Is there sleep after hydrocodone/tramadol withdrawals?

[chctx]

After two years of taking hydrocodone and tramadol daily for knee replacements and a back fusion (I was an athlete), I am drug-free almost 30 days now.  Though I do not feel the physical withdrawal symptons like I did the first 2 weeks, I am experiencing insomnia/sleeping disorders.  My doctor prescribed Ambien at first, which gave me a couple of hours of sleep.  Then she prescribed Clonidine because I couldn't shut my mind off.  Both of these together still only give me around 4 hours of sleep, if I'm lucky.  I worry now that I will become addicted to these medications as well (more stress).  I've also trying the natural way (melatonin, 5-HPT, velarian root, chamomile tea), but to no avail. When you are desperate for sleep you will try almost anything.  I've also thought that getting back on hydrocodone would be better than no sleep (poor judgement due to lack of sleep), but I have been strong enough so far not to do this.  Also, I'm not sure if the lack of sleep has caused depression or if depression has caused my lack of sleep?  I've read in this forum that depression may be a side effect of withdrawals.  Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, how long will it last?  Being a bookkeeper and going to work on only a couple of hours of sleep makes for a very bad day.  My husband and my child are also being neglected because of my being so tired which causes more stress.  I don't feel like going anywhere or doing anything.  Tomorrow's my birthday and I don't want to celebrate it in any way, shape or form.  I would appreciate any feedback.  Thank you.

[LadySailor86]

I'm at 26 days and have some depression and sleep issues. Aftercare is helping a lot. When I can deal with some of the emotional my mind seems to let  me rest more, when I rest more, I feel more able to look forward to things. Also I cut off caffiene later in the day.  Keep posting. I am starting to have some good days. I hear it takes time. Stick with us, a few of us are going thru this exact thing right this minute TOGETHER!

[LMC7699]

I too have insomnia which melatonin does not work...the only thing that I have found to work well for me is a product called "Natural Calm"  It is a magnesium supplement in powder form which you dissolve in hot water and drink. (I add a little OJ for taste to drink it down)  The flavored kind are gross btw so I get plain and add the OJ.  I also will take a sleep aid supplement with a combo of many of the natural sleeping aids (valerian, melatonin, 5HTP, and a few others I can't remember right now)  With the "Natural Calm" and the supplement I get really great quality sleep.  The supplement without the Natural Calm does not work.  Also...there are other brands of magnesium supplements in this same powder form that I've tried but they do not have the same effect at all.  I'm not sure what makes this brand work but it works well.  And I have had others tell me the same thing. It is made by Natural Vitality.  It's definitely worth a try!

[LMC7699]

I too have insomnia which melatonin does not work...the only thing that I have found to work well for me is a product called "Natural Calm"  It is a magnesium supplement in powder form which you dissolve in hot water and drink. (I add a little OJ for taste to drink it down)  The flavored kind are gross btw so I get plain and add the OJ.  I also will take a sleep aid supplement with a combo of many of the natural sleeping aids (valerian, melatonin, 5HTP, and a few others I can't remember right now)  With the "Natural Calm" and the supplement I get really great quality sleep.  The supplement without the Natural Calm does not work.  Also...there are other brands of magnesium supplements in this same powder form that I've tried but they do not have the same effect at all.  I'm not sure what makes this brand work but it works well.  And I have had others tell me the same thing. It is made by Natural Vitality.  It's definitely worth a try!

[soaddicted]

hey there... well the depression is a side effect and i dont know if you knew it but tramadol has antidepressant in it so now your not getting that anymore and its probably causing some of the depression. yes the sleep part is horrible i know you said you took melatonin did that help? maybe try a hot bath before you go to bed and then the melatonin. you def dont want to keep taking ambien because it is addictive. also i dont know how you do it but try not to be in your bedroom until bed time.. i hope it gets better and way to go on your 30 days!!! thats awesome!

[Rich99]

Your brain chemistry is trying to get back to its old ways after being flooded with the chemicals you were taking.     The same thing happens with the benzos and it will happen as well with ambien.    I don't understand why your doctor started with that unless he/she felt so bad about your suffering sleep deprivation.     When it was my time to slowly get off valium,   I was given seroquel and it did help with the transition.    But you need to have patience.    Your brain chemistry is in the lag period of transition until it fully produces its own chemicals that controls your sleep/wake cycle, etc.