Oxycontin....Day 11 off of them. NEED HELP PLEASE!
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Palm Desert, CA
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Oxycontin....Day 11 off of them. NEED HELP PLEASE!
Hello everyone. As the title says, 11 days ago I put those evil things down and went through what can only be called HELL ON EARTH. At about day 9 of feeling like I was going to die, I went to a dr. who put me on clonodine and ativan ...one to help with my heart that was beating out of my chest and one to help with the extreme anxiety I'm feeling.
Right now I feel so-so. I have a TREMENDOUS fear, however, that I'm not going to feel "happy" again. I can only attest that to my brain not being able to make its own dopamine anymore. Is there any truth to this? Will my body eventually start making all the natural chemicals that will make me feel human once again?
As a background, I was taking about 240 mg of Oxycontin for two years for knee pain and surgeries.
PLEASE...anyone with advice in this area would GREAT be helping me out. Thank you so much
Right now I feel so-so. I have a TREMENDOUS fear, however, that I'm not going to feel "happy" again. I can only attest that to my brain not being able to make its own dopamine anymore. Is there any truth to this? Will my body eventually start making all the natural chemicals that will make me feel human once again?
As a background, I was taking about 240 mg of Oxycontin for two years for knee pain and surgeries.
PLEASE...anyone with advice in this area would GREAT be helping me out. Thank you so much
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Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 91
Hey, I know how you feel. I have been off morphine for 13 days and I do not feel normal. Kinda scared. But better than before. It's just going to take time not taking a pill every day for what ever the reason. I had taken it for 2 years. detox on my on. We will feel better. May take a while,but we will.good luck.
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 31,179
((Greeno34)) Welcome to SR!! Opiates were not "my thing", though I abused the heck out of them for some time. I just never crossed the line...I did HUGE amounts, but when I lost access to them, I just stopped...never went through the withdrawals, didn't crave, etc. I then found crack, however, and THAT brought me to my knees.
I do know of several people, here, though, that have successfully gotten off of opiates and lead GREAT lives. It DOES take time for the body to rebuild the dopamine on it's own...it's been used to not having to do it, and it takes a while. I can't tell you how long, but I know I've read of people complaining of lack of energy a month later.
I'm hoping some of these people will respond, but you may want to read some older posts on opiate withdrawal. I CAN tell you that, yes, your life WILL get better. Please remember that while your body is trying to rebuild the dopamine system, if you put any opiates back IN your system, you're just going to slow the process down a lot slower.
I know it's hard, but remember...you've knocked out your body's normal way of doing something for 2 years...it takes a while for it to kick back in. The good news is, you never have to go through this again
Hugs and prayers!
Amy
I do know of several people, here, though, that have successfully gotten off of opiates and lead GREAT lives. It DOES take time for the body to rebuild the dopamine on it's own...it's been used to not having to do it, and it takes a while. I can't tell you how long, but I know I've read of people complaining of lack of energy a month later.
I'm hoping some of these people will respond, but you may want to read some older posts on opiate withdrawal. I CAN tell you that, yes, your life WILL get better. Please remember that while your body is trying to rebuild the dopamine system, if you put any opiates back IN your system, you're just going to slow the process down a lot slower.
I know it's hard, but remember...you've knocked out your body's normal way of doing something for 2 years...it takes a while for it to kick back in. The good news is, you never have to go through this again
Hugs and prayers!
Amy
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 4
Tribal--seems like we are at a pretty similar place. I'll keep going if you will! Luckily, I don't have any desire to take any oxy's...considering the HELL I have been through the last 11 days. NO WAY, NO HOW.
Impurr--thank you for your advice. I'm just hoping there is someone out there who is in a similar situation or, more importantly, has been through a similar situation and can give me some kind of "thing" to look forward to...I want to laugh with my wife, take my dog for a walk, etc. I'm 33 years old...WAY too young for this.
Thanks to everyone and anyone who can offer stories and/or advice. It helps more than you know.
Impurr--thank you for your advice. I'm just hoping there is someone out there who is in a similar situation or, more importantly, has been through a similar situation and can give me some kind of "thing" to look forward to...I want to laugh with my wife, take my dog for a walk, etc. I'm 33 years old...WAY too young for this.
Thanks to everyone and anyone who can offer stories and/or advice. It helps more than you know.
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 31,179
((Greeno)) - I know ((Windysan)) just celebrated 7 years clean..he doesn't say much on the threads, but he's a pretty good inspiration. ((Tiredofdrugs)) is another who has a some good recovery from opiates. You may want to read her "animal planet" thread for some laughs...it's not so much about recovery, but about all her "critters" and how her life is going while she's dealing with chronic pain and NOT taking any opiates.
I know there are others, but these are the 2 that pop in my mind right now. I think you have to have 5 posts to pm anyone, or I'd say maybe pm TOD (tiredofdrugs) or Windy..you can click on their names and select "read other posts or threads" and maybe that will help?
I'm about to head out to work, but maybe go in the search window and type "opiate withdrawals" and see what comes up? Weekends are a bit slow, but I know there's a lot of info here. When I first got here, I went back and read a lot of old threads. I was pretty surprised to see "my story" in so many other people.
Hugs and prayers!
Amy
I know there are others, but these are the 2 that pop in my mind right now. I think you have to have 5 posts to pm anyone, or I'd say maybe pm TOD (tiredofdrugs) or Windy..you can click on their names and select "read other posts or threads" and maybe that will help?
I'm about to head out to work, but maybe go in the search window and type "opiate withdrawals" and see what comes up? Weekends are a bit slow, but I know there's a lot of info here. When I first got here, I went back and read a lot of old threads. I was pretty surprised to see "my story" in so many other people.
Hugs and prayers!
Amy
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Palm Desert, CA
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Thanks, oOo, I'm being very careful to not trade one pill for another. That was the whole reason I went through nine days of HELL before going to a dr. I didn't want to take suboxone or methadone.
Thanks for the tips, purr. You guys seem great. I look forward to all that I will learn here.
Thanks for the tips, purr. You guys seem great. I look forward to all that I will learn here.
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Green034, Congratulations on 11 days!!. 
You are doing really good. What you are passing through is completely normal and should be expected . Things will start getting better gradually. It's not easy but the alternative solutions are not easier . At least in recovery we know that every ounce of pain we put will bring us one step forward towards a happier life where as every ounce of pain we put in using brings more pain, misery and chaos. Things will get better and your brain slowly will get back to normal. The good thing about opiates is that despite the fact that its wds are hell but they cause no permanent damage. .It's not the end of the world; actually it's the beginning for a happier life. So relax, breath well and try to stay as busy as possible. Exercise also helps release endorphins and fight anxiety I used to take 20-25 pills a day and Im now almost 9 months clean.So you can do it too. Remember, you are fighting for your freedom here. No more being slave to drugs. You only have to do this once so hang on and don’t use no matter what. Good luck
You are doing really good. What you are passing through is completely normal and should be expected . Things will start getting better gradually. It's not easy but the alternative solutions are not easier . At least in recovery we know that every ounce of pain we put will bring us one step forward towards a happier life where as every ounce of pain we put in using brings more pain, misery and chaos. Things will get better and your brain slowly will get back to normal. The good thing about opiates is that despite the fact that its wds are hell but they cause no permanent damage. .It's not the end of the world; actually it's the beginning for a happier life. So relax, breath well and try to stay as busy as possible. Exercise also helps release endorphins and fight anxiety I used to take 20-25 pills a day and Im now almost 9 months clean.So you can do it too. Remember, you are fighting for your freedom here. No more being slave to drugs. You only have to do this once so hang on and don’t use no matter what. Good luck
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Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 91
Mrs
It's day 14 for me and I still don't feel good. And like you ,I have no craving because of the fact that I feel like I been to hell and back. I'm very tired and scared feeling. I am taking klonipins to help with that. I have pretty much just work and only do what I have to. Been drinking more than ever. Been called a liar by a family member who says that i'm not still sick this long and that everybody on line is nothing but a bunch of drama queens. I told her to spend a few months taking morphine and the stop if she thinks i'm lying.
RIP Maria
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: AR
Posts: 7,654
This family member that is calling us Drama Queens: Do they smoke, drink coffee, or coke, etc. Ask them to give up their habit for a week. They'll look at you like your crazy. But maybe they'll get the message. We don't choose to be addicts. But unfortunately it has happened to us. I know someone that can't stop taking handfuls of aspirins each day. It doesn't have to be drugs. The chemicals in our brains gets used to something and we crave it. It could be food. It can be anything!! My mother has never been addicted to drugs, but she can't live w/o her coffee. She broke her arm and only needed a Motrin to kill the pain. Go figure, I wish that was me! 
But oh no! I had to get hooked on opiates.
Some people just can't seem to grasp the fact of what can happen to a person when they are hooked on a drug and then the pain the recovery person goes thru to come off it. Why do you think there is a program called Alanon? To teach the non-user how to accept what has happened to their loved ones, that's why!!
Don't let those family members get you down. You just stick to the path you are on and you'll do fine. When they are on your case about your recovery: Look at them and imagine them standing in a pool of alligators. How are they going to get out of that pool w/o getting bit in their buttocks? JUST SMILE to yourself.
Congrat's on your 14 days. You are a long way from day 1. Your energy and spirit will return. IT JUST TAKES TIME. Don't waste time on worrying when your ole clean self will return. He'll tap you on the shoulder one day. And you can tell it hello then.
But oh no! I had to get hooked on opiates. Some people just can't seem to grasp the fact of what can happen to a person when they are hooked on a drug and then the pain the recovery person goes thru to come off it. Why do you think there is a program called Alanon? To teach the non-user how to accept what has happened to their loved ones, that's why!!
Don't let those family members get you down. You just stick to the path you are on and you'll do fine. When they are on your case about your recovery: Look at them and imagine them standing in a pool of alligators. How are they going to get out of that pool w/o getting bit in their buttocks? JUST SMILE to yourself.
Congrat's on your 14 days. You are a long way from day 1. Your energy and spirit will return. IT JUST TAKES TIME. Don't waste time on worrying when your ole clean self will return. He'll tap you on the shoulder one day. And you can tell it hello then.
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Tribal...thanks for your input.
I know what it's like for others to not understand. Luckily I am off of work right now for my knee replacement that took place two months ago.
The biggest problem I am feeling now on day...um...13 is the anxiety and depression. Oh, and also sleeping problems. Why won't these get any better?
I'm blessed to have the most amazing wife on the planet who believes in me and knows I can do it.
Would seeing a psychiatrist help with these feelings? Will medicines like prozac, abilify, or pristiq help through this period? I need to be able to get out and enjoy life again.!!
I know what it's like for others to not understand. Luckily I am off of work right now for my knee replacement that took place two months ago.
The biggest problem I am feeling now on day...um...13 is the anxiety and depression. Oh, and also sleeping problems. Why won't these get any better?
I'm blessed to have the most amazing wife on the planet who believes in me and knows I can do it.
Would seeing a psychiatrist help with these feelings? Will medicines like prozac, abilify, or pristiq help through this period? I need to be able to get out and enjoy life again.!!
Dopeless Hope Fiend
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: anchorage Alaska
Posts: 2,741
well greeno..I can pretty much relate to every thing you are going through..
And guess what ??? YOU ARE RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE!!!!!!!!!! I know that probably does not help your anxiety or depression....as not much will right now...
I fought for years to get clean from opiates...heroin..methadone....oxys...whatever worked to keep me from withdrawal....cause ....well it was a really rough ride....
Here are a few things that MAY help...I don't offer up alot in the way of over the counter stuff...never worked for me trying to take stuff to get through the withdrawal...if you are at day 11 I would really try to suck it up and go to a na-aa meeting...I know the fear that you speak of...fear of the unknown...and we have to walk through it...crawl through it shaking and puking...but DO go through it..
The good news is...you do not have to do this alone....!! And I don't advise it...It is so painful to do recovery alone when there truly is a whole community based on recovery a thendy are there to walk you through it..
When i was detoxing from methadone and morphine....I took a bath alot...in and out of the tub....
Make toast..I got that tip HERE at SR froma oldtimer and danged if it did not work!!!) I would wander around the house...writhe around on the couch...then go toast , butter...and eat....the crunchy bit of bakery goodness! It kept my MIND busy...and a little sumpin in my stomach!!!
Gettiing out for a walk...watch a comedy..pet a dog..cat...creature of some kind!
Post here at SR..
It DOES get SO much better than where you are now...
I swear to god...if you felt GOOD right now I would be worried for you!!! The fear and depression WILL leave you....promise....SLOWLY...You WILL be happy again if that is what you seek!!
Keep posting K??
Today is my ONE day of from the homeless shelter where I work...and I am SOOOO grateful to be able to enjoy my sobriety today..I could so easliy be sitting on the other side...but for the grace of a power greater than my sorry a$$...I get to enjoy life today..
I am the evidence that people get BETTER...and better ...and better!!!!
The WORST case scenario is.....YOU ARE GOING TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE....and I bet that in the end you will have a easier time managing your pain through better HEALTHY methods...I see people doing it ever day!!!
LOVE NORTY
And guess what ??? YOU ARE RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE!!!!!!!!!! I know that probably does not help your anxiety or depression....as not much will right now...
I fought for years to get clean from opiates...heroin..methadone....oxys...whatever worked to keep me from withdrawal....cause ....well it was a really rough ride....
Here are a few things that MAY help...I don't offer up alot in the way of over the counter stuff...never worked for me trying to take stuff to get through the withdrawal...if you are at day 11 I would really try to suck it up and go to a na-aa meeting...I know the fear that you speak of...fear of the unknown...and we have to walk through it...crawl through it shaking and puking...but DO go through it..
The good news is...you do not have to do this alone....!! And I don't advise it...It is so painful to do recovery alone when there truly is a whole community based on recovery a thendy are there to walk you through it..
When i was detoxing from methadone and morphine....I took a bath alot...in and out of the tub....
Make toast..I got that tip HERE at SR froma oldtimer and danged if it did not work!!!) I would wander around the house...writhe around on the couch...then go toast , butter...and eat....the crunchy bit of bakery goodness! It kept my MIND busy...and a little sumpin in my stomach!!!
Gettiing out for a walk...watch a comedy..pet a dog..cat...creature of some kind!
Post here at SR..
It DOES get SO much better than where you are now...
I swear to god...if you felt GOOD right now I would be worried for you!!! The fear and depression WILL leave you....promise....SLOWLY...You WILL be happy again if that is what you seek!!
Keep posting K??
Today is my ONE day of from the homeless shelter where I work...and I am SOOOO grateful to be able to enjoy my sobriety today..I could so easliy be sitting on the other side...but for the grace of a power greater than my sorry a$$...I get to enjoy life today..
I am the evidence that people get BETTER...and better ...and better!!!!
The WORST case scenario is.....YOU ARE GOING TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE....and I bet that in the end you will have a easier time managing your pain through better HEALTHY methods...I see people doing it ever day!!!
LOVE NORTY
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 24
Northbell I'm wondering why you would be worried if he felt good. I am on day 7 and today has been good. Really good actually. No bad urges. I've just been living today for today. But now you got me thinking I'm not supposed to feel like this. I woke up this morning took a run and am now at work. Sure I've got my moments but I just remind myself...your doing it...your coming clean...you've wanted it for so long and finally I've gone 7 days with notta. Some vitamins, exercise andsome support from my wife and friends and t
his awesome website and the mind set that I'm gonna beat this. I will be the man my wife fell in love with and the Guy my friends became friends with. I don't want or need a pill to make me better. I didn't expect in any way for day 7 to be as good as it has I thought it would come more around 3-4 weeks but I guess everyone is different. I'm looking forward to the present day and trying not to think about the past. When it comes to the future I try not to worry about it. It will be what it is regardless it will be better clean. Greeno you can do this. You can beat it. We can beat this together. If you would like to talk I'm here along with all these other great people.
his awesome website and the mind set that I'm gonna beat this. I will be the man my wife fell in love with and the Guy my friends became friends with. I don't want or need a pill to make me better. I didn't expect in any way for day 7 to be as good as it has I thought it would come more around 3-4 weeks but I guess everyone is different. I'm looking forward to the present day and trying not to think about the past. When it comes to the future I try not to worry about it. It will be what it is regardless it will be better clean. Greeno you can do this. You can beat it. We can beat this together. If you would like to talk I'm here along with all these other great people.
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Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 91
Mrs
Today is my 15th day off morphine. I actually have started to feel better. Most normal day in awhile. The mornings is tough because I usually get up and take a pill to feel my normal. Finding it harder to not drink during the day. My usual day would be to get up and take a couple of morphine pills and maybe 2 more in the afternoon and then finish off the nights with a few drinks. At least i'm pill free. (except for klonipins I have to take). I never want to take morphine again.
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Originally Posted by tribal1969 
Today is my 15th day off morphine. I actually have started to feel better. Most normal day in awhile. The mornings is tough because I usually get up and take a pill to feel my normal. Finding it harder to not drink during the day. My usual day would be to get up and take a couple of morphine pills and maybe 2 more in the afternoon and then finish off the nights with a few drinks. At least i'm pill free. (except for klonipins I have to take). I never want to take morphine again.
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Mrs
Originally Posted by ian_g
This sounds just like my friend who stopped shooting dope (heroin) and coke but was "just" smoking weed and drinking heavy. After I suggested that this approach might not be a smart one he said to me, "Well at least I'm opiate free". He was dead 3 weeks later. Dead at age 23 in early January of this year.
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Location: Omak WA
Posts: 1,049
Oxycontin...Day 11 off of them....
Hi greeno34 & everyone else that has posted,
My drug of choice is alcohol & I have been sober 21 years & got help for my depression/anxity at the same time. But I have been around Oxycontin a number of years with my husband being prescribed them for his chronic/severe pain from a work injury many years ago. I also worked in the health field for over 20 years so know enough about many things to get myself in trouble so don't give advice...just my personal insite from what I have observed through the years.
My husband was ready to end his life & talked with the Specialist he went to for pain management. He slowly became someone I didn't know the higher the dose was increased...he is an amputee so uses crutches now but began falling & paranoid about going up & down the basement stairs where all his hobbies were & the pills were locked in his gun safe down there too.
He was finally to a point of sleeping all day...getting up with help from me & then having breakfast & sleeping until two or three in the afternoon...another pill & more sleep until dinner then bed.
Then he started falling backwards down the stairs...the last time cut his head open about a 5 inch wound....got stitched up & came home. The next day was horrifying compared to the night before with blood from his head all over the floor.
He was sleeping and at first I could arouse him every hour but it was like he couldn't recognize who I was. My daughter took him to the car in a wheelchair & took him to the ER again. His blood pressure was critically low, his kidneys were shutting down, his heart was acting up, & he didn't know who he was or where he was. I thought he either had a concussion from the day before or possibly a stroke. They flew him by helicopter to a bigger hospital equipped to take care of his needs. He was put on a ventilator to help him breathe before they took him.
My daughter & I drove to where he was the next morning. I had talked with his nurse & doctor from the hospital for more information on his code & brought it and his living will with me the next day. He was already off the ventilator, & not in a sedated coma anymore. They had done an MRI and he has had two small strokes & it all fitted with what had been going on at home.
He is still on Oxy...but the generic ones & is really back to his old self...keeps a little too busy but does not sleep all day & is more alert than ever with no residual from the med change.
He is 73 & I am 69....we take care of each other & little things like a touch on the hand or shoulder mean more than anything these days. We have discussed death & dying issues as an issue that needs to be done between us. We have done our wills, living wills, guardian issues but I found out that doesn't amount to a drop of rain in a hat....it is the person we have known many years that might go away from us. So we concentrate on taking care of ourselves so we can help each other. Life is so precious after living in **** for years.
kelsh
My drug of choice is alcohol & I have been sober 21 years & got help for my depression/anxity at the same time. But I have been around Oxycontin a number of years with my husband being prescribed them for his chronic/severe pain from a work injury many years ago. I also worked in the health field for over 20 years so know enough about many things to get myself in trouble so don't give advice...just my personal insite from what I have observed through the years.
My husband was ready to end his life & talked with the Specialist he went to for pain management. He slowly became someone I didn't know the higher the dose was increased...he is an amputee so uses crutches now but began falling & paranoid about going up & down the basement stairs where all his hobbies were & the pills were locked in his gun safe down there too.
He was finally to a point of sleeping all day...getting up with help from me & then having breakfast & sleeping until two or three in the afternoon...another pill & more sleep until dinner then bed.
Then he started falling backwards down the stairs...the last time cut his head open about a 5 inch wound....got stitched up & came home. The next day was horrifying compared to the night before with blood from his head all over the floor.
He was sleeping and at first I could arouse him every hour but it was like he couldn't recognize who I was. My daughter took him to the car in a wheelchair & took him to the ER again. His blood pressure was critically low, his kidneys were shutting down, his heart was acting up, & he didn't know who he was or where he was. I thought he either had a concussion from the day before or possibly a stroke. They flew him by helicopter to a bigger hospital equipped to take care of his needs. He was put on a ventilator to help him breathe before they took him.
My daughter & I drove to where he was the next morning. I had talked with his nurse & doctor from the hospital for more information on his code & brought it and his living will with me the next day. He was already off the ventilator, & not in a sedated coma anymore. They had done an MRI and he has had two small strokes & it all fitted with what had been going on at home.
He is still on Oxy...but the generic ones & is really back to his old self...keeps a little too busy but does not sleep all day & is more alert than ever with no residual from the med change.
He is 73 & I am 69....we take care of each other & little things like a touch on the hand or shoulder mean more than anything these days. We have discussed death & dying issues as an issue that needs to be done between us. We have done our wills, living wills, guardian issues but I found out that doesn't amount to a drop of rain in a hat....it is the person we have known many years that might go away from us. So we concentrate on taking care of ourselves so we can help each other. Life is so precious after living in **** for years.
kelsh
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Location: Philly and NYC
Posts: 220
Originally Posted by tribal1969
Thank for trying to scare me. I am glad that I am not taking morphine, klonipins and drinking. Was I better off before? I am in AA and started back to church, so I am looking to get off everything. What exactly killed your friend? Sorry for your loss.
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Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 91
Mrs
Originally Posted by ian_g
Good good! I'm glad that's your plan. Thanks for your condolences. Well he had been using again so I found out. It started out as just messing around with boozes and I think pot. But apparently that escalated. His parents kicked him out of the house and he ended up taking his life. He saw no way out basically. Sad but the stark reality of this whole deal! Glad to hear you are getting off all that stuff.
RIP Maria
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: AR
Posts: 7,654
Correct me if I'm wrong. But I've been told Klonipin is another addictive drug.
Clonidine isn't, and that's what I'm on for my restless legs and to help me sleep. I also take Carbidopa, (prescribed) for the restless legs. It also helps me to stay calmed down and you can take this day or night. This isn't addicting. I take it when I need it.
Anyone else know of this medicine being addictive?
Clonidine isn't, and that's what I'm on for my restless legs and to help me sleep. I also take Carbidopa, (prescribed) for the restless legs. It also helps me to stay calmed down and you can take this day or night. This isn't addicting. I take it when I need it.
Anyone else know of this medicine being addictive?
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