Day 17 still no sleep

[Krissy_123]

Going into day 17 off the opiates and it's 4am again with no sleep. I hate this!! Some days and nights I think I'm over the worst then this discouraging feeling happens. I so tired,so so tired. I don't understand why I can't sleep?? 4 nights ago I got a whole 4 and a half hrs. Now I feel like day 4-5 again. I want to knock myself out with my biggest frying pan....but I'd probably just get a headache and still won't sleep. I know this is just a bump in the road,but going through this so tired makes my anxiety worse.

[Krissy_123]

Thank you. I have taken the acidophilus before and given it to the kids after a bout of anti-biotics. The rest I will look into. After I quit the oxies I've taken nothing. Except multi vitimans. Oh and in the beginning I took imodium. Haven't needed that for over a week now.

[luvdolphins58]

Melatonin is all natural. Can buy at any wal mart. Wal greens or something like that. The brand i like is "nature's bounty"  another one for anxiety is valerian root. What i use for mood is st John wort.
For tummy issues is acidophilus. All natural. However always check with Dr b4 using anything. You are doing great so hang in there.

[Krissy_123]

And to all that's mentioned melatonin. Is this a natural drug? Or a script from doctor? I haven't taken any sleep aid because I'm scared it will knock me out and I have an 8 year old boy that sleep walks almost every night. Thank you. :)

[Krissy_123]

Hey Henry. Thank you :) I was on fast acting oxycodone for the past 11 years though. Not subs. Is that a similar drug?

[HenryS354]

Atta girl!  Gotta stay busy during sub w/d's!  

When I jumped off of sub 4 years ago, the lack of sleep and the restless legs were the two symptoms that almost drove me to give up!  I was working as an International Flight Attendant for the Dept. of Defense at the time, and Got assigned an 18 day overseas trip on Day 10 of my detox.  I was still only sleeping 2-3 hours a night at that point.  I was positioned to Germany and was working roundtrip flights to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.  The flights were 7 hours each way with 3 hours on the ground in between flights.  Total duty time was 19 hours after all said and done, and I had to do these flights back to back for a week.  It was brutal at the time, but the best thing that could have happened!

I would give melatonin a shot.  Take a long hot bath with a ton of epsom salts, they help your body absorb magnesium which calms the nerves.  Take some melatonin and go to bed, BUT- the room has to be completely dark!  No lights, no t.v.  Melatonin is naturally secreted by our brains when it is completely dark, any light source significantly reduces the efficacy of melatonin, and is often why it doesn't work.  We take it, go lay in bed, watch tv, read, or sit on a tablet/laptop waiting to get tired.  It won't help at all.  

Hope you get some good rest tonight!  I noticed my sleeping got up to around 5-6 hours at day 30 most nights, and by day 60 I stopped thinking about it all together!  It only gets better from here!

All the best,
Henry

[Krissy_123]

Thank you scarrieanne. I'll deff look it up. Been christmas shopping all day. I hurt and I'm tired. :/ atleast the day went fast

[ScarrieAnne]

You are so inspiring, and stories like yours really help in these early days, Thank you for sharing, You have accomplished so much! XX. Carrie

[NeverAgain127]

I can relate to what you are going through.  I'm almost double your time, and I have not slept thru the night even once.    And yup, i"m tired ALL THE TIME.

I think sleep is the last hold-out of w/d symptoms.   My Mother-In-Law used to say "as long as you are resting, don't worry about being a sleep."   I dont' agree with the folks that say get up and DO something...I'll be a mess the next day.

Just curious:  Have you tried any OTC meds like Valerian or Melatonin?

[motye51]

LOL....I loved putting the picture in my head of someone hitting themselves in the head with a frying pan....but your right, it won't work! lol
I think next to the stomach runs the insomnia and lack of sleep is one of the worst w/d issues associated with it.  I remember going to sleep around 10:00 - 11:00 and by 2:00 I was stirring, begging God to please let me go back to sleep!  By 3:00 after laying there for an hour constantly moving my achy legs, then I just got up!  It is frustrating.....but, just give it a couple of more days and I think you will start to see some improvement.  These suggestions are mild in form of if they work, but they DO help....no caffeine after like 3:00 p.m., try the melatonin now that it's been 17 days maybe they'll work better?  And above all...don't fret about it.  It will come back....Keep trucking forward...it only gets better!

[cdwimmer73]

Battling addiction is hard, probably one of the hardest things to go through, as time passes so will the side affects I realize its hard right now but once u get over that slump u will feel so much better emotionally, physically and will feel good about yourself believe me.  One thing that will keep u from returning to addiction is knowing how far you have come and never wanting to feel like u r right now ever again, u got this hang in there, find a hobby u can focus on to keep your mind at ease, also u may try a group that way u can hear other peoples stories a support group is good it helps u realize you r not alone!!  By the way I have been clean 20 years from cocaine, I have three awesome children put myself thru college I have a BS degree in criminal justice and criminology I am now a case manager who works with families I can relate to many of them struggling bcuz I once walked in their shoes, being sober has made me realize there is so much potential for me I learned a hard and valuable lesson and have overcome many bumps along the way, but I share my experience with others bcuz I'm living proof it can b done, now I give back to those like I use to be, stay strong use your past addiction as your strength to do great things and for a reason to never return to that dark place!  God bless u and I will keep u in my prayers while u r being challenged with this issue, remember there is a light at the end, but only u can choose your path so be strong!

[ScarrieAnne]

hey Krissy, I found this link for you and after reading far too many full of b.s, I think this one will be helpful. Let me know what you think if you get a chance to check it out. XX.C

http://welcomefellowopiateaddicts.blogspot.com/2012/09/getting-some-sleep-during-opiate.html

Hope this helps!

[msdelight]

Hey krissy, sorry about the sleep issues. I promise it will pass just like the other symptoms. Its the normal ups and downs associated with detox and early recovery. The roller coaster days I was telling you about. Ride it out. Let it roll off your back because good days are coming soon! Don't let it upset you or deter your progress in any way. Sleep will return. Use the extra time to read, study, pray or wash the kitchen floor. It will pass. Don't worry. Be happy.

[ScarrieAnne]

Oh, girl, how I feel your pain. I slept from 1030 til 2 then from 430 to 6 and that's a good night! Everyone keeps telling me sleep will return to normal and I want to believe them, but im at 41 days! I slept 6 hours a cpl times, then like you said it goes back to 2 or 3 hours. It does get a little better tho, at 17 days I don't think I could even fall asleep for more than 15 minutes. are you taking melatonin or valerian root? I really want to do some research as to why our sleep is so f***** up. whatever information I will pass on to you. My therapist told me not to worry, the worst that can happen is we will be tired and uncomfortable, but we don't die, on a good day that helps, on a bad day Im like shut up Youre sleeping 8 hrs a night! lol. We will get through this, patience has never been my strongest attribute. You are not alone, when you are up in the middle of the night, just think Carrie is up too, going through the same thing. Try to keep your chin up, this is temporary, always remember that. I know its probably not the right way to do things but I have been living on coffee and starbucks double shots, Im sure a lot of people will tell me how bad that is in detox, but its helping me throughout the day and caffeine has never kept me up at night, I fall asleep fine, just can stay asleep. try to stay positive, its Lazy Sunday (that's what we call it in my house) don't put too much pressure on yourself! Much Love and Peace! Carrie Anne

[JUNKI42LONG]

Hey Krissy,

I am new to this site. Hang in there. I feel your pain. We will get there.