Observations…

Question

It’s been two months since I went cold turkey on all my pain meds and I really have mixed feelings about it all. Sure my pain sensors have doubled and at times tripled but I still have no cravings for any “Pill” when the pain is at its peak. Yet, at times when I’m giving a presentation or doing something in front of a lot of people I think about taking a pill. My body has been programmed that in times of stressful situations I always felt better if I had a pill or two in me. This is the first time where I thought I needed a pill other than for pain. There is so much more to recovery other than just going through the withdrawals…It’s a life change. It’s as if I need to reprogram by life a little at a time and find out who I am again.

HelpinUtah · Answer

WOW!  Eagle is so right!  

I also go through what you do - the only time I feel the need for Lortab is when I am in stressful situations.  I've taught myself to take some deep breaths or do something for me.  I say prayers continually in my head when that happens.  We do have to retrain our brains to get past all the temptations that stress brings.  I do great physically without the Lortab but my mind sometimes wants it!  It's a constant struggle right now, but I'm sure over time we realize we do not need the medication to get us through, but just be ourselves!  

Be strong and you can get through it!  My prayers are with you!

122 Tactical Fighter Group · Answer

Way to Army! good to see you posting a little. And glad to hear that things are going well. I agree with Laurel and buprenex - lots of things to do - but the biggie is that you have the pills behind you.  I also know from experience how disappointing (!) it is too have a problem with a parachute. Mine started at about 3,000ft and had me a little concerned. Just before you hit the group for a presentation you may want to think about your experience some. I mean, how the heck do you even get stressed about a few humans once you have seen the belly of that 130 flying away from you. And you with a streamer to deploy!  Should put things in perspective for you. Those groups are not even allowed to eat you - whats there to be afraid of?   You already have the braggin rights and the Ranger tab -  doesnt get much more stressful than that!  Do look at the health pages about PAWS and all of that........and then you will be forewarned - and you know that forewarned is forearmed,  so you are good to go! Keep it up with observations and you will help others that follow you - and "Have an airborne day!!!" - - - - - eagle

laurel453 · Answer

yeah, i agree that we have to find out who we are after all those years abusing whatever the substances because we were lost in the middle of it or even in the beginning... 

we have to rebuild ourselves and our way of dealing with quite a lot of issues but i find its a well worth journey this one of discovering how we gonna cope with stuff instead of using pills which only made things worse. 

there are some posts at the health pages about paws and about triggers that i find quite helpful to start with ... besides, finding our  way of dealing with anxiety is another MUST ., sure :)