Hi there, I'm new and having serious sleep issues

[Miim]

I am literally one day AF today. I primarily "used" the alcohol (wine) as a means to sleep (or blackout as the case may be). This has been my pattern for years now. I have finally made the decision to interrupt my pattern. I have a 3 year old who deserves an all there Mommy and I deserve my health.

So sleep is my primary concern. Last night was all tossing and turning, no real moments of shut eye. Does this get better with time? Is there a homeopathic way anyone knos of that is effective? I have tried bedtime teas with no real success.

I don't crave a drink until around 8:30, when its time to settle in for bed. I don't have health insurance so I have to do this with no RX meds.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I will dive into the book today.

:new:

[TRUCKER123]

Hi there, I'm new and having serious sleep issues

Hi Miim, Welcome im also a newbie....Having sleep problem's is normal for most of us when we stop drinking, I know it was for me. I used 50 mg of over the counter benadry.It is used for allergy's sneezing,runny nose,watery eyes,etc. It did help a little.. It make's you drowsey so take before bedtime,I also have heard that melatonin work's well also.I am not a doctor...I would ask a pharmacist for advise.My doctor said to me this is a normal process for the body and mind to adjust.Good Luck. Trucker123

[toughintexas]

Hi there, I'm new and having serious sleep issues

There's a great all natural product called Alteril, its a combo of a bunch of things we need anyway, and it has really helped me, you should be able to find it at any chain drug store, its chalk full of great things, including melatonin....Hope it helps you like it did me! Oh, and we own a pharmacy...lol...this is better than adding a Rx sleep aid to the mix of our otherwise addictive behavior!!! Hubby is a Rph.

[Doggygirl]

Hi there, I'm new and having serious sleep issues

Hi Miim and :welcome: Congrats on your first AF day!

The sleep issues DO get better with time (unless they are menopause related, and even then they eventually get better!)

Mean time, here are 3 things I have used to help:

Melatonin (I didn't really care for it but it works well for many)
Valerian Root (I like this)
L-Tryptophan 500 Mg at bedtime (worked the best for me early on)

Hope one or more of the suggestions on this thread helps. DO NOT GIVE UP.

DG

[spuddleduck]

Hi there, I'm new and having serious sleep issues

:welcome: hi miim. good to have you here.i had a bad time with sleep in my first week AF. you can get herbal remedies containing valerian and hops. two here in uk are kalms and natrasleep. i didnt find them much help but some swear by them. i finally found success with sominax, and nytol. both are anti histamine and worked for me. keep at it. it will get better, your body will take time to adjust but its worth it

[Lavande]

Hi there, I'm new and having serious sleep issues

Hi Miim,

Welcome to MWO, this is a good place!
I think we've all had sleep problems while adjusting to a sober life. It does get better in time.
I had sleep issues long before my wine habt got into gear too.
Now I'm using an herbal preparation called Mellodyn. It is safe & effective, yuo can purchase it here:
MELLODYN | Natural Sleep Remedy | Herbal Insomnia Cure
Works great for me with no side effects or hangovers

Please feel free to drop in the Newbies Nest thread for more support.
Wishing you the best on your journey!

Lav

[mama bear]

Hi there, I'm new and having serious sleep issues

it may be worth it if u r in the us to go to a walgreens or cvs and see a"doc in the box" and get a prescription for a sleeping aid....i use klonopin for anxiety and now i only use 1/2 pill at nite to sleep and it makes all the difference.....also the sleepy time teas may help....

[toughintexas]

Hi there, I'm new and having serious sleep issues

DG..the natural supp has all that in it, plus more....its great!

[rived]

Hi there, I'm new and having serious sleep issues

Hi Miim,

I use magnesium, 5-HTP, valerian root extract; my partner swears by Alteril, although his sleep problems are not AL-related. The homeopathic remedy "Calms Forte" supposedly works very well--I used to work at a health food store and we sold a lot of it for sleep issues (I think it is made by Hyland).

Most of all, just keep trying to get a proper sleep every night. Soon it will come, once you clear yourself of the poison. I am on Day 9 and already sleep like a baby! It definitely gets better!

[mario]

Hi there, I'm new and having serious sleep issues

hi miim Making the transition to drinking less is often marked by a difficulty in falling asleep, i have never used any medication what so ever,i just forced myself up at the same early time every morning , so you’ll have to readjust to dropping off naturally again. Getting regular, strenuous exercise is a good idea then – if you’re physically tired you’re much more likely to be able to sleep without needing your usual ‘knock-out drops’keep posting and let us know how you get on.:-)

[Miim]

Hi there, I'm new and having serious sleep issues

mama bear;829554 wrote: it may be worth it if u r in the us to go to a walgreens or cvs and see a"doc in the box" and get a prescription for a sleeping aid....i use klonopin for anxiety and now i only use 1/2 pill at nite to sleep and it makes all the difference.....also the sleepy time teas may help....

I am in the US but unfamiliar with what a "doc in the box" is....can you tell me more?

Thank you all so much for your advice, I have a feeling I will be relying on it heavily in the days and weeks to come. I am determined to kick this:thanks:

[runningwind]

Hi there, I'm new and having serious sleep issues

Miim, I'am a newbie myself and since you already have been given some great advice. I would just like to say :welcome: Keep posting and asking questions. I look forward to getting to know you!
runningwind

[ATLThrash]

Hi there, I'm new and having serious sleep issues

A doc in the box is an urgent or emergency care place. They are walk in, take insurance etc. Alot of times they are not too into prescribing a controlled substance they may give you some but tell you to follow up with a primary care doc, psychiatrist etc-- which alot of them will give you a name for. I have had bad sleep issues for years which lead me to drink alot too(that and many other issues btu that was one thing I would tell myself)-- but really with less AL or none-- after a few nights I was sleeping way better than I ever did post drinking AL

[papmom3]

Hi there, I'm new and having serious sleep issues

Hi Miim and :welcome:,
I have the exact same issues as you are having and will have for a while. I too used AL to get to sleep/pass out. Never used it during the day except at BBQ's or parties. I've tried all the sleep teas, the melatonin, the benedryl etc. The bene will knock me out but then I wake up a few hours later. The calms forte I take during the day as part of the plan so it really doesn't affect me at night and neither does the melatonin. I always feel sooooo tired but once I shut the light out, the tossing and turning and antsy legs start up. Today I saw in 2 stores, Vitamin World and GNC, the Alteril and wasn't sure about it. Good to know an RPh recommends it so i might try it. Lavande swears by Mellodyn but you have to order it online. I'm going to try the Alteril first. If neither one works, I'm going to have to ask my PCP for an Rx as much as I hate to.
Other than that I am really enjoying my AF life!! I feel more confident, way more energetic, healthy and calmer. I even put a profile up on 2 online dating sites as I am finally willing to share my life now that I have nothing to be ashamed about or to hide. Yes Mama Bear, I will be extremely careful!!
Good luck Miim in your journey. It's well worth it. Hop on over to the Newbies Nest and hang out for a while-it's a great place to start out.

[Farm Girl]

Hi there, I'm new and having serious sleep issues

Hi Miim, I have had the same problem. Still trying to find a good mix - exercise is helping. And believe it or not - Hot Chocolate before bedtime (with hot milk). Something about the drink helps me relax. Be patient and you'll find the right mix. Glad to hear you are on your way and stay close to MWO - great people with with good advice.