day 3 off Tramadol

[tramodoll]

Days one and two were pretty bad, although not as bad as I expected.  I thought my withdrawals from Vicodin were worse.  Not to say this is easy, because it sure isn't!

I actually went to the store and took my dog to the dogpark today after getting myself out of bed and into the shower.
I am so glad I decided to take tomorrow off too.  I am going to need it.  I can't wait for my energy to come back.  I know it takes awhile...but how long again?

Hangin in...by a thread.     I am sneezing my head off.  Having trouble with RLS and sleeping.  

[selfinduced]

You are healing by the minute. The very fact that you are having the emotional up's and downs proves you are getting your brain and body in sync. You won't be 100% by tomorrow, but you will get thru the day and be stronger. Keep it simple and don't over think the process, just plow thru it. Before you know it, you'll be hitting 30 days! Keep posting, anxious to hear of your progress. xx

[littlebit667]

you betcha!  No going back..starting over later will not be fun.  Here is why your brain is depressed...This post helped me when I was struggling with much the same!  Hope it helps!

You have to remember how opiates work, and why you feel depressed etc. when you quit taking them and after you are over the withdrawals and often why we keep craving long after the physical withdrawals are over.

Opiates bound to the opioid receptors in your brain and body. They release their artificial endorphins to them, and block the bodies natural endorphins. After a while the neurons that produce the body's natural endorphins disappear. There is no need for them so they just don't rejuvenate like they would normally.

When you stop taking the opiates,  they leave your opioid receptors bare, and they are calling out for your body's natural endorphins, but there isn't any there at first. You body has to repopulate the neurons that make them, and this takes time.

Endorphins like dopamine  control your moods, anxiety, sadness, anger, happiness, pain etc.

You will slowly get your "old self" back as these neurons repopulate and begin increasing their endorphins production. After being off the opiates for a month, they should be about 45-50% of normal, and be back to normal within a year.
So hang in there, you will feel better and better as the months roll by.

Try keep busy and keep your mind focused on positive things instead of dwelling on the depression, anxiety, etc. that are only temporary and will disappear as your endorphins return to normal.

[tramodoll]

thank you everyone for your replies.  I am hanging in there on day 4.  
Man this day *****!!!'
I have to go back to work tomorrow.  I am hoping tomorrow will be better.  I did so well yesterday that I thought today would be a breeze.  I am feeling sad, hopeless, deprssed and no energy.

I can do this, right?

[littlebit667]

Treat the symptoms....benadryl for the cold like stuff or whatever you have found that helps.  some say alteril (OTC) helps with sleep.  The restless legs s u c k s the big one.  Can you talk to your doctor about it.  There are some pretty decent RLS meds to help.  I still take one as RLS seems to be a permanent part of my life at this point.  The energy will take awhile.  Keep hydrated and eat when you can.  Your body needs food to get the energy back (proteins) and hydration is a necessity for the same reason.  

I hope you are proud of yourself.  you are doing great!!!

[selfinduced]

Hi There, I don't have experience with trams, but I know they are like vicoden. I know sleep took awhile as did energy. The protein drink helped me with energy as well as getting out and moving around. I hear the hylands restless legs does wonders too. Isn't that sneezing crazy? Your doing GREAT! Keep posting and stay strong! xx