For Those Who've Been Clean For Long Periods--Does Opiate-Induced Brain Fog Clear Up Eventually?

[justme555]

I've read that it's possible that changes in the cognition might never recover even after stopping opiates longterm. I have always been someone who read and wrote a lot. After a while on opiates I got major brain fog and could barely thik, much less read or write anything of substance that required thought or concentration. I wrongly thought this effect would leave if I got off pills. now 2 weeks into withdrawal I see that isn't the case and I'm reading in medical articles that the effects might never go away?

I'm hoping this isn't true. Does anyone have experience being off opiates for a long time and having the brain fog, low motivation, etc. from opiates eventually disspiate? In other words, any of you have the same brain you used to have before you began using opiates? If so how long did it take? I'm scared because the things that I was always most talented and the fields I worked in all require abilities I no longer seem to have thanks to the opiates. I'm praying my old brain starts to make a comback.

[Bex96]

I'm on day two quitting cold turkey. I used a little bit last year then got prescribed a bunch after my c-section I was a stay at home mom and had PPD so my opiate use went from rarely to everyday. I never used a lot until recently. After I noticed I was getting to 40 MG a day I knew I had to quit. I have a daughter I have to take care of and I feel like a terrible mother for feeling like I need pills to make it through the day. I'm experiencing TERRIBLE brain fog. How long will it last? It's unbearable I feel like life's a dream the fatigue I can battle but the brain fog I can't shake. I've been taking vitamin E, B-12, Omega-3's and vitamin C. I also have L-Tyrosine but it doesn't seem to help much would I have to take that one for a few days straight to notice a difference? Does anybody know how long until this brain fog is gone?

[neckpaininthe]

  Are you still monitoring this post ? I would love to hear how it all worked out for you seeing that it will have been some time ago that you stopped opiate use.  The biggest lack in all posts of these types is there are no long term folks who have stopped taking opiates . I would like to hear from those who have been off opiates for different lengths of time . I never took more than the 4 pills per 24 hour period though I might have taken them too close together as my personal form of abuse but the doctor has had me on them for over ten years . If I had only known.

[keystock]

When I'm not having pms its not as bad i'd say non pms I'm 90% fog free

[justme555]

Just wanted to add to my own original post: In addition to the brain fog, my motivation is also really low, both physically and mentally. In many ways I feel like I am still on the pills even though I'm 2 weeks off. :(

[justme555]

I read that pms can be similar to opiate withdrawal. It has something to do with levels of our natural opiates in our body falling during that time, something like that anyway. That could explain your symptoms. It's discouraging that you still are having mental symptoms. Do you have them when not having pms also?

As a pain patient, I was never once told by my doctors of even one negative consequence of these meds, much less about the fact that my brain could be permanently damaged or amaged for a long period both during and after use.

Hope both our brains start clearing up soon.

Here's the link about the pms stuff
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premenstrual_syndrome
go to the section titled "cause"

[keystock]

I've got 76 days clean and I'm still having a hard time especially pms time when my hormones screw with my brain levels I have been having @ least a week of feeling like I have wd again but they are mental not physical and I just tough threw it and post here. But my fog as a whole has yet 2 clear 100% I'm in your same boat so please let me know if you find any better answers

[justme555]

Oxycontin and Oxycodone 250-300 mg/day. Overall use daily for 5 years, but dosages were somewhat lower initially, increased over time. Took for pain, did not abuse meds, but have had brain fog and other effects for years now.

If it took you a month after a year, I wonder how long it might take me after 5 years. I just hope I get back to normal sometime. Of course sooner would be best, but I just am hoping it will happen somtime. THe articles that said it may never happen scared me! Thanks for sharing your experience. It's always nice to hear people saying they feel better and are doing better after a bit of time.

[Gpison]

It really is unique to each person, their DOC and how long they were on it from what I have read.

For me personally, It took about 3 to 4 weeks for my head to really clear 100 percent. I felt otherwise good during this time, but I was still in a strange fog, not really sure what was going to happen. I was taking anywhere from 150 to 300 mg of norco a day for a year.

We abuse our body and mind for so long, we have to give it time to heal. I know two weeks seems like such a long time right now, but I am sure you will get there.

What were you taking and for how long?