need encouragement to keep up with tapering

[joyagain]

Thank you bmdad for your post! I need some more ecouragement today.  I had a horrible sleep last night with terrible nightmares, rls not bad but there and if I wasn't in a nightmare, I was restless and awake.  I'm exhausted and would really like a vicodin, but I won't take one like I said until 2:00pm.  I don't even think I could sleep now either, and I have begun sneezing insesantly (sp?).  

[TroubledDude]

I don't know how the mechanics of it all works but I too crave sugar while taking opiates, however I have been consistently losing weight since I've been on them. I do know that the production of testosterone either reduces significantly or stops altogether because I lose interest in sex and any acne I may have clears up. As soon as I stop, my libido sharply increases, I get acne and my crave for sugar disappears. Does anyone know why this happens?

[Leah1964]

I tapered similar to you.  YOU CAN DO IT!!!  It's been almost two weeks for me now.  I cut my last few pills into halves and quarters and just did it little by little.  The sleep got better for me after about 4 or 5 days.  It will pass!  You will sleep again!  Keep hanging in there and keep posting through your anxieties and frustrations.  There are a lot great people on here to help you get through!

[joyagain]

Thank You for reponding.  Good for you peanut for going the extra 1.5 hours that is something especially without even knowing it!  

[PeanutG]

Keep it up Joy!!!!  You can do it.  I just started my offical (dr. supervised) taper myself.  Like the others said - keep busy, do something you enjoy.  I did that yesterday as was actually able to push out one of my doses by an hour and a half without even thinking about it.  May not sound like much but every little bit of progress counts!

Peace,
Peanut

[dominosarah]

Dreams are very common early on and can be very disturbing.  These go away after a bit.  Sneezing is another common symptom.  Keep up with the exercising as it really does help.   You can try a warm bath before bed or you can try some melatonin as that has helped some on here with sleep.  Hang in there......sara

[joyagain]

Thank you opiateswon for answering so soon!   I am only tapering for a few days because I only have a few vicodin left, probably be out by four days from now.  I've gone from 8 vicodin per day to 3 now and don't start taking them until 2.  I will keep myself busy.  Believe it or not I jogged 3 miles yesterday in the warm sun.  I haven't done that for a long time, and still did not sleep well.  I guess if I didn't get exercise it could have been worse right?  The vicodin, as much as I was taking, I believe was making me crave sugar and as a result I've lately been gaining weight.  My face was a mess because it would break out in pimples I believe that is from the vicodin as well.  What a picture huh?  Really I don't look  bad, but I've noticed these things about myself.  

My dreams last night involved drug abuse.  I was at a persons house sleeping. The person happened to be a drug dealer and was not at the house.  It was night time and I had one of my children with me.  About 10 men came looking for this dealer and were looking through the windows at us meaning the dealer harm.  They came in and harmed me with my child there.  Horrible huh?   (other than the pharmacy I have no affiliation with drug dealers).  Is that a normal dream to have do you know?  A dream so horrible about drugs?  Gotta go.   Thank You soo much again for responding.

[opiateswon]

A horrible night can make the day feel like it drags on for ever. Sneezing is a common side effect of withdrawl so I take an antihistimine daily to help. Tapering works for a lot of people hun and you have to keep that brain of your busy to get to 2pm. I did cold turkey after reaching very low doses daily. How long are you going to taper? Some say tapering just prolongs the withdrawls but you have to do whatever works for you. I know you don't "feel" like doing anything but try to push yourself through small tasks or hobbies anyway. I didn't feel like revuilding my fence on day 2 but I slept better that night because I did. Small walks, hot baths, and lots of good fluids will help you through this and excercising a bit will help you sleep better. Stay positive and reach out if you need support. Thinking of you.