sleep sleep sleep oh please sleep

[boswife]

Yea, problems with sleep here..    I really need help..  Bo has stoped his vicodin (daily for 2 years) and that alone has been extreamly rough! and  'they'  took him off his oxazepam (for sleep).  It's been hell this last few weeks and, his sleeping patern has completly switched to just napping days. He is sooooooooo agitated by nighttime and starting to speak of throwing things. (not him AT ALL!)   He's so irritated and im afraid to leave him alone most nights because he stumbles around and has fallen and ended up in hospital.  Im completely worn as i go all day FOR him, me, animals, house  yadda yadda yadda...  Im loosing it!! 
Soooooooo, from my understanding, most of you all have available to you some sort of sleeping aide that works?  Benedril doesnt for him, nope on the melatonin, trazadone, zzzquil, and something else i cant remember.. Oh, nor does pot (yes, i even got a hold of some for him to 'try' that).  WHY wont his dr's perscribe something for him.... They are so against him getting on something that he will get addicted to but geesh,, he's bumpen 70, misserable!! and ready to give  up due to lack of sleep (leeken blood again so tired from that as well, but still no sleep    )  Now, i will say that he is 'beginning to sleep during dialysis so I almost want to do it late at night to switch his habbets, but by then, im a lost cause due to pure exhaustion and dont have the oomph to continue. 
REally, i guess besides needing a vent, has anyone else been rejected sleep aide?  thanks, sorry, and thanks again

ugh!!! as im writing this, and look over at him,,,on D,,, and he's sound asleep.  Should i just keep the machine on ALL the time to lul him... oh brother! he also asked me the other night to take him for a two hour drive so he could sleep..haha  only prob is i cant carry him in the house like ya do your babies..

--
<>< 

[jbeany]

It may just take him a while to get completely off the vico.  I know when I weaned myself off everything but tylenol after my last surgery, I didn't sleep at all for about 4 days, and badly for a couple of weeks after that.

I can't take any of the sleep aides (I hallucinate, not sleep), but surely there's at least OTC version that is okay with CKD?  Anyone?

[cassandra]

Oh dear BW what a misery, can I ask why they took him off Oxazepam?
I'm on Diazepam for erm..... Since I started  D again in '98, had to 'fight' a lot with every person in a white coat over the years, my Maine argument always came back to: if I don't sleep I become aggressive, and depressed, so either I'll die or an innocent person gets hurt, or I use Diazepam.

So why did they take him of?

Lots of love, and strength Cas

[geoffcamp]

My doctors tried this crap with me also. My main nephrologist at my dialysis center took another job and left. When he did the nephrologist in the SAME office that took over for him said he didn't feel comfortable filling the prescriptions for Xanax and restriol (tamazapam sleeping pill). I was floored. That's the only stuff getting me thru dialysis and helps me sleep somewhat normal hours!!  Plus the exact same amounts for both drugs had been filled for at least 4 years!!  I told him to check the records and he said I was right but he still didn't want to fill. So he referred me to pain management and that doctor filled them no problem plus I was having terrible back pain so he even added a mild pain med, lortab. Just keep complaining to your doctor and if that doesn't work find one that will fill his needs. It's a big stupid game doctors and government are playing keeping these meds from people who actually need them versus A-HOLE pill heads that see 5 different doctors to get whatever they want. Usually a pain management doctor will help when he sees his medical records!  It's so stupid we have to jump thru these hoops!!!  I know how he feels. One day it's fine to get some prescribed help then they pull the rug out and you feel like crap. I don't care if I have to go to rehab to stop if I EVER get a transplant, I NEED the meds now to get by!!!  I hope you can talk some sense into your doc or find someone who will help. Good luck. G.

[Riki]

I don't know if I can be of any help.  I don't get a whole lot of sleep either, and I've trained myself to not sleep in dialysis, so I can't even do that.  I'm not aggressive, but I do get cranky and start believing that nobody wants me around.  I got to a point where I asked Kelly if she really wanted me to come visit her or if she was just humoring me.  She said it was the stupidest question she'd ever heard. *L*

I play a lot of online games, and that seems to help.  Bingo seems to be a good one, it bores me to sleep. *L*  There's also the matching games, like Bejeweled or others similar to that, where you match the shapes or the colors.  Those are actually designed to relax the brain.  They don't always work either.  Sometimes I just drop from exhaustion.

I've never been able to get drugs out of doctors for sleeping.  My family doctor actually told me to remove all the electronics from my room, and use the room only for sleeping and sex. *L*  At the time, I was on PD and had a Home Choice cycler in there.

[Angiepkd]

I have taken Tylenol PM and a couple of other OTC sleep aids.  They do seem to help, especially if you are already exhausted!  I am sleeping better since starting dialysis, but still take them on occasion.  My neph had no problem with me taking them, but would not prescribe anything stronger for me.  Hope this helps!  You are so strong to do what you do for your hubby.  Praying you both get some relief soon!   

[SteveK87]

Stopping vicodin after that long of use will take time to withdrawal and probably a few months until the brain restores itself.  Maybe instead of going cold turkey you should try and have him slowly get off the pills.  For example, week 1 take one tablet daily.  Week 2 take 3/4s of a pill, week 3 half a pill, etc.  As for sleep Ashley uses tramadol for her RLS and it also helps her sleep.  His doctor may be more willing to prescribe that since I believe it is not as much of a controlled substance as vicodin. (and in Ashleys opinion gives a longer effect and helps her sleep better than vicodin - she alternates between the two occasionally)  Best of luck

[BattleScars]

I'm having A LOT of trouble sleeping, to the point it's disabling and disrupting my life. My drs won't prescribe me anything either and it's so frustrating yet they get upset when I miss appointments (I only miss them sometimes because I'm so exhausted or when I finally do sleep I end up sleeping all day.)

I've read kidney disease causes low melatonin  levels and sleep problems. I hardly sleep at night anymore at all. When I try to sleep it's like my brain just won't shut off. Then I also have problems with restless legs and sometimes severe itching so that doesn't help either. When it gets really bad I'll take anxiety pills that a friend gave me but I've noticed if I do this too much I start relying on them too much to fall asleep. I've tried Tylenol PM and some other over the counter sleep aids and they mostly work but I have a nasty hangover effect the next day, like I'm in a complete fog and can't think well.

If I don't sleep then I'm in a very bad mood, I get really irritable and can't concentrate and I'm just exhausted. It's a vicious cycle. I don't really know what to say other than I can completely relate other than the pain pills thing. I would suggest reading before bed, turning off all electronics, tv's, phones, computers at least an hour before bed. That sometimes helps me. Sometimes a warm shower before bed. I also play mind games with myself, it used to work but not so much lately. I'm going to try some relaxing tea before bed or go back to the over the counter stuff. If anyone else has any ideas please chime in.

[frankswife]

My dear boswife, I feel a tiny bit of your pain. Frank has never been much of a sleeper. He creeps about the house at all hours. I can't offer you much in the way of advice. Just my hugs and prayers.

[MooseMom]

One night about, oh, 5 years ago, I couldn't fall asleep.  It was like my mind was in overdrive.  I went for a good two weeks or so without sleeping, or so it seemed.  I remember dozing off one day in front of the TV for maybe an hour or so. 

Many years ago, my husband's cousin, who was a doctor, was diagnosed with a malignant, inoperable brain tumor.  Sadly, he knew all too well what the future held for him, and he became so agitated that his partner had him voluntarily committed.  The first things the mental health docs did was to "reset" his sleeping pattern to a modicum of normalcy.  I tell you this story to illustrate that lack of sleep truly can drive you crazy.  Sleep deprivation is a common torture, ahem, "interrogation" technique.  Do anything you have to to help Bo get some sleep.

After this long bout with insomnia, my neph didn't hesitate to prescribe a sleep aid.  I changed prescriptions over the years, but now I am taking Restoril (temazepam).  Sometimes, though, it still takes me a long time to get to sleep.  One thing I have found that helps is to use a white noise machine.  My husband bought me this one...

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?sku=18862026&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=marpac%20white%20noise%20machine

I don't know anything about vicodin; why is Bo coming off of it in the first place?  Does coming off vicodin mean that he also needs to come off his sleep med?  What SteveK87 says about it taking some time before the brain "resets" itself makes sense to me.  I don't understand why Bo's docs won't prescribe him anything.  Have they told you why?

[boswife]

Thank each and every one of you for you help with this.  Yesterday, i decided to take him in to get an extra blood draw because his blood leek is still causing low hbg.  I couldnt tell if his fatigue was that, or pure lack of sleep.  I had 'other' motives as well.  A fresh dr who would probably look at things differently.  Sooooooo, DR surly didnt like the way he looked, and he said......'GET THIS MAN SOME SLEEP!  There certainly are some 'pill' natzies out there! and it's wrong!"  He got him some ambian to see if that works well, and we'll take it from there!!!  He got a good night sleep last night, and we got up early and did dialysis and he also slept through that!!  Had a BEAUTIFUL morning with tears of joy!  (his hbg is low, but we think on the mend... Thank you Lord!)

I tell ya something that really bugs me.  See, Im a pill phobe myself. So, when 'I" go in to drs (rarly!) they ALL want to push every pill in the book on me, but for him, who is freeken almost 70, they're afraid of him getting addicted.. For goodness sakes,,,,,, what about the Vicodin they freely gave him for years.  ugh!!

Now, about him getting off these things.... well, they refused him anymore of the oxazepam for sleep after 5 years of giving more and more.  I agree that he had begun to take to many, but he had backed off to where he should be, and still NO MORE.  It's kinda crazy!  And Vicodin,,, oh lordy, if you look up withdrawl symptoms of that ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh boy!!  he had um all.  just as every one else who has taken them for years.  He wasnt even on a large dose AT ALL and still, there was absolutely no sleep.  Awful, and the he did it because he was tired of the constipation and 'desire' to take that stupid pill and hum,,,, he didnt have a reason/pain for taking it. You think he'd be rewarded but nope...

So, hopfully, tonight will be another peaceful good restful night.  I love you guys, your better medicine than i can ever get and an office!!!

[Angiepkd]

Glad you got some rest!  Fingers crossed for another peaceful night!

[geoffcamp]

Being he was on Vicodin for that period of time the doctors are irresponsible for not tapering him down to stop taking them. Reducing the side effects and withdrawl symptoms. Shame on them!!  They should know better!!!  G.

[BattleScars]

Thank each and every one of you for you help with this.  Yesterday, i decided to take him in to get an extra blood draw because his blood leek is still causing low hbg.  I couldnt tell if his fatigue was that, or pure lack of sleep.  I had 'other' motives as well.  A fresh dr who would probably look at things differently.  Sooooooo, DR surly didnt like the way he looked, and he said......'GET THIS MAN SOME SLEEP!  There certainly are some 'pill' natzies out there! and it's wrong!"  He got him some ambian to see if that works well, and we'll take it from there!!!  He got a good night sleep last night, and we got up early and did dialysis and he also slept through that!!  Had a BEAUTIFUL morning with tears of joy!  (his hbg is low, but we think on the mend... Thank you Lord!)

I tell ya something that really bugs me.  See, Im a pill phobe myself. So, when 'I" go in to drs (rarly!) they ALL want to push every pill in the book on me, but for him, who is freeken almost 70, they're afraid of him getting addicted.. For goodness sakes,,,,,, what about the Vicodin they freely gave him for years.  ugh!!

Now, about him getting off these things.... well, they refused him anymore of the oxazepam for sleep after 5 years of giving more and more.  I agree that he had begun to take to many, but he had backed off to where he should be, and still NO MORE.  It's kinda crazy!  And Vicodin,,, oh lordy, if you look up withdrawl symptoms of that ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh boy!!  he had um all.  just as every one else who has taken them for years.  He wasnt even on a large dose AT ALL and still, there was absolutely no sleep.  Awful, and the he did it because he was tired of the constipation and 'desire' to take that stupid pill and hum,,,, he didnt have a reason/pain for taking it. You think he'd be rewarded but nope...

So, hopfully, tonight will be another peaceful good restful night.  I love you guys, your better medicine than i can ever get and an office!!!

Exactly! This is what I've been saying for years. People that have addiction issues have no problems getting pills for anything, their doctors give them out like it's candy. But someone that is sick and really needs the pills just to cope in life can't get the RX's they need because the stupid doctors think they are going to get "addicted." I've struggled with anxiety for decades and occasionally I'll get a doctor to prescribe me a month's worth of anxiety pills (30 pills take as needed.) That bottle lasts me nearly a year because I'm conservative with them and only take them when I really really need them and still no doctor will give me a regular prescription for anxiety pills so when I finally do run out I'm forced to borrow friends' or my wife's pill. Meanwhile my brother is in the ER because he OD'd on anxiety pills and his doctors keep prescribing him more. The irony. Life is pretty backwards. There are people that know how to work the system. Those of us that are "normal" get screwed.

[boswife]

Oh my goodness battleScars!!!  right right on!!  I too have one bottle of 'anxiety pills' for at least a year..lol  But ........... my sick husband in need of one simple pill to help him 'cope' has been a battle.  I still dont know if this is theeeee pill for him, as he is already taking 2 instead of the one perscribed, but one didnt work.  Im one sad hurting, worn out wifie...