Has anyone here used for 10 years or more?

[Sarah231]

I did and have been clean for over 3 months.

I still, however, feel that I am having some withdrawal symptoms.
Could that be true?

I'm specifically asking long term users as I think that may affect recovery.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

I forgot to add that you need to read the health pages post on PAWS....there is more to this than just not taking the pills any longer....I really wish that it was easier.....but it does get better  -  -

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

I am with domino above - my use started during Vietnam and just never got stopped until a year and a half ago - I still use this forum to remind myself how easy it would be to go back to 20-30 hydros per day - and I have several legitimate pain issues....and I can tell that I am not back to selection status again yet -  -

[dominosarah]

I have been doing some sort of chemical since the middle 70's.  I still get that creepy crawly feeling in my lower back and legs once in awhile.  It is very uncomfortable but i have abused my body for so long that i figure it will take sometime to get my normal functions back.

Congrats on 3 months.  That is great.  Keep going forward!!!!                 sara

[sadinmichigan]

Your body definitly needs to repair itself..Our brain chemisty and all..It took some time to get to this point..Congratulations on 3 months..Thats great!!  Have you tried taking a strong good multi-vitamin and potassium supps..(eat bananas)..also make sure your drinking a fair amount of water.If that doesn't help, there is a rx called Requip..it is not addicting..and it is for RLS..my husband takes it and it works really well. You take it at night, he doesn't get an groggy feeling in the morning and hasn't has any side effects..also he has stopped it for a week here and there with no issues..so..thats an option..RLS is horrible..and with the arms to..I am sorry your having to deal with that still..gl

[Sarah231]

thanks.
(I used vicodin)

I think the long time use did some damage because I still have the creepy crawlies in my arms and legs at night. Not like in the first weeks, but bad enough that it is very uncomfortable.

[Sajonna]

Sarah,

I used on & off for 23 years.  But then in the past 2 years was constantly taking narcotics for pain.

I stopped on May 10th. But I was at a 6 a day dose of Norco 7.50/325 for the last 2 months of so of that 2years.  Before the the last 2 months I was at 6-8 a day.

I did a taper plan.  Went down one pill every 2 days.  I did fell some mild w/d on the day I stepped down a pill.  I was kinda scared on the day of no pills.  But it just felt like a step down day.

After a couple weeks, and adding exercise to my day + a little PT job in addition to my FT job, it took my mind off things.  

I still have days of pain where I "think" I could use a narcotic pill, but the feeling passes.  I am trying to relate that to when I quit smoking.  "The feeling of needing one will pass soon."  

And I have to admit, I have a small trip coming up, I am kinda scared of going out of town without my meds.  Before every time I left town, I made sure I had meds "just in case the pain got real bad."  Plus long car trips hurt my body too.  

Funny how old habits are with us.  I think what us long time users need to do is go through a whole year so we can make new good habits and not have the past to dwell on. They say when we take these opiates, it does something to your pain receptacles in your brain and it takes years for these to go away or die down.  I learned that too about when you quit smoking.  I will try to find that site where I read that and post back later.

Did that make sense?

SJ

[MiSSGRiTTY]

Users of what?

Which drug(s)?