Most mentally challenging thing I've endured

[PoochieRachetToe]

Hey everyone, been reading and trying to gauge some sort of time frame for a few withdrawls of Demerol, Percs and Hydrocodones...... Six months ago I started these with a prescription. I never really took X amount of pills daily. It always varied and some days nothing. Well, with my wifes help I quit cold turkey 5 days ago. I feel like days 3 and 4 were better than today. The only things that are bothering me is the lack of sleep and elevated heart rate. The chills/sweat I can deal with. Sleep and heart rate worry me. My Doc knows and knows I'm a stern S O B. He's just ask that I text him updates. I thought I would do okay after "only" six months. Bwahahahaha! I was stupid. I have a small son that I still devote time to everyday through this process. I still work my full-time job while going through this as well. It keeps me active. Today is the first day I noticed muscle soreness. Maybe because I was less busy today? Lots of walking and using of the muscles in my job. I lost 20lbs in these six months too. I am taking a multi-vitamin, fish oil, B-6 and drinking enough water, Gatorade and Cran-Grape(for the vitamin C) to have peed 13 times in 9 hours. I did however take a phenergan 25 last night to sleep. Made for a rough first half the day. Tonight is an OTC sleep aid night!  Never took benzo's for long times. They do nothing great for me. Yet, I did take a Soma today for the muscle soreness. They do not make me sleepy in the least.
I really just wanted to give some background and ask, what am I looking at time wise for improvements in sleep and Heart Rate? I was originally trying these to stop my Migraines which don't seem to respond to Triptans(sp)? I have found its easier to handle repeated headache pain than go through this nightmare. I have an excellent support system including my wife, brother and sister. I read everyones story and say DAMN! How did we all get here? Thankfully, I'm at six months. It was my idea to trash the sh!t and go cold turkey as I will not forget this too soon by going this route.
Thanks everyone

[PoochieRachetToe]

Well, I thought I was getting better. I started feeling crazy today. I was working and then all of a sudden....BAM! I felt all out of sorts and wondering "what have I done to myself"? Really fixating and scaring myself. Practiced my breathing techniques and that calmed me somewhat. The Doc said BP is 120/80 and pulse was 92. I went to the Doc and he gave me lorazepam to calm me down and told me I have done nothing to myself and to just hang in there a little bit longer. He said he would be surprised if I needed these more than a week at this point. I'm in my sixth day. Why did I feel this way all of a sudden? Especially this far into Cold Turkey. I sit here now at home after leaving work just struggling.
FORWARD 20 MINUTES
A close friend called and I just let it all out. Teary eyed ***** fest. However, I feel better. Now if I could just get some sleep. Doc said no sleeping pills, use lorazepam to calm down and fall asleep. 1 pill no more frequent than 6 hours.

Though this has been the toughest challenge I have ever faced, this being my first bout with narcotics, I still don't see using them again as a viable option in the least. I have come to look at taking more pills to not suffer withdrawals is like getting up in the morning and have a beer to make the hangover easier. Those action just don't compute in my head. Makes no sense, you get through this once and you can be a Hero. Doing it again means much less and I HAVE to be my sons HERO! There are no other choices.

In keeping my humor while going through this.........
Cold Turkey can turn you into a ***** for awhile, so beware.

[vicki595]

LMAO...you're getting better~~

V.

[PoochieRachetToe]

I have never sneezed so much in my life! Work was like "Geez, whats up with the sneezing"? It is a rare occasion for me to sneeze. I told'em flat out. Withdrawals!

I read that thread and have been keeping up with it. I searched Sunday night which was my first day clean for NA meetings. Quite a few near me.
My wife made me eat tonight as I really had no desire. I'm a sucker for chicken pot pie and the grocery store had a fresh baked one! Also got more grapes and bananas. I love food! I want to desire it again....... I was always active and in shape.In these six months though, I went from 149lbs to 130-132. I have a rule that I must be able to count 8 abs. Its just ridiculous now though. I'm 5'5" and my size 29 waist jeans are too big. Secretary informed me today that my skin tone was much better and my eyes looked better. I feel pretty good right now. Just rocked my son to sleep. Such a precious lil guy! I have to be there for him, he's mini me, my greatest gift. I'm gaining some of my humor back as well. Well I took a couple sleeping pills and gonna go relax and try to fall asleep.

Everyone should remember, Cold Turkey should not be feared. I mean hey, sex was scary your first time but, did it stop you from trying?

[vicki595]

You are very wise to be thinking about an NA meeting. I was going to mention it but thought I'd wait a bit before pounding THAT drum in your ear!  LOL

Aftercare is very important so do go to a meeting. Sometimes you need to go to different ones until you find a good fit...It's a great plan,though.

I think you're on track but keep posting with updates.  Many folks read the forum posts and are helped greatly from them.  Pretty soon you'll find yourself responding to others posts.  Actually,there's a man "widowed dad" who also posted here today. You are both in the same time frame with some similar symptoms(I told him to get his B/P checked,also) You should read his post and feel free to comment to him.

Take care~~Vicki

[pharma9]

Just one question....did you sneeze a lot?I sneezed for about a week among other things..but was able to work long hard days at work because I had no choice.
I blamed the sneezing on a cold...which I never get and everyone felt sorry for me.

[PoochieRachetToe]

I'm 33 with no other problems than migraines and frequent headaches. I'm particularly glad to learn I'm going about this correctly. I have to make time for my wife and son. The importance of them is crucial. Work knows what I'm going through and is doing whatever they can. I've been at this job 15 1/2 years. My boss is more a close friend. He listens but, doesn't quite understand. I like the scheduled day. Seems to help keep me moving and getting better. This is a damn tough road. I actually look at this as a challenge. I hope I'm turning that corner. I talked to friend who went through this before. He said I should feel substantially better in the 7-10 day area. With 2-5 days left, I think I have this. Then, the true test starts! I think I may visit a NA meeting. Even with my support system, just seems like a good idea. I have a cycle ride scheduled for Sunday too. My Doc will be with me. We share the same love of cycling and he wants to shed some pounds and I want to feel better. I have to go! This is a damn good site with a knowledgeable community. In my opinion Cold Turkey was the best ending. Spring is right around the corner and I want another garden and have a yard that needs tidying up. I have so much to do when the energy returns. I also have a small weight set at work that I'm putting to slight use through this. Everything is seemingly on track to a speedy recovery. Since I informed my Doc of what I've done to myself, he has been quite helpful. I say truth and honesty with your Doc goes a long way. I have long posts but, I want to help as much as I've been helped.