Hi. I just had my second surgery ever. (tonsils). And I am on pain meds (that I no longer need anymore). Liquid Hydrocodone 10mgs. My sleep schedule is off and I need to get to sleep. Last night the only way for me to sleep was to take my pain meds. The same thing happened to me last time I was on them. I couldn't sleep without them. Anyone know any other alternatives for me to get to sleep? I need to be up early tomorrow morning for a followup doctors appointment. Please help.
2007-02-06 18:23:21 · 3 answers · asked by StarrLee 4 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Hydrocodone is an opiate analgesic {painkiller}; like all other narcotics, it binds to the opiate receptors in your brain and may cause withdrawal symptoms when you suddenly stop taking the medication, even if you have taken it for a few days only under a doctor's orders. Insomnia, restlessness and anxiety are some of the most common symptoms of opiate withdrawal, and this is what's keeping you awake. Instead of discontinuing your medicine, you should try spacing out the time between doses {"tapering off"} so your brain and body get used to go along without the medication. For example, if you were taking one teaspoonful every six hours, try taking it every eight hours for a day or so, then every twelve hours and so on until you stop taking it altogether. Right now, if relaxation hasn't helped you get to sleep, I'd suggest that you take the medication and hit your bed. Since you are scheduled to go for a follow-up doctor's appointment early tomorrow morning, make sure to tell him/her about this issue and follow his/her advice. I hope that my advice has been of some help, and try the "tapering off" schedule the next time that you are prescribed a narcotic painkiller so you can comfortably get off the medication with little or no side effects.
P.S. Don't pay attention to any person that says that you are chemically dependent or "addicted" because of the symptoms thet you are experiencing; these are a natural body response to sudden opiate discontinuation. A chemically dependent person is one that needs or craves a substance in increasing dosages, seeks out prescriptions for the addictive agent {usually from multiple doctors}, fakes an illness or lies about having pain so that the substance is prescribed or administered to him/her, and can't get off the medication without extensive medical and/or phsychiatric/phsychological treatment.
2007-02-06 19:30:12 · answer #1 · answered by la_nena_sabe... 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm prescribed hydrocodone for chronic kidney stones, and even after I stop taking them I sleep and sleep and sleep, so I can't really relate. However, I do worry that because you can't sleep without them, that you are chemically dependent to some degree(in that you're taking them even though you no longer need them for pain). For now, try an over the counter sleeping pill(I like unisom or tylenol PM is much gentler) just long enough to get you sleeping at your normal bed time. I've also found that a bubble bath with lavender really puts me to sleep when I'm having trouble. If this continues to be a problem, you probably should consult your doctor. Good luck.
2007-02-06 18:30:19 · answer #2 · answered by justpeachee22 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
try Advil PM I was on a higher dose of Hydrocodone myself for major surgery not that long ago and I stopped taking them before I was suppose too and just gritted through the pain because they made me very moody. I'm still in recovery and found the Advil pm can help as long as you close your eyes and try and sleep right away. Their designed to aid in falling asleep they don't knock you out. So don't take it before you want to sleep and wait for them to kick in ( they don't work like that theirs no obvious wow factor) or they won't work, you have to go to bed right away.
2007-02-06 18:35:28 · answer #3 · answered by firecracker 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just take them tonight, get some sleep and talk to your dr. about it tomorrow.
2007-02-06 18:28:02 · answer #4 · answered by flacocajuncujo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try some melatonin 3mg tablets. they're in the vitamin section at the grocery store.
2007-02-06 18:26:14 · answer #5 · answered by SARcasm,RN 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
send me you're pain meds and then i'll tell you a great idea
2007-02-06 18:26:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
having sex always makes me sleep good.
2007-02-06 22:29:59 · answer #7 · answered by joseph6902000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋