Day 14

[dMac1985]

Its day 14 and man I feel like I have been through a bad horror movie.... I still feel kinda strange and the early mornings like at 4:30 am before work are the hardest Its just one day at a time... I went out yesterday and bought some clothes and some supplements but I think I can finnially see some sunlight through this dark *** cave. AndTo any other Marines out there or any service member who was hurt  over in iraq  and in the same situation as me , Keep your head up. Semper Fi and thank you to everyone this is like an AA meeting to me I really enjoy hearing from you it helps me get through the day...

[Wanttobebetter2011]

Congrats on your clean time! I'm at day 18, and the good days are beginning to outnumber the bad.  Please hang in there and know you are a little closer everyday from your stop date to enjoy life again! Sending prayers your way! Thank you so much for your service! This American citizen is grateful for your sacrifice!  Semper Fi!

[bmdad]

I didn't notice this thread and posted on your thread from yesterday. I decided to copy and paste what I typed it put it here so you didn't overlook it. If you like you can just keep posting on one thread that way it's easier for members to follow your progress. It's nice keeping it to one thread that way later down the road if you ever want to look back to see what you went through it's easier to find.



You're doing a great job so far! Getting through the worst of the physical withdrawals is a huge step but the fight continues and never stops although it does get easier. I was also in the Marine Corps and was injured in Iraq during Operation Phantom Fury. It wasn't a major injury but an injury nonetheless. I have had two back surgeries. The first one for a herniated disc and the second to clean up some scar tissue that formed from the first surgery.

Do you use the VA for healthcare? They have numerous resources for substance abuse and counseling. You will meet many wonderful people there that can relate to what you are going through now and what you went through while over in Iraq. If you aren't using the VA and need help getting started with the them, just let me know.

When I was on pain meds I ended up taking way more than prescribed. I took less than prescribed for the first year but ended up taking more and more trying to get that feeling I had when I first started taking them. I have never been hooked on anything but next thing I know I was taking very large amounts. I once had a year of clean time and then the sciatic pain came back. I decided to get back on them because I thought I could take as prescribed like I did at first. That didn't happen. Trust me when I say that once you cross that line of taking more than you should or taking them for that high, you can never go back. Our brains have been altered in that department. If for some reason you ever have to take them for a legitimate reason you have to have someone dole them out to you.

I have been clean for almost two years now. I still have days where the pain is awful but I manage it with over the counter medication. It doesn't completely take the pain away but it takes the edge off. I think once we get addicted to pain meds we think that we have to take something that completely takes the pain away but we can all deal with some pain.

Be careful with the neurontin as some people have a tough time coming off of it also. I was prescribed neurtontin for awhile but only took it for a few weeks while I was withdrawing. I felt it made a world of difference. I didn't notice any symptoms when I stopped taking it.

Just keep pushing through and never give up the fight. You have received some great advice from the members above. Be sure to stick around the forum and post often. It also helps answering other posts. Being an active member of this forum over the past few years has helped me more than anything. There are some wonderful people here who will bend over backwards to help you through.

Hang in there and if I can be of any help please let me know.

Best of luck!

Semper Fi




Brian

[texaslady68]

Good morning D.  I am 3 days ahead of you and yes, it does get better.  I remember the waking up in the middle of the night and not going back to sleep.  My time was 3:30.  I get up for work at 5:30 so it sucked laying there and THINKING and WORRYING about things that the pills used to make me not think and worry about.  It is all worth it though.  Especially now when I laugh at the dumbest things.  I had truely forgotten what laughing and happiness felt like because my brain was shut down from those pills.

I drink Odwalla smoothie drinks.  You can go to Odwalla.com and find out where they sell them in your area.  They have some called Superfood and SuperProtein and it is all your daily protein and vitamins and them some in 1 drink. They are are natural and like 80% organic.  They really helped me.  There were the early days when that was all I could stomach.

You are a Marine!  If you can get through all that in Iraq, you can get through this.  Stay strong.

[GA_need_help]

Friend, no Hero--
Thank you so much for all you have done for every one of you on this forum.  My heart swells with gratitude.  I am still going through my taper right now (a 3 month taper so far), but I see the end, finally!!!  I believe I am in my last month!  I am reminding both you and myself that our brains are readjusting.  We are building neurotransmitter systems that function normally again.  We will again be able to have the normal, beautiful reward system that makes everyday ok.  I never knew the pain medicine (and other drugs) messed our our brains, and thus emotions so badly.

Please feel free to private message me anytime.  I am so grateful for you, and all you have done for me.  

Also, AA meetings are making all the difference to me.  Would you please consider giving the meetings a fair chance to hook you like they have me?

Big hug,
Marie