I Struggle to stay awake EVERY day! Please HELP!

For as long as I can remember I have always had some kind of sleeping/non-sleeping issue. Most often it was always being tired. Waking up multiple times a night for no apparent reason. Struggling to fall asleep.

I will start off by telling you I am a recovering drug addict, I have depression, anxiety and PTSD. I relapsed about two years ago. Up until May 8th 2013 I was using again. May 9th I started at the Methadone Clinic.

My life has made a wonderful turn around since I started the clinic, almost too good to be true. But one major downfall of the whole thing is that recently I have been nodding off at work and just all the time. Unless I am constantly moving around, doing something I could nod off standing up. I am PETRIFIED to drive and do most things by myself as you can imagine. I have a 10yr. old daughter, she and I share a house with my mother. I don't like to drive with my daughter in the car because I have caught myself closing my eyes driving as well. My mother does 95% of the driving now. I recently had blood work done to check for anemia, thyroid, etc. All tests came back normal.

I have no insurance, I am scared, and I need help!!!

I would really appreciate non-judgmental advice, suggestions and ideas.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and compassion!

Mary

From another recovering addict, the methadone is causing the nodding. I know they told you its just a smaller dose of heroin and the idea is for you to wean off of it. As long as you are putting drugs in your body you are going to have drug related issues. We aren't alowed to promote anything on this site but I know you've hears of 12-Step Meetings at this point. Its the only thing that worked for me and I relapsed ALot in my first 6 years! But we don't shoot our wounded and the doors are allways open. I HOPE you find your way out whatever it is. Angie M.

Welcome to the forum Mary, it is nice to meet you. I am very happy for you for your sobriety, I know that is a hard thing to do. My first husband was an addict & we had a very turmultuous 10 years together. He is now on his 30th year of sobriety & I am very proud of him. We are now freinds & both know that we, together, made one very disfunctional person. Through counselling & 12 step programs we both recovered & have moved on with our lives.

I am sorry you are having such a problem with fatigue & sleepiness, it could be from several factors. I know with my depression I can get very tired & just want to sleep all of the time. My Dr put me on citalopram because it is in the non-sedating side of of antidepressants, some are sedating & can make your very sleepy. You might look at this if you are taking an antidepressant, if you are not this could also effect your tiredness.

Methadone can certainly be your problem. My brother lived with me when he was going through a methadone program. He was tired all of the time. I can not say though that this is the norm because I eventually found out he was abusing the methadone so how much of that was due to that I don't know. What I do know is he would drive & almost fall asleep at the wheel. He slept a lot & looked really groggy all of the time, he had the look of an addict on a high. Like I said I am no expert on Methadone but please be careful with it. It is addictive, as I am sure you know & is hard to come off of. I am very happy that it has helped you so much & I do know that each person experience is different & for some it is a welcome relief. I hope you continue to do well on it.

Take care of yourself & work your 12 step program. I am proud of you for wanting your life to change. It can so stick with it. Many gentle hugs, Denise

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Fibromyalgia-dx'd: 2006, ME/CFS-dx'd: 2006, Holt-Oram Syndrome dx'd 1975, reduced lung capacity dx'd 2009, nasal allergies, food allergies, depression (lifetime problem) IBS, neuropathy in hips

I have 4 children & 7 grandchildren.

As apples of gold in silver carvings is a word spoken at the right time for it. Prov. 25:11