Sleeping
Matt M
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 490
Sleeping
I recently had a relapse but am past the super dangerous seizure stage of withdrawals.
The problem I have is the not sleeping.
I've never slept that well anyway, but I went 3 nights in a row without a single wink of sleep. I got an hour or so last night so I'm hoping for a bit more tonight.
But has anyone else experienced this and did it just gradually return to normal?
Also I find that when I close my eyes in bed at night, just loads of random images appear in my head, the most random things you can imagine. And that's not even a dream because i'm not asleep!
The problem I have is the not sleeping.
I've never slept that well anyway, but I went 3 nights in a row without a single wink of sleep. I got an hour or so last night so I'm hoping for a bit more tonight.
But has anyone else experienced this and did it just gradually return to normal?
Also I find that when I close my eyes in bed at night, just loads of random images appear in my head, the most random things you can imagine. And that's not even a dream because i'm not asleep!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Boston, Mass
Posts: 1,004
I don't know how long ago your relapse was, but for me it's been 3 or so sleepless, sweaty nights and then my sleep begins to normalize.
During those 3 nights I would have seriously weird and crazy...don't know what to call them because like you said I wasn't asleep and dreaming. Sort of like day dreams, I guess.
If you're feeling well enough (I know you're exhausted) getting some exercise will really help you get some sleep.
Hang in there, Matt!
During those 3 nights I would have seriously weird and crazy...don't know what to call them because like you said I wasn't asleep and dreaming. Sort of like day dreams, I guess.
If you're feeling well enough (I know you're exhausted) getting some exercise will really help you get some sleep.
Hang in there, Matt!
Matt M
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 490
Originally Posted by SDH73 
I don't know how long ago your relapse was, but for me it's been 3 or so sleepless, sweaty nights and then my sleep begins to normalize.
During those 3 nights I would have seriously weird and crazy...don't know what to call them because like you said I wasn't asleep and dreaming. Sort of like day dreams, I guess.
If you're feeling well enough (I know you're exhausted) getting some exercise will really help you get some sleep.
Hang in there, Matt!
During those 3 nights I would have seriously weird and crazy...don't know what to call them because like you said I wasn't asleep and dreaming. Sort of like day dreams, I guess.
If you're feeling well enough (I know you're exhausted) getting some exercise will really help you get some sleep.
Hang in there, Matt!
Yeah it was Sunday so pretty much the same, last night was a little better so hopefully tonight will be a bit more better!
Glad someone else experienced those 'daydream' things, just the weirdest things, almost makes it impossible to sleep.
And yes it's Laura Palmer, I'm pretty obsessed with Twin Peaks!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Boston, Mass
Posts: 1,004
Yeah, Matt, it should get better from here.
I just watched Twin Peaks on Netflix about a year ago. Pretty good stuff! I was just a kid when it originally aired so I didn't watch it then, but I remember what a HUGE deal it was.
I just watched Twin Peaks on Netflix about a year ago. Pretty good stuff! I was just a kid when it originally aired so I didn't watch it then, but I remember what a HUGE deal it was.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: OZ
Posts: 2,055
Many many years ago after coming of a serious opiate addiction with no more than half a dozen hours of bizarre awake type sleeping in three weeks I went to doctor and asked for help...
He said to me" No one ever died from insomnia" ( I doubt that is true) I answered "Well, have they died from insanity because that is what I am now" it was true, I was a mental wingnut...
Sleep is important and for me fortunately it returned quickly from the alcohol, a few days, long warm baths, camomile tea. lovely clean sheets, it all help...I hope it settles down for you soon...
when it does, natural sleep is wonderful.
He said to me" No one ever died from insomnia" ( I doubt that is true) I answered "Well, have they died from insanity because that is what I am now" it was true, I was a mental wingnut...
Sleep is important and for me fortunately it returned quickly from the alcohol, a few days, long warm baths, camomile tea. lovely clean sheets, it all help...I hope it settles down for you soon...
when it does, natural sleep is wonderful.
Matt M
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 490
Dee - I'm not quite sure with the relapse. It wasn't spirits thankfully, just cider, but that was still enough to cause pretty bad withdrawal so obviously I spent two days scared to death about seizures but thankfully that passed.
Soberwolf - I actually slept well last night, got about 5 hours which is good for me because even in normal times I didn't sleep much longer than that! So i'm a bit more at ease today.
SDH73 - You should watch the film, definitely worth it. Some freaky moments in there. The character of BOB still scares the crap out of me.
Soberwolf - I actually slept well last night, got about 5 hours which is good for me because even in normal times I didn't sleep much longer than that! So i'm a bit more at ease today.
SDH73 - You should watch the film, definitely worth it. Some freaky moments in there. The character of BOB still scares the crap out of me.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 174
Hi Matt
This is all normal. I posted this on another post a few months ago but it will certainly help you as well.
Exercise, exercise and more exercise will knock you out. Also try to get into a sleeping routine. Go to bed at the same time every night and do the same things leading up to bed every night. For example i always take a shower before bed, fix something to eat, throw in a movie or watch a ball game and when the time comes i hit the sack. Your body will prep itself with these little queues as you build the routine and it will recognize them as a precursor to bedtime.
Get up early if you have to one morning well before you feel like you should - this one day will be a struggle but by 8 -9pm you will be tired and ready to sleep.
Melatonine helps as well but you dont need a lot, as more gives the opposite effect. 0.5 -2.5 mg 30 min before bed. You will most likely have to split the pills in half from my experience.
Yogi tea company makes a tea called bedtime which contains a great mix of natural sedative herbs that has a wonderful calming effect on you. Chamoille, passion flower and a bunch others. Chemically chamomille is very similiar in nature to benzo's without the harmful sides and addictive properties. When i was tapering off booze this was a staple of mine, now it has become part of my nighttime routine. I use YogiProducts tea. This is the best by far of the teabag variety that you can find in any supermarket. It's the only tea like this that contains - valerian root, skullcap and passion flower - this is the holy trinity of sleep aids. Other companies have one or two in them but this is the only one i know that has all three. You can also get the stress relief blend and brew a cup of tea with two teabags, one from bedtime and one from the stress relief.
Turn off ALL lights in your room, cover computer lights with black tape or throw a shirt over the cable box, so its a dark as possible and keep the temp at about 65-68f. This is why a hot shower helps begin the sleeping process as your body begins to cool itself it sends a signal that it is time to sleep.
High protien foods before bed will keep you up as well - if you are going to eat before bed choose foods rich in carbs (may not help the waistline). For example a bowl of shredded wheat cereal with bananas and honey, or whole wheat pasta with veggies. Greasy heavy foods will also keep you up so avoid hot dogs and cheeseburgers etc. Acidic foods will also cause distress so avoid them. You can read a comprehensive list here of acidic and alkaline foods - Detailed Listing of Acid / Alkaline Forming Foods
Go to the bathroom right before you go to bed even if you dont have to, to empty the tank and avoid waking up in the middle of the night to go. Keep a bottle of water next to your pillow so if you get thirsty you can just grab it in the dark, without having to turn the lights on and take a jug and go right back to bed.
These are all the things i have learned when i was in the same position as you. Individually they are hit and miss but when used in unison they are guaranteed to improve your sleep. Good Luck!!
This is all normal. I posted this on another post a few months ago but it will certainly help you as well.
Exercise, exercise and more exercise will knock you out. Also try to get into a sleeping routine. Go to bed at the same time every night and do the same things leading up to bed every night. For example i always take a shower before bed, fix something to eat, throw in a movie or watch a ball game and when the time comes i hit the sack. Your body will prep itself with these little queues as you build the routine and it will recognize them as a precursor to bedtime.
Get up early if you have to one morning well before you feel like you should - this one day will be a struggle but by 8 -9pm you will be tired and ready to sleep.
Melatonine helps as well but you dont need a lot, as more gives the opposite effect. 0.5 -2.5 mg 30 min before bed. You will most likely have to split the pills in half from my experience.
Yogi tea company makes a tea called bedtime which contains a great mix of natural sedative herbs that has a wonderful calming effect on you. Chamoille, passion flower and a bunch others. Chemically chamomille is very similiar in nature to benzo's without the harmful sides and addictive properties. When i was tapering off booze this was a staple of mine, now it has become part of my nighttime routine. I use YogiProducts tea. This is the best by far of the teabag variety that you can find in any supermarket. It's the only tea like this that contains - valerian root, skullcap and passion flower - this is the holy trinity of sleep aids. Other companies have one or two in them but this is the only one i know that has all three. You can also get the stress relief blend and brew a cup of tea with two teabags, one from bedtime and one from the stress relief.
Turn off ALL lights in your room, cover computer lights with black tape or throw a shirt over the cable box, so its a dark as possible and keep the temp at about 65-68f. This is why a hot shower helps begin the sleeping process as your body begins to cool itself it sends a signal that it is time to sleep.
High protien foods before bed will keep you up as well - if you are going to eat before bed choose foods rich in carbs (may not help the waistline). For example a bowl of shredded wheat cereal with bananas and honey, or whole wheat pasta with veggies. Greasy heavy foods will also keep you up so avoid hot dogs and cheeseburgers etc. Acidic foods will also cause distress so avoid them. You can read a comprehensive list here of acidic and alkaline foods - Detailed Listing of Acid / Alkaline Forming Foods
Go to the bathroom right before you go to bed even if you dont have to, to empty the tank and avoid waking up in the middle of the night to go. Keep a bottle of water next to your pillow so if you get thirsty you can just grab it in the dark, without having to turn the lights on and take a jug and go right back to bed.
These are all the things i have learned when i was in the same position as you. Individually they are hit and miss but when used in unison they are guaranteed to improve your sleep. Good Luck!!
Last edited by Dee74; 12-05-2014 at 02:51 PM. Reason: no commercial links please.
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