1 Week Down What's Next & Where is my Strength

[Texanaddict]

Well, First of all I want to thank the very many people that have expressed concern, given advice and word of encouragement. And to all that extended an invitation of friendship, thank you especially because you can never have to many friends.
Day 1 and  2 were pretty miserable. Then I had 2 or 3 days of ultimate agony, delerious almost out of my mind at times. Background: As a child my brother and I went to church everytime they opened the doors because Dad had the Keys I think. He even preached from time to time when a pastor couldn't be found. If my parents were gone my grandmother made sure we were at church sometimes twice on Sunday, Wednesday nights, and Vacation Bible school for a week or 2 in summer. Went off to college burnt out on religion
Now this week during my utter agony God and I became reaquainted. I had quit after a short taper on Sunday June 28th "the Lord's Day" I prayed and swore if I could get through this week I would go to church the next Sunday in grattitude. This morning I kept my promise even though I had only slept 4 hours
I showered dressed and went to a church nearby that really modern with large screens, beautiful lighting, and a wonderful dynamic young paster wearing Dockers and a golf shirt. As I sat on the back row I thought this isn't like when I was a child men wore suits and women were always in their best dressses.
He told a bible story and related it to our hectic modern lives and paced back and forth and hardly ever just stood behind the pew. I sat and silently thanked God for getting me through a week and slipped out quickly. The whole thing from dressing to going home took 2 hours.
I went home and collapsed on the bed and slept 2 hours it had totally exhausted me. Where is my strenght?  Does it come back in spurts or just one morning you feel more energized?  A nine year old girl could whip my butt with one hand tied behind her back.
I am to go to work tommorrow which usually involves driving around and visiting customers some have known me years. They are going to know something is wrong. Not to mention explaining the 20 lb loss in the last 2 weeks.
I can stay home and telephone it.
So any advice on what to eat, drink, etc would help, When I do to much I get nausiated. Does this happen to anyone? Ya know just weakness and sick to stomach.
Once again many, many thanks to all the people who have given me strength to go on and sad to say I still need advice on how to go on.
Texanaddict    

[woowoo67]

Well I am on day 15 and I can tell you the physical WD's are pretty much gone, but I am also just constantly tired......  I do not want to do anything but sleep!  And I am one moody and mean ******* too....  I have pissed off one friend (who did do me wrong, but I overreacted) to the point I probably will never speak with him again.  I think these lingering symptoms would be classified as PAWS (post acute withdrawal symptoms) ??  I could be wrong....  but this can last anywhere from 30 days to 6 months depending on how long and how much you have taken.

I was gobbling up and sniffing everything in site, to the tune of about 15-25 hydro, methadone, percs, norcs, and the occasional OC a day....   I have spent every dollar and sold everything I can sell for this evil ****.

There is PAWS info in the health pages, good luck......  It will get better sooner or later.... at least you can sleep a little some say they cant sleep at all!

woowoo

[spongeboy]

Just tell your customers you arent feeling well (i think they will believe u :)  Do what you have to do and try to make it through the day.  I cannot help re what to eat/drink.  My appetite has come back in the last 2 days and i am eating anything.  I havent really had a problem with being nauseous either but the tiredness i am there with you.  Like woowoo said i have a feeling that is gonna last awhile.  Keep fighting!!!

[rod05]

Gday Texan

Your going great All your syptoms (symptoms) a 100% spot on...You don't talk about pain much how is it...

Work ye i would do it over the phone cause the last thing you want is to have accident driving....

Church that was a great idea distraction it got your mind of the syptoms (symptoms) and sounds like god helped you out this week ....

Next week go to work remember  this won't last, this time next month you will feel so much better......

Hope you have a good week....

Have you been going for walks and stuff like that....

you will beat this well done

[corey411]

I found that especially in the first month things like energy, anxiety and so on got better for a day or two, then worse. The first month is all about ups and downs. The second month does get better but you do still have down days.....not as many. Spirituality and religion are really important but please do not try to fix all right away.....FOCUS ON YOUR RECOVERY. It's great that you got out but all of this will fall into place as you recover. Recovery takes time but is so worth it. Be good to yourself...don't allow negative thoughts to linger in your head. You can do this and everything else will fall into place:o))

[Kevin_Bacon]

If you don't have blood pressure issues (or they're mild), you can try that horrible cola-like "energy drink" first thing -- then strong coffee till quitting time.

I think those caffeine-laced drinks should be banned, but they have a bit of a kick.

[Kevin_Bacon]

Oh. The food thing. Ensure or something like it, and blender creations with added protein powder. Wash down, at the very least, a multivitamin pill. Stick with bland -- rice pudding, yogourt, bananas (especially in the blender, with soy milk and all your favorite fruits) ...

If you can hold down a high-protein meal, your body will thank you.

If there's any way to take a day or two off without messy consequences, this would be the time.

[Ella789]

If your stomach isn't bloated or not constipated,  then try an immodium tablet.  It has something in it that helps the receptors in the stomach.  And may help settle it down a bit.  Try eating something light, even if you do not feel like it as it will help with giving you some strength.   You know the energy is the last to come back,  it just is,  I know it ***** rocks but nevertheless the energy will come back slowly.  Please keep up with the B viatamins,  if your stomach will tolerate it.  Make yourself move,  get a brisk walk even if it's around the back yard!!!  Go make a strong cup of joe and doctor it up with a tad with sugar and milk.  Some say don't do that, but I'm for whatever helps at the time.     Time heals us,  only time and a positive attitude,  which it is normal to feel just louzy, and normal to just fight like heck when it hits!!  We have to be our own warriors, it is a fight and it is a hard one.  Be prepared for your brain to play games with you,  it will,  just know it for what it is.!!!   I am taking Naltrexone, for the past two weeks,  it is suposed to help with the cravings,  I do still think of the past but I do not want a pill,  even if I took one, it wouldn't be of any effect while taking Naltrexone.   You know you try what works for you,  but you do not use.  It is hard guys, we know how you are feeling,  slowly it will get better, but you have to take your mind off of everything by doing what you enjoying doing,  music,, sports,, lawn mowing (yuck) lol

Texanaddict..........  Your post abt. going to Church as you were growing up reminded me so much of me as far back as I can remember my parents took me to Church every Sun. Sun. nite,  Wednesday evening,  Summer Church, all the Church meetings and events,  I had to go.  We went unless we were very sick and in bed!!!  It was hard,  everyone looks at you differently and you are held to a higher standard than any of the other kids !!!!!  It was even worse when I got to be a teenager and wanting to wear makeup and shorter skirts!  No way, Mom and Dad said it wasn't right to do that!!  Oh, man, I just wanted to be a regular girl, and date regular guys, and all of them were screemed prior to going out!!!!        Flash forward to now..............  many, many years later.......  My Dad passed away one year ago last February..........  I prayed to him and God to help me in Febuary when I detoxed, I didn't know how I would make it through this........  poor Daddy, I miss him so.   My Mom misses him every day .....  I think of all this now,  later in life and I am glad I had something to fall back on..........  my God and my Dad........ and little Brother who died at age 43.........  They gave me the strength to know I could do this, and in my mind I could hear my Dad say "It's gonna be okay,sis,  you can do this"  
I know it sounds crazy but we do what works for us and I hope you all will do the same!
Hugs
Ella

[Texanaddict]

Thanks Ella, reminds me of my grandparents that I Loved to spend time with. They are gone but would have said the same as your Dad. I miss them very much. they passed away 3 years ago about 6 months apart and I took more pills. I get tired walking around
the house. I have walked around the block 3 times and when I return I have to lay down an hour to recoup. You keep up your fight and don't let your brain trick you. Sure wish that time would pass a little faster

[Texanaddict]

Great idea about those energy drinks like Red Bull or something like that. I have eaten some fruit and last night I brought home a chicken breast and salad and it tasted great but I think it was harder to sleep. My stomach wasn't use to so much ( I over did it )
I read you need protein for brain healing.
I read you need carbs like potatoto, rice, and pasta for energy.
I guess I will see how much I can do tommorrow and what can't get done will be done on my computer and cell phone from my desk at home.
My blood pressure normally runs about 125/78 but for about 3 days it was at 150/110 before the worst was over. I wish I had asked for clonidin.
Thanks for the suggestions.

[Texanaddict]

Howdy Aussie, you are the most upbeat guy here.  You are so full of encouragement.
You just don't realize it is to soon to for me to take long walks on the beach when being
upright for 2  hours makes me sick.  I know you are right and I must look in the mirror
every morning and say today I am going to have a better day than yesterday whether it happens or not.
I will be using the telephone a lot tommorrow.  Some customers who rely heavily on me that I have been seeing twice a week for over 10 years aren't going to like another phone call after being called by replacement from being off last week, but what the hey.
It's not like I'm delivering babies or performing brain surgery, just taking orders over a computer and answering questions.
I only hope I am as full of spirit as you in 6 weeks. If not then I'm moving to Australia.
There's something in the water at the bottom of the earth.
It's funny you should ask about the pain in my neck that started all this. It isn't bad that Ibuprofen can't help. However  my brain still is sending out pain signals that are fake because it wants to be fed the drug it has become used to.
I feel the original problem can be controlled with anti-inflammatories and therapy but a pain pill was easier.  If it  worsens I have been  assured a minor surgery  could fix it but any one cutting into the back of my neck next to my spine does not seem " minor "
Thanks for your upbeat support  GDay Mate

[Texanaddict]

I wanted to try and answer everyone that took their valuable time to send me a note
I guess this first month will have good days and bad days. When I started this I thought you just gradually got better a little each day but a drug addiction is a whole new ball game.  I do believe  you are right  that it's about  half  attitude. As strenght returns I am going to be good to myself  and set time goals and set aside the cash to reward  myself.
I still  read every day so I apreciate the comments
To everyone keep those cards and letters coming
They are what's keeping me going

[Ella789]

.  Sometimes W/D from opiates can cause serious problems in people who have BP issues.  Hope I don't offend you by saying that, just want you to watch it.

I have read so much these past months abt. detox and recovery,  it seems to all run together after awhile.  I think the most important thing for me was magnesium, potassium and viatamin C.   along with trying to eat better and avoiding red meat for awhile.   I also drink the Monster energy drinks, even tho they say it has like 12 tsp. of sugar ( yayyyyyyyy ! )  It has other good vits. in it.  And I really love the Green Monster,  the others taste yucky.    I think you will start feeling better before too much longer, can't recall how much you used pre-detox,  sometimes the higher amt. matters.    I caught all kinds of heck if I used over 6 of my 7.5 mg lortabs a day.  I guess that is alot, but not according to what I have read on these posts at times!!  

   I hope you days ahead will find you feeling stronger.  I know it is sad, it just takes time.

Ella