never had a sleep issue when I was younger either..Just a thought for you..lol
Bless

[vicki595]

Barb- Get the Restoril and take the 30mg tonight. Don't wait until 3 am. It's to be taken at bedtime. Just follow the doctor's order basically...but I support you with this. You're so tired that you don't even sound like yourself...and once you've rested and feel good, I think those "thoughts" will calm right down. I, also, think that eventually your sleep pattern will straighten out but right now you need a little help...okay?

[BarbRTR]

Yes, stopped Xanax in March. Tool for 17 years. Stopped opiates in Jan, was on those 3 years. Insomnia is getting worse, not better though.

[VICourageous]

Barb..I was thinking about this..You only have about 7 months off the Xanax Right??

[BarbRTR]

Thanks everyone for the comments and insight. See how Absolutley exhausted my mind and thinking are.. I wasn't even thinking I could take the Restoril as needed. I automatically assumed every night. I guess because I have issues every night. But, on the nights I sleep 2-3 hours on my own, I could handle that, I am not handling the up 48 hours straight stretches. So maybe I could take occasionally, say, nights I'm still wide awake at 3am, but to exhausted to move. Sometimes I fall asleep, only to jerk awake seconds later with dread, like I just got bad news. I can only equate that feeling as how I felt when I got the call my dad had unexpectedly died. That get punched in the stomach, heart raving nothing will ever be ok again feeling.

Actually my Dr gave me 30mgs. I think it's because how resistant my body is to things like sleeping meds, even prior to opiate use. For instance, when I started Xanax 17 years ago, having never took any meds like it, I was able to take 1mg in the mornings from day 1 without getting sleepy at all.

So, I have always had boughts of insomnia, but never 8 months every night. I do believe the length and severity is from stoping opiates 9 months ago, Xanax in March.

Another question, did anyone still have severe insomnia after 6 months? I'm just trying to figure out the time thing. And figure out if it's a probability I will get better on my own? Or after all this time, should I at least not have nights where no sleep comes at all?

Obviously I'm scared to start Restoril, but I don't have much more in me either.

I'm ok on pills. I cannot get them unless I faked kidney stones, which I don't have the acting ability, or physical ability, to fake scream, cry and all that. When I get my stones, I'm literally crying, rocking, screaming for hours on end. I can't fake that, and won't. But the cravings there, can't lie.

Thanks everyone!

Ps, I read about Kava Kava. It's the only thing I haven't tried. But I'm not sure it's a good alternative. Has anyone heard of or used?

[gbrand]

Yeah go fill the temazepam my friend. It's a benzo that works for sleep like no other can. I am sober from heroin 93 days. I still take my klonopin daily though. Just because NA works in my life, yet also states I must be abstinence obsessive doesn't mean I take it literally. without klonopin my insomnia would drive me to insanity. I don't have the time for insanity. nor will I tolerate the inability to sleep. I am diagnosed with insomnia. At 13 years old none the less. I took temazepam 30mg two capsules at bedtime for a few years during and after detox. it worked miracles in my sleep deprivation. what dosage did he write you? 7.5 I assume? The best dose ti be at is 15mgs. its similar to .75 of klonopin it just knocks you out better. stop beating on yourself. trazadone, remron, seroquil... lunesta.. ambien .. its all crap for someone with insomnia who once used something so powerful as a high dose of opiates. be grateful, use it as prescribed, and stop thinking you don't owe yourself a damn good night of sleep and a healthy day of energy to follow.. you just play that tape of all the bull that came with using. that should remind you how much its not worth it. -Gabriel

[OxyTired]

Coming off the Xanax was a major accomplishment! I have had lifelong issues with anxiety and insomnia. I think much of my using was partially self medication (the other part getting buzzed)
I was on Xanax for two or three years (ten years ago) then I bought them online and went crazy. Took me 2 years to get "back"

Now at 100 days clean from oxycodone I have to be realistic in my expectations. I sleep at most 2 hours at a time now. Wake up and maybe get back to sleep. I keep really busy and do not nap. Sometimes I still have sleep problems. With my 20 years of abusing alcohol, then Xanax, and most recently opiates, I think my brain circuitry is out of whack.

These days I am satisfied with small pieces of progress, sleep, and moodwise. It is getting better, but oh so slooow. Many here are "all better" in a few months. i don't expect that to happen for me. But I treasure the baby steps. Each day my mind and body are just a little more functional away from the insanity.

I guess my advice is to "let go" of expectations, and just continue to do the great job you are doing getting in charge of your life and meds. I know, "easy for you to say". But I believe it will get better for you. You might be like me and take a little longer

[vicki595]

Barb- Here's how I see it: You have to sleep!!  Very important stuff!  Take the Restoril until you get a couple of good nights under your belt. Then you can re evaluate but get some sleep first...You need to clear your head because you're not thinking right ( thinking about using ) because you're so beat down...

Ambien is a crazy drug. I think Restoril has less side effects and it's been around for a long, long time. Another one is Halcion...I think, after you get some good rest, you can try an OTC and it may work. Have you tried Alteril? It's good and all natural.  Don't take the Restoril every night for weeks and you'll be fine. I'm sure of it!  Now, go get that filled!  xo

[Sonrissa]

Hey Barb, I can so relate to the lack of sleep thing! For me it was the absolute worst symptom. I consider myself very lucky that now it's only occasionally that I can't sleep. I'm able to take Ambien once in a while and it works great for me. Please don't give up. Are you getting some exercise? I'm sure you've tried everything. No caffein late, warm showers or baths, Sleepy Time Tea, Alteril, etc. Continue to talk to your doctor about this, and NO!! using is absolutely not an option. I wish you the best! Hope you get this resolved soon!

[BarbRTR]

I want to be honest. I have thought about using a lot recently over this. Until those thoughts came a couple weeks ago, I had had only 1 thought in 9 months prior to this. .And I'm trying to justify it by saying when I do actually fall asleep, it's pain that wakes me two hours later. That's true, and using isn't an option, but I see what my brain is doing with the rationalizing. I'm glad I see that, but,  I'm scared.

[BarbRTR]

Thanks Vic. I'm really suffering. I don't remember that post, but I'll try to go full site and find it!

Thanks :)

[VICourageous]

Barb..My Prays go out for YOU..I am going to Bump this up..I have no trouble sleeping..It did take a long time to get it balanced back right..lol

Do you remember that Sleep Post I did way back when..I got a lot of Great info..NG has some great info on this too..lol