Day 36 Percocent/vicodin withdrawal some anxiety still?

[hlpplse]

Day 36

Hi I was on Percocet/vicodin for 5 months before shoulder surgery I was taking a lot 12 to 15 10/325 a day. I stopped cold turkey a month after surgery, I just wanted to get off the meds. I am A Lot better than I was when the withdrawal started, I sleep about 4 hors am up 20 minutes and then another 4. The heart racing has dropped considerably and rarely happens throughout the day...but the anxiety almost like this burning pressure in the middle of my chest is here. I work out, sit in the sauna and am starting vitamins, and calcium I read that that helps. I just need some positive advice that maybe you were where I was and it gets better soon. I don't every want to take another pill I just want to get through this. I have had some really great encouragement fro people on this site and you all have been a God send!!! I am hoping that Day 40 will be a milestone and then week 6 and 7...?

The shakiness in the morning has decreased, but I still feel a bit tummy sick in the morning which always passes I can feel the emotional up and down and the lows are less... I have never had anxiety before in my life, Thank You for reading:)

[hlpplse]

Thanks I am having a really bad few days, the anxiety is much less than a week ago and I do have good days. I just thought I would be able to sleep by now and this heart pounding thing was over. It was better a week ago and I haven't woke up from heart pounding in a few weeks. It is just so disheartening to not be done. I just want to be back to normal.

[ImDONENoMore]

Just when you think you can't take this much longer, you will have a good day.  They snuck up on me like that, early on, and I'm going to bet they will for you too.  I still  had physical symptoms at 60 days, but much more manageable.  And the anxiety lessened as well.

But as always, if you think there is something else going on, you need to check in with a Dr.  But you know, there is NO turning back - you just have to keep pushing through - whatever that takes!  :)

[EvolverU]

Hi there! Congrats to you on you BIG 46 days. I'm glad to hear that the shakiness & depression (that's a big one!) are gone.

You don't have to do a year. All you have to do is this very moment. That's all you have to get through. How're you sleeping? Have you tried exercising daily?

[hlpplse]

It is day 46 and I am soooo *&*&**ing tired. the past 2 days have been horrible. My heart is pounding so much it wakes me up and it takes hours to get to sleep for a few hours. I am just so tired of this process. I cant believe I am on day 46 and I am still dealing with this &*it. I still cant sleep through the night.
And the sneezing I sneeze about 100 times a day and have a constant runny nose
I know I should be Thankful that I am not shaky and the depression is gone, but 46 days I don't think I can take much longer. I know I cant do a year. 60 days is my breaking point. When will the heart pounding adrenaline surges stop!!!
Thanks I am Overwhelmed

[waterLilly7]

Hey Friend,
Congrats on your 36 days!!
I now and again come in here and preach that the anxiety will end. This was my monster. I couldn't understand how others could be running and exercising and God forbid working with that horrible anxiety when I could barely lift my head, couldn't even post in here for a month because opening the computer was too much, would dread doing anything really.
I thought it would never end. Let me tell you, IT ENDS! ahhhhh! it ends. I noticed it was gradual getting better and also big milestones. The 3 month milestone will find you here posting that your anxiety is so much better. It did take me a full year to get everything back, and I still have some issues that are still healing, but at 4 months I took a plane across the county for a course, and while there I walked about 3 miles per day, and I had little to no anxiety during the whole week I was there, so that was the big test.
hang in there, keep it up, it will just get better and better.
hugs,
Lily

[hlpplse]

THank You for your post, the heart racing is minimal now and I am sure the chest thing is anxiety because it comes and goes but if it is the same in another few weeks I will go get it checked out to make sure it is not asthma.  My temp is normal so I know it is not an infection. Thank you for your concern :)

[VICourageous]

Hi, I just wanted to add that I came off of three nasty drugs almost 10 months ago. My Anxiety was on the moon and for how long I will not say. My Heart Pumped really hard and it scared me bad. This all went away. Now and then I get a tightness in my chest. I am no young chic and the way I did my drugs did a lot of Damage to the Lungs. BUT What I am concerned about is you say you have a Burning Pressure in the middle of your Chest. If this does go on Please see a Dr as soon as possible. I sure do hope it is just part of the process, but it is better to be safe then sorry.
Congratulation on your time. Keep pushing forward and be safe!!!
Bless

[hlpplse]

Thank You all for your support, I know today is better than 3 days ago and the first Two Weeks of withdrawal was HELL.  I hope to wake up one morning and be symptom free. Again Thank You just hearing it ends is helpful. 21/2 months is Awesome!!! I can't wait to be there. Thanks Everyone XXOO

[ariley13]

Hi there! I am at about 2 1/2 months right now. At 30 days I certainly still suffered from the anxiety and the trouble sleeping. It does get so much better! I still have the occasional anxiety flare-up, and some issues with sleep. I have always had problems sleeping and issues with anxiety, so I am sure you will do much better than I have! Just know that it does continue to get better. If you are having a hard time think back to that first week or two. It really helps you to see how far you've come. Hang in there and keep up the fight! You are doing great!  :)

[Jimmy1975]

Anxiety was the hardest part of recovery probably for most of us . I was only taking 30mgs a day and still had to pay the Devil his due ! What members are telling you above is accurate . I will just add that one morning you will wake up and it will be gone ! I remember that morning and I was screaming with joy and so will you my friend . Stay strong , Jimmy

[FourJays]

You are very welcome my friend and don't fret about the 90 day thing!  You may find your 'normal' well before that, everyone is different, and you were not on the pills for a real long time.  Just take it one day at a time and keep up what you are doing - it's definitely working for you :))

[hlpplse]

Thank You so much for your words of encouragement and story, I am trying to take it one day at a time which is hard when symptoms flare up.  90 days just sounds Soooo long. I know I am getting better. I know I need to stay busy and notice my subtle day to day improvements. I also started taking calcium today and am trying to eat better. I've lost 10 pounds since the start. Probably diet and exercise related. Thank Again have a nice weekend I truly appreciate it.

[FourJays]

Hi hippise, congrats on your 36 days clean!!!  I have been reading your story and I think you are doing great.  The ups and downs with anxiety and restlessness and other annoying symptoms went on for me for awhile; I still get bouts now and then.  I guess the key words here being "annoying" and "bouts", because that is really all they are anymore (of course they still love to occur at the most inconvenient times, i.e., anxiety/hot flash episode at a recent family reunion - ugh!).  
I also took large doses of opiates and quit cold turkey like you did.  I feel like I had 'major' improvements at about the 1 month mark - those awful acute symptoms were completely gone, but I still struggled a lot with sleep, lack of energy and anxiety bouts.  It was about 90 days/3 months for me also when I really started to feel 'myself' again.  At 7 months my symptoms are minimal and mostly just annoying.  I know they are temporary,  Have you heard/read about PAWS?  (If not, PM me & I will give you some links, ok?).  It can take our brain up to a year (and even more), to heal.  But it WILL heal.  I SO know how frustrating it is; we just want to feel better, like  yesterday!   It helps me to think of this recovery time - a few months, even up to a year (I took the pills a lot longer than you did :(  ), as a very, very small investment of time to pay in what will be a LIFETIME of rewards - a healthy and pill-free life!  Just take one day at a time - the 'annoyances' will come and they will GO; you have come so far and are doing amazing.  It will get better; just keep it up girl :))

[hlpplse]

Thanks I needed that:) It is hard not being able to control your emotions and especially for someone who likes to be in control. Have a great weekend

[ricart70]

Yep  I still had a decent amount of anxiety at around that day.  Great job on those 36 days !!!   It will get better and probably very soon. By 90 days I was pretty much myself again. Hang in there and keep up the great thing that you are doing.   best wishes  to you