Day 9 and still no sleep - need help

[Bayaba]

I'm on day 9 (made an error in other posts, wishful thinking) and I am still having a great deal of trouble getting any sleep.I have been using valarian tea and getting some slight calming from that. Last night I took a valium and was able to get a few,interrupted hours of sleep.

I was on 4 per day of Lortab (5/500) for about a month and a half before back surgery for sciatic pain. Following the surgery I was on Percocet (7.5/325), a total of 17 over 4 days. I had been bed ridden from the sciatic pain for about 3 months, so I'm also recovering from loss of muscle strength from that.

I've been doing a couple walks a day, up to about a mile, which is about my limit following surgery.

If anyone as any suggestions on how to get some sleep or comments on how long I might expect this to continue, I would greatly appreciate it.

I'm going to try to make it out to get some melatonin today to see if that helps

[solost170]

oh I understand the no sleep thing, I posted so much about that one myself by day nine i wasnt sleeping either I can give you advice on what I did to help me get my zzz's. first I would take a very hot shower right before going to bed no caffeine in the evenings I would try to avoid caffeine as much as possible till you even out. then I would put my comfy jammies on and watch tv til I kinda got a lil sleepy then I would turn off the lights get is as dark and quiet as I could I couldnt have any noise or forget it. then I would get my room cold heat at night was not my friend it made my rls worse its diff for everyone though. oh yes one more thing I would eat a bowl of raisin bran to get my tummy full that helped me get sleepy to. and if all that failed I would just get up and go in the living room and watch tv I found the more I thought about wanting to go to sleep the more freaked out I got cause I wasnt sleeping. staying calm and relaxed will help alot plus try the melaatonin many have sweared by it I used nothing to help me sleep I think I started sleeping more around day 17 but I was taking medications for almost six years and that plays a huge role in how long your recovery is. hang in there those zzzz's will be on there way very soon.

[Bayaba]

So, 17 days for you before you started sleeping more. I'm only a week away from that, I think I can make it that long. I just went to Walgreen's and got some melatonin and I'm going to give that a try tonight. Can anyone advise me on how much of it I can take?

I also picked up some benedryl as well. I'd rather not use it if I don't have to though.

[Norco1947]

Hi , Congrat's on day# 9 , My Day# 17 sleeping restfully 6-7 hours now a night ,  from about day 10-11 sleep started happeneing again . Still a bit hard to get to sleep but now it happens and i wake up rested. Hang in there ... Ron

[Sonrissa]

Hi Bayaba!  Sleep, or lack there of, for me was the worst of the withdrawal symptoms! That, and the fatigue probably due to lack of sleep! It was probably around day 14 or so before I started sleeping more than a couple of hours at a time! Soloist gave you some great advice! For me, keeping my room as dark and cold as possible helped! I also took Melatonin, usually 2-3 at a time, and that helped me feel drowsy and fall asleep! I also tried the usual OTC stuff without much success! Time is what will cure this! I was finally sleeping somewhat regularly around the 30 day mark! Hang in there, and keep moving forward each day! It will get better! Take care!

[candy_17]

Sleep oh where art thou sleep lol I got use to not being able to sleep but in the last few nights I've went to sleep earlier, easier and slept longer!! Yay...its day 30 for me so yes things are beginning to get much better!! It will for you too, hang in there!!

[Bayaba]

Thank you Narco1947 and Sonrissa for your input. It gives me inspiration to know that it's not to long before I start getting some sleep.  

Sonrissa, do you know how many milligrams were in the Melatonin you were taking? The ones I picked up are 5mg each. I hope they help me, even if it is for just a few hours.

I'm going to try keeping the temperature in the room lower as well. I don't look forward to having to go to the bathroom after waking up from the sweats in the cold though. I'll keep a towel and change of pajamas close by to deal with that.

I'm sure glad I found this site. The support from others who have gone thru this is priceless.

[Sonrissa]

I got my Melatonin at Wallmart, and they are 3mg pills! I usually took 2-3 at a time! They did relax me and made me feel drowsy! Since you have 5mg pills, I would start at 1, and see how that works! Good luck!!

[Bayaba]

I'm noticing that if I am not chugging down enough water that my heart rate goes way up. Is that something to be expected? I figured this out because I went for a 45 minute walk and didn't take my water bottle. When I got back I felt short of breath and that my heart was racing. I relaxed for a while and it didn't seem to calm down. I checked my BP and heart rate several times and the BP was basically normal, 118/68, but my pulse was in the 90s,  even after relaxing following the walk. When I went to urinate the urine was starting to get a little color to is, so I figured I needed water. I chugged a 24 ounce water bottle and noticed my heart had slowed down, so I checked BP and heart rate again. The BP was still basically the same but the pulse was down to 85. After another bottle full of water, it's down to 78. I'm wondering if this is consistent with experiences anyone else has had.

[vicki595]

Hi! A rapid HR can be caused by dehydration. We lose a lot of fluid during wd's so it's good to keep your water intake up.

If  melatonin doesn't work try Alteril. It contains a combination of natural ingredients and a lot of people have good luck with it.

You're doing great!

[Bayaba]

Tanks for confirming that vicki!

I took 5 mg of melatonin and I'm feeling like sleep might be coming on. I've felt like I was ready to fall asleep before and just stared at the ceiling.

if it doesn't work, would it be advisable to take another later?

[littlebit667]

this is good info for taking melatonin so that you get the best results.  Sleep is one of the last things to reset.  I am still struggling a little, but it seems to get better as the days go by.  Good luck.

http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/circadian-rhythm-disorders/circadian-rhythm-sleep-disorders/10-how-to-use-melatonin-correctly.htm

[vicki595]

Sure, you could take another. Just get yourself and your bed very comfy, make sure you have a little something in your stomach, and get the room cool and quiet. You might try some Sleepytime Tea, if you have it...

Sweet dreams -

[Bayaba]

Tanks littlebit for the link to the melatonin information.

I did get about 3 ours sleep after taking 1 5mg melatonin last night. I took another an hour after I woke up and it didn't seem to do anything.

I'll try wit 5 mg again tonight and a hot epson salt bat again.

[vicki595]

If you're going out today, get some Alteril and some Sleeptime Tea. You just need to keep changing it up until you find what works!

All the best!

[Bayaba]

Compared to no sleep, 3 hours would be working, at least a little.

[Bayaba]

I just got off the phone with NA to find a meeting. There's one nearby at 7:30 and I'm going to go. I asked the individual I spoke with about how I might resolve sleep issues and they said it might be a month or 2 without sleep. Please tell me that is not true. I'd be pleased to just start getting a little more each night. I hope that is more the case of what I can expect.

[maria920]

Try zzzquil it worked really really good for me and i dont EVER sleep good even when i wasnt in wd or anything. It worked wonders for me and it didnt make me drowsy in the morning hope it works for u!!

[vicki595]

I just saw that ZZZQUIL advertised...and I wondered about it. Good to know!

[Bayaba]

Now I'm getting confused about what I should try. I was thinking I'd try the melatonin with Sleepytime tea tonight and see how that does. The melatonin did seem to have some effect last night.

I also spent some time doing some exercises, like push-ups, today. The muscles, which hadn't been used in over 3 months are sure sore, but that I can deal with, it's a sign of improvement.

It really discouraged me when I heard that it might be looking at a month or 2 of not getting sleep.

[vicki595]

No, no! It won't be THAT long! You can stick with the melatonin and sip the tea and it will most likely work for you.

Don't stress about this now...there are just a lot of options for insomnia. When you take the melatonin you should be in a dark room or it should be dark outside or it won't work well...

So, take it,and then have a nice, hot bath. Make your tea and crawl into bed. Sip your tea in bed...MMMM...Heaven.  Fresh sheets and Jammie's help along with cool, fresh air...

[Bayaba]

Just talked to my wife (I miss her!) and she suggested placing a wet towel, folded up, on my stomach with another dry one over that. She said that it would help with hydration during the night. Has anyone ever heard of or tried that? It seems to make sense.

[littlebit667]

good idea!  You may be waking up because your body is needing water.  Keep some by the bed and see if it helps you.  My sleep did get better quicker than 2 months...but it seemed to be different than before.  I sleep less hours than I did.  But, am very happy with 6 hrs. now.

[Sonrissa]

I haven't heard about that, but it's certainly worth a try! Please try not to stress about it cause that will make it worse! You can try different things and see what works best! I have heard good things about Alteril! It has melatonin in it! If it continues to be an issue for you, speak to your doctor! You may need a prescription sleep aid for a short time! I completely understand how you feel as this was the worst issue for me! Sleep will come back slowly, but it will come back! I am nearly 5 months out and I still have an occasional sleepless night! The best advice I can give is to relax as much as possible, and if it doesn't get better soon, talk to your doctor! Take care! Keep posting!