Day 3-worse than day 1

[Ronda8899]

I'm on day three. I've been doing pretty good up until now. Today I'm sneezing like crazy, high anxiety, and my sciatica nerve pain is acting up. It's so infuriating that I actually needed the pills for pain and I couldn't just take them for that so now I'm stuck in severe pain. I don't know why today is worse you think it would only be getting better.

[meegWpaw]

hope you are doing ok Ronda ... beating this is tough but you are doing it!  you will have good days and bad days.  like Never, i also did not feel much better until day 6 or 7, and until around day 10 i was not really sure i was going to make it ... this held true for most of my detoxes.  but it does get better!  you will gradually notice more energy and more optimism.  keep posting ... you're doing a super job!  :)

[jemma116]

To help ease the pain from the sciatic problem, apply a heat pack or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel or cloth so as not to get scalded in the lower back.  Only stay in bed when you are in the acute stage, and try and get moving as soon as you can.

You may find having a massage with arnica helpful for the muscle spams and also to help you relax and lower your anxiety levels.

Do breathing exercises to help with your anxiety levels.  Breathe out as much as you can and then slowly breathe through your nose to fill your lungs and then slowly breath out through your mouth.  

Going out for a walk in the fresh air is great to reduce the anxiety levels, but as you have a sciatic problem, that is probably not possible at the moment.  But you can lie in bed and listen to some relaxing music to help reduce the anxiety levels.

Best wishes.

[VICourageous]

YOU are doing better then you give yourself credit for. WE all can read how you are changing.
Look at YOU out here with such wonderful caring and sharing replies to others. I see a BIG change so far!

The No-Motivation was a hard on for me and the Low-energy. This will pass in time. Just stay in the min, hour and day for right now. Hugs!

[Ronda8899]

Thank you. It's funny because I bought a mandala coloring book. It's supposed to be good to take your mind off from things and anxiety. It helps when I feel positive about it and everything like I did in the beginning, but I've been slowly losing the positivity as the days go on and I'm mot getting better and im not feeling that high. Addiction is terrible and I'm so tired of it.

[ImInAwe]

Hey, my sponsor told me this this morning: Sometimes instead of taking it one day at a time, you have to take it one minute at a time, and anyone can do anything for one minute! Just focus on the right now. What can you do right now to take the focus off how you feel? Step outside and listen to the birds? Go for a walk? Talk to higher power? If I just don't feel like doing anything, I'll print off a coloring book page from here: https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=coloring%20pages%20for%20adults

and color like my kids do... Try to take your mind off it, you can do it!

[Ronda8899]

Thanks again everyone. Still not feeling that great. Still can't stop crying because I'm just sick of feeling like this. One day feels like a month. It's exhausting really. I'm just having a really hard time. Wish I could just take something to make this better but I know it's not possible this time.

[ImInAwe]

Hey, saw you struggle with sciatica pain, and as a fellow sciatica sufferer, I wanted to link to some stretches that can reaaaally help with it! I do them anytime mine acts up real bad.

http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/stretches-and-exercise-sciatic-pain-piriformis-syndrome

[gnarly_1]

Hey Ronda....well from my experience detoxing  it only got worst each time around.....I know this is hard but it is all about attitude  try to stay positive....this is the beginning for your new life without pills  just stick with it  your close to getting threw it  we have all been there with time  aftercare you do heal  keep posting for support.....Gnarly

[brownvelvet]

Hang in there Rhonda.... we are cheering for you

[againnot]

You've got this, Rhonda!  It will keep getting better.
I'm only on 3 months off oxy.  I cried a lot, was mean to people, couldn't sleep...for the first several weeks.
Great advice you got here from everyone.
I just wanted to add that I started getting massages and they claim it helps rid the body of the toxins.  Not sure if it's true, but it sure helps me relax .
Hang in there.  It will get better.

[VICourageous]

RONDA!!!!

It is that Stinken-Thinken in your Head! Do not let the Bad Guy in! YOU will be able to do ALL these things AND even BETTER!

Put up those BOUNDARIES and STOP listening to Addiction. It is trying to bring YOU back..TIME & PATIENCE! TIME & PATIENCE! Over & Over Again & Again tell Yourself. Have your Family, Fiance, Any Support tell you this over & over it will take TIME to balance out and everything will FIRE back UP!

MOST of US out here can tell YOU this is so TRUE!!!

Right now you need to stick close to here and/or get to a meeting or any outside support group!

[Ronda8899]

I can't even describe how miserable I am if I wanted to. I can't stop crying. All I want to do is find pills. My whole body hurts so bad. I am so depressed. I just want to be able to spend time with my family and do stuff with my fiancé and I can't. I absolutely can't stand this and I'm not feeling strong or positive at all anymore.

[NeverAgain127]

Hang in there, Ronda....everyone is different, but truthfully, I felt like crap up until day 7..and even then, I think I didn't begin to feel positive about making it until days 10-14.   It's okay to feel badly...give yourself permission to do nothing if that is what makes you comfortable.  I laid in bed for 4 days straight and watched movies...(I think I watched "Get Him to the Greek" a dozen times!)

I don't want to discourage you...just keep going and get this over with---you are on your way to a better new life!!!!!  

(((hugs)))

-Robin

[Ronda8899]

Hey all thanks for the comments. I'd love to say today is better but it is TERRIBLE. I think pretty much every symptom I could have today I'm having. I don't even want to get off the couch today. I've been doing so good being so positive and I thought maybe it wouldn't hit me like this this time. Boy was I wrong lol. I just want to get back to the old me that never had to think or deal with these things.

[gnarly_1]

Hey Ronda....well the no sleep thing is the norm.....you been blessed to be able to sleep so far  you just have to push threw it ...dont let it discourage you  you cant die form lack of sleep  this is day 4 for you and it can go ether way  for some you turn the corner for others it is the worst day  just know you will be feeling better soon  congrats on mailing it to day 4...........Gnarly

[PlowBoy36420]

Welcome back, I know it's a rough battle but one that's well worth the effort.
I'm at 45 days now and I can tell you that I feel so much better, I'm getting rest now and that seems to be the key thing.
I'm rooting for you,  I know you can make it :-)
That first week or so was the worst and I know it can make you want want want but just remember that it will only last but a short time.

[pillguy]

Days 3 - 5 are typically the worst.  You are in the thick of the battle now.  There's no going back.  We know what's back there.  Literally a day or two and you are through the worst of this.  Fight for the life you want!

[brownvelvet]

Rhonda
Not being able to sleep is.... agony.....i am much better now but I still struggle a bit.... nowhere near what that first ten days was like.....I don't have much to help you with but I just wanted you to know I have been there and I feel for you.... it will get better..hang in there

[Ronda8899]

This is the first night I haven't been able to sleep. I took zquill took a hot bath with Epsom salt and I am exhausted. Here I am on the computer though. Ive tried everything. Its so frustrating. So tired I don't even know what to say, just had to vent quick.

[Ronda8899]

I didn't even think about going to AA meetings, but its a great idea, and something I will look into. I ended up doing stuff all day today non stop. I don't know how I did it but I did. I feel exhausted now and in pain, but at least I made it through the day. Cravings are terrible of course, but I knew they would be. I've been used to taking them at a certain time every day that it just became habit. I haven't made it more than two weeks without so really cant wait to at least get to that point this time and MUCH longer.

[VICourageous]

That was a Awesome reply!!!

I have not had a drink for over 10-12-14yrs..I have lost count. I REALLY do get SO much from my AA too..Yep! Alcohol is a Drug and SERIOUS one..Right!!!! I was always accepted at those meetings being a cross Addict!

Bless

[Cricketk92]

Hi Ronda and Welcome!!!  
There isn't much I can add to the great advice above!!!  So i'll just be one more person telling you that it DOES get better!!  The first week is miserable...between being sick and all the thoughts about pills and all the negative feelings....  that's why it is so good to post on here a LOT!  Someone is always around and will give you encouragement!!!
The only other thing I can add different right now is that during my first week, when I didn't leave the house except to walk the dog, I started doing online meetings and they helped me tremendously!!!  The only NA one I could find and that was at 10pm but there are AA meetings online throughout the day... they also helped me to get a feel for what meetings were about so when I went to "live" ones it didn't seem so odd!!!  Anyway, just a suggestion...
Keep on posting!  You are doing awesome!!!
Karen

[LeapYearGUY]

Great comments of support from all. I agree, days 3 and 4 were the worst. I only want to add a suggestion given to me that wound up being hugely helpful: if there are only 2 NA meetings a week in your area, see if there are any open AA meetings. Even though I was never a big drinker, I immediately felt more comfortable in AA. Although not everyone wants to admit it, alcohol is a drug. I found that if I went and focused on trying to identify versus comparing, I fit in equally at both places. Open AA meetings are just meetings not restricted to a particular group, e.g., women, teens, alcoholics, etc. Do yourself a huge favor and just go. You will never regret it!
Good luck Honey!

[NeverAgain127]

Oh honey, I know how you feel.  

Detoxing is not linear; the first week is a rollercoaster; or at least it was for me.  I remember day 2 was not so bad...I thought "hey, I'm over this!"  And then days 3 and 4 were miserable.  

You're in the thick of it, but as everyone has said, this WILL get better.  One foot in front of the other...just keep your eyes focused FORWARD.  The things you are doing are fantastic; BUSY is the watchword.

Praying for you, Ronda...you're a kick-as.s. lady and you GOT this.

Hugs,
-Robin