axiety and depression from withdrawals

[Badbackdad]

I need some help. I have been off oxy for 26 days. I started with Tramadol 7 years for back pain and progressed to Oxycontin 15 mg 4 times per day. I had a nuerostimulater placed in my back for the nerve pain. I am managing the pain with that. I never took more than my prescription and didn't take it for the high. I kept taking my prescription because I wanted to avoid  the withdrawals. My problem is the anxiety and depression that I am feeling is worse today than it was two or three days after quitting. Is it common to have these withdrawal symptoms over a long period of time. Last week my family doctor put me on a low dose of Prozac for a month to help manage the symptoms and I started see a therapist.

Am I handling this the correct way? I have days that I don't think I will make the day. IM having to take something to sleep and now the Prozac. Im trying to figure out what to expect and how to best handle it. Help?

[asailorswife]

i am five years sober and now suffer from severe panic disorder. everyone is different. and although i cannot stand feeling like i am dying when i have a panic attack every now and then? i would much rather have a panic attack than be on pills like i was.

[toothfairie]

I deal with back pain as well, but it's not nearly as bad now as it was ON the pills...just stay strong in the fight...it really does and will get better if you stay the course.  You will be on a roller coaster for awhile with emotions and anxiety but just hang tough, and remember, they are feelings and feelings are temporary!!!  

[Badbackdad]

thanks for the suggestion and taking time to respond, it really makes a difference

[Badbackdad]

thanks, its helps to know what I am feeling is normal and will get better. I am committed to stay off. I still fight pain, but would rather be in some pain than live on pain medicine

[Badbackdad]

thank you for responding. It was very helpful. you mentioned natural ways of dealing with the anxiety and depression. Do you have any suggestions?

[lulu747]

hey there and YAY for 26 days- good on ya!  I came off a bit more than you at 100 mg of oxy and 40 mg of hydro and I started to feel great after a month.  I did A LOT of exercise though- and this is the best booster of natural endorphins.

To add to what Clean in KS said about seratonin-
I recently discovered that Tryptophan (natural seratonin booster and mood stabilizer) is available in prescription form.  I have used it to get off the sleeping pills (zoplicone) that I was on for nearly 2 decades.  I have also been doing a benzo taper for over 2 years (I was on a super high dose of 60 mg oxazepam also for sleep)  Since I began using the tryptophan my benzo taper has been quicker, and I am noticing very little, if any w/d symptoms.  YAY!
I wish I'd discovered this years ago when I got off the opiates.  So, I'm in Canada- not sure if it's available in the US where I'm assuming you are (sorry haven't checked)
But I would STRONGLY consider talking to your doc about this as an alternative to the Prozac.  I know AD drugs have their time and place, but I really believe if you can do it in a more natural way i.e. with exercise and tryptophan, that you will have a waaaaaayyyyy easier time of it without messing any more with your brain chemicals.
Tramadol has very long lasting w/d effects because of the AD component and the way it binds to your GABA receptors.
So it is possible now that you have NO opiates in your system that you are feeling that effect.
Just some food for thought....
Wishing you all the best.  Keep us posted.
Lu

[toothfairie]

Hi and welcome!  At about the 3 week mark for me the anxiety hit hard for about a week or so, then it evened out....congrats on wanting to stop.  It will get better...just hang in there.  Great advice from CIK above.  Keep posting when you have other symptoms...this is a great site.  

[clean_in_ks]

First and foremost.....congrats on your 26 days!!!!!!  And for wanting to get off the narcotic meds!!!

Yes, it is VERY common to have anxiety and depression.  When we stop chemically altering the neurotransmitters in our brain (via opiates) our seratonin levels drop remarkably (AT FIRST).  We have to give our brains time to get used to the lack of chemical assistance and begin to produce them naturally on their own.  Many people use an AD (antidepressant) for a short period of time to get them thru this period...others choose alternative ways.  Here's just a paragraph or two about seratonin...I find this EXTREMELY interesting....particularly since opiates affect our gut so much:

"Serotonin /ˌsɛrəˈtoʊnɨn/ or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Biochemically derived from tryptophan, serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, platelets, and the central nervous system (CNS) of animals, including humans. It is popularly thought to be a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness.[6]

Approximately 90% of the human body's total serotonin is located in the enterochromaffin cells in the alimentary canal (gut), where it is used to regulate intestinal movements.[7][8] The remainder is synthesized in serotonergic neurons of the CNS, where it has various functions. These include the regulation of mood, appetite, and sleep. Serotonin also has some cognitive functions, including memory and learning. Modulation of serotonin at synapses is thought to be a major action of several classes of pharmacological antidepressants"

So by taking the Prozac....you are chemically assisting the seratonin levels... should you choose to get off the AD....there are other natural ways to assist seratonin levels if you are interested.  It takes some time for our brain chemistry to level out and heal......and you're on your way.