Aa
Not a question; A thank you.
I started taking pain meds much in the same way most everybody does...For a valid medical problem. But while taking them, I realized that narcotics were like a 'wonder drug' that fixed all my problems (insomnia, shyness, anxiousness etc.) and I started abusing. 4 years later, 200mg daily I realized I had lost control of my life and was taking the meds, not for a high, not for pain...but just to feel normal. I hit a wall...I had had enough.
I ran into this forum by accident and read all the comments from you fine people and realized that I am not alone! You gave me the confidence to seek treatment. It's now four weeks later, my withdrawls are over, my cravings are controlled with a drug called effexor. (PS..It REALLY helped with the restless legs and arms!)
I wanted to take the time and thank each and everyone of you for having the guts to share your personal demons...You helped me to cast mine off.
I look forward to hearing from all of you. I know its a long road to rehab and I am FAR from cured...So I am hoping to make friends here and hope you can help me stay clean, and maybe I can help some of you too.
Rob
I ran into this forum by accident and read all the comments from you fine people and realized that I am not alone! You gave me the confidence to seek treatment. It's now four weeks later, my withdrawls are over, my cravings are controlled with a drug called effexor. (PS..It REALLY helped with the restless legs and arms!)
I wanted to take the time and thank each and everyone of you for having the guts to share your personal demons...You helped me to cast mine off.
I look forward to hearing from all of you. I know its a long road to rehab and I am FAR from cured...So I am hoping to make friends here and hope you can help me stay clean, and maybe I can help some of you too.
Rob
5th week??? God, that is SO AWESOME, guy!!! I bet you're starting to feel somewhat human again, huh? You must be, if you're doing real live activities like working in the yard....LOL We're kinda neighbors---I'm from MN, so we have most likely had similar weather. I'm ready to get outside, too.
Your daughter being your main incentive reminds me of percs: his two kids were one of his prime motivators, too. And really, what better reason could one have??? My two daughters are both old enough to get the truth from me about what was going on w/ my addiction, and not letting them down has certainly been an impetus in my staying clean. Ideally we would love ourselves enough to do it for US...and ultimately, we do, but when those times wax and wane, the kids wil step in for us.:-)
Nice to hear from you and keep up the terrific work! Peazy
Your daughter being your main incentive reminds me of percs: his two kids were one of his prime motivators, too. And really, what better reason could one have??? My two daughters are both old enough to get the truth from me about what was going on w/ my addiction, and not letting them down has certainly been an impetus in my staying clean. Ideally we would love ourselves enough to do it for US...and ultimately, we do, but when those times wax and wane, the kids wil step in for us.:-)
Nice to hear from you and keep up the terrific work! Peazy
Hey Peaz...I try and keep up with everyone here and I am very sorry I haven't gotten back. It has been so damn beautiful here in Michigan the past couple days I have been out in my yard trying to get it ready for the "real" start of spring!
My inspiration is the blonde haired blue eyed little girl that wakes me up in the morning with a full running jump! (my two year old katelyn) she is my inspiration. I keep telling her I don't want her seeing her daddy reaching for a pill bottle to make it though the day. And it gets me by. She really was my inspiration to quit as well. I made my 5th week this past Monday and I am still going strong.
I hope all is well for you too Dr. Phil! SEEEYA!
Rob
My inspiration is the blonde haired blue eyed little girl that wakes me up in the morning with a full running jump! (my two year old katelyn) she is my inspiration. I keep telling her I don't want her seeing her daddy reaching for a pill bottle to make it though the day. And it gets me by. She really was my inspiration to quit as well. I made my 5th week this past Monday and I am still going strong.
I hope all is well for you too Dr. Phil! SEEEYA!
Rob
Ah, yes, so I did...I was thinking that you meant I mentioned it in my post to oldtimer. Hence: the confusion. And w/ me, it doesn't take much....LOL
Happy Easter, Sweets---don't eat all the kids' candy like you did last year. You thought no one would find out, didn't ya??? Peaz
Happy Easter, Sweets---don't eat all the kids' candy like you did last year. You thought no one would find out, didn't ya??? Peaz
Hi Rob--You and I had a conversation further down, and it was closed to more comments, so I moved up here to ask you how you're doing? I haven't seen you post in a day or two and I'm just wondering how things are going for you. You had mentioned the psychological cravings as being the most threatening to you. Have you come up w/ some strategies that seem to be working for you? I liked working out w/ weights as often as I could, and I still do. For some odd reason (well, it was endorphins, actually) the stronger I got, physically, the stronger I became, psychologically/mentally. So I gradually became Jesse Ventura w/ a Dr.Phil twist....LOL What a combo!! Let me know what you've been up to. Take care--Peazy
Only YOU will understand the Dr. Ruth reference.....LOL Feathers, anyone???
Ahem--The post oldtimer mentioned is above where she posted in that same thread....I believe it was to finkboy. Call me confused or call me to dinner, but WHERE are you coming up w/ the "guru" thang??? But of course, I have no objections to "guruess"......
You won't lose your job--they love your ass........ But you're about to drive the posters here crazy w/ all your aliases. :-) I'll be in touch! Love, Peazy
Ahem--The post oldtimer mentioned is above where she posted in that same thread....I believe it was to finkboy. Call me confused or call me to dinner, but WHERE are you coming up w/ the "guru" thang??? But of course, I have no objections to "guruess"......
You won't lose your job--they love your ass........ But you're about to drive the posters here crazy w/ all your aliases. :-) I'll be in touch! Love, Peazy
My IT gal is going to kill me(in and out of retirement@work)
I missed that post oldtimer was referring.............it was a goody!!!!
You stated a "guru"; but you have my vote for "guru-ess" here.
PEAZ to you Di!!!!!
your pal, percs
I missed that post oldtimer was referring.............it was a goody!!!!
You stated a "guru"; but you have my vote for "guru-ess" here.
PEAZ to you Di!!!!!
your pal, percs
Hey Lou!! I posted your message up here, as the other thread closed(and i thought maybe more people would see it up here).
There are several people here that can probably relay some info about coming off methadone, as i have no experience with it myself. I can tell you disruptions(a little bit of an understatement for 50 days of no sleep!!!!!! ouch) to sleep patterns is not only extemely common, one of the longer lasting effects from detoxing off opiates. It certainly was for me.
Coming off a pretty hefty oxycodone(percocet) habit last summer, it took me almost 3 months(DON'T BE ALARMED PEOPLE, most people take less time) to put together more than 3-4 hours of sleep.
And that was with the help of trazadone(50mg at bedtime; non-addictive antidepressant/sedative), and a lit'l bit of melatonin.
You are right, your friend needs to get some sleep, or it very well could be the end to such a courageous battle that he has put forth!!!!! Can his doctor help him out??
I hope things change soon for him!!
Read thru lots of the posts, as sleep problems(and possible solutions) are pervassive on many threads.
percs
Lou-dog
(11-Apr-03) . First of all, sorry to those of you to which this message is a repeat... But anyway, hi, my name is Steve. In addition to smoking marijuana straight for about ten or so years (including currently), a friend of mine had been on methadone for about 5 years, most recently taking 25 mg for at least 4-5 months... He had also sporatically done heroin (the original drug that got him into this mess) throughout these 5 years... Then, he got arrested & was forced to detox cold turkey on the floor of a jail cell for 3 days... Once he got out, he decided he might as well "go for the gold", & just go cold turkey to quit opiates forever.... Hats off to the man, because it's now been about 50 days since he's ingested opiates. His problem, however, is that he says he hasn't really slept in 50 days! He says he'll close his eyes, then open them 2 hours later, but no dreaming at all for the whole 50 days! He calls it "resting his eyelids". Anyway, despite being in pretty good spirits, he says it's kind of driving him nuts...I fear he may lose his will because he'll decide that noone could live like that... I'm hoping someone out there has some good advice, or can at least give him (through me) some kind of idea on how long this will go on until some sleep-normalcy will return, at least so he can have something to look forward to! If you know any info which might educate me on this subject/remedies/places on the internet I could look into/whatever else you think might help my friend out, I'd really appreciate it... He's such a cool guy, & I think he's damn close to beating this "dragon", as the forum puts it... I hope all of you can do the same one day... I'd tell you that "you can do it" but I've only quit cigarettes, so in a way I have no business saying so... Anyway, very very good luck, stay strong, remember Jesus's ordeal, & if you think you can help out my friend, I'd really appreciate it.
There are several people here that can probably relay some info about coming off methadone, as i have no experience with it myself. I can tell you disruptions(a little bit of an understatement for 50 days of no sleep!!!!!! ouch) to sleep patterns is not only extemely common, one of the longer lasting effects from detoxing off opiates. It certainly was for me.
Coming off a pretty hefty oxycodone(percocet) habit last summer, it took me almost 3 months(DON'T BE ALARMED PEOPLE, most people take less time) to put together more than 3-4 hours of sleep.
And that was with the help of trazadone(50mg at bedtime; non-addictive antidepressant/sedative), and a lit'l bit of melatonin.
You are right, your friend needs to get some sleep, or it very well could be the end to such a courageous battle that he has put forth!!!!! Can his doctor help him out??
I hope things change soon for him!!
Read thru lots of the posts, as sleep problems(and possible solutions) are pervassive on many threads.
percs
Lou-dog
(11-Apr-03) . First of all, sorry to those of you to which this message is a repeat... But anyway, hi, my name is Steve. In addition to smoking marijuana straight for about ten or so years (including currently), a friend of mine had been on methadone for about 5 years, most recently taking 25 mg for at least 4-5 months... He had also sporatically done heroin (the original drug that got him into this mess) throughout these 5 years... Then, he got arrested & was forced to detox cold turkey on the floor of a jail cell for 3 days... Once he got out, he decided he might as well "go for the gold", & just go cold turkey to quit opiates forever.... Hats off to the man, because it's now been about 50 days since he's ingested opiates. His problem, however, is that he says he hasn't really slept in 50 days! He says he'll close his eyes, then open them 2 hours later, but no dreaming at all for the whole 50 days! He calls it "resting his eyelids". Anyway, despite being in pretty good spirits, he says it's kind of driving him nuts...I fear he may lose his will because he'll decide that noone could live like that... I'm hoping someone out there has some good advice, or can at least give him (through me) some kind of idea on how long this will go on until some sleep-normalcy will return, at least so he can have something to look forward to! If you know any info which might educate me on this subject/remedies/places on the internet I could look into/whatever else you think might help my friend out, I'd really appreciate it... He's such a cool guy, & I think he's damn close to beating this "dragon", as the forum puts it... I hope all of you can do the same one day... I'd tell you that "you can do it" but I've only quit cigarettes, so in a way I have no business saying so... Anyway, very very good luck, stay strong, remember Jesus's ordeal, & if you think you can help out my friend, I'd really appreciate it.
Way to go!!!! Sounds like you've done great. "Dancing" pretty much said it all, but just wanted to say "congrats!" What exactly is effexor, if you don't mind if I ask? You are wise to realize that you're - as you say - far from cured, but it also sounds like you're realistic in your expectations. I think you've done incredible. Keep posting about your progress. If you have any questions, there's SO-SO many great and knowledgable people here, and I'm sure many of us can learn from your experiences as well. Love/Peace, Lisabet
Thank you so much for your kind words and support. I started taking darvocet and darvon, worked my way up to 10mg vicodon(hp)and was taking 20 pills a day. I had a doctor in my hip pocket and he just didn't care...I would get a script for 60 hp's and go back in 3 days and get another...FOR FOUR STRAIGHT YEARS!
How I quit is a story in it's self. I said "no more" and stopped...that lasted about 3days! When my skin began to crawl, I couldn't stop shaking and my arms and legs grew a mind of their own, it was bad...But when I sunk into depression, fits of hoplessness and even began to fantasize about driving my truck into the nearest Wallgreens and stealing all of the narcotics, I knew I was in over my head. I went to my doctor and spilled my guts. I told him what I was doing with this other quack doctor and how bad I was. He was very empathetic and his treatment plan has, honestly made all of the difference.
Lisabet, I don't mind you asking at all...matter of fact I am glad you did.
Effexor is a mild to strong (depending on the doseage) anti-depressant. I am on a fairly strong dose (75mg) and take it three times a day. Not only did it work to keep me from crawling out of my skin, it COMPLETELY stopped my screaming arms and legs. I have had no cravings for the narcotic while my doseage is high in my body. Actually I don't crave anything while my doseage is high.(smokes, chocolate, etc.)I know when it's time to take another, when I start seeing vicodon dancing around in my head! :-)
My best to both of you! Rob
How I quit is a story in it's self. I said "no more" and stopped...that lasted about 3days! When my skin began to crawl, I couldn't stop shaking and my arms and legs grew a mind of their own, it was bad...But when I sunk into depression, fits of hoplessness and even began to fantasize about driving my truck into the nearest Wallgreens and stealing all of the narcotics, I knew I was in over my head. I went to my doctor and spilled my guts. I told him what I was doing with this other quack doctor and how bad I was. He was very empathetic and his treatment plan has, honestly made all of the difference.
Lisabet, I don't mind you asking at all...matter of fact I am glad you did.
Effexor is a mild to strong (depending on the doseage) anti-depressant. I am on a fairly strong dose (75mg) and take it three times a day. Not only did it work to keep me from crawling out of my skin, it COMPLETELY stopped my screaming arms and legs. I have had no cravings for the narcotic while my doseage is high in my body. Actually I don't crave anything while my doseage is high.(smokes, chocolate, etc.)I know when it's time to take another, when I start seeing vicodon dancing around in my head! :-)
My best to both of you! Rob
Hey Rob,
Congrats on your success! What a terrific & inspiring post!
Did you just go ahead and "do it" on your own? Or, did you go to NA, or into some kind of treatment? I am almost applauding your stellar achievment but I can't type & clap simultaneously. ;-)
What were you taking 200 mg. of?
This forum is really terrific. People are so supportive, a lot of useful information is shared & we're always there for those who fall off the pill bottle, as I call it.
Like you, this forum made me realize I was not alone & that articulate, intelligent & compassionate (some, you guys! :-) people get caught up in the misery we call addiction. It's also a relief to share that "dark secret" that loved ones & friends don't quite understand unless they too are addicts.
By now, you're certainly through the worst of the physical withdrawals. Have you had the malaise that often follows opiate detox? Up and down moods? That's what I had as do many people. Now is the time to be hyper-aware of the cravings that will strike like an icepick in the forehead. But you've got the right attitude so do join our party so you can share those times with others & receive that soul soothing inspiration.
Besides, other people here will undoubtedly benefit from your success story.
Welcome!!!
Best,
Judy
Congrats on your success! What a terrific & inspiring post!
Did you just go ahead and "do it" on your own? Or, did you go to NA, or into some kind of treatment? I am almost applauding your stellar achievment but I can't type & clap simultaneously. ;-)
What were you taking 200 mg. of?
This forum is really terrific. People are so supportive, a lot of useful information is shared & we're always there for those who fall off the pill bottle, as I call it.
Like you, this forum made me realize I was not alone & that articulate, intelligent & compassionate (some, you guys! :-) people get caught up in the misery we call addiction. It's also a relief to share that "dark secret" that loved ones & friends don't quite understand unless they too are addicts.
By now, you're certainly through the worst of the physical withdrawals. Have you had the malaise that often follows opiate detox? Up and down moods? That's what I had as do many people. Now is the time to be hyper-aware of the cravings that will strike like an icepick in the forehead. But you've got the right attitude so do join our party so you can share those times with others & receive that soul soothing inspiration.
Besides, other people here will undoubtedly benefit from your success story.
Welcome!!!
Best,
Judy
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