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Well, tomorrow night will be two weeks off opiates.  I feel great, have started running and exercising again.  On Monday I'm going to go get a gym membership, so I can start lifting weights again.  I've been very active since day 4 of detox.  But the last three nights have been TERRIBLE.  Waking up freezing cold, pouring sweat.  I've also started having difficulty going to sleep, even with the help of melatonin valaerian root, bananas, warm milk... but nothing seems to get rid of the jitters.  its getting to the point where I'm grumpy all through the day, since I can only get maybe 3 hours of sleep in.

Is it common for the night sweats to persist after 2 weeks?  Its driving me crazy.
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968560 tn?1307451498
The reason your sweating and then freezing (cold sweats) is that narcotics dont only stimulate the pleasure receptors in your brain, they also affect lots of other parts of the brain that are responsible for controlling all sorts of things. Cough, respiration,body temperature, heartbeat rate, ect. As your body adjusts to not having the chemicals that are effecting these areas, different parts of the brain adjust at different rates. So like you feel cold when its 90 outside, normally your brain would recognize that tour body heat was rising and you would begin to sweat and as the sweat evaporates it brings your body temp back to normal. On the other end of the spectrum you can be laying under the A/C at night with no covers on and you will be sweating like crazy. It will take a while for your brain to readjust where it can function properly. Its O.K.. Depending on how much and how long youve been using drugs will determine how long these things will last. Leg cramps at night are another big complaint. These are things that you just have to go through. Drinking lots of fluids and working up a sweat by any sort of exercise will shorten the length of time these symptoms will last. You have 2 weeks clean behind you congrats thats something you can be proud of. After 2 weeks these symptoms should start to lessen. Just dont give up. Benadryl will help you sleep and motrin will help with the body aches and cramps. Your doing something that you can look back on later and realize that it is a real accomplishment. If you can kick this there aint much in life that you cant tackle. Good Luck.
Helpful - 0
1641357 tn?1470495393
When my husband had night sweats he would get up and lay in a SUPER hot bath for about 20 mins or so, it helped him a lot and he was able to get to sleep better that way too.  He lived in the bath mostly. lol.  You might also try listening to music as you try to fall asleep.  That's something he did as well.  Just kept his Mp3 player charged and listened to it all night long.  I wish you luck and glad that you are doing sooooo good :)  Keep your head up and smile ;)
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Avatar universal
Ugh it just *****....I mean during the day, I'm constantly cold, and I'm in houston...its 90 today, and 100% humidity... but once I get under a blanket my upper body just starts melting!  And soon after the sweat starts.  Can't wait for this to pass.
Helpful - 0
1416133 tn?1351123217
It's definitely your body releasing all of the toxins - I believe that is the reason for the stomach issues as well.  Your skin is your largest organ so it only makes sense that the toxins would be released in this way.  The night sweats were a problem for me too - in fact, even after they stopped for about a month or so, they returned again - only lasted about a week that second time and then finally stopped for good.  I found using a cloth drenched in cold water and kept around my neck to help me stay a little more comfortable, might be worth a shot?

And the sleep patterns will be a little messed up for a while too but that will return to normal eventually - I found unisom to help on those really tough nights when I couldn't fall asleep so that might be worth a try too.  Hang in there - trust that these symptoms will end because they do.  :)
Helpful - 0
52704 tn?1387020797
I've always been told that the night sweats were a manner in which the body got rid of the toxins I had been filling it with.  I used to just SOAK the sheets . . . it was nasty!  The sheets and I were dripping like someone threw a bucket of water on me.  I'd have to sleep on a towel for the rest of the night
Helpful - 0
52704 tn?1387020797
You are in very early recovery and it sounds like you're doing very well.  For my first 30 days the only thing I could do at the gym was sleep on a couch in the lobby (seriously).

Give it time.  You are reworking your brain chemistry now.  You didn't go from healthy to the low point of active addiction in two weeks and you won't return to health in that short time either.

Read up on PAWS and be ready for that.  It's no big deal if you know what to expect.  It took me back time after time until knew what it was and was ready for it.

I found it helpful to read everything I could get my hands on about addiction and recovery.  Two books that were especially helpful in the early going were Staying Clean and Sober (Miller) and The Spirituality of Imperfection (Kurtz).

One thing that was essential to my recovery was meetings - I go to AA, but some folks like NA better.  I absolutely rejected the idea of meetings for the longest time.  But when my addiction finally beat the fight out of me I was able to give them a chance and they worked -- still do.

Don't change your clean date, no matter what.

CATUF
2174
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I haven't tried reading since around day 5.  Maybe ill give that a shot tonight.  As far as the sweating goes, can anyone explain what it is, that's happening in my body that's causing this?  I know its a common problem, but I've yet to see the night sweats/chills explained.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hang in there!  In a couple of weeks...those jitters will be gone. You're doing great...just got a hump to get over and the rest will fall into place. Keep up the excersising but try not over strain your muscles. Those that love and support you won't care if you're grumpy for awhile...its all for good reasons. Have you tried reading in bed? That ALWAYS knocks me out.
I wish you VERY MUCH success in your recovery! You CAN do it!!!  Stay strong and have faith in yourself.  :)
Helpful - 0
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