Memory loss on opiates

[MizDemeanor]

This is sort of an embarrassing question, but it seems that the whole time I was taking the pills, it did something to my memory. People close to me have been telling me for a while that I "repeat" things like I have never told them before. Also when I think about the past 2 years alot of stuff is "foggy". Did the opiates just erase that from my memory? Was I too high for it to "register"? Is that time just "lost"? Argh lots of questions, and no answers to any of them. I know so many of you are so far ahead of me in this process, and so I respect that you will know this. Please help, I feel like a zombie!!

[confused456]

I agree and think it will for me to, I hope. Thanks again.

[lucyred68]

it worked a lot better for me than writing it down.

[confused456]

Great idea!!! Thanks and I bought a notebook, but I fear writing down every time is going to "hassle" me too much and it will be a bother. This is great advice for me! Thanks!!!

[lucyred68]

to help me remember if i took one while tapering, i used one of thos pill boxes that are divided into 14 sections and scheduled my taper into them for a two week period.  when they were gone for the day, i didn't take any more no matter how hard it was.  it made me really count the hours so i wouldn't ron out too soon.  now i am down to three pills, and off.  cut them into quarters, and will be done tomorrow.  wd's have been a lot easier this time, but i will see when i am totally out how bad they get.

[confused456]

I can't remember if I took a pill today......What the heck.........I am tapering. Only day 3.....just do not remember, so I will assume that I DID take it.......

[lucyred68]

i lost two years, and nine months later haven't gotten them back.  but at least now i remember most of whats gone on since i quit.  it's a little slower than it used to be, but getting better all the time.  hoping that getting off the low dose of norco i have been on for back pain will finish the healing.

[BigWill79]

You are going through typical symptoms of opiate withdrawal and recovery.  The brain will take 2 months to physically heal and can take longer to mentally repair itself, according to my wonderful doctor.  Our brain is no different than an arm or leg in terms of needing to physical heal damage done to it.  If you brake a leg it takes time to heal, if we abuse our brain with chemicals, it takes time for it to heal in the physcial sense.  Understanding this can help in the process.  Feeling down, anxious, or just feeling a little off, say this is my brain healing and it will fix itself.  Hope this makes sense.  

[MizDemeanor]

Thanks for the encouraging words! Yes I know I sound like Im beating myself up, and I guess I have been. Its so awful when you realize you have been numb for so long. It seems my brain doesnt "work" as well as it used to, but then again I havent had it off the pills but 2 weeks. I'll work on not worrying about what did happen and more about what will happen in the future. Thanks again for your words.
Peace.

[cathy5841]

good post calamity, i am right there with ya. lol

[Clamity2]

Yes I repeated myself when I was buzzed on opiates and certain I lost so much from being numbed out on opiates. BUT I refuse to beat myself up about it. I can't change what I've done. I am getting better each day and making new memories. I'm old though so I may still repeat myself  LOL

[Jacqui805]

Totally makes sense.  All you can do now is lay down new tracks to a better place.  I've lost four years and I do not intend to lose any more.  I'm gonna make the best of what I've got becaus I did beat myself up pretty hard over things and it got me no where except depressed and frustrated that I couldn't go back and fix it.  

[MizDemeanor]

Thanks Jacqui and Cathy! I appreciate the responses. This is one thing about being off the pills that is really bothering me. Its almost like I woke up but I dont "know what page we are on". Does that make sense?

[cathy5841]

i don't know the answers to your questions but i too have lots of "time" lost to these pills, just wanted to let you know you are not alone.
cathy

[Jacqui805]

I went through the same thing, and to top it off, with the w/d, my mind was racing so badly at first that I couldn't concentrate on anything and couldn't remember the day before, literally.

Yes, this happens sometimes, but it is not permanent.  It'll be o.k. when you're through this.  If for some reason when you're through the worst of it you're not feeling normal, get a checkup to rule out anything else.  I'd be willing to bet all will be cool though.  My mind is supremely important to me, and it really bothered me, I'm still in it too.  I'm starting to be better at recall now, finally.

Hang in there, Miz

Jacqui