sleep deprivation

[lulu747]

Hi Y'all so I'm on day 6 of detox and have had a grand total of 5 hours sleep in 5 nights.  I have sleep meds that I've been on for years that I plan to wean off of after this-obviously they aren't helping me out.  My problem is I have auto immune illness that is triggered by lack of sleep and I'm feeling a flare coming on.  Can I take Melotonin with zoplicone?  will it help?  or should I just stop taking the zoplicone as it isn't working and use the Melatonin.  Am desperate for sleep-any advice much appreciated(:

[ricart70]

Hi lulu sorry you're having such a tough time sleeping.You are very strong to be putting yourself through this and not giving up.That is awesome!
When I was detoxing I had ambien but I would only take it when I knew I wouldn't sleep (like 1 am)  It produced about 3 hours sleep..I know it's hard but you will sleep some soon just hang in there.Sleep issues make this withdrawal so hard.It would be nice if we could just sleep through w'd like speed addicts do lol.

[ImDONENoMore]

I'm sorry too - the sleep deprivation thing is the worst.

I found after a few days of only a few hours of sleep my body would finally give in and allow me some real rest.  I'm sure that will happen for you too - and even if you're not sleeping, just rest and lay down if you can.  You'll still get the benefits from that rest even if it's not really sleeping.

[lulu747]

Thanks guys(:  I've been holding it together pretty well but lack of sleep just kills me-always has...it's how I ended up with 4 autoimmune illnesses in the first place and I am terrified of a flare because I am so depleted.  I guess I can only take it one moment at a time.  Thanks again for the kind words.  This is really helping me-thank god for modern technology(never thought I'd hear myself say that!)

[ImDONENoMore]

Agreed - technology, like everything else I guess, can be so great and so bad all at the same time.  But this place?  Great.  (and you are doing exactly the right thing by keeping the attitude you have - that will help a lot).  :)

[lulu747]

Actually slept 3 consecutive hours last night(:  I am feeling really weak but am going to force myself out into the fresh air (it's actually sunny) and take a slow slow walk....The leg cramps are still terrible.  Feeling positive though(:

[vicki595]

lulu- Have you tried all the usual things we talk about for the RLS? I take K-Mag Aspartate and it works right away. I'm long past detox but I get a spell of RLS once in awhile and this really helps.

Also, there's an OTC called Alteril. Great stuff. It has Melatonin,Tryptophan,and Valerian Root. It's fine to take as long as you aren't on antidepressants and I don't think you are...3 hours probably felt wonderful!

[lulu747]

Yes Vicki it did!  And i went for an extremely brisk walk with my dogs in the freezing sunshine(:  Unfortunately now I feel like a ninety year old woman with RA instead of a 33 year old one(:  I did find a homeopathic remedy for the leg cramping.  It's hitting at different times of the day now-the stuff is good and all natural but it takes awhile to build up in your system...Hopefully soon.  And no I'm not on antidepressants...tried em once and they scared the crap out of me.  I have melatonin too.  I feel the sleep coming on.  Been eating really well too...Yay!

[lulu747]

Guys I'm having such a rough time.  I am so exhausted from this sleep deprivation and it's almost 3 am and my brain hurts but just won't stop.  I've tried the sleepy time tea, I've tried the meletonin, I've tried hot baths, deep breathing,I excercised today, I've taken sleep meds and I fell asleep for one hour.  I am on day 7-should this not be getting better?  I ache so bad.  I have real fear that I am getting sick on top of this.  I mentioned my immune issues.This is not a craving thing, or a stress thing-I simply cannot sleep.  Please help.  Am so scared I am going to spend the holidays in bed not sleeping.  I just want my life back.

[GA_need_help]

Bless your heart.  Do you think you can call your doctor?  I think you may need a different sleep med.  Something else would work.  When I am sleep deprived and can't fall asleep (I've not gone as long as you have) I turn on an audiobook or go on the computer to New Life Live, the call-in counseling show and listen.  I can steam it on my computer.  Also, I listen to live meetings.  There are lots of UA (under earners anonymous meetings from now till noon).  I dial in and listen to the meeting.  It helps me relax.  Maybe you would listen and fall asleep.  Whatever you do, stay in today.  Don't project the future.  You will regulate.  You will be good by the holiday.  You are being so strong  and so brave.  I hope one of thee things helps a lot.
I am so sorry you are going through this.  
Big hug.
Marie

[vicki595]

I agree with GA...call the doctor for some help. Sleep deprivation is horrible and it's just going to keep wearing you down.

Yes. It's very normal for some to have a sleep problem 7 days in. It's awful, I know...Go out and get the Alteril (I know they have it at Walgreen's). Stay up all day and do as much as you can physically. Then go through all the bed preparations early (6 or 7 pm). It helps to have your bedroom as comfy as possible (I'm sure it is):clean sheets, candle,good book,soft music, you get the picture...hot bath and fresh jammies and there you go...When this has happened to me, I've given myself the "day off" from everything mental! I don't worry for the entire day! I just put it off and it really works for me. Just get in the moment Honey!

Good luck!

[lulu747]

Thanks guys.  You are the best.  I just got back from the doctor and told her what I'd done.  She was shocked.  She has never had a patient in my situation choose to go off all opiates.  She told me she thought I was extremely brave and that- I needed to hear(:  Despite the one hour sleep I got I am up, made up, and dressed.  Going to go for a walk and have a sauna and read a book (don't know if I can focus)  Marie-the only way I've been able to sleep is listening to this amazing playlist I made....Regardless of the sleep deprivation I feel really good about my situation.  I have a month taper off schedule with the benzos-doc couldn't believe that either!  So by 2012 I am going to be a drug free woman!!!!!  Big hugs to all...LuLu

[Rich99]

Sounds like you might have been taking the meds for fibromyalgia.    When all is said and done,  sleep deprivation is the result of these drugs disrupting your brain's chemistry.     When you first take them they may work for a few days but then as time goes by,  not only does your body become tolerant to the drugs,  they make your brain think it no longer needs to produce its own natural chemicals which control the sleep/wake cycle.   So when you attempt to wean off these sleep meds,   your body is left with even less of anything to use to keep the sleep/wake cycle in check until the brain gets the message that it has to start producing its own once again.  

[GA_need_help]

Hi Lulu and my dear friends,

Just a quick big hug! I am running to a meeting!  We can do this!!!

I am so proud of you Lulu!

Marie

[vicki595]

I thought you were off of the opiates for 6 days and PLAN on weaning the sleep meds.  Is that right?

[lulu747]

I'm eight days off the opiates and planning on weaning the sleep meds as soon as I get a few nights sleep under my belt.  My health is fragile but my resolve is strong.  I just can't wait to feel what it's like to have NO drugs in my system.  It's been 2.5 years....This will be my first Christmas that I'm not in the hospital or crawled in a ball in bed in 5 years(:  I'm doing a fairly quick taper off the benzos- I had halfed my dose about 2 months ago but went back up to deal with the opiate withdrawal.  I'm going down by a third a week-the doc said this was ambitious but I really want to be free so there you have it.  If I can get a few nights good sleep I will be prepared to deal with the sleep deprivation again....Ugh.  So easy to put in your body...so hard to get out.  Wish me luck with the sleep fairies tonight....

[micheleTX]

Good luck with the sleep!  I will pray for you to sleep, cuz i enjoy doing that :)  hot baths worked wonders for me, at least 20 minutes though, would relax all my body, if you have to just keep adding warm water, not real real hot...this is what helped me to sleep.  I didnt get any for about 4-5 days though either, and sleep is my favorite pastime lol...great luck to you!  peace :) michele

[justme1119]

Would you come to my house and make my bedroom like that?  My house is such a wreck.  I'm not organized and when I get this far behind it is even harder to make it right.  I didn't get home till 7 pm and my tree is up but not fluffed and no ornaments.  I live in house with my husband and two younger sons.  They don't care if the tree is up or not.  Or maybe they do, but not enough to do it themselves.  I didn't train them right!  But I've done some things right.  I didn't even consider calling the doctor and asking for more pills today which is miles down the road from where I was last month.  If I  had been on the pills, the tree would be done.  Which is more important?  At this point in my life, it's getting off the pills.  I'm looking forward to being the way I'mDoneNoMore is and when the pain has subsided.  Next year my tree is going up before Christmas.  And I need a new one!  

[justme1119]

I meant before Thanksgiving!  I hope I get it up before Christmas!

[vicki595]

HAHAHA!   Knowing ME, I'd probably come to your house and do anything you want!  It would be fun!!

You'll get there!  Set some priorities...the bedroom is always #1 !  You have to be comfortable,get your rest, and THEN you'll have some energy to do the tree AND get the guys to pitch in!

More importantly, NO PILLS!!  That's wonderful!  Stay in touch!

[lulu747]

I'm all about my bedroom.  California King-candles, lavender aromatherapy, fuzzy quilt, 6 pillows, soft music....Please God let me sleep tonight....Please.

[vicki595]

I hope you sleep Lulu...I'm getting drowsy imagining that comfy bedroom...at the very least, you'll rest.  This will pass but please know you're not alone...

[gnarly_1]

the sleep deprivation is one of the worst symptoms but you cant dye from it
it may make you feel like the walking dead though I have herd good things about the alteril also so give that a try when I detoxed from methadon I dident sleep well for 2mo!!!! I did find a hot bath as hot as you can stand it even if its just 5 or 10 min then run to your room lay on top odf the covers and dry off there then just let yourself air dry and let the heat come off you body this was enough to relax me for a few hr of sleep a night give that a try just know in time you sleep will return it will come back a little bit at a time so hang in there good luck and God bless.....Gnarly  

[lulu747]

Thanks guys for all your kind suggestions-I have tried all of them...I did manage about 4 hours last night and for the first time did not wake up in a pool of sweat!!!YAY!  I can't even tell you how much laundry I've been doing(: I am still a long way from filling the deficit but one day at a time.  So it's day 9 and my body still feels as though it's been run over by a Mack truck....Going to accomplish small goals.  I work from home and have much respect and admiration for those of you that make it to work and take care of children while suffering through this process.  Big hugs to all....LuLu

[lulu747]

It's 4 am and I'm wide awake.  Fell asleep at 11 and awake by 2.  I am really struggling with this-I know i'm not going to die from this but I'm not getting much function either.  I got up early and was busy all day.  Had a sauna and two hot baths, drank sleepy time tea and took my sleep meds.  This is absolutely brutal.  I don't usually ask for this-but could you all pray for me?  Am in fear of a flare of illness-is the worst outcome of this deprivation.  Thank you so much.....luLu