☼ Hello. mammaP checking in!

[Altostrata]

Well, the coat was a victory. Travails at the hospital, you'll soldier on through. Physiotherapy sometimes can work wonders.

[Nikki]

Hi MamaP....I wanted to pop in to say hello, glad I did to read your post.  Mama all I can tell you is to google everything that you went thru or the doctors are proposing to do.  There is a alot of helpful info and blogs which may help to shed more light on your situation.

 

As much as a pain in the butt the scans and x-rays are they can reveal alot.  So just start there and have someone make comparisons for you.....

 

You are such a strong lady.....lots of hugs

[mammaP]

Well, the coat was a victory. Travails at the hospital, you'll soldier on through. Physiotherapy sometimes can work wonders.

I sure will soldier on, I've been doing it for years! I had the course of physio and it didn't help one bit for what they

were suggesting.The doctor said one leg was longer than the other because of my posture since having the hip

op.  But it is iatrogenic and happened in surgery. I woke up with it that way. No exercise will cure it. I have done

my own research and think the atlas disc is out of place in the spine and can happen during surgery.

There are clinics that specialise but cost quite a bit,  I'm saving to go and see what they say.Correction is by

manipulation by an osteopath.

The exercises the first physiotherapist gave me made things

much worse and therapist #2 ordered them stopped and said they wouldn't help.

( #1 was newly qualified #2 is very experienced) She did teach me a lot about back pain though and exercises for

that were amazing. Now my back is much more flexible and feels much better for it.

 

I've had problems with my bones as long as I can remember and had arthritis as a child.

 I do regret having that hip replaced, it's been more trouble than it was before, but of course there was no way of

knowing it would go that way, and no-one can say for certain what has gone wrong! 

 

 

 

Hi MamaP....I wanted to pop in to say hello, glad I did to read your post.  Mama all I can tell you is to google everything that you went thru or the doctors are proposing to do.  There is a alot of helpful info and blogs which may help to shed more light on your situation.

 

As much as a pain in the butt the scans and x-rays are they can reveal alot.  So just start there and have someone make comparisons for you.....

 

You are such a strong lady.....lots of hugs

Thanks Nikki, I don't want any more scans or tests but will get them done. I will not go for any surgery in that hospital though. I just do not

trust that team and have no confidence. I can ask to be referred to another hospital for any surgery and will ask to go to a hospital

close to London with more experienced ortho surgeons. 

I am researching who is who before I get the scans. 

My daughter lives near there and she is asking around too. There are many doctors saying different things and they can't all be right! 

I'm not stressed about it or even particularly worried at the moment, I'm used to it now, just fed up that it's all starting again. 

 

I only wanted them to see the pain I was in so it would be logged on paper, otherwise when I claim for my mobility allowance  it could be

complicated if they logged that I was free of pain. I overdid it though and twice my hips gave way and they had to catch me,

first one leg then the other. I shouldn't have been on my feet for so long . If I hadn't, they wouldn't have ordered the x rays. 

I really make things complicated for myself sometimes!!   

 

And I've got carried away again, too much information!   

[tezza]

Strong lady, plus smart shopper! We will make it thru this!

 

HUGS

[wulfgar]

Hi MammaP,

 

You sure are a strong lady! I hope you get some professional help from an intelligent doctor soon!

 

"One leg appears much shorter than the other, but it isn't. This is where docs can't agree." This does not compute for me. Are they using a faulty ruler? Bring a measureing tape with you next visit! I have been involved in sports my whole life and the mechanics of the lower body is not all that complicated (excepion is the mechanics in the foot). Are there any sports medicine cliniques you can consult? I believe sports related specialists are much better than ordinary doctors.

 

Regards

Wulfgar

[mattinsmom]

Well, mommaP, how does one even respond to that?!?!?! That whole thing sucks (except for the coat)

 

Your atlas disk can be adjusted by any chiropractor. They might be able to get you aligned enough that your legs will appear to be the same length. I am biased, I love my chiropractor.

 

I think that Wolfgar's suggestion of sports medicine is brilliant.

 

I wonder what would happen if you could get all the doctors in one room and hold them there until they can come up with a diagnosis and treatment recommendation that they all agree on. I bet they'd never make it out of that room

[mammaP]

LOL that made me laugh Amy, it would need to be a very large room! 

Wulfgar, re the tape measure, they all had their tape measures out and sure enough, the legs do seem to be the same length.

I noticed as soon as I woke up that one leg was longer. When I went home I could reach the top of cupboards I couldn't reach before!! 

I saw a chiropractor who said that it was about mechanics and in her opinion they had fitted the wrong size joint. Ditto Osteopath

The surgeon said my spine had twisted. X rays show it wasn't!  I've been to-ing and fro-ing for 12 years and

every time new x rays throw up something else. Rheumatology referred me to orthotics who adapted shoes so one had a platform.

That is fine when legs are different lengths but that made my pelvis push up into my ribs! 

 

Add to all that the patches of whatever in the thigh bone. The first was 8 years ago following MRI on my knee. I was told that there was

metastatic cancer in the thigh. 4 MONTHS after the mri! Nightmare! Then a team of doctors looked at the pictures and said it wasn't

cancer but did no tests to see what it really was. 4 years later that had grown substantially and then it was infection, then wasn't infection.

Now it's like the whole bone is affected by whatever it is and it all starts again. It's very painful but I just get on with it. 

Sometimes I just want them to cut it off, I swear that has to be better than this! I could get a nice new one that works 

 

The good thing that came from it (apart from my gorgeous coat which I've hardly taken off ),is that I slept  last night! Kept waking up but

went back to sleep again. Slept right through the alarm, which is gentle music and light. Was half asleep and trying to pull myself out of it

for a while then finally woke up enough to get up at 11.30am! Was still exhausted and back in bed at 3pm, slept for 4 more hours and I am

tired enough to sleep again now . It will be really good when this tapering and withdrawal is over and I can get into some kind of routine for 

sleeping. hopefully  . 

[MissSerene]

Mama: Rock that coat!! You sound amazing.

[wulfgar]

To bad i cant swing by with my own measuring tape! I was thinking of moving abroad because of a collapsing med system, guess by your experiences UK is not a good candidate. Best bet right now for good med care, get abducted by UFO, experimented on, and hopefully put back in better order.

[mammaP]

Mama: Rock that coat!! You sound amazing.

Thank you Miss Serene,Wish I felt amazing

 

 

To bad i cant swing by with my own measuring tape! I was thinking of moving abroad because of a collapsing med system, guess by your experiences UK is not a good candidate. Best bet right now for good med care, get abducted by UFO, experimented on, and hopefully put back in better order.

Been there Wulfar, been abducted by UFOs and experimented on, they were later identified as psychiatrists!   

Another day to wipe from the calender, so tired and achey I can't keep my eyes open but can't fall asleep either. Freezing cold but the heating is on,

then put on a jumper and start to overheat. This is how things were for me for years on effexor, it's seems my side effects are the same as withdrawal

and it's hard to tell which is which.   At least it's in waves now and not every minute of every day! I really feel for everyone who don't get windows yet.

[Petunia]

Been there Wulfar, been abducted by UFOs and experimented on, they were later identified as psychiatrists!   

 

  lol

[mattinsmom]

 

Been there Wulfar, been abducted by UFOs and experimented on, they were later identified as psychiatrists!   

 

  lol

 

Ditto

[Nikki]

UFO's hilarious.....

 

They probably have better drug methods than the doctors here

 

Hi MamaP....I haven't been checking in on others and decided to do that, daily if I can to say thank you for checking in on me:)

[mammaP]

Thanks for checking in Nikki. 

 

I am still suffering from last weekends activities. So very tired and feeling light headed most of the time. 

I'm also in a lot of pain in THAT leg, which is making me wonder if it is 'real' ! It's always been painful

but there isn't much I can do about it so try and ignore it. Since they told showed me the x rays I can

now feel the pain that belongs to that part. Before it was just pain, now I know where it is coming from

and it seems to be getting much worse, I'm not sure if it really is worse or just because it has been pointed out. 

 

Yesterday I overdid things again, I felt like doing things but suffered for it.

I was making little boxes, for my beads, stood at the table. Then made soup and tidied up.  I went to bed early

because I was completely exhausted, but couldn't relax, restless legs kicked off ( pun intended ) .

 It was around 2 hours before I went to sleep and then only slept for 2 hours. I had that terrible insomnia with

barely any sleep for so long, then when it settled, went away for the weekend and started it all off again! 

Actually, thinking about it now I'm writing this, there's no wonder I feel light headed and sick, it's lack of 

sleep! I always think withdrawal, when it isn't always that. Well, I suppose it is indirectly, but my own fault

for not respecting my body and pushing it too much. I need to learn to treat myself as I would treat others,

and that means showing TLC when it is needed! I reckon we could all do with a bit if that!

[Nikki]

I have friends tell me that I need to give myself TLC.  Trying to talk to myself in a compassionate manner.

 

Sleep is one of the first symptoms of WD.  Even if you had issues with it before this, it certainly contributes to it now.  When I get RLS I put a high wedge sandal that I have never worn (dog ate the other) and put it where I believe the source is and lay on it.  It's like a hard pressure point massage and it alleviates it. 

 

If I am tired and I read, I conk-out.   Magnesium is supposed to helpful.  Hot, hot shower or bath right before bed...

 

Hugs

[mattinsmom]

Nikki, I love the shoe idea. I'll have to ask my friends if they have a shoe to spare. I only have sneakers.

Also, I've used a rolled yoga mat along my spine and that has helped w backache, shoulder pain, and a little w hip alignment. I place it so that there is just enough to support my head and lay on it. I can really get in between my shoulders and work out knots too.

[mammaP]

Good suggestions there ladies! 

[Sweetcreature]

How are you now mammaP

 

Sweetcreature

[btdt]

LOL that made me laugh Amy, it would need to be a very large room! 

Wulfgar, re the tape measure, they all had their tape measures out and sure enough, the legs do seem to be the same length.

I noticed as soon as I woke up that one leg was longer. When I went home I could reach the top of cupboards I couldn't reach before!! 

I saw a chiropractor who said that it was about mechanics and in her opinion they had fitted the wrong size joint. Ditto Osteopath

The surgeon said my spine had twisted. X rays show it wasn't!  I've been to-ing and fro-ing for 12 years and

every time new x rays throw up something else. Rheumatology referred me to orthotics who adapted shoes so one had a platform.

That is fine when legs are different lengths but that made my pelvis push up into my ribs! 

 

Add to all that the patches of whatever in the thigh bone. The first was 8 years ago following MRI on my knee. I was told that there was

metastatic cancer in the thigh. 4 MONTHS after the mri! Nightmare! Then a team of doctors looked at the pictures and said it wasn't

cancer but did no tests to see what it really was. 4 years later that had grown substantially and then it was infection, then wasn't infection.

Now it's like the whole bone is affected by whatever it is and it all starts again. It's very painful but I just get on with it. 

Sometimes I just want them to cut it off, I swear that has to be better than this! I could get a nice new one that works 

 

The good thing that came from it (apart from my gorgeous coat which I've hardly taken off ),is that I slept  last night! Kept waking up but

went back to sleep again. Slept right through the alarm, which is gentle music and light. Was half asleep and trying to pull myself out of it

for a while then finally woke up enough to get up at 11.30am! Was still exhausted and back in bed at 3pm, slept for 4 more hours and I am

tired enough to sleep again now . It will be really good when this tapering and withdrawal is over and I can get into some kind of routine for 

sleeping. hopefully  . 

I does seem they don't know what they are doing.  I am glad your saving to see other doctors.  I had a friend once who was injured in surgery and no doctor within her region would tell the truth about it she had to get a doctor much further away to even start a conversation about what was actually her problem post surgery tho it was obvious damage was done during surgery... at the end of the day her malpractice case vaporized that is how it is  here in Canada if she had been in the states thing would have been different. 

She went in for a collapsed lung and came out with her right arm and hand crippled... it is that way to this day this has to be 20 years ago now.  They cut the nerve to her arm during the surgery.  Still no fault was found and that is how it is there is nothing they can do to repair it. 

I am glad your being very careful who you trust and are taking your time to find a doctor you have confidence in.  I think at the end of the day when they don't tell the truth they lose us.  Simple as that.  There needs to be protection for doctors to tell the truth about mistakes like a no fault system other wise the patients end up suffering as other doctors are afraid to tell the truth... or that is what it sound like.  Either they are all stupid or they are covering something up.  If they did put in the wrong size replacement would it not be wiser just to say so?

I don't know why we create a system like this... it does nor work well... it sure leaves you with a lot on your plate glad you found the coat at least and are getting some rest.  

At times when I can't sleep I try to at least relax so my body has a sense of rest of some sort. 

Peace to you.  

[btdt]

I was wondering if you have tried a deep relaxation video yes I am always saying this so forgive me for repeating myself but I find they help me so much.  The problem comes when I get caught in a cycle of not taking attentive care of myself and forget to use them.  Here is a link to one I use. 

I have taken to listening to rain when I am online too I find it calms me.  or this one  

which is music there are so many to choose from pick one you like. 

Peace to you Mamma P

[Nikki]

I will have to refer back to these meditations - thank you for posting them.

[btdt]

your welcome 

my first day with a picture 

to represent my journey

survivor by Frida Kahlo 

I need to put the name some place as I am apt to forget 

just discovered her artwork today online 

 

Some day I hope to be the survivor walking away.

[mattinsmom]

How are you doing today? Any sleep?

I was thinking you should pick up some heals (per Nikki's suggestion) and wear those and your coat to bed. It might not help with sleep but you'd look mighty fine

 

I'm not making light of sleeplessness. I know that it is a horrible experience. I do hope that a little bit of sleep came to you. As for pain, lack of sleep always makes my legs hurt. I mean they ache down to the bone. I wonder if the combination of over-dooing things and under-doing sleep has gotten the better of you. Try to be good to you today. I do hope that the pain leaves quickly. 

[mammaP]

Thanks for the links BT, I do listen to meditation when I go to bed, sometimes I can drop off

but wake up when it stops!  

 

Amy that made me laugh, never thought about heels for bed , I LOVE shoes but can only wear boring ones

so maybe I will get some for bed, lol  You are right about the lack of sleep and overdoing things, not a good

combination at all. Yesterday my grandson stayed over and offered to paint the front wall in the lounge. 

I helped him and we chatted while we worked. I didn't do much but it still had me in pain. Was good to do it 

together though and we talked which is always good. 

 

This morning when I got up the wall was a mess, it was deep green and I was covering it with a soft pale grey/blue

I wanted to cry because grandson had gone and I couldn't look at that wall, plus the furniture all over the place.

I decided that I was going to put on the 2nd coat myself, whatever it took and suffer the consequences.  Looked

at the ladder and thought better of it! I called my grandson in law and he came straight round and finished it for me. 

I am terrible at asking for help and like to 'paddle my own canoe' . It felt awful asking but now it is done, that depressing

dull green is gone and I feel much calmer. 

 

I did some research yesterday. My psychiatrist tole me I have a chronic sleep disorder, but never elaborated or told me what.

When I was in psych hospital I never got into the rythm like everyone else and they would let me sleep on when they woke

the others. Once I was there for 3 months and didn't get into their routine of sleeping.  So I decided to really get stuck in with

researching and found my disorder! I am so happy to have found it, you wouldn't believe how relieved I am!  I've been trying for

years to set my body clock,  and when the kids were growing up I was a wreck, you have to get up with kids for school etc!

Anyway, I found this  http://www.circadiansleepdisorders.org/docs/DSPS-QandA.pdf

 

This could be talking about me, right from being a child!  It makes perfect sense. It isn't insomna, but is often treated as insomna

and people are medicated. It is a neurological disorder. Simply put people CAN'T fall asleep at night, that is me, however tired.

I believe after reading this and other stuff I found, it explains my *bi-polar*  too. When I was working I would be fine for a while,

then suddenly I would be an exhausted lump.  I could no longer do my job and ended up sick. Then I would take time off, lose the job

and sleep till noon or later. When I felt better I got a new job, and the same ALWAYS happened.  It was sleep deficit.

I could go on and on but won't bore you all with it!  

 

I GIVE UP! I am not going to go to bed at a reasonable hour, I am going to bed when my eyes are closing, usually 3 or even 4am. 

I am not going to set the alarm like I have been doing for the last few years because I shouldn't be lying in bed all day!  I am going to

wear my sleep mask and just sleep or doze until I am awake enough to get up.  My day will start when everyone elses day is half over.

It is how I am at my best. I always thought that I was just an owl but it goes deeper than that. I am on my own and have no work to get

to. I will adjust my meds accordingly. I take my pain killers in the evening, I will take them at midnight instead then I can go out in the

evenings to visit friends, and meeting, swimming, all things I can't do because I can't drive after meds.  

 

I've waffled on again, but I am so happy to have found a possible explanation for a lot of things. We'll seen how it all pans out 

[mattinsmom]

I prefer sleeping from 2-10. Most people don't "understand". I have a theory tho. I was born at night. I think that our sleep is influenced by the time we were born, Think about it. At 11:18 I was pulled from this completely dark space into insanely bright light. My entire body was hit with stimulation and instincts were activated. Measure the baby, dress the baby, pass around the baby, feed the baby, everyone take pictures of the baby. I'm guessing it was probably around 2am that all that stopped and my body was again in a warm, dark, contained environment. 

 

That's my theory. 

[btdt]

Thanks for the links BT, I do listen to meditation when I go to bed, sometimes I can drop off

but wake up when it stops!  

 

Amy that made me laugh, never thought about heels for bed , I LOVE shoes but can only wear boring ones

so maybe I will get some for bed, lol  You are right about the lack of sleep and overdoing things, not a good

combination at all. Yesterday my grandson stayed over and offered to paint the front wall in the lounge. 

I helped him and we chatted while we worked. I didn't do much but it still had me in pain. Was good to do it 

together though and we talked which is always good. 

 

This morning when I got up the wall was a mess, it was deep green and I was covering it with a soft pale grey/blue

I wanted to cry because grandson had gone and I couldn't look at that wall, plus the furniture all over the place.

I decided that I was going to put on the 2nd coat myself, whatever it took and suffer the consequences.  Looked

at the ladder and thought better of it! I called my grandson in law and he came straight round and finished it for me. 

I am terrible at asking for help and like to 'paddle my own canoe' . It felt awful asking but now it is done, that depressing

dull green is gone and I feel much calmer. 

 

I did some research yesterday. My psychiatrist tole me I have a chronic sleep disorder, but never elaborated or told me what.

When I was in psych hospital I never got into the rythm like everyone else and they would let me sleep on when they woke

the others. Once I was there for 3 months and didn't get into their routine of sleeping.  So I decided to really get stuck in with

researching and found my disorder! I am so happy to have found it, you wouldn't believe how relieved I am!  I've been trying for

years to set my body clock,  and when the kids were growing up I was a wreck, you have to get up with kids for school etc!

Anyway, I found this  http://www.circadiansleepdisorders.org/docs/DSPS-QandA.pdf

 

This could be talking about me, right from being a child!  It makes perfect sense. It isn't insomna, but is often treated as insomna

and people are medicated. It is a neurological disorder. Simply put people CAN'T fall asleep at night, that is me, however tired.

I believe after reading this and other stuff I found, it explains my *bi-polar*  too. When I was working I would be fine for a while,

then suddenly I would be an exhausted lump.  I could no longer do my job and ended up sick. Then I would take time off, lose the job

and sleep till noon or later. When I felt better I got a new job, and the same ALWAYS happened.  It was sleep deficit.

I could go on and on but won't bore you all with it!  

 

I GIVE UP! I am not going to go to bed at a reasonable hour, I am going to bed when my eyes are closing, usually 3 or even 4am. 

I am not going to set the alarm like I have been doing for the last few years because I shouldn't be lying in bed all day!  I am going to

wear my sleep mask and just sleep or doze until I am awake enough to get up.  My day will start when everyone elses day is half over.

It is how I am at my best. I always thought that I was just an owl but it goes deeper than that. I am on my own and have no work to get

to. I will adjust my meds accordingly. I take my pain killers in the evening, I will take them at midnight instead then I can go out in the

evenings to visit friends, and meeting, swimming, all things I can't do because I can't drive after meds.  

 

I've waffled on again, but I am so happy to have found a possible explanation for a lot of things. We'll seen how it all pans out 

"evenings to visit friends, and meeting, swimming, all things I can't do because I can't drive after meds"

If you can do all these thing by just adjusting your med for sure do it!  The joy this would bring to your life is reason enough to adjust the meds in my opinion.  I hope it all works out well for you.  Further back in withdrawal I had a date with 4am I was either waking up or going to sleep at this time. There were threads on pp about it I think it was started by Alto... as she had the same issue it was very odd and interesting how many of us had this issue and she circadian rhythm I am sure Alto could help with understanding this as I still don't get it.

I went to pp and looked I don't see her 4am post any longer... but there is this one I have no idea if this would work or not.

 

" that happened to me too. i used to have a screwed up sleep cycle where I would sleep from 7 a.m. to noon. that went on for about 25 years. then I took a large dose of lecithin 1300 mgs because i read it was good for depression. here;s the link: www.doctoryourself.com/depression.html

anyway, it dramatically changed my sleep cycle back to normal. it did this in like 2-3 days. it was amazing. i'm now recommending this to anyone with depression or sleep issues. i take the gel capsules but it comes in granular that you can mix in drinks."

[btdt]

Not even suggesting you try as you have a plan already just putting it out there in case it interests you. sleep well

I can't sleep lately either. 

[mammaP]

Went to bed at 3am, fell asleep quite quickly and woke up at 4.45. That was it, but at least I wasn't 

laid there for hours waiting for sleep to come. Needless to say I am exhausted again! I'll come round

at about 5-6pm as usual. Tonight I'm going to delay the pain killer. It is activating and that is why I

take it in the evening. I can feel the pain ebb away and as long as I don't do too much it will stay away.

The downside is that it makes me feel drunk and can't drive or go out.  When it wears off I feel very very

tired but still can't fall asleep. My hope is that by taking it at 10pm, the pain will ease and when it wears

off at 3am I might be able to sleep because that is when my brain wants to sleep, plus the drowsiness 

from the drug wearing off. 

 

Bet none of that makes sense to anyone but me!!  My sleep actually improved while I was tapering for

the first year, terrible while on effexor but improved when tapering. Still didn't sleep till 3am but slept for

4 hours. These drugs sure mess us all up! 

[mammaP]

What an idiot I can be sometimes! It just occurred to me that moving my dose

of tramadol back by 4 hours will be a bad move! I need to do it gradually, so will take it 30 minutes later 

and increase the time by 30 minutes till it is 10pm otherwise I will be feeling withdrawal! 

[EternalOptimist]

MammaP

I m reading some posts now and glad i can.

I am so sorry for all u have been thru and going thru yet know how brave and strong you and others here are.

It is no picnic getting off psych meds. I've met some of the most intelligent and nicest, caring people going thru benzo w/d.

It is no different here. Thanks for your feedback and what u do for others while u r coping with your own struggles.

I believe in this process even tho at times lose sight of that given my own battles.

Spent many years giving and miss that. Hope we all find a happy balance in life.

EO

[mammaP]

Thank you for stopping by EO, I'm sure we will all find our way back to health,

it's a long road but we will get there together.  

 

It is 2.40am and I am just going to bed, hopefully sleep will come and stay with me instead of

giving me a quick hug and disappearing into the night!! 

[EternalOptimist]

 

 

MammaP:

Ooh, I feel how much u too suffer in the mornings and I am so sorry. I too wish I could make it better for all of us, thanks

For your wish on that too. If I wanted to ride waves, I would have taken up surfing! (attempt at humor at 11p.m.)

I pray for a return to normalcy for us and soon. EO

[EternalOptimist]

P.s. I pray u r blessed with quality sleep tonight! EO

[mammaP]

No such luck EO, another 90 minute sleep last night. Every night I hope that will be the night I sleep for 4 hours.

Last 2 days I've fallen asleep within 30-40  minutes but woke after about 1.5 hours. At least I haven't been laid

in bed awake for hours before going to sleep.  It is quite 'normal' for me and I don't worry about it, but right now

I can't go out because I can't drive like this, that doesn't help either. Went for a little walk along the road last night, 

after dark when it was quiet and felt disoriented . 

[tezza]

Bless your heart, mP...I would be so physically ill if I lost that much sleep. I'm sure it's taking it's toll on you, I'm so sorry. Currently, I'm sleeping 5-6 hours with one, sometimes two bathroom breaks. That's not bad, really, but I'd like to sleep later.

 

Before WD I would stay up till 1 or 2am ( or later) and sleep till around 8:30 or 9am, so I'm actually not getting less sleep now just different hours.

 

Now, I go to bed between 9:30 and 11:00, I aim for 10:00, though.

 

I sincerely hope and pray for more sleep for you!

 

Hugs!!!

[btdt]

No such luck EO, another 90 minute sleep last night. Every night I hope that will be the night I sleep for 4 hours.

Last 2 days I've fallen asleep within 30-40  minutes but woke after about 1.5 hours. At least I haven't been laid

in bed awake for hours before going to sleep.  It is quite 'normal' for me and I don't worry about it, but right now

I can't go out because I can't drive like this, that doesn't help either. Went for a little walk along the road last night, 

after dark when it was quiet and felt disoriented . 

I was just looking at your withdrawal process.  I know you have had sleep issues since childhood but I can tell you for sure I did not have any sleep issue as a kid could not stay up past midnight even as a young adult I am one of those people who needs solid sleep and always have.  Withdrawal is notorious for causing insomnia.  I went thru several bouts of this and still have waves of insomnia at this late date.  

What I was looking at was the tamadol.  There is a drug interaction with this and Effexor have read they are a lot alike.  I would send you the links but they were on the Effexor Withdrawal Topix site and that site is now shut down.  No idea why.  

 

I am not sure how this may be affecting you or your sleep.  Just thought it was worth mentioning.