PAWS and Work, need some advice

[kurtisdopesick]

Today is day 23 with no methadone, i feel a lot better except for the anxiety and "energy crashes"

My question: I work a very physical job, and throughout the day I feel like i just need to sit down.

My Employer/family member doesnt seem to understand why just 4 hours of hard labor is extremely taxing. And they are  like oh what? you can  work 9 hours???

Makes me feel like im a bad person lol, but i know its just the stupid W/D process making me think this way

HOW can i make them see this? just have them read a bunch of testimonials?

My heart rate is 125 beats a minute for sobriety's sake.

Need some help : ) Thank you all

[IBKleen]

Hi,

You are still going through the initial withdrawal. Twenty-three days is not along time for Methadone withdrawal. You DO NOT have PAWS--which is POST Accute, you are not past the initial phase yet. give it time.

I don't know what to advise about your employer as I don;t know enough about the situation. You would know them better and I guess play it by ear.

Hang in there, with time it does get better every day.

[dominosarah]

I wouldnt worry about PAWS.  It is too early for that.  Methadone wd takes alot longer than other opiates.  Does your employer know that you have come off this?

Congrats on 23 days clean!!  You are doing great so keep it going~~

[jc1002]

Just curious and dont know if this would help at all, but what about trying to excersize a little each day.  This would be different from physical labor as the excersize could control your heart rate.  Sometimes the stress of physical labor pushes the heart rate up fast.  If you are progressively pushing yourself in a controlled manner it might help...  Just my 2 cents.  

jc

[kurtisdopesick]

Thank you : )

I guess i need to be more patient and, yes my employer knows about this. its not a secret or anything, but to most people when your sick for 23 days they are like whats the deal? You all understand i just wish the rest did.

Guess i just have to do best i can. No sleep and lifting makes kurt an unstable volcano. not the best mind set for any job haha.

Thank you guys/gals : ) your in my prayers guardian angels

[Pat1956100]

You are doing fantastic and a big inspiration to all of us.  From what I have read methadone is really a nightmare to come off of and you did it.  You should be so proud of yourself.  Maybe you could print out something for your boss to read so he would know what you were going through.
I had no idea how hard it was to withdraw from opiates or how much it takes out of you physically afterwards so I am sure he has no idea.  
Take good care of yourself.

[Sillylina]

Just do the best you can.   Youve made a huge accomplishment by quitting and its going to take time to feel ok again.  Don't get discouraged.  I have the same issue, trying to get through work and no one knows that I'm w/d.  People can think what they want, but if they've never experienced addiction first hand, their opinions shouldn't matter.  What your feeling is real and it's not going to stop overnight.  Just take each day as they come which is important so you don't relapse.