Almost one month off opiates and still so tired

[magnoliaooo]

Hi I have been posting on here for 4 weeks now and as I approach the one month mark my fatique is so bad that it is hard to get through the day!! I need help from people who have experienced this What did you do? I took about 4 tabs of Lortab 10 for about 15 years. I am serious about never going back if you read some of my posts, you will see what it has taken me to get this far. I don't understand it it seems to get worse for me. My legs feel like they are heavy and I am dragging them. I feel pretty good now except for this extreme fatique, it lasts all day, the only time I feel good is around 8:00 at night until bed. Please people with some clean time please help me, I feel like a robot just going through the motions. Has anyone else experienced this before? If so what did you do? I am honestly kind of dreading this holiday not so much because of no pills but because of the way I feel!!! Do they tie in together? Please any responses would help. I have my appetiate back, sleep about 6 hours a night and take vitamins, PLEASE HELP


                                                                                Magnolia

[gnarly_1]

it a great feeling to have your first Christmas sober in 15 yrs....mine was last year and I still remember being dope sick but still enjoyed my sobriety.... wish you many more sober Christmas's and have a merry Christmas this year.....good luck and God bless....Gnarly

[magnoliaooo]

We do pack a lot in our tiny frames!!!! Sounds like you are in the Christmas Spirit, I seem like I am to other people but I am still faking it till I make it!!!! Did my grocery shopping today, and practiced for Christmas eve service!! Hubby is done with treatments and he is doing very good. Went to bed at 7 but he got called in to work at 5 this morning, son went out to eat with friends so I am all alone. I am ok with that going to take a long hot bath and watch the Faith Hill Christmas Show. I feel better than yesterday so glad about that. To all of you who responded thank you so much this forum has kept me sober and sane. I think I must start back at least walking the dog seems like what I am lacking is exercise!!! I don't feel like doing it but I bet that is what I need to doLOL!!!! There will never be enough words to say thank you to all of you, everyone here gets me and I don't feel alone in this journey anymore. That is what I am most grateful for this Christmas, a place where I can pour my heart out and not be judged!!!!  I still can't believe my first sober Christmas. I drove past my Dr. office today and wanted to run in there because the panic set in as I drove by. I realized this is my first Christmas in 15 years without pills. As I went down the street fear turned into courage which turned into gratitude which tuned into peace. It is still so new to me but I am so thankful to all my friends here!!!

                                                                                     Love Mag

[gnarly_1]

HI...been following your posts you got your hands full....as for the energy crash its different for everybody I believe a lot depends on how long and heavy your habit was and agr plays a big roll ....the 20somethings come bouncing back a lot quicker then the 40 or 50somethings
there are some things you can do like Tram said vitamins help liquid B-complex will help with the energy a bit good nutrition also plays a roll because we dont eat right I highly recommend whey protein shakes there loaded with vitamins essential amino acids as well as the protein all of witch the bran needs to heal you can pick up a 2 lb can at walmart for 15bucks the chocolate flavor is good all you do is mix it with milk drink 2 a day...none of this will fix you in a day but over time it plays a significant role in getting better exorcise is critical start with a walk around the block and work your way up from there I wish you all the best in your recovery but time and God eventually will heal you good luck and God bless.....Gnarly      

[laurel453]

Magnolia, i am really sorry that you are feeling so tired because of detoxing and of the lupus... it took me some time too to feel better with some energy... i have read that resting and a healthy diet are really important for any autoinmune disorder... as problems with sleep are common after detoxing, i would advice you to to rest as much as possible... avoid red meat and all the chemicals, eat lot of veggies, white fish... take those vitamins, maybe try yoga, it helps to relax too and this would be adviceable concerning the autoinmune disorder ... wish you all the best, magnolia.. have a merry christmas too :)

[GeorgiaGirl1022]

Hey there. My lord you are the busiest person I know lol. You are just great and you make me smile. Thank you my southern sister. You are so strong and determined. We pack a punch in our 100 lb frames don't we?!? I'm just feeling thankful and greatful this morning. My goodness could it possibly be I'm FINALLY in the Christmas spirit?!? LoL. I hope so cause I was starting to think it just passed me by this year. I jyst wanted to say thanks cause you have helped me so so much. You gave me tears and you gave me laughter. Well so does a car commercial at this point but I still love ya ( lol just kidding about the commercial thing) hope hubby is doing good today and you too. Was Friday his final treatment for awhile?
Hugs and talk to u soon!  

[magnoliaooo]

I had this really long post to you and hubby walked in room and I shut computer down. Only have a second but thank you for always understaning and lifting my spirits up. Sometimes I forget my body has been abused for so long and I get impatient with myself. I know the Lupus plays a big role I believe the opiates masked the fatique from the Lupus, so I probably will take longer than some to come back around!!! Love the pots and pans, can't wait until I feel like that. For now I will just try to keep a positive attitude right now, after all at least I have the energy to go shopping cook dinner, do dishes and quite a few things. I mean no one here examines the floors here except me!!!!!  I do wish I felt a little zip in my step but I don't but at least I can step!!!!LOL!!!! Well gotta go take a hot shower go to the grocery store, if you can believe it we are having steaks for dinner for Christmas!!! Also going to get my nails done and then praise team practice!!! Sure don't feel like doing it all but I know I can do it one step at a time. Love you and thank you for always lifting me up!!!!  Here's to another pill free day for us!!! God Bless Us All!!!!

                                                                                     Love Mag

[GeorgiaGirl1022]

Sorry 4 typos ugh

[GeorgiaGirl1022]

Yes mag I absolutley feel vulnerable! I'm such a laid back person, always have been my whole life. I just go with the flow and never get flustered  and everyone that knows me says I have the patience of Job. ( not just on pills either lol) but boy here lately I feel like I could bite a nail in half lol. Not sure what that's about? Just the way our emotions are trying to regulate themselves I suppose. My son and his friend (he's more like my 3rd son, we took him in over the summer for 3 months, now we have him on a "divorce" family schedule. 3 to 4 days a week) kept me up all night and I jumped out of my bed like a rocket. I yelled and just went plain crazy. That's so unlike me, I'm not a yeller. Then while they were sleeping this morning I took my youngest and 4 other kids in their room.. Snuck in and banged pots and pans while singing "rise and shine and give God the glory glory" lol. Payback is sweet!!
This whole process just takes time. As much as I hate it sometimes it sure beats the pills. All day. Every day!!
I washed my dog today too. She's was a mess. I've been putting it off for a week lol. Back to that old motivation thing. BUT you know what? It will all get done eventually so I'm trying not to worry about that kind of thing, it's hard though!! I like my stuff to BE DONE. It's like it worries me if something needs to be done. I'm working on jyst trying to not get so worked up. Who really cates is my floors are not shinny and my dog's dirty?!?
Love ya and I'm sure glad hubbys doing good!! I think your lupus may be causing your energy level a bit slower to come around, bit it will!! You're doing so so so so great! I'm proud your my friend!! Hugs. :-)

[quitinoxys]

Mag one thing that helped my energy was L-Tyrosine it's an enzyme you can get at any health food store. Since you have Lupus I would check with your doctor first though, Also as everyone is saying execise really helps quite a bit as I am now addicted to going to the gym and working out. But thats a good thing. I hope you feel better---Rick

[magnoliaooo]

Lupus is an auto-immune system disease. Your body does not recognize good cells from bad cells. Basically your body fights itself!!! However it is really not as bad as it may sound, but the main side effect is fatique!!! So in my heart I know the fatique is both from getting off the opiates and the Lupus. My Dr. also knows of my addiction to opiates and yesterday I told her how tired I was and she said to be honest with you I think you will feel that way for awhile. She also told me to take vitamin b and D. I was an avid exerciser until about a year ago when the drugs took over. Now I just feel like a wet noodle!!!! No energy but I think I will just have to push myself a little at a time.  It is just hard to go through the holidays feeling like this, everyone seems so happy except me, but I am clean and I am determined!!!! Thank you to everyone here, this forum helps me more than anything!!!!
                                                                Mag

[IBKleen]

It took me a few months to really get to where I was sleeping and doing things without taking a break. But remember, I am older than you and I am not very active. I do believe that exercise, even light, will help. I have chronic back problems and I have trouble exercising but it is a catch 22 for me. If I do exercise, I am in pain but not fatigued so I do try it as often as possible. Silly as it wounds, tomorrow morning I am going shopping with two friends. I take that time and I put on good sneakers and I walk the store like I am on a treadmill. I may hurt by the time I get to the car but I also feel renewed.

I am sorry to hear about the Lupus. I don't know that much about it but I wonder if that is not causing fatigue?

Also glad to hear you are getting outside support. It is my life line and at least on the days I don't want to do something, I have people around me helping me to realize I need to do it anyway, no matter what it is.

Hang in there hun and know that this will not last forever. Your mind and your body are still healing and while it may take a little longer, it will get back to normal.

[LeaAnn807]

Hey, I wanted to encourage you to try the exercise and some Super B complex vitamins.  Even B12 would be great.  I take the super B though.  Even if you can just walk around the block for ten minutes at first, you will be amazed at how much better you will feel.  The other thing that could be playing a part in your fatigue would be maybe any meds you are on for the lupus or another health issue.....like BP, cholesterol, heart???  Just a thought!

You're really doing good, even though I know it's hard being so tired.  Exercise made a big difference for me!

[magnoliaooo]

You always make me feel better!!! If you started feeling better in 6 weeks than maybe that will be me to. I sure do drag right now, I also get grouchy around 6 in the evening. Almost like a combination of hot flashes and heavy legs together. This truly has been hard but I do believe it has been hard for a reason. Hubby has WAY more energy than me and he had a treatment on Fri. I trust you so I will keep holding on, I pray for a  energetic and clean new me!!!!  I also think the mental part is still dragging me down after all I have not been sober for a single holiday in years. So glad I am not counting pills to make sure I have enough through the holiday!!! But on the other hand still feels vulnerable to be sober, ever feel that way?  

                                                            Mag

[magnoliaooo]

I appreciate both your responses!!! I washed my 2 small dogs yesterday and by the time I cleaned out the tub and put a load of laundry in I felt like crying. The fatique is I believe why I always went back, this time not an option for me I told my Dr. and no way to get anymore. I have Lupus and had a complete blood check yesterday as I do every 3 months and as far as I know everything is fine. I am in AA and I go 3 times a week, but honestly no matter what I do I struggle with fatique. I have not tried exercising, maybe that will be next, I quess I felt that I am very active and thought I would feel better by now. But it makes sense about the "time" thing, I spent many years messing my body up, and I guess I am expecting to much. I quess I am to fatiqued to exercise but that is probably what I need to do What is Ltyrosine? Does it give you energy? I guess it being Christmas and I was clean thought it would feel better than it does. I am just being honest, I don't ever remember how I felt before the drugs. I am also 50 years old, so no spring chicken!!!! I do get my house done, supper cooked, take care of family etc. but all the time in my head I just feel SO EXHAUSED!!!  I do take alot of breaks, but on the positive side I feel good about my clean time, how long before you were back to normal IBKLEEN?

                                                                                        Magnolia

[GeorgiaGirl1022]

Hey mag! You sound better even though u may not realize it, you really do. The energy thing is still a problem for me too. I get that heavy feeling in my legs a good bit and it's hard to not feel like you're shuffling. Another thing is I get kinda grouchy at night from just bring ready for bed so much earlier than before. I know what your going through. My last wd it lasted probably 6 weeks or so before it went away for good. Hang in there. You're gonna feel better very soon. Hugs.  

[Back2Me]

Are you exercising? I feel the exact same way trust me. I am about 1/2 your time but I was on much much more than you. I live in michigan where it is cooold right now but last night I didnt give myself the option I just put on my iPod, dressed up real warm and went on a really brisk 30 min walk. And I tell you what that was the biggest boost of energy for me. I plan on walking every night just a little more each night if I can. But really once i pushed my heavy tired legs past that first block I could have easily made it a 1hr walk, but my wife got tired :).

So anyway, WALK! Yesterday morning I went to the mall. Walked from one end to the other and thought I could not make it back. I know exactly how you feel. I felt soooooo drained like I could not go on. It's because I spent the last 2 weeks in the house not being able to do anything. So last night ( the same day as the mall) I decided enough is enough. My muscles are getting weak from not using them enough so went in that walk the same night I could not make it through the mall. And once the music got going ( good music is a MUST!!!!!!!) I was walking real good. And I am going tonight too! No matter how bad I feel. And I do feel super tired right now, I just gave my two fully grown pit bulls baths and let me tell you that is a TASK! Just imagine that really for a second it took like over an hour. An hour of bending over and wrestling with them. TIIRED. But I am going on that walk!
Im not a real believer in artificial energy ( I know right??!! I popped percs for energy but now I'm preaching) but I have had a lot of luck with L-tyrosine. its available at GNC. Its natural but
Sometimes it can make you shakey.
So my advice is to push push push and do some walking or exersice. If you are exercising then man I dont know.

[IBKleen]

Hi,

I know you are probably tired of hearing it, but you need to give this some time.

When we use we change our brain chemistry and that effects are bodies functioning system. I don't think it matters how much you use or for how long. I do believe it has to do with our metabolism and our bodies ability to get back to the pre-using stage. We do so much damage for so long and we have to realize it will not heal overnight, especially as we get older and our bodies change.

I suggest that you go to the doctor and get a good check-up, complete with blood work. It is always good to do that. It could be something like you are anemic or you are beginning menopause or something along those lines. Also, if you are able, try exercising. It will help you to get up and get going and get those endorphins kicking in.

I also have to suggest that you get into some form of aftercare---counseling or a support group or both. It is critical at this stage.

Whatever you do, don't give up. It will get better!!