Trying to Sleep - Help!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: california
Posts: 118
Trying to Sleep - Help!
Have made it 24 hours today with nothing to drink. However, tried to go to sleep tonight and while I am exhausted and want to sleep, everytime I start to drift into a deep sleep my body jerks me awake. Now I am too scared to go back to sleep because I am wondering if it means I am going to have a seizure....?
Does anyone have tips on how to calm your nerves (maybe milk, tea, Xanax) or why I am experiencing this? I didn't drink one night last week and the same thing happened and I barely got any sleep that night.
I don't want to drink to avoid this from happening, I really want to get through this and quit the drinking!
Does anyone have tips on how to calm your nerves (maybe milk, tea, Xanax) or why I am experiencing this? I didn't drink one night last week and the same thing happened and I barely got any sleep that night.
I don't want to drink to avoid this from happening, I really want to get through this and quit the drinking!
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: California
Posts: 624
Hi kcbf
I understand your worries. Have you ever detoxed at home yourself before? Do you think you MAY be at risk of seizures whilst detoxing? (in that, I mean has your consumption been significant). I know SR has a policy to not give medical advice, so I can't do that, and if you are really worried I think you should see your doctor, or go to your A&E department and tell them you are detoxing from alcohol. They will see you.
I personally wouldn't take the Xanax unless you have been prescribed it specifically for detoxing...throwing something else into the mix isn't going to be pretty
I had terrible insomnia when I first quit. First I got really upset about the lack of sleep, but once I stopped fighting it and just went with it - reading a good book, reading and posting on SR, sipping herbal teas/water etc, it ceased to make me so panicky. There's nothing worse than lying there, willing yourself to go back to sleep and looking at the clock. Ugh!
I understand your worries. Have you ever detoxed at home yourself before? Do you think you MAY be at risk of seizures whilst detoxing? (in that, I mean has your consumption been significant). I know SR has a policy to not give medical advice, so I can't do that, and if you are really worried I think you should see your doctor, or go to your A&E department and tell them you are detoxing from alcohol. They will see you.
I personally wouldn't take the Xanax unless you have been prescribed it specifically for detoxing...throwing something else into the mix isn't going to be pretty
I had terrible insomnia when I first quit. First I got really upset about the lack of sleep, but once I stopped fighting it and just went with it - reading a good book, reading and posting on SR, sipping herbal teas/water etc, it ceased to make me so panicky. There's nothing worse than lying there, willing yourself to go back to sleep and looking at the clock. Ugh!
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 13,878
Looks to me like detox symptoms. Its hard to detox, insomnia was typical for me. Rest the best you can...I know that's not going to go well. Then face the new day with courage and hope in your heart'
It may take a wile, but for me the detox symptoms like sleepless nights lessen as sober time increases.
Hang in there buddy.
It may take a wile, but for me the detox symptoms like sleepless nights lessen as sober time increases.
Hang in there buddy.
Guest
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: The Deep South
Posts: 14,636
My body did the jerking awake thing too. And I didn't experience much of a detox at all, for whatever reason. I think it's fairly common to jerk like that. I know people who don't even drink do that. Not sure what it means but I've read it's just a common sleep phenomenon, I think it's from going from one stage of sleep to a deeper one. And since you're detoxing maybe your body is just stuck between those two stages?
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 32
It is very much common. I faced it too. After 12 days of being sober, I still struggle till 2 am in the night but eventually I go to sleep. The sleep of 4-5 hours without alcohol is much better than 12 hours of unconsciousness under influence of Alcohol. We actually do not sleep under influence of alcohol. It is not natural sleep. If you have been drinking for many years everyday, naturally, your body can not produce the chemicals required to get the natural sleep.
Best thing is to see you Doctor. Yes , I agree that lack of sleep drives us crazy, especially, if you have to work next day. Eventually, it will fade off.. Few sleepless nights are a very small price to pay to get the benefits of being sober.
But as other have mentioned, you shod not take any chances with detox process and must see a Doctor.
Newborn
Best thing is to see you Doctor. Yes , I agree that lack of sleep drives us crazy, especially, if you have to work next day. Eventually, it will fade off.. Few sleepless nights are a very small price to pay to get the benefits of being sober.
But as other have mentioned, you shod not take any chances with detox process and must see a Doctor.
Newborn
Guest
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: The Deep South
Posts: 14,636
I read that it's called the Hypnic Jerk... Not saying that's definitely what you're having. But google that a see if that's what you think it is. It could be more serious, especially if you're going through a rough detox. Take care!!
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,352
Pls don't take meds that haven't been prescribed to you, or not prescribed to you for that purpose kcbf.
The bottom line is most of us have some insomia issues in withdrawal....it gets better
Maybe there's something in these common sense hints that may help tho
Insomnia? 42 Simple Tips to Help You Get to Sleep - Insomnia treatment, cures
D
The bottom line is most of us have some insomia issues in withdrawal....it gets better
Maybe there's something in these common sense hints that may help tho
Insomnia? 42 Simple Tips to Help You Get to Sleep - Insomnia treatment, cures
D
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: ON
Posts: 766
i stopped drinking July 10th and made it three days, yes with shakes and sweats but the was about it until the fourth nite went i woke up in te middle of the night with terrible chest pains and huge electric jolts that would wake me everytime i would try and fall asleep so much so i thought they werer going to be seizures. i woke my partner at 5 am and told him i think we should go to the dr or the hospital. he asked why and i told him that i had been drinking, he actually thought i was clean for almost a month but far from it. alcoholics are the master liars.
we went to the dr for diazepam and my heart was racing so fast he thought i should go to the ER. while there they fast tracked me as i was having my shocks. they gave me some intravenous valium and made me stay overnight. no seizures thank HP but could have been close.
i beg everyone who even considers going cold turkey to fess up to someone and let them know you need help. i thought if i made it past day three i was almost in the clear. NOPE.
Please do not risk it. and if you truly want your desire for alcohol to be gone go thru something like this and see all the support that comes your way, you will not feel alone anymore.
But my biggest warning to everyone is to please dont go cold turkey. it is true that they say you can DIE. and i didnt want to die and i dont want you too either. get some help no matter how hard it is to tell some.
we went to the dr for diazepam and my heart was racing so fast he thought i should go to the ER. while there they fast tracked me as i was having my shocks. they gave me some intravenous valium and made me stay overnight. no seizures thank HP but could have been close.
i beg everyone who even considers going cold turkey to fess up to someone and let them know you need help. i thought if i made it past day three i was almost in the clear. NOPE.
Please do not risk it. and if you truly want your desire for alcohol to be gone go thru something like this and see all the support that comes your way, you will not feel alone anymore.
But my biggest warning to everyone is to please dont go cold turkey. it is true that they say you can DIE. and i didnt want to die and i dont want you too either. get some help no matter how hard it is to tell some.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: california
Posts: 118
Originally Posted by newwings 
Hi kcbf
I understand your worries. Have you ever detoxed at home yourself before? Do you think you MAY be at risk of seizures whilst detoxing? (in that, I mean has your consumption been significant). I know SR has a policy to not give medical advice, so I can't do that, and if you are really worried I think you should see your doctor, or go to your A&E department and tell them you are detoxing from alcohol. They will see you.
I personally wouldn't take the Xanax unless you have been prescribed it specifically for detoxing...throwing something else into the mix isn't going to be pretty
I had terrible insomnia when I first quit. First I got really upset about the lack of sleep, but once I stopped fighting it and just went with it - reading a good book, reading and posting on SR, sipping herbal teas/water etc, it ceased to make me so panicky. There's nothing worse than lying there, willing yourself to go back to sleep and looking at the clock. Ugh!
I understand your worries. Have you ever detoxed at home yourself before? Do you think you MAY be at risk of seizures whilst detoxing? (in that, I mean has your consumption been significant). I know SR has a policy to not give medical advice, so I can't do that, and if you are really worried I think you should see your doctor, or go to your A&E department and tell them you are detoxing from alcohol. They will see you.
I personally wouldn't take the Xanax unless you have been prescribed it specifically for detoxing...throwing something else into the mix isn't going to be pretty
I had terrible insomnia when I first quit. First I got really upset about the lack of sleep, but once I stopped fighting it and just went with it - reading a good book, reading and posting on SR, sipping herbal teas/water etc, it ceased to make me so panicky. There's nothing worse than lying there, willing yourself to go back to sleep and looking at the clock. Ugh!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: california
Posts: 118
Originally Posted by whiskeyman
i stopped drinking July 10th and made it three days, yes with shakes and sweats but the was about it until the fourth nite went i woke up in te middle of the night with terrible chest pains and huge electric jolts that would wake me everytime i would try and fall asleep so much so i thought they werer going to be seizures. i woke my partner at 5 am and told him i think we should go to the dr or the hospital. he asked why and i told him that i had been drinking, he actually thought i was clean for almost a month but far from it. alcoholics are the master liars.
we went to the dr for diazepam and my heart was racing so fast he thought i should go to the ER. while there they fast tracked me as i was having my shocks. they gave me some intravenous valium and made me stay overnight. no seizures thank HP but could have been close.
i beg everyone who even considers going cold turkey to fess up to someone and let them know you need help. i thought if i made it past day three i was almost in the clear. NOPE.
Please do not risk it. and if you truly want your desire for alcohol to be gone go thru something like this and see all the support that comes your way, you will not feel alone anymore.
But my biggest warning to everyone is to please dont go cold turkey. it is true that they say you can DIE. and i didnt want to die and i dont want you too either. get some help no matter how hard it is to tell some.
we went to the dr for diazepam and my heart was racing so fast he thought i should go to the ER. while there they fast tracked me as i was having my shocks. they gave me some intravenous valium and made me stay overnight. no seizures thank HP but could have been close.
i beg everyone who even considers going cold turkey to fess up to someone and let them know you need help. i thought if i made it past day three i was almost in the clear. NOPE.
Please do not risk it. and if you truly want your desire for alcohol to be gone go thru something like this and see all the support that comes your way, you will not feel alone anymore.
But my biggest warning to everyone is to please dont go cold turkey. it is true that they say you can DIE. and i didnt want to die and i dont want you too either. get some help no matter how hard it is to tell some.
Hang in there and good luck to you in your recovery.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: ON
Posts: 766
day 12 and feeling better than i have in years, still shaky, but getting thru it. the worst is in the past, now to move forward.
I have determination this time and nothing, i mean nothing will let me get there again.
Was up last night and the night before with Restless Legs syndrome, had to pace around the living room til 3 am.
it was one of the reasons my drinking started. i learned quickly that if i can drink enuf i can pass out and fall asleep and not have to deal with RLS. But as i read on here once lack of sleep never killed anyone, booze can
I have determination this time and nothing, i mean nothing will let me get there again.
Was up last night and the night before with Restless Legs syndrome, had to pace around the living room til 3 am.
it was one of the reasons my drinking started. i learned quickly that if i can drink enuf i can pass out and fall asleep and not have to deal with RLS. But as i read on here once lack of sleep never killed anyone, booze can
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