Aa
100 Days Clean :)
Hi everyone
I just wanted to give an update on how I'm doing at this point in recovery. I was on a high dose of Tylenol #4 (6-8 tabs a day) for a decade. Yes, about 10 years. Perhaps more. I had severe, lower back pain. I finally found some stretching excercises that helped alot, so the Dr and I decided to wean off the opiates. I did a slow taper over three months, and stopped back in December. Despite the taper, I still endured 11 days of brutal detox. Two ER visits during that time, the ER Dr. wanted to admit me. I couldn't do that, I'm a single mom of 3, so I left AMA (Against medical advice). I told my family that I had 'the Flu from Hell'. I was dangerously sick, and my weight dropped to 82 lbs by the time the worst was over. My meds to treat the w/d symptoms were Clonidine, Phenegran, and Zofran. I honestly don't know if they helped or not. I was very weak, and could barely function for two weeks afterwards. Then, things slowly, but surely, started getting better. I still have some problems with lack of energy/ambition/depression. However, as time goes, the 'good' days are starting to outnumber the 'bad'. I had a full physical and bloodwork last month, and I got a clean bill of health. Doing some physical activity each day definitely helps, although sometimes, it just makes me even more tired. Doing something for youself, that you enjoy each day is also a big help with mood. I find this is essential for me to feel good. Sleep is more or less OK. I have trouble drifting off, especially when I'm over tired, but once I'm out, I sleep like a rock. I'm one of those who needs at least 9 hours to feel human. This is also essential to feeling good, I've found. That's hard to come by in my house, but I do the best I can. I did try some of the amino acids, etc for mood, sleep, and I found that I couldn't tolerate them. I have ulcers, and they lit a fire in my stomach, and caused nausea. I do take a women's multi-vitamin each day. I have to take it with a full stomach, or that bothers me too, but so far, so good.
As far as other w/d issues, most of them are now gone. I had profuse sweating, especially in my arm-pits, for about 8 weeks. That has finally slowed considerably, and has almost stopped entirely. I still have the sneezing fits, probably three times a day, but this too, is slowing down. I was sneezing much more, even when I slept.
Unlike most, I have no cravings for the meds. For that, I am extremely grateful. My boyfriend now has meds here in the house for the last month, for extensive dental work he is currently having. I have no desire to 'take a few'. I think the brutal detox I endured, the memory of which I will never forget, is the main reason. Plus, I don't want any drugs in my body, especially opiates. I want to be as 'clean' and healthy as possible. As far as feeling 'normal' again, I think that I'm slowly getting there. After being on opiates for 10 + years though, I honestly don't remember what 'normal' is....
This Forum had also been a God-send to me. I don't post much, but I'm here reading every day. I didn't find it until after my detox, but I'm still finding it to be a big help. I don't have any other 'support', as no one knew/knows of my addiction besides me & my Dr's. This is my follow-up 'therapy', if you will, since I have no one to talk to about what I'm feeling. Plus, I've learned so much from others here, everyone is pleasant, and the wealth of information is priceless. Thank you, to everyone :) I lastly want to send some encouragement to those who are just starting out to the path of recovery...it does get better...it is so worth it. No, it's definitely not easy, but in the end, you have your health back, and your life.
I just wanted to give an update on how I'm doing at this point in recovery. I was on a high dose of Tylenol #4 (6-8 tabs a day) for a decade. Yes, about 10 years. Perhaps more. I had severe, lower back pain. I finally found some stretching excercises that helped alot, so the Dr and I decided to wean off the opiates. I did a slow taper over three months, and stopped back in December. Despite the taper, I still endured 11 days of brutal detox. Two ER visits during that time, the ER Dr. wanted to admit me. I couldn't do that, I'm a single mom of 3, so I left AMA (Against medical advice). I told my family that I had 'the Flu from Hell'. I was dangerously sick, and my weight dropped to 82 lbs by the time the worst was over. My meds to treat the w/d symptoms were Clonidine, Phenegran, and Zofran. I honestly don't know if they helped or not. I was very weak, and could barely function for two weeks afterwards. Then, things slowly, but surely, started getting better. I still have some problems with lack of energy/ambition/depression. However, as time goes, the 'good' days are starting to outnumber the 'bad'. I had a full physical and bloodwork last month, and I got a clean bill of health. Doing some physical activity each day definitely helps, although sometimes, it just makes me even more tired. Doing something for youself, that you enjoy each day is also a big help with mood. I find this is essential for me to feel good. Sleep is more or less OK. I have trouble drifting off, especially when I'm over tired, but once I'm out, I sleep like a rock. I'm one of those who needs at least 9 hours to feel human. This is also essential to feeling good, I've found. That's hard to come by in my house, but I do the best I can. I did try some of the amino acids, etc for mood, sleep, and I found that I couldn't tolerate them. I have ulcers, and they lit a fire in my stomach, and caused nausea. I do take a women's multi-vitamin each day. I have to take it with a full stomach, or that bothers me too, but so far, so good.
As far as other w/d issues, most of them are now gone. I had profuse sweating, especially in my arm-pits, for about 8 weeks. That has finally slowed considerably, and has almost stopped entirely. I still have the sneezing fits, probably three times a day, but this too, is slowing down. I was sneezing much more, even when I slept.
Unlike most, I have no cravings for the meds. For that, I am extremely grateful. My boyfriend now has meds here in the house for the last month, for extensive dental work he is currently having. I have no desire to 'take a few'. I think the brutal detox I endured, the memory of which I will never forget, is the main reason. Plus, I don't want any drugs in my body, especially opiates. I want to be as 'clean' and healthy as possible. As far as feeling 'normal' again, I think that I'm slowly getting there. After being on opiates for 10 + years though, I honestly don't remember what 'normal' is....
This Forum had also been a God-send to me. I don't post much, but I'm here reading every day. I didn't find it until after my detox, but I'm still finding it to be a big help. I don't have any other 'support', as no one knew/knows of my addiction besides me & my Dr's. This is my follow-up 'therapy', if you will, since I have no one to talk to about what I'm feeling. Plus, I've learned so much from others here, everyone is pleasant, and the wealth of information is priceless. Thank you, to everyone :) I lastly want to send some encouragement to those who are just starting out to the path of recovery...it does get better...it is so worth it. No, it's definitely not easy, but in the end, you have your health back, and your life.
I wanted to bump this up for the newbies. This is a great motivational piece to the new kids on the block.
Awesome job - definitely inspirational. This is stupid - I'm so glad you mentioned the sweating! I've been experiencing that now and I couldn't figure out why. Too bad I can't blame it on exercising :) Well Done - God bless!
That is a wonderful accomplishment! It' sounds like you have your life back on track. Keep going strong!
Thank you. I've read your many posts to others & you are a very caring & inspirational. Please, keep it up. I think that you have helped many, myself included :)
WOW, congrats on hitting the triple digits. you should be very proud. i love the success stories. congrats again
100 day what an wonderful anniversary....that is truly quite and accomplishment. i am so proud of you for enduring hell and survivng without caving. you really are inspiration to those following behind you. keep up the good fight. it only gets better from here. and keep posting we love succeess stories
hats off to you
cathy
hats off to you
cathy
Wow....I congratulate you a million times! Sorry to hear you had such hell through it all. I am happy to hear you are having more good days and that you got a clean bill of health. That is great. Congratulations and thanks for sharing. It is people like you who give people like me the courage and strength to keep on going!! Thanks a bunch!!
CONGRATULATIONS ON 100 DAYS!!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS ON 100 DAYS!!!!!!!
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