Wide Awake when I should be sleeping!

[madriley]

I am a newcomer to this website, I have spent the last two weeks in the Substance Abuse Forums. I have detoxed from my DOC and am moving on but I have an awful case of Insomnia. I have asked for suggestions from everyone and have tried them all but nothing has worked. I just wanted to see if anyone here may have something that I haven't done. Here's what I've tried: exercise, meditation, drinking milk before bed, valerian root, melatonin, advil pm, tylenol pm, trazadone, buspar and lunesta. I've also done some deep breathing exercises my psych. told me to do, put on classical music, reading, bathes, showers. I think I am helpless until it passes but I just wanted to try. I have not slept for more than 2 hours a night for the last 13 nights and I am starting to go crazy!! Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks

[clixx]

what i do is grab my ipod and head out for a nice long walk, my nightly walks usually last an hour and half, it usually tires me out nicely... give it a shot if u havenlt already... hope it gets better soon

NeiL

[Latte]

Working out three or four times a week can help.

This too shall pass. I can't remember who said it on here but eventually you will fall asleep, your brain has to repair itself and it takes time.

[RalphSavage]

I have this going on too. I had to stop antidepressants and an anxiolytic (fancy word for a benzo.) I was on Klonopin for a few years. I was basically at 1mg or .5 mg each night for sleep.

I recently tapered off--going from .75 to .5 to .375 to .25 to .125 over the past 5 weeks. It has sucked.

I am now 4 days off the klonopin completely and 3 weeks of the SSRIs/SSNRIs. I had trazodone but this also was making me feel weird.

I hope I will sleep soon too. I lay awake holding "As Bill Sees It" and then in the morning I have panic attacks and want to stay in bed (go figure). I resisted a fake napping day to try to let my body accumulate fatigue. I know to lay still and relax (as best as one can) and then trudge through my day.

I had one teabag of earl grey this morning.

I just want this to go back to normal.

Peace.

Originally Posted by Latte

Working out three or four times a week can help.

This too shall pass. I can't remember who said it on here but eventually you will fall asleep, your brain has to repair itself and it takes time.

[yeahgr8]

Hi there

Wow 2 hours a night no wonder you are going nuts, I hope you find something to help and sorry i can't suggest anything that you haven't done!

My sleeping pattens are crazy at the moment, 2 hours in the day and then im up till, well it's 4.46am where i am...then i will sleep...you get the picture.

Docs said exercise exercise exercise...i should get my fat ass on that treadmill i guess!

[C23]

I am going on 2 days sober, and it takes me FOREVER to fall asleep. I was given a prescription for Ambian for my doctor and that kicks me on my behind. I dont like taking it because it makes me slow in the morning. I have one of those clocks that plays tranquil sounds and that seems to help.

[GlennMatthew]

I love SR! Especially considering it is a wonderful way to occupy my sleepless nights.

My sleep disorder has been a part of my life since birth, long before drugs and alcohol came into it. My mom told me that even when I was still in the crib that I would just lay there and chill. So, I have had plenty of time to learn to deal with it... However, sobering up, and making great efforts at being restored to sanity, lends itself to counter productivity. My sleep pattern is that if I do manage to sleep three or four hours, my body thinks it's good to go for a couple days. Anyone reading this post knows that sanity and that sort of sleep schedule (or the lack thereof) does NOT lend itself to good coherent thoughts.

So, by default, I am the night owl of all night owls... and God and I have developed a great relationship on nights like tonight, when i can kick on an online speaker tape (right now I'm listening to my great great grand sponsor Chuck C. talk about his book "New Pair of Glasses") and cruise the wonderful world of SR...

As Clancy always says..."no one ever died from lack of sleep."

[dgillz]

Insomnia in early recovery is very common. By the way what was your DOC and how long have you been clean?

Also, just look at all the drugs you have taken, OTC or prescription:

valerian root, melatonin, advil pm, tylenol pm, trazadone, buspar and lunesta

When you got prescriptions for these, did you tell your Dr you are in recent recovery? At least 2 of the drugs you mentioned can have nasty side effects including insomnia.

If you haven't already, you need to talk to your Dr and be completely honest about your drug history, illegal or otherwise, as well as any OTC substances you are taking.

Personally, I'd take nothing. You'll start sleeping soon enough.

[sleepygene]

i am going through this as well, and it is hell. It looks like we've both tried simillar methods for sleep but as frustrating as it is the answer is time. I am 3 weeks off but some people say it months. It sure is hard to function at work after 3 nights of little to no sleep. The thing about benzos is that the body does not repair itself immediately it akes a long time.

[soidog]

One thing I noticed that is really helpful for me too (besides exercise and some of the other things already mentioned) are earplugs and a "sleep mask" (i.e. to cover your eyes to keep out light). Also, your sleep position can be important too. I've tried a lot of things. What works for me is keeping a pillow under your legs if you are lying on your back, or a pillow between your legs if you are lying on your side. Both things are good for your back muscles and help you feel more comfortable. Being as physically comfortable as possible CAN help you sleep.

But anyway yeah, insomnia is very common after quitting. Your brain and body is so used to being lulled to sleep with alcohol. Without it, you'll have trouble for quite some time. But I'll choose being sober and tired than hungover and tired anyday.

[fultang]

I'm sure you've heard this before, but I'll say it anyway.

Find something to occupy your mind with.

Learn something new.
Choose a task that will require alot of research and development.
Maybe something creative.
Start by creating a plan for this.

Learning changes your perception.
If you're locked into a day to day schedule that leaves you time to think about how bad it sucks to be sober or sleepless, then that's actually what you're creating.
If you can't change the sleeplessness, the least you can do is do something in that time that makes it not suck so much.

Did you ever watch figure skating?
Notice that when a skater is doing one of those spins that they keep their arms locked into themselves to pick up speed.
And when they want to slow down they extend their arms outward.
The mind works in a similar fashion.
When you are struggling with a problem it's like you're spinning in place, holding that problem close into yourself and it just keep gaining momentum.
To deal with that problem you have to hold it away from yourself to slow it down and stop it from gaining momentum.
In this case your problem is insomnia.
If you hold it so close to yourself all the time it consumes you.