Aysha

Is it just em or does it seem like when your using that you dont get sick or feel sick. At least not for me. I never had a cold or felt aches and pains or anything.
Now that I have a little clean time. I feel everything and I found out today I have had Lime disease for a few months. I was wondering why my bones and joints hurt so much all the time.
I also just got over a bacteria infection last month. I feel tired.
I dont even remember getting bit by anything.
I know my whole body is in constant pain.
But I never felt anything ever when I was using. Even after coming down.
Maybe just me.

reed

no its not just you. but i bet having lyme disease does not help the situation. i think you can die from that. i hope you saw a medic about that. atleast you are not killing yourself with drugs & alcohol on top of it. hope things get better ...stay casual.

Anna

Well, I think when I was drinking a lot, I just didn't pay attention to any of my physical issues. It just wasn't important at all. I think your body is telling you that you need to pay attention to it and to take care of yourself.

I hope the lime disease clears up quickly.

Jomey

Hey Chiy - Sorry to hear about the Lyme's Disease. It can be serious and as you already know, painful, so see a doc. ok? Also, we have been awfully hard on our bodies, sugar, so, I agree with Anna, pay attention to the healthy things your body is asking for now...rest, good food, peace. Keep me posted on your progress, ok? Love ya, Jomey

serenityqueen

When I was using/drinking, I paid very little attention to anything my body was trying to tell me. As long as I kept feeding it with a steady supply of drugs and alcohol, I figured I was ok. And when I had an ache or pain, I either attributed it to falling the night before, bumping into something or a hangover. I found out when I was still using that I have Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. It's funny, I never sought out any meds for these conditions other than pain pills and benzos for anxiety. Having a "disease" helped me to get all kinds of meds from the docs, except the ones I truly needed for these paticular diseases. Once I got Clean & Sober, I too started noticing alot more aches and pains, sometimes true joint pain that was unbearable at times. I spoke to my doctor who knows about my alcoholism/drug addiction and she brought up a very good point. I was so high and numb before that I didn't feel the physical pain. And as soon as I started to, wham, I numbed it! I have been working closely with my Dr. and Specialists since I have been in Recovery. I see Specialists when refered, to make a long story short, I listen to my Dr.s as well as my body. I eat better, get more restful sleep and have much better sleep habits. I did go through a 'why me' period. I sat on the pity pot to the point that I was very comfortable. I kept asking myself why, after I FINALLY got Clean & Sober did this have to happen to me? Why did it have to get worse once I got all the crap out of my body and mind? Am I being punished? Then someone called me on it at a meeting. I was mad at first, but then I finally realized that they were right. I had been sick all along, I just didn't care. As long as I stayed high and drunk, that's all that mattered. I should be grateful that I didn't die from this disease like my Sister, Linda did. I am grateful that I do have Dr.'s at a Med Clinic where it's based on my income who work closely with me. I can now pay attention to the signals my body is giving me. It's to the point where I can now find gratitude. It's like the old saying goes, I know I won't get it exactly right, but where you complain about your shoes and then you see a man who has no legs.

As you all know, I tend to ramble. I am just so very grateful for the life that I have today thanks to what Bill W. and Dr. Bob started all those years ago. Thanks for letting me share!

Impurrfect

(((Chiy))))

Serenityseeker might as well have written MY story. I did get sick a few times when I was using, but only noticed it when I didn't have any crack. As soon as I got high, I didn't care or notice if I was sick.

I'm sorry about the Lyme's disease...hope you are seeing a dr. and keeping an eye on it. At least, now that we're clean, we can deal with illness as it's happening...don't have to worry that we will make it much wose by ignoring it because we're high!

Hugs and prayers!

Amy

Rowan

Hugs and prayers going out to you, Trishy.

scaredykat

Hi Chiynita. I'm sorry about your Lyme's disease. I can relate to not feeling sick and i thought it was from all the vitamins i took. I was sick once since coming back. Pain i did feel though because of my nerve condition, especially if it was a real bad day.

Barb

barb dwyer

Hi hon -

I think SOME of the 'disease' feelings , symptomology, I mean is the simple fact we were so sedated with our DOC that we didn't notice things happening, or little aches and pains getting worse, or we attributed those 'bad' feelings (physically) as just another aspect of hangover.

Now that the poisons are going - or completely gone - the problems that we were masking with alcohol in the first place aren't leaving.... because some of them are quite real. Others ... *like mine* are problems CAUSED my ingesting massive amounts of alcohol and drugs.

Aysha

I find out today I have carpul tunnel in my left hand.
It hurts like crazy and on top of the pain from the Lyme disease. It is almost unbearable.
Alot of the pain spots are gone but have intesified in the ones that are still there.
I dont want to ask for something stronger than 800 ibuprofin because I dont think my Dr will even give me anything because of my history. I dont really want to but the pain is very uncomfortable.
I was going to ask for a refill on my xanax today too for the 8 days I am all alone to maybe ensure I dont freak out. But I decided not too on that too.
Being an addict sucks. But should I make myself suffer with pain because of it?

Anna

Well, Trish, in my opinion, you don't need to use xanax to cope with being alone while your family is on vacation. Recovery is about learning how to live life on life's terms and that means dealing with all the stuff that comes along. There are good ways to deal with being alone - go to a movie, go out to eat, call a friend, volunteer, anything that feels good to you.

As for the pain from lyme disease and carpal tunnel, that's between you and your dr, but I hope you don't have to suffer. Have you tried different otc things like advil, etc?

Aysha

Yes and they worked at first but not anymore.
This is a 40 day taking antibiotics 4 times a day to get rid of it.
I never knew Lyme disease was like this.

Just a reminder. I am in no way asking for med advice.
I am just trying to get thoughts on addiciton when pain meds may be needed.
I reread my post and want to make that clear.
No xanax. I dont even want to go there. Thats why I am conflicted with thinking I may need pain meds. I dont want the easy way anymore.
And life on lifes terms sounds wonderful.
As crazy as that may sound.

Anna

For me, I won't suffer unnecessarily because I'm an alcoholic. For example, I get migraines and have since my teenage years. I have medication for that. I use it very infrequently, once or twice a month, but I won't suffer with migraine pain because I am an addict. But, I think each person needs to make their own decision.

Anna

By the way, you're doing great Trish!

And, remember you can hang out here when you're alone!

Hope

I agree with Anna completely.

Sorry you are going through the pain. I can relate to the carpal tunnel pain. I have it in my right hand. It hurts.

The great thing is that you are being aware and asking questions.

This is only my experience. I have used pain meds in recovery. However, there are lots of precautions that I had to be aware of. It requires rigorous honesty and accountability with your doctor. I was very closely monitored.

There is absolutely no reason that we should have to suffer in pain because we are addicts.

f911

I too was never sick while drinking. (Unless you consider throwing up every morning an illness.) I use to think that the alcohol was killing every germ entering my body.

I don't drink anymore, do occassionally get sick but I wouldn't trade sobriety for anything.

jane

Aysha

Well. Where do I go when I start feeling uncertain? Besides here?
My aunts. So my uncle had this last year and he said they dont give you any meds for the pain. Just a cortizone shot that really doesnt do a whole lot anyway. So I guess it's live with it for now anyway.
He also said the splint my Dr wants me to wear doesnt do anything either.
So I will wait a couple weeks and if it still hurts like this. I will go back and have the doc set up surgery.
Thanks you guys again.
I always feel better after coming here. And now I take the time to make my family aware of things going on in this noggin of mine.
I feel like I am a pain or acting needy. But they dont mind.

Hope

Your family loves you and they care. Never feel like you are being a pain to them.

About the cortizone shots- my mom got one and she said the pain stopped. So it does work for some people. Don't write that option off just yet.