Last night at 7:36 I was in the "I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE" part of detox. I literally thought I was dying!!!!! A friend of mine who has really helped me through this because he has gone through this told me about this herb called Valerian root. So before I decided to quit the lortabs (which I miss like crazy by the way) I went and got all the OTC meds listed on this forum. I happened to stumble onto the Valerian root so I went ahead and bought it. It was cheaper than everything else believe it or not. I am in day 3 of full fledged withdrawls and if it weren't for that one thing (Valerian Root) I couldn't have made it through last night. Valerian root promotes relaxsation and I was actually able to get 5 1/2 hours of sleep last night because I took 2 of those and 2 benedryl. The Valerian root eases that anxious feeling and that tight uncomfortable stomach feeling. You know the feeling that drives you crazy and makes the detox the hardest part. I hope this helps someone going through what I am going through because this is the worst I have ever felt in my life and that one herb has made my recovery alot brighter and alot easier to see.
I'm so glad it's working for you. It's been around for a long time and didn't work for some,,,,,so happy you are getting sleep. It's half the battle with w/d's. I took KavaKava and it worked about the same way but it's hard to find now.
How are you feeling otherwise? Doing ok?
Cowgirl
How are you feeling otherwise? Doing ok?
Cowgirl
I hate asking because you are going through a hard part right now but is there anyway you can maybe give some more info on the Valerian Root?See I havent been able to sleep in years,a couple hrs here a couple there,& I sure dont want even OTC sleeping pills.If you have any info Id be interested.
As far as missing the pills please know that is a very normal thing.Those darn pills will keep trying to make you give up.But please just keep trying to hold on.Though I myself have never been able to go CT others have & though its a long process(from what I hear)it HAS to be better than being a slave to drugs!!!
KEEP HOLDING ON OH & by the way for muscle pain I know (from the times I tried)HOT HOT BATHS can feel so wonderful
molly
As far as missing the pills please know that is a very normal thing.Those darn pills will keep trying to make you give up.But please just keep trying to hold on.Though I myself have never been able to go CT others have & though its a long process(from what I hear)it HAS to be better than being a slave to drugs!!!
KEEP HOLDING ON OH & by the way for muscle pain I know (from the times I tried)HOT HOT BATHS can feel so wonderful
molly
I am on the down side right now. I know that if I made it through last night that I can beat this. I am dead serious when I tell you I thought I was dying.
As far as the Valerian, it's simply an herb and has no narcotic side effect. And remember that everyhone is different, but I don't see myself getting addicted to them, but I am addicted to sleep!!!!! You can find it at any drug store
As far as the Valerian, it's simply an herb and has no narcotic side effect. And remember that everyhone is different, but I don't see myself getting addicted to them, but I am addicted to sleep!!!!! You can find it at any drug store
Everyone is different and reacts differently to these OTC's. Benedryl for me was horrible! Made the w/d's ten times worse. I think that Valerian is safe...not habit forming. Just because to take only as directed.
I was going to say you just dont sleep. Its tough, its scary. Its the worse wd sympton of wd. It is one of the biggest reasons i wont go back the opiates. I am on the verge of 90 days and sleep is still a struggle. Its better that I work out now after work. I mean a good workout,
Good luck
Good luck
Does anyone know anything about melatonin? Is valerian root better?
I know the perfect sleeping aid. Its called time
Time and time only heals the brain
Time and time only heals the brain
Melatonin worked ok for me...not great, but ok.
The main thing to remember is that sleep will come back to you naturally...it's just about being patient and not going backwards and then having to start all over again.
The main thing to remember is that sleep will come back to you naturally...it's just about being patient and not going backwards and then having to start all over again.
Dear llh,
I tried both...the Valerian root first...omg...the capsules stunk so bad ugh...I couldn't get the darn cap back on fast enough and they stunk up my medicine cabinet...yucky ...and they didn't work that well for me either...
The melatonin on the other hand worked really well...make sure you hop in bed and get nice and comfy after taking it...oh and you should check in with your doctor and ask his advice too as with any medications supplements vitamins you are taking...you never know what might interact with something else...
Good Luck,
Jan
I tried both...the Valerian root first...omg...the capsules stunk so bad ugh...I couldn't get the darn cap back on fast enough and they stunk up my medicine cabinet...yucky ...and they didn't work that well for me either...
The melatonin on the other hand worked really well...make sure you hop in bed and get nice and comfy after taking it...oh and you should check in with your doctor and ask his advice too as with any medications supplements vitamins you are taking...you never know what might interact with something else...
Good Luck,
Jan
llh,
I've tried both. If you're really wracked by w/ds neither of them is going to put your lights out. I'd say, if sleep is impossible, do something else that's restful and comforting. A hot bath with epsom salts, a hot water bottle and a good book or movie, hang out here and post.
This technique has helped me relax enough to sleep:
Square breathing.
Normal breathing is parallel - one breath in followed by one breath out. Anxiety and nervousness cause you to increase the rate of breathing, bringing more oxygen into your bloodstream and adding to the body's automatic flight or fight response. Try square breathing to slow down your rate, to reduce oxygen in your bloodstream and to calm yourself:
Take one breath in to the count of four.
Hold it for a count of four.
Exhale to the count of four.
Hold for a count of four.
Repeat.
Making yourself exercise during the day will help you sleep better at night. I know the last thing I wanted to do was go for a brisk walk in the sunshine when I felt like I was about to fly to pieces, but doing it tired me out (sometimes) enough to get a minimal night's sleep in the early days.
Good luck. Insomnia sucks.
Love,
Gina
I've tried both. If you're really wracked by w/ds neither of them is going to put your lights out. I'd say, if sleep is impossible, do something else that's restful and comforting. A hot bath with epsom salts, a hot water bottle and a good book or movie, hang out here and post.
This technique has helped me relax enough to sleep:
Square breathing.
Normal breathing is parallel - one breath in followed by one breath out. Anxiety and nervousness cause you to increase the rate of breathing, bringing more oxygen into your bloodstream and adding to the body's automatic flight or fight response. Try square breathing to slow down your rate, to reduce oxygen in your bloodstream and to calm yourself:
Take one breath in to the count of four.
Hold it for a count of four.
Exhale to the count of four.
Hold for a count of four.
Repeat.
Making yourself exercise during the day will help you sleep better at night. I know the last thing I wanted to do was go for a brisk walk in the sunshine when I felt like I was about to fly to pieces, but doing it tired me out (sometimes) enough to get a minimal night's sleep in the early days.
Good luck. Insomnia sucks.
Love,
Gina
I just wanted to edit to say:
I agree with the others I think it was Reddog, Lisa, and Gina that early in w/d nothing will seem to help and I think the exercising and breathing are the best bets...and time...sleep does come back in time...You shouldn't really mess around with your natural sleep cycles...we've all done enough tinkering on our own and should just let our bodies heal...imo...
Say your prayers and breatheeeeeee....
Jan
I agree with the others I think it was Reddog, Lisa, and Gina that early in w/d nothing will seem to help and I think the exercising and breathing are the best bets...and time...sleep does come back in time...You shouldn't really mess around with your natural sleep cycles...we've all done enough tinkering on our own and should just let our bodies heal...imo...
Say your prayers and breatheeeeeee....
Jan
For me, especially with the heebie jeebies, I would take both, soak in a hot bath and eat a big bowl of oatmeal. Carbs seem to help me sleep. By doing all of these, I could get a few hours and make it to work. I know some say they couldn't work, but some have no choice.
Good luck, Beck
Good luck, Beck
thanks everyone!
I think I took so many hot baths in that first 2 weeks that my skin is permanently wrinkled! It's the only time I felt good....but it doesn't last. Hang in there!
I never took baths. I hated water during wd, the shivers yikes! I did develop a kind of invention. I used my hair drier to totally dry myself off once out of the shower, this way no shakes and shivers or less at least
I feel so bad for you...the insomnia is hands down the absolute worst part of w/d..all you want to do is sleep and make it go away and your brain is firing away! Yikes.....I lived in the tub...literally...I spent hours and hours in there...brought the portable DVD and watched movies..with candles burning.....you will get through this...seems like you won't but I assure you....you will!
I took every otc sleep aid available nothing worked that great except...gravol...helped with stomach problems to!
Your doing great! Keep it up!!!
I took every otc sleep aid available nothing worked that great except...gravol...helped with stomach problems to!
Your doing great! Keep it up!!!
