Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome: Day 13

[Letitgonow]

Hello all,

My physicals have long since faded -- and I've had some really nice upswings where I felt normal (better than normal perhaps) but the past two days I've been drained -- just tired, hazy, and apathetic... even with exercise. Ugh!

So I suppose this is the beginning of the fabled PAWS? (I don't remember going through this when I quit at a much earlier age, although I was far more active.)

Don't get me wrong, I'm fine and am not tempted to use again; but can anyone who's made it past a month give me some thoughts/advice on what I can expect as to this clearing now that I've basically made it two weeks?

[Letitgonow]

Thanks everyone.

I agree cleaninitup, I looked a lot into PAWS last night and all the information I could find suggested this is actually part of the original withdrawal still -- PAWS will come much later (if at all.)

Sophie,

It's called Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (or symptoms) apparently some people experience odd mental problems 60-90-150 days after quitting. But not everyone goes through it apparently.

[Sophie2337]

Hi- I'm on day 5.  I feel guilty because I have been in bed and can't get things done.  I'll whatever it takes though.  What is PAWS?

[cleaninitup]

I think that it too early in your recovery to be getting PAWs, usually that is more of a long time out thing. I could be wrong. I think you are just going thru regular withdrawals still.
Everyday is different, I got a bunch of time under my belt but still feel the wds every once in awhile,will still have moments of rls and cravings. We did ALOT of damage to our bodies and it takes time to heal.Someone asked me the other day "when will it be normal" my response was "what's that?" Lol so just more time is the best answer, each day will get easier and some days will totally suck just know you are going to make it and your going to feel real good real soon.

[Tattoo67]

I am in the same boat at day 15, but happy to be clean.  Every time I get overwhelmed I try to focus on the positive things in life, I am clean of all drugs, I have a great family and my health is okay at the moment.  I started to exercise again and take my dog for long hikes to clear my mind.  Try to find something that brings you peace, prayer, music, reading, walking anything and use it to help you reset you mind back to the positive.  

If you are not using life can only get better even if things do go the way you want they would be much worse with drugs in you life. I know I only have 15 days, but at one time I had 20 years clean and threw it away on pills.  So I know what it is like to live a clean life and I want it back.  Stay strong and get all the support you can.  I have been going to N/A meeting on my lunch hour and they are helping me a great deal.  Best of luck to you and just keep thinking that everyday you are getting better and better.

Tattoo

[jlannaa]

i feel the same way day 13 here yesterday i felt really bad in the morning then went out for a while then i felt great cleaned which i hadnt done in 2 weeks then i crashed hard i did go to gnc and get that 5hpt was going to start it see if it works

[Letitgonow]

So glad to hear!

Thank you! Sometimes I just need a reminder it's going to be okay :)

I too noticed some days I have had insane, over the top energy to exercise, but other days are just a haze.

I'll keep waiting it out and look forward to the next few weeks.

[ricart70]

HI,I am at a month and this next two weeks you will see great improvement.I exercised even when I was using and I did notice that at first i could endlessly exercise but after several months.I wasn't able to do as much as when I was not using before.After withdrawal I had no energy even though I was exercising.It has really improved along with my sleep.It will for you too.At two weeks I was just as a ghost trying to get through to the next day and hoping something did not come up that I couldnt handle.It will get better soon.

[littlebit667]

I am at 30+ days and so far having no real problems with emotions or ups and downs that are no more than normal for me!  I have to say that my emotions are actually better than they used to be.  Very strange..could be my age (old) and fact I have been retired since Nov.  so I have had fewer stressors than I have had.  I am NOT hazy or dull.  Loving that....it makes my time out and about so much better.  I think I began to notice a real change in the 3rd week and maybe a little before.  

Your brain is still trying to figure out how to work like it should from what I have learned from this board.  

Keep up the good work!!!!!