When will I sleep?!?

[JDRMinSD]

Hello-
As some of you may know, I'm on day 14.  I'm happy with that and have no intention of EVER going back but I have a quick question:  When will I sleep "normally" again?  

Although I don't mind the extra hours in my day....I would like a good night's sleep.  

Anyone know when I might get one again?
Thanks

[JDRMinSD]

Thanks, good luck with the painting!

I did read about the PAWS stuff and so I feel like I understand about the triggers.  For me it's DEFINITELY related to stress.  It's actually very interesting to note those moments of craving...it's either in the middle of stress or beforehand...so I'm working on dealing with those situations in a more health way!

[1911]

Congratulations on 14 days !  You are well on your way to success.  

Here is what was explained to me about sleep.

The opiates shut down the adrenal gland.  When we stop using opiates, the adrenal gland comes back on line and starts pumping adrenaline into a system that hasn't experienced it in a long time.  This is the cause behind the restlessness and sleeplessness.  

Benadryl or motion sickness pills, both OTC drugs, will help buffer the adrenaline and attenuate the effect on your system.  They should help you get better rest and sleep.

I have been clean since Jan 07...and, I can tell you the eventual good night's sleep and waking up refreshed/excited to start the new day makes all the struggle with W/D worth it.  

Day 15 will bring you one day closer to a great night's sleep so hang in there tonight.  Try to remember that W/D will be a gradual process, not a sudden event.

Good luck
GEORGE

[Calzy]

I understand about your painting decision but i'll leave a few walls just in case you change your mind. You seem to have a solid plan this time and a lot of the face to face support, that is so important. You might look at 'PAWS' over in the health pages to the right, has a lot to do with dealing with STRESS and may help you understand that trigger. Got to go watch some paint dry now, my new hobby.   Later
Calzy  

[JDRMinSD]

Hey-
Thanks for the idea.  I did have some regular Ambien but personally (and everyone is obvously different-so this only applies to me, personally) I've gotten to the point when I really don't want to take anything.  I went out of town for the weekend last weekend and it very liberating to NOT have to worry about taking "enough" pills of anything.  So maybe I'm taking it to a bit of an extreme but I would really like my body to take over and do things the way it wants to--even if that means I don't get enough sleep for a while, I figure eventually I'll sleep.  

Again, for me, it feels really good to be off all meds, even if that means I'm a little tired during the day.  

Having said that, if the Ambien Cr is helping you and your doctor is ok with it, then I say you should do whatever you need to in order to stay off the pills.  Just be careful.  As we all know, it's easy for us to become addicted to things.....

[JDRMinSD]

Thanks buddy.  And about painting your house....ur....uh....thanks for the invite....but.....ummm....maybe not   LOL

Maybe I should re-phrase that, I'll find a FUN hobby!  :)

Yea, Day 21 is looming in my future and I appreciate you remembering and keeping me on track about it. Back then  I did feel "all better" then and had a "just one" moment and we all know where that got me.  I don't want to sound overconfident but I'm not as worried about it this time for a few reasons:  
1.  I don't feel 100% at all yet, I seemed to come all the way out of the fog a lot faster then, now it seems to be taking longer and so it's easier to recognize that I'm still in the recovery process.
2.  I'm not trying it alone this time (probably the most important reason).  A small group of close friends and family know and are helping me through it.
3.  I don't have any more.  I gave all of the stash I had to someone else and told them to do whatever they wanted with it, I didn't want it any more (I think they flushed it).  Last time I thought I was strong enough to police myself, now I know better.
4.  I've cut off my supply.  My friend was my point person and I told him I didn't want it any more and why.  He felt so guilty that between the 2 of us, I won't be able to get any more.

But hey~look for me next weekend!  Let's see how I do.  I feel pretty confident this time but not TOO confident.  I realize that this part (after the w/d) is more of a battle in many ways than are the 1st few days.

Thanks for the supprt buddy.  

[bladerunnerb]

JDR,

I have used AMBIEN CR the last three nights, double the normal 12mg dose (blue pill) and I eventually get about 6-8 hours.  I have melatonin and might try it and then scale back on the Ambien, but I think the Ambien is worth it because I think I can deal with with withdrawal symptoms with better sleep.  And, it helps with the RLS, too...I only have it for about the first 1/2 our so after I lay down and then I'm out.  I'd ask the Dr. for some Ambien if you can.  I'm only on Day 3 (as you know and thanks for the support in my post), but this time I'm using Ambien and the overall process is much better with some sleep at night.

[Calzy]

Hey bud...Glad to see you are sticking to your recovery. Hang in there with the sleep thing, your body will let you know when it needs more rest. It just takes some time to detox all that **** out of your system, and find time to work out again. Reading the Honey Do list always put me right to sleep so you might read that before bed...lol.  Until then i hope you enjoy your new hobbies or sport. I do need some help painting my house, i always considered painting a team sport and looking for a new teammate, want to join?  lol   I remember your last try at this you quit posting after about 21 days or so, and i'm not sure how far after that you relapsed, so you might be thinking about what caused that the last time and be ready for it.
It does and will get better.
Calzy

[kim715]

You can take up to 10 mgs of the melatonin and the sublingual ones seem to work faster.The first 2 nights I took it I didn't see much difference but after that it really helped.I hope your having long sweet dreams soon. Keep posting.Peace.

[JDRMinSD]

Thanks....I was kind of figuring on weeks and I did try melatonin and I think it did help a little.
Ok well then I'll plan on having a few extra hours in my day for a few weeks...maybe I'll take up a new hobby....LOL

Maybe I'll just be sure I look here every day and keep in touch (with all of you and with my disease)
Thanks

[kim715]

Sleep ,at least restful sleep seems to be slow to return for all of us.I finally went and got the melatonin that alot of people suggest here.You can get it a GNC and it really worked for me.A good nights sleep makes so much difference.and CONGRATULATIONS on 2 weeks,great job. Peace.

[corey411]

I was going on 4-5 hours interupted sleep for 3 weeks then strted sleeping about 6 interupted but felt better rested after 3 weeks. I think it makes a difference on what your DOC was. Mine was Vics but once wd from fentanyl and it took weeks to sleep more than an hour or two at a time. Over a month until I got enough to feel restful. I found that if I tried my best to relax and not get stressed out about not sleeping I felt better. It will come in time  for you. Congratulations on day 14 and don't lose the great attitude. Corey