Do you promise my mind comes back?

[okieaddicted]

Day 3 of no Oxy but am taking Morohine to stave off the wd symps. The symps are almost unbearable even with the Morohine.  I know I have to quit both but I'm going through cancer treatment and just don't have the strength for the cold turkey

Over the past 2 years since the cancer treatment started my mind has been foggy and I'm unable to think straight.  My question is this.  Does my mind, personality, and zest for life come back?  If so...how long on average does this take?

I know I have a battle ahead of me and if I know for certain that this is not forever I think I can get through this torture.  It's pretty bad right now and I'm beyond exhausted.

[BellaJake]

Hey....I just want to send my love and support. I haven't been where you are but I know the isolation and loneliness of being sick and on pain meds and then trying to get off. The pain meds definitely change us physically and mentally. And if you cna manage withoUT them....Never forget to be so damned proud of yourself!!!!

This process seems to take so long when we're in the middle of it. I am 22 days in and it feels like 3 months. But we will look back on this time from such a better place in life and remember when we were so strong that we did something so hard and good for ourselves. And we will be stronger in the end!!!

I pray your cancer treatments have been successful!

[msdelight]

Hey okie, I had chemo too. I did not do pain meds and felt exactly the same as you do now. I was week, foggy, distracted and lost. Those chemicals they give you are very strong, and while killing the cancer cells, also kill hair,  skin, stomach and brain cells. They effect all the cells in the body. So yes, you do get a degree of "chemo brain" for awhile but it gets better with time. Adding opiates to the mix only weakens you more.  And yes, you need to gather all the strength you have. Eat well, drink a lot of water, rest and sleep. Shortly after my treatment (when my hair grew in) I was on a big giant pink cloud that lasted 5 years. I was just so happy to be alive! You will get there too. Go very lightly on the drugs. I too believe that they weaken you and your immunity. If you get terribly sick from the treatments, you can smoke a little weed, but no drugs and no alcohol. You have enough poison floating around in your body. Be proactive with your health, but become a WARRIOR against cancer and addiction.  Your mind has everything to do with defeating both of these. Keeping you in my prayers.

[againnot]

Hi....I'll chime in as another cancer patient.  I've had complicated skull surgery, chemo for about 5 years.  No cure for this cancer.
When the dr at pain mgmt told me that these meds worsen the immune system, it woke me up!  
I also thought...poor me.  Also, seems like in the U.S. as well as Canada,  just say you have cancer and pain meds are pretty easy to get.
After only 4 months, my mind is so much clearer.  The fog has lifted. I want to see friends and leave the house.  No more isolation.
My pain, surprisingly, isn't as bad as I thought.  
You can really do this!

[Jerry198]

welcome glad to see that you are taking a HUGE step !! how long since you have stopped your treatment? that could play a part in your ability to CT those two meds... but if your up to it I would take atleast two weeks off the oxy before you do the morphine just my opinion then once to stop the morphine there will be another two weeks or so of just feeling like a dead dog but 30 days down and you will begin to feel MUCH better... If you beat cancer you can do this!!! do you think your strong enough right now ?? as far as the getting back to normal part goes it took you years to get to the point your at now so it will take a while to feel better so prepare for a recovery and not something overnight more like 30-60 day and beyond ..best wishes

[Krissy_123]

I also went through chemo,a few times for ovarian and uterus cancer. I was on the oxycodone as well. Took it for 11 years. Right now you have no hope of getting your mind clear until you stop the morphine as well. Next month I will be one year clean off the oxycodone,and yes my mind "came" back. It did take me a long time because I was on the meds for a very long time. Also I still had/have to deal with everyday pain. It took me a few months to start feeling like I was a "normal" person. And I do still have crappy days,but that's part of dealing with life off the pills. I'm also in the 12 step program because taking the oxycodone for so many years I became physically and mentally addicted to them. Being a cancer patient is getting to be one of the only ways here in Canada that they will prescribe these meds now. I chose to quit,I didn't want to live in that living helll anymore. As you know having cancer is hard enough,we don't really need all that extra sh*t added on. You can do this,but you have to do it one day at a time. Don't look into the future and stress daily about when you'll feel better. Just take every symptom as it comes and deal with it. Stay close to this site and we will help you the best we can. Did your doc cut you off or switch you to the morphine or is this you wanting to quit?

[Frogger76]

Hey there! Well I'm so sorry your going thru such a rough time right now. I know for me, it took a little while for me to feel like me again. For the longest, my head felt like I had two monkeys in there playing ping pong with one another, ha! Your old self will return, just kinda hard to say when, given the fact that everyone's different. Sorry I wasn't too much help with answering your question, but others will chime in soon. Sending lots of prayers your way!  You take care...