Recovery Time

[Midnightburn]

Hi,
5 years ago I was directed by my doctor to take OxyContin - (1 60mg/2 daily), Norco (10 per day), and Soma (10 per day). All this was necessary to help me heal from 3 major spinal surgeries following a serious fall off a 3 story building, resulting in a crushed spine, and 3 years of paralysis.

I decided that after taking these pills for this long, it was time to go cold turkey off everything.

That was 2 weeks ago now. And while the withdrawals were friggin awful, I have made it through all the standard major problems with removing drugs from my system.

At this point, my problem is that the only symptoms remaining are minor, yet seemingly endless. I have a very constant heavy buzzing/tingling only on the entire back half of my body. It's like being plugged into a 9 volt battery. You know how it feels when you put your tongue on a 9v battery. Perfect example of this symptom.

Any input as to when this relentless symptom will go away.

MB

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

You are right, this is the time that your brain tries to play all sorts of trick on you. Sugar is almost like an opiate in a way that it gives you a quick high, as the researchers say that sugar and the taste of some sweeteners is said to stimulate the brain by activating beta endorphin receptor sites. So by eating sweets you are actually stimulating the opioid receptors that can increase your craving for opiates. It also spikes your insulin and can lead to low blood sugar that will lead to further sugar craving -a vicious cycle.

[Midnightburn]

Thanks so much for your help.  Curious though, why no sugars? I don't typically eat much sugar. However, at this point, I have a ravenous sugar craving!
Thanks again...

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

You should be very proud of yourself. What you did took a lot of inner strength and fortitude. You are doing really well, just give it time. The kind of symptoms you are having are not entirely unusual and can be helped with medications such as Neurontin and Clonodin that you should be able to get from your doctor. The residual symptoms of insomnia and depression can last another few months. Thus, it is not easy, but it gets better and better over time and you can look forward to a drug free healthy energetic you in the future. When you take opiates for a long time like you have, your body's physiology has been altered. Your central nervous system has created a multitude of opioid receptors that all are screaming for endorphins (opiates) to fill them, but your body has now forgotten how to make them by itself.  It will take time - two to four weeks at least, for your receptors to down-regulate (for the brain begin to heal) and to start making its own endorphins. Brain heals pretty slowly, so it may take you as long as a couple of months to get rid of feelings of sluggishness, restlessness and depression. The best thing you can do is take good care of yourself, eat healthy food, stay hydrated, keep active and busy. Stay away from sugar, soda, and simple carbs. Do not consume caffeine at least 6 hours prior to bedtime. Take care of yourself and look ahead.