Posted , 12 users are following.
to stop drinking again.... BUT I cant sleep. I have slleping pills from the doc they worked for a short while.. right now I am going on 10 hours sleep in 4 days. Makes it hard to go to work and now to buy some wine 
2 likes, 25 replies
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RHGB sue08
Posted
If you drink heavily, you should really be put on diazepam, which will slow the brain down a bit and also stop some of the more uncomfortable symptoms.
sue08 RHGB
Posted
I have tried many herbal rem. in the past they dont seem to work for me.
RHGB sue08
Posted
I can't sleep, my mind races, I feel naucious, wretch, lose my balance, muscle spasms, foot cramp and sweat like a full blown flu whilst feeling cold. Virtually no symptoms whilst on it.
The trouble is, alcohol depresses the brain function (I don't mean depression) so the brain speeds up to compensate for this. However, when you come off the alcohol (without the appropriate drugs) the brain keeps going at twenty to the dozen until it balances itself out, realises no more alcohol and returns to normal.
It is in this interim period that the sleepless problems occur, which is why you need something more than a sedative. Unfortunately most doctors either aren't aware of this or don't want to get involved because of GMC guidelines.
Go see if you can get diazepam, you'll only need a week on it, it is harmless and you won't get hooked nor become dependent on it, it is very short term.
vickylou RHGB
Posted
Like a total idiot, I told my new GP as last time this happened it lasted 5 days and nights without sleep. I've been taking 5mg NITRAZAPAM at night for the last 4 years. They are addictive, which is why I've ended up taking 10mg. What happened when I told this new 'doctor' is that he's told me to stop taking them and would no longer prescribe them. Seeing as I had only 6 tablets left, I explained that I would need more so I could withdraw gradually, rather than just stop, even the info leaflet tells you "DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS MEDICATION SUDDENLY WITHOUT SPEAKING TO YOUR DR AS YOU MAY SUFFER SEVERE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS "
His very pleasant reply was "NO ONE EVER DIED THROUGH LACK OF SLEEP"
I had already annoyed him by questioning his opinion of the Sinclair method (see other thread).
My eldest son is an SHO in London and I had no idea he was planning to come for the weekend. He arrived this morning to find a very upset, but totally sober mum. After telling him my saga of events, how upset I've been, the dr's attitude etc, he said stop crying, put some slap on and we will get this sorted now. I said they won't see you without an appointment, and you can't even sit and wait until the end of surgery, he just smiled and said don't worry.
i don't want to go into detail on an open forum about what happened, only to say this dr has now been reported, complaints have been made to the appropriate people and I am no longer a patient there.
Its been a horrible week, I feel very humiliated over the way I was treated, I've shed umpteen tears, but it took my dr son 10 mins to sort it all out. My small amount of self esteem has gone, when do parents and their children swap roles? It's a bitter/sweet moment, but as my grown up baby pointed out, I've not drunk and I should be proud and focus on that very positive note. Many apologies sue, for hijacking your post, but it seemed appropriate.
vickylou RHGB
Posted
i will pm you tomorrow as arranged, am shattered now and don't know anything else since our last conversation
RHGB vickylou
Posted
"Diazepam, first marketed as Valium, is a medication of the benzodiazepine family that typically produces a calming effect. It is commonly used to treat a range of conditions including anxiety, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, muscle spasms, seizures, trouble sleeping, and restless legs syndrome"
None of the other drugs mentioned in this thread specifically seem to mention AWS, which seems to be at the route cause. Sleeping tablets won't work if your body is suffering other complications. An holistic approach is needed.
"Common side effects include sleepiness and trouble with coordination"
My coordination is not effected, but they certainly do make me feel sleepy. I start the first day with three lots (5mg each) four times a day, then two lots four times a day, then two lots three times a day and finally one lot three times a day.
I sleep like a baby, in fact I don't want to get out of bed in the morning.
vickylou RHGB
Posted
I asked my new dr for a small amount to take as and when required, but he refused and said if he prescribed some, there was a high risk of me turning into an addict. After stopping my NITRAZAPAM all I'm left with is citralapam .
Robin2015 sue08
Posted
sue08 Robin2015
Posted
disasterrific sue08
Posted
jacqueline85124 sue08
Posted
Sorry to here of your dilemma. I've been there, myself. Believe me, the sleep does get better. My doctor prescribed me Xanax, which I took three times/day for two weeks, then tapered off. I also took 500mg - 1000mg a day of Magnesiium citrate, thiamin and vitaminb B12, all which help the nervous system and brain get back to normal. Hot baths, herbal tea and essential oil spray(lavander and mandarine combination, or other agrumes) for relaxation helps too, at night time. Pamper yourself! You're worth it, and you will be so much better once the sleep is back. The wine will only make it worse. Good luck!!
jacqueline85124 sue08
Posted
I can say that Xanax really helped to calm me down when I needed it, during the daytime and enough to fall alseep at night. I only used it long enough to get over the withdrawal stage, knowing full well that it can be addictive in the longterm. At the same time, I took Magnesium, thiamin and the vitamins, which were all lacking in my body. Within four days I was feeling so much better, and afte two weeks, I as a new person. I hope you can see through your rough patch.
Yossarian2 sue08
Posted
I'm sorry to hear of your problems. This may be hard to understand but alcohol does not improve your sleep. Whilst it may send you off to sleep it really is the quality of sleep a gets than can prepare you for the day ahead. I would suggest before you ask a doctor for any medication you talk to them (or some one who is qualified to help you} about the reasons why you drink. Before you go down the route of 'I'm depressed' bear in mind the basic, and I stress the basic, route of depression is anger turned inwards. So many things can cause lack of sleep and they do not all have to be bad. I really suggest that you do not drink if taking sleeping pills or vice versa. Your doctor would not have prescibed them if they knew you were drinking. I have no idea where in the world you are. In the UK we have a telephone service called the Samaritans. They are on the 'phone 24 hrs a day. I 'phoned them because I was terrified my wife might die due to alcohol. I'm pleased to say my wife is much better but for me just talking to someone that I didn't know really helped. Maybe wherever you are you might have a similar service. I wish you all the best and hope life improves.
hope4cure sue08
Posted
HOLD ON. PAIN ENDS.
The soul always knows what to do to heal itself.
The challenge is to silence the mind.
Robin2015 hope4cure
Posted