Naltrexone and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2018

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was an addict for 20 years. Mainly opiates. I decided to seek help and got into a mat program that provides Vivitrol injections for free and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). That's awesome and everything because I've been wanting to be on Vivitrol for at least a year, but I didn't think it was possible because I didn't have insurance. So I went through the whole withdrawal process because you have to be clean to get the shot, and then when I got the shot, I thought everything was going to be great. I was wrong. The first five days I could not eat or sleep. After that, I have been feeling a lot better, but my anxiety has been through the roof. And the injection site still hurts sometimes, even after 3 weeks. Next week I'm due to get my second shot, and I'm hoping it will be better. It kind of seemed like I was on chemo because the first 5 days after the shot had such terrible side effects."

• Ken...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2021

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Ummmm wow... I drank heavily and daily for ten years plus. I'm not sure when it started, mid-thirties. By 38, I was drunk every day. Today, I've been taking naltrexone for 2 months, I haven't been drunk in 50 something days and haven't even had a beer in weeks. But it's easy... I did not expect that at all. I expected to grit my teeth through quitting (again) and eventually fail. I expected meetings, or rehab, or eventually to get fired and end up homeless (again). But I'm taking good care of my cat, have become one of the top guys at work, and I almost never think of alcohol. I tried to have a big high point 'beer' (Mike's Harder Lemonade), but as soon as I felt the beginning of any effects, I lost interest! I quit drinking accidentally! Never in my wildest dreams. Amazing drug, thank you. I have real hope for my future now. Ask your doctor, I'm so glad mine knew before I did. I did experience some shakes, insomnia, and never hungry. Worth it, IMO."

• JJ ...
• September 27, 2015

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder "I am on day 2 of the Vivitrol shot. I was an Oxy/alcohol user for 3 years and then switched to Suboxone, detoxed off the subs at 1/4 mg/2 mg films. Withdrawals off 1/4 mg were pure hell. I got the Vivitrol shot, and now I haven't slept in 2 days, only 3-4 hours a night. My alcohol cravings aren't as bad, but I still want a beer. My Oxy cravings are gone. I don't hurt or feel restless from the sub withdrawals. I tried taking melatonin to sleep, but it doesn't help. If this sleep pattern persists, I am not getting the shot next month."

• ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2015

For Opioid Use Disorder "I just got my first shot yesterday after detoxing for 4 days. I have had no reaction to the shot so far besides not being able to sleep as great as I would have liked to last night. I have been struggling with my addiction to pain pills for many years now. Tired of Suboxone and stayed somewhat clean using here and there when I felt like it, I would sell my subs to get h. I’ve been to a detox center a few times, even detoxed myself at home, and this is coming from a person that has bad withdrawals like vomiting for 6 days straight. But for some reason, I would always go right back to it. So reading these comments makes me hopeful for my future, and I will let you know how things are after my second shot."

• Rsg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2016

For Opioid Use Disorder "You cannot avoid opiates without Naltrexone. Being addictive, the mindset we continue to push our efforts in getting the next fix, but if there is no reward, I mean high, then what's the use? Being an opiate user for the last 10 years, I tried almost every opiate available. I could say that this is one pill or shot you must not forget to take. Although initially, there is trouble sleeping, loose bowel (very bad), and sex drive nil, I hope this is temporary since I've only been taking this pill for a week or so. I was earlier taken for two months then relapsed. That's why it's important to remind yourself that this pill can only save your life. All the best to recovering addicts."

• Bay...
• June 17, 2021

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder "Took the injection after medical opiate detox. Instantly, I was puking and having horrible diarrhea. Things remained horrible. Couldn’t eat for 5 days. Constant severe blood pressure increase. I “thought” it was due to detox, but now I know that I am allergic to this injection. I immediately had to go on high doses of blood pressure meds in order to not have a heart attack or stroke. The symptoms are still here 25 days after injection. Night sweats, insomnia, severe depression. This was the worst decision I have ever made. And life threatening. Pulled medical records past 5 years, never had high blood pressure. I paid $30K to go to the best medically induced opiate detox, then stay at a million dollar home with staff. I had to stay 3 extra days while others would leave completely fine 4 days earlier. I was the sickest I have ever been. In one week, lost 26 lbs, no sleep, high blood pressure, extreme fatigue. I'm just praying all these horrific side effects go away soon. Absolute worst decision I’ve made."

• col...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2019

"A couple of years ago, I started at an elite university, and the culture of stress and isolation destroyed me. For years, I couldn't feel much pleasure at all and felt like I had lost myself among utter misery and anguish. Four months ago, I started low-dose naltrexone (0.5 mg) per night for my depression and anxiety, and it instantly lifted. I am more talkative and sociable, less anxious than ever before, and far less suicidal. However, I have noticed that this can cause insomnia, so I've had to find sleep medicine to help me overcome this side effect. Also, while this medicine does help reduce psychological anxiety (worry/negative thoughts), I have found it can cause physical/body-like anxiety. I have had to take breaks from it or lower my dose in order to reduce these feelings. Even better, I also have found that, in my experience, this prevents tolerance to the opioids I am prescribed."

• vol...
• February 10, 2016

For Opioid Use Disorder "So I started taking the pill naltrexone this morning. I was on day 9 of being off Subutex and was taking the Subutex for 5 years following an opioid addiction for several years prior. I had it very rough the first week of being clean, then things started getting a little easier. Other than the occasional anxiety, insomnia, and just plain no motivation to do anything. I first was prescribed clonidine to help with anxiety, and really it's to lower heart rate. One minute I would feel okay, the next very sluggish. Did 2 days of this, then went to the naltrexone. I felt pretty good this morning before I took the pill, and now it's like I'm back into withdrawals...anxiety, sweats, muscle aches...it just seems to be very discouraging. Should I continue the naltrexone?"

• Nin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2023

"It has ruined my life. I took this for interstitial cystitis (IC). Two months after I stopped using it (I used 0.5 and 1.5 milligrams), I still have insomnia, confusion, dizziness, and cognitive problems. It did help with bladder pain."