TOTAL lack of energy after 3 weeks

[tryin2bdone]

I had been taking 4-6 daily 7.5 lortab (worked up from 2-3) after cervical spine surgery in 2009 and then 3 ruptured disks, a slipped disk and a fracture in lumbar spine.  After numerous radiofrequency neurotomies on my lumbar spine I felt my pain was better and decided to get off the pain meds.  Went to an addiction specialist 3 weeks ago who put me on subutex for 5 days.  WD wasn't pleasant at all but made it this far.  But after 3 weeks (12 days post subutex) I still feel horrible, have general pain.  I could deal with all of that if I didn't feel like I was wearing a coat that weighs 1000 pounds.  Seriously, to take a shower is a major undertaking and I have to rest after.  Tried to go to the store and had to sit after 10 minutes and ended up leaving and coming home.  This is extreme fatigue.  I went to a naturopath and I am taking a bunch of homeopathic remedies and supplements but still feel like crap.  Eating very healthy with lots of protein, fruits, vegetables and no processed foods.  No sodas (never have); only 8-10 glasses of water daily.  I will have to start traveling for work again week after next.  If I can't get some energy then I will have no choice but to go back on either the subutex or lortab so I can make a living for my family.  I am 57 but have always been healthy.  My mind so wants to do things.  I lay in bed in the morning thinking of all the things I want to do - walk, bake a cake, sew, clean...but then I step foot on the floor and realize I will do good to get downstairs to my office.  What the heck is going on?  Can I do anything to speed this process.  I DO NOT WANT TO GO BACK ON ANY PAIN MEDICATION!  Any thoughts or input would be so very helpful.  Thanks for your time!

[tryin2bdone]

Thanks for your input.  I actually thought my 6 pills a day wasn't as bad as some folks I had read about that seem to recover so much more quickly than I have, but then I can bet they were half my age. lol I actually figured the amount of time I was on the medication was more of a factor (4 years).   I wish I could find a doctor who really understands the detox process and could make a determination as to whether what I am going through is due to WD or something else.  I have found most doctors, even pain med docs, do not have a clue.  I have determined from my reading, though, that our bodies are all different and maybe due to my age and other factors it is just taking longer for my body to recover.  I do not have any pain meds and do not have any desire to use.  After 2-3 years of around 6 pills a day I did not get any 'high' feeling.  It just kept me from WD'ing and kept the pain down.  Hopefully I will be feeling much better in a couple of weeks.  

[VICourageous]

Hi..Well for me maybe being that I c/t from 3 different meds that pulled the nervous system all different ways, it took me a while to start getting the energy. BUT this is me and I am no young chic..
I started using all kinds of vit/min..My bedroom looks like a natural food store..Ha!  I just wanted to let you know that you can also get the Amino-Acids all in one..It says "Protein" on the Bottle at the Heath food store..then you can get some and take them alone too..One to help U sleep and a few to get you going..There are many to help boost the energy..I am taking it all but I also added Iron..I found that helped. There is this stuff called "Rhodiola" It is popular among athletes. It provides nutritive support for healthy stamina levels. I forgot I had it and now I can tell a different somewhat. Also do not forget about the Electrolyte powders they do wonders. I am a few weeks past a year and a lot of this just takes Time to balance back..The Brain Chems have to re-adjust back from the removal of these substances..So I would say the Time is the Greatest Healer and with Time comes LOTS of patience. You just keep it up and you will be up and facing the world soon with a great big smile..Oh! Yes any exercise at all will help the best then anything else.
Bless

[kyle505]

Well, to be very honest, I can only address the fatigue that comes as a part of detox, and since you were/are on a pretty high dose, then your detox will be hell, and that includes not wanting to or being able to move for a while, however, MOST of us get past that after a few weeks, so maybe there is something else contributing to the fatigue.
My only caution to you is, once again, don't use the drugs as a means to an end; if you do, this cycle will go on and on. We all gave up some things when we finally got clean.
As far as what helps, I found nothing except eating and drinking, exercise. I used vitamins; if your body is nourished, then that's half the battle.
K

[tryin2bdone]

I still have some pain but not anything I can't live with.  Prior to the radiofrequencies in March and June of this year I would not have been able to stop the pain medications due to low back and sciatic pain from my lumbar problems.  I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia after my first surgery in 2009 but I never quite agreed with that.  So I am not sure if the fatigue (which is absolutely debilitating right now) is from the WD or part of the so-called FM.  You are right that I don't need the pain meds for anything except energy right now since my sciatic pain is gone, but what else would I be able to do if I am still so unable to function?  I will lose my job.  That is why I asked what I could do to help my fatigue.  I am doing everything possible with the exception of the l-tyrosine and B12 injections.  It is not a good answer to go back to the pain meds and loose all the ground I have made over the last 3 weeks and have to start over at some point.  But I am out of possible ideas to overcome this horrible fatigue if it doesn't go away by mid October.  Not a good situation for me.

[kyle505]

Yes...what you're going through is normal. The feeling of not being able to move can crush you.
A question...do you have legit pain, that is, pain that can alter your quality of life. You say a couple of things that make me wonder -
first, you say that the pain is better so you want to stop taking the meds, then you say if the energy doesn't return you will start meds again so you can support your family.
So, is the pain better? If so, then you have no business taking pain meds just to get your energy level back to where you want it. That is just your head talking. An excuse to use.
You really need to be careful at this point, especially if you still have access to pills. The odds are you will relapse. Sounds like you're setting yourself up for it already.
K

[tryin2bdone]

I will get some l-tyrosine and try that.  And I will get my MD to prescribe some B12 injections so I can give them myself for a few weeks.  

I cannot tell you all how much you have encouraged me.  Nobody in my family really understands what I have gone through and am still going through.  I will not go back.  I will do whatever I have to do to make my trip (and the ones that follow since that is my job - travel 3-4 weeks out of the month) and just take one trip at a time.  I was fortunate to have had a couple of weeks break between projects which I thought would be enough time to completely recover, but alas this was much, much harder than I ever thought.  

Thank you all!!!!!

[HappyDays2Come]

I 2nd the L Tyrosine...I'm on day 62 and still take 1000mg a day. It really helps with energy (I take it about an hour before breakfast on an empty stomach each morning). I'm taking that and B6 for energy.

You're doing great!!

[laurel453]

hang in, please... it is totally normal... I know it is really tough feeling no energy at all but don't go back, hang in...Try the L tyrosine.. Vitamin B's shots work better than the pills or even the sublingual are better ... keep on the healthy diet and all the vitamins. Maybe if you are feeling exhausted, a 5 hour energy drink ? whatever as long as you don't go back :) !!!!!!!!!

work on positive thoughts,... i know it is not easy but say to yourself that you will take that flight, walk along the airport and complete that couple of  days of training like a champion !!! our minds are our best friends at this time, fake it until it is... GOOD LUCK !!

[tryin2bdone]

Thanks so much for all of your support.  I am using a protein powder in a drink and my daughter came over and made me some protein bars (I couldn't stand up long enough to make them). I am also taking a vitamin B complex.  I feel so beaten down when I try to do any exercise because it is so little.  I have trouble walking to the mailbox and back.  But I won't give up.  I will do my best to push through and pray that I have enough energy to make my business trip week after next.  Right now I can't even imagine going to the airport, walking through the terminal, putting my carry-on in the overhead and then repeating the process after my flight.  And then complete a couple of days of training which requires me to stand and work constantly.  Please send positive thoughts my way.  I am the breadwinner in my family and I really love my job.  I don't want to lose it and I most certainly don't want to go back to taking any pain medication.  I will keep you all posted.  And again thank you all so very, very much for being there for me.  I was pleasantly surprised that I had so many wonderful responses.  Thanks!

[Ann2497]

Has anyone suggested L-Tyrosine to you?  You may want to google it and see but I am pretty sure it helps with energy.

This is the last part of w/d and I know it ***** but the only thing that will help is time.  If you take the drugs again, you will still have to go thru this again one day

[HappyDays2Come]

I'm so sorry that your struggling so much, but it will get better and be worth it! I think the subs probably prolonged the w/ds symptoms a little bit, and that, in combination with your age, is going to require patience:). You're still early into your recovery and it will take some time before you start jumping out of bed like a ball of energy...but that day will come. Just keep doing what you're doing, and don't expect too much from your body right now. Quitting pills is a traumatic experience for your bodies/minds and we need to handle ourselves gently while we heal. You're doing great and you'll see a difference in another week or two. Please stick around and keep us posted on how you're doing!

[BarbRTR]

This won't last. To me it was the most frustrating part. I know what you mean. A shower was exhausting and I'd have to rest before I could even brush my hair after.

But it does pass. I started getting it back after 4 weeks. And I had a higher habit than you did.
You're very close! Don't give up!

[Sonrissa]

Hi there. For me, the fatigue and lack of sleep were the worst of withdrawal symptoms. The good news is that you should be getting more and more energy each day. I found that the more you can do, the better you will feel. Set yourself some small goals to accomplish each day, and then get them done. Keep taking vitamins, drink fluids, and make sure you are eating well. I forced myself to get outside for a minimum of 30 minutes each day. Breathing fresh air, and soaking up the sunshine did wonders for me. I would go out in my yard and pull weeds, or water my plants. I would take short, and then longer walks through my neighborhood. I always felt much better afterwards. Hang in there, and don't give up! You are doing great, and you will get through this.

[mommymarieme]

I know what you mean on the no energy I am struggling with it 13 days out not my first video though lol. I force myself to get things done and when I get started it gets easier and you are proud that you got what you needed to get done done! Definitely don't go back to the pills just give it time and push yourself to do things :) you can do it! Congrats on 3 weeks that is great!!

[toothfairie]

Hi there....the low energy thing is pretty normal around this amount of clean time....i know for me it was...i didn't go the sub route but came off a long time use of Norco 10's....have you tried protein shakes?  with the whey protein powder....i also take B12 liquid sublingual...that did help me with energy....i also had to go back to work after 2 wks clean to 2 jobs....it was rough but manageable....and the work actually helped me take my mind off how i felt.  I don't have experience with subs but lots of people here do...you weren't on them very long but i know they have a much longer half life than the tabs, so they are harder to come off of....hang in there...it does get better...more people will come along with better info....good luck and hang tough!