Mike Rae

Wondering if anyone can provide some direction on restless sleeeping. Where you toss, turn and wake up every hour on the hour.
When I was drinking everynight I had no problem sleeping soundly and throughout the night.
Now that I havent drank for 4 days, I toss and turn and constantly wake up?
Does this go away in time, how long? Is there anyway to help combat this without the use of any drugs or sleeping pills?
Thanks in advance!
Mike

Barto

Do you drink caffeine?

GlassPrisoner

Yeah, you'll have insomnia.

It varies from person to person. IIRC, the worst of it for me was about 60-90 days in. But, if I drink caffiene, I still suffer from it. (I have 8 months)

Stay awaay from the caffiene for a while. Besides insomnia, it makes the anxiety and jitters worse.

Just keep a regular schedule (go to bed and wake at the same time), avoid caffiene, excercisse, etc....

Lizrox

Stay away from cafeeine
If you smoke try to cut down
Drink some warm milk
take a hot shower or bath before bed
read a book
watch tv
try to go to bed at the same time every night
Try Benadryl, I know you don't want to use drugs but it really may help you.

Good Luck,

Liz

CarolD

See if this helps...

http://www.well.com/user/mick/insomnia/

You are still de toxing for a few more days

Blessings

Peter

Insomnia seems to be par for the course. Your entire sleep programme has taken a huge broadside. Your sleep will improve in time.

Avoid the caffeine and cola
Take vitamins.
Don't eat just before you go to bed.
Exercise.
Turn off the dam* tv.

Stop staring at the ceiling fighting to go back to sleep, get up and do something around the house. I used to annoy my neighbours by watering my plants and repotting at 2 in the morning.

Stay the course. You'll be okay

Tom

I'm on day 4 myself Mike, and like you I also have terrible insomnia, whether drinking or sober. I've found it so much easier to sleep though during these days of sobriety, because I have been eating right, exercising daily, and avoiding caffeine. I know you don't want sleeping pills, but I take a Sominex (less than the recommended dosage)every now and then and that seems to help.

GrouchoTheCat

I have taken herbal tea at bedtime, like sleepytime or valarian.

BTW, when you're passed out you think you may be out but you're not getting good, sound, restorative sleep.

In AA one will often hear "nobody ever died from lack of sleep".

It does improve, I am a bit past 7 months and I sleep like an infant most of the time.

Laszlo

are you dreaming the bad dreams yet?

my2cents

There are many ways to overcome the restless night, but you must start with the start of your day. Water, Water, Water. Try increasing your water consumption within a day. Shoot for a two gallons. This will clean and clear you mind out very well. It will help with the sleep at night, lower those toxic needs and will help with better dreams.

Midas

LoL @ 2cents!! Drinking 2 gallons of water is more likely to keep you UP at night going to the potty...it does wonders for keeping you hydrated though.

Reduce the intake of caffeine, chocolate, starchy foods, power drinks, cigarettes, etc. especially after 4 pm. I smoked and drank a LOT of coffee, when I quit drinking booze. I didn't sleep for days after I quit alcohol. Valerian & melatonin seemed to help. When I finally quit drinking coffee & smoking, my sleep improved dramatically.

barb dwyer

I'm with Midas on that one.

One thing that puts me right to sleep ... thinking about housework.
All I have to do is 'plan' to clean something and I'm .. gone.

in_a_pickle

I've also had terrible trouble sleeping, not being able to get to sleep, not staying asleep, waking up early. It's started to improve (slept 10 hours last night) and I wonder if there is something in drinking lots of water.

The weather here in this part of Japan is incredibly hot this time of year so I have to drink a lot anyway, I'm drinking about 4 to 6 liters a day. It must be good for the detox.

in_a_pickle

I had this weird dream where I would go to meet a colleague of mine and keep getting pooped on by birds, like rain.

Funny thing is, when I picked up my bike from outside the station after a meeting, it was covered in bird poop. Spooky.

TINLIZZY

My sleep patterns returned to normal after about a week or two. Melatonin will help, as everyone said, NO CAFFIENE, and I kept some very soft music on. The music helped me to relax if/when I did wake up.

You'll feel better soon!

TinLizzy

RedFox

I'm sure that helps you get things done, haha.

But yeah, everything everybody has said about caffeine, eating right and going to bed/getting up at the same time is right on. I just saw a sleep specialist for my chronic insomnia and he told me the exact same thing. I need to try all that before I get wires stuck to me during a sleep study. They said that if I do have caffeine it has to be before about 3pm.

raerae6

Look for an herbal tea with valerian and also skullcap...the ones with the skullcap really works for me.
Looking at bright electronic things like a computer screen keeps one awake.
Take a nice hot shower or bath before bed.
But your problem is staying asleep, right?

Like everyone said, don't eat or smoke much before bed.

Stress or noise will wake a person up.

Take B vitamins.

I sleep with a fan on me even in winter, i like to be cool when i sleep and i like the sound, "white noise".

Try to keep electronic things, like your clock, etc. away from your bed. Some people say that it is bad to have these things too close. (I forget the reason, but it made sense).

Maybe you need a new bed?

get plenty of exersize during the day.

last of all try this...before you go to sleep, tell your self that you will fall asleep and sleep deeply and soundly and wake up refreshed. Do this a few times. i have tried this and it actually worked!