Aa
Day 14 off oxys; it is starting to get better...
I hope its okay that i started a new post. I feel badly that I posted so desperately at day 7, because I don't want anyone who is thinking of quitting to be discouraged. Today is Day 14. I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
There was no peak for me. None. I started WD's during the taper, but they were no big deal; my eyes were running like a water faucet and some mild leg pains.
Then at 10 mgs a day (not a big amount) I jumped and the withdrawals started within 12 hours. And they were horrible.
(Remember, I'm 52 and had been taking oxy for EIGHT years...a long, long time.)
The first 3 days were bad. I needed help just walking and only got out of bed when I had to pee. The diarrhea started day 4. Here were my worst symptoms and what I did:
1 Bad headaches: When they became so bad I couldn't bear to look at daylight, I called my doctor, who said it was from high BP and put me on Clonidine. They definitely got better once I started this medication.
2. Leg pain/bone pain: Man, this was horrible. I take prescription strength potassium AND magnesium and it didn't matter. The only thing that helped was hot baths and showers, but mainly I had to just grind thru it.
3. Stomach cramping: At day 14 (which is today) I STILL have a really bad stomach. Diarrhea only once or twice a day, but every time i eat is a new adventure in pain. I took a bite of pizza last night and it sent me straight to the bathroom for an hour. Protein shakes helped a LOT. I have BAD Irritable Bowel Syndrome, so I expect I'm going to have a messed up stomach for a long time.
4. Shaking/Tremors. I tried going to work at day 8 or 9 and it was a joke. I was shaking so hard that people were looking at me funny. Clonopin helped.
5. Anxiety: Where do I even begin? Keeping myself VERY busy after the first week was all that gets me thru the day. I took drawers full of clothes out and dumped them on my bed, FORCING me to refold every single thing. Distraction is your best friend.
6. Pain. And here it is. The oxy I took was prescribed. My dose never went up; in fact, my doctor started me on oxycontin, and after 1 month, I said "STOP!" I was nodding out all the time, sick to my stomach and itchy. He switched me to 60 mgs a day of IR (instant release) and THAT was too much. I went down to 40 mgs a day and stayed there.
I have severe, and I mean SEVERE pain in my upper back and chest. And its back, baby. Back with a vengeance. It feels just it did 8 years ago.
My doctor and I discussed the options, and he doesn't want me to have to succumb to spinal surgery, so I'm going to try physical therapy, weight training, yoga, acupuncture, etc. All the alternative treatments.
I know its only day 14, but I'm SO SO SO GLAD I did this. I became a SLAVE to those pills...scared to run out, what if my doctor forgot to leave a script for me, what happens if he goes on vacation and the doc covering for him WON'T give me a refill (and this happened more than once.)
I know I'm a chronic pain patient, but life on opiates is a *****. It' a rough ride of constantly trying NOT to go into withdrawals. Compared to that life, this is a drop in the bucket. (I can say that now that I'm feeling a little bit better; if you'd asked me on day 6 or 7, I would have not been so brave!)
I'm lucky that i have no way of getting these pills except my doctor. I never bought them off the street and have a husband and daughter who I'm very, very close to. They were super supportive, but honestly, this site helped me very much. I can't imagine having to go thru this before the Internet...when you couldn't log on in your home and read that others were going thru the same thing. I think if this had happened before the Internet, I would have HAD to go to a rehab center. I could not have done this on my own. That is the honest truth.
The moral of my story: If you're reading this, and considering getting off opiates, taper as much as you can, then JUMP, and come on here and read many stories as you can. It gets better. For me, as I've said a couple of times, the w/d's didn't "Peak" and then get all of sudden a lot better. It just isn't happening that way for me. It's been a very gradual thing.
Good luck to anyone fighting this demon. Opiates are a beast. I wonder what will happen in the next 20 -30 years, because the opiate epidemic the U.S. and other countries are fighting really only started in the 1990's when Oxycontin was released. It is such a worldwide epidemic.
Thank you, my wonderful friends, on here. I'll keep posting.
-R. "Never Again"
There was no peak for me. None. I started WD's during the taper, but they were no big deal; my eyes were running like a water faucet and some mild leg pains.
Then at 10 mgs a day (not a big amount) I jumped and the withdrawals started within 12 hours. And they were horrible.
(Remember, I'm 52 and had been taking oxy for EIGHT years...a long, long time.)
The first 3 days were bad. I needed help just walking and only got out of bed when I had to pee. The diarrhea started day 4. Here were my worst symptoms and what I did:
1 Bad headaches: When they became so bad I couldn't bear to look at daylight, I called my doctor, who said it was from high BP and put me on Clonidine. They definitely got better once I started this medication.
2. Leg pain/bone pain: Man, this was horrible. I take prescription strength potassium AND magnesium and it didn't matter. The only thing that helped was hot baths and showers, but mainly I had to just grind thru it.
3. Stomach cramping: At day 14 (which is today) I STILL have a really bad stomach. Diarrhea only once or twice a day, but every time i eat is a new adventure in pain. I took a bite of pizza last night and it sent me straight to the bathroom for an hour. Protein shakes helped a LOT. I have BAD Irritable Bowel Syndrome, so I expect I'm going to have a messed up stomach for a long time.
4. Shaking/Tremors. I tried going to work at day 8 or 9 and it was a joke. I was shaking so hard that people were looking at me funny. Clonopin helped.
5. Anxiety: Where do I even begin? Keeping myself VERY busy after the first week was all that gets me thru the day. I took drawers full of clothes out and dumped them on my bed, FORCING me to refold every single thing. Distraction is your best friend.
6. Pain. And here it is. The oxy I took was prescribed. My dose never went up; in fact, my doctor started me on oxycontin, and after 1 month, I said "STOP!" I was nodding out all the time, sick to my stomach and itchy. He switched me to 60 mgs a day of IR (instant release) and THAT was too much. I went down to 40 mgs a day and stayed there.
I have severe, and I mean SEVERE pain in my upper back and chest. And its back, baby. Back with a vengeance. It feels just it did 8 years ago.
My doctor and I discussed the options, and he doesn't want me to have to succumb to spinal surgery, so I'm going to try physical therapy, weight training, yoga, acupuncture, etc. All the alternative treatments.
I know its only day 14, but I'm SO SO SO GLAD I did this. I became a SLAVE to those pills...scared to run out, what if my doctor forgot to leave a script for me, what happens if he goes on vacation and the doc covering for him WON'T give me a refill (and this happened more than once.)
I know I'm a chronic pain patient, but life on opiates is a *****. It' a rough ride of constantly trying NOT to go into withdrawals. Compared to that life, this is a drop in the bucket. (I can say that now that I'm feeling a little bit better; if you'd asked me on day 6 or 7, I would have not been so brave!)
I'm lucky that i have no way of getting these pills except my doctor. I never bought them off the street and have a husband and daughter who I'm very, very close to. They were super supportive, but honestly, this site helped me very much. I can't imagine having to go thru this before the Internet...when you couldn't log on in your home and read that others were going thru the same thing. I think if this had happened before the Internet, I would have HAD to go to a rehab center. I could not have done this on my own. That is the honest truth.
The moral of my story: If you're reading this, and considering getting off opiates, taper as much as you can, then JUMP, and come on here and read many stories as you can. It gets better. For me, as I've said a couple of times, the w/d's didn't "Peak" and then get all of sudden a lot better. It just isn't happening that way for me. It's been a very gradual thing.
Good luck to anyone fighting this demon. Opiates are a beast. I wonder what will happen in the next 20 -30 years, because the opiate epidemic the U.S. and other countries are fighting really only started in the 1990's when Oxycontin was released. It is such a worldwide epidemic.
Thank you, my wonderful friends, on here. I'll keep posting.
-R. "Never Again"
What a lovely community of people you all are. Thank you and I will remember you all in my prayers tonight. JC and I are very tight.
The cough is distressing me, but actually right at this very moment...6:36 pm EST in the U.S., I am feeling kind of okay. Leg pain but not severe. Coughing a lot, but I've got my eye on it. (yes, I'm worried, but I also recognize that if there IS something underlying with it, there is nothing I can do until I get an xray.)
Don't worry, my lovelies...I'm a smart person, and my daughter is a med student. We have our eyes on each other, and if need be, we will go to an ER. Right now, I'm not experiencing anything that I consider an emergency...haven't had an D since the morning.
No, I do not have high blood pressure, although it runs in the family. I've always exercised. I started running in my early 30's...then switched to an elliptical, and I work out regularly. My HDL is over 70, and my cholesterol ratio's show a strong cardiovascular system.
I have both a cuff monitor and an electronic one. My doc DID prescribe Clonidine, which helped the first week. I'm weaning off .1 X2. My BP (daughter took it a couple hours ago) was 125/78. Okay for now.
I can't tell you what how much I appreciate all your support. Many hugs to ALL of you.
-R.
The cough is distressing me, but actually right at this very moment...6:36 pm EST in the U.S., I am feeling kind of okay. Leg pain but not severe. Coughing a lot, but I've got my eye on it. (yes, I'm worried, but I also recognize that if there IS something underlying with it, there is nothing I can do until I get an xray.)
Don't worry, my lovelies...I'm a smart person, and my daughter is a med student. We have our eyes on each other, and if need be, we will go to an ER. Right now, I'm not experiencing anything that I consider an emergency...haven't had an D since the morning.
No, I do not have high blood pressure, although it runs in the family. I've always exercised. I started running in my early 30's...then switched to an elliptical, and I work out regularly. My HDL is over 70, and my cholesterol ratio's show a strong cardiovascular system.
I have both a cuff monitor and an electronic one. My doc DID prescribe Clonidine, which helped the first week. I'm weaning off .1 X2. My BP (daughter took it a couple hours ago) was 125/78. Okay for now.
I can't tell you what how much I appreciate all your support. Many hugs to ALL of you.
-R.
Hi Honey, boy you and your daughter make quite the pair. Everyone's detox is different. Some, are worse than others. I was over 50 years old and had been taking large amounts of 30mg Roxicodone per day, for a couple of years. I was able to detox at home. It was rough, but my symptoms were nowhere near as bad as yours seem to be. This really seems severe, and I think that if things don't improve soon, that you should see a doctor.
Take care of yourself, and please keep us posted on your progress. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your daughter.
Take care of yourself, and please keep us posted on your progress. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your daughter.
Babes the heart rate thing and explosive D thing could def be stress but I really think you should have yourself checked out just in case. Yes they are all w/d symptoms but your heart should not be pounding that hard at this point. Did you have high blood pressure before detox? Did your doc prescribe clonidine for you? It is so awesome during detox. I took it while tapering and then for a month after I jumped. I had done a detox 3 years previously and this one was WAY easier. I was in my early 30's when I went CT off of 150 mg of oxy. I was pretty rough for a month. But I DO have autoimmune illness. And yes the dry hacking cough is a classic oxy w/d symptom. It came on me about 2 weeks clean and lasted a week.
Yes I coded at the hospital after buscopan. It is unclear as to whether there was something else in my IV or the nurse gave me the wrong dose, or what. But yes my heart stopped. It was terrifying.
Listen,
I know you are worried about your daughter and rightly so. I also know how much it SU*KS to go to the ER on a holiday weekend- Happy Thanksgiving BTW. BUT- don't push it with your health. If you experience another episode of heart pounding and explosive d, PLEASE GO. Dehydration is a dangerous thing. Trust me I know this first hand.
As for the pain and the opiates. It takes AT LEAST a month for your body/brain to heal in order to gauge your pain levels. You get rebound pain because long term opiate use causes hyperalgesia. Meaning that the opiates create MORE pain receptors that are screaming to be filled with the drugs. The longer you are clean, the more they decrease and you will have an actual idea of what your pain levels are. So hang on at least a month before entertaining the idea, okay?
I will say this with ABSOLUTE authority. Opiates are NOT good solutions for chronic pain. They create more problems than they solve. They are awesome for acute pain, and pre and post surgery. I went on in April because I was supposed to have surgery in June and I couldn't function (was vomiting and completely debilitated by pain) My surgery got postponed (twice) and here I am just a few days post op. I've been on opiates for 7 months, and while I know that I could not have made it through this time without them and I am grateful for the relief- I will be getting off as quickly as I can comfortably. Thankfully, I have kept my dose fairly low and it should only take 8 weeks or so if I want to taper without w/d which I do to avoid throwing my hormones off. I want to conceive at the end of this journey.
Take good care okay?
xo
Lu
Yes I coded at the hospital after buscopan. It is unclear as to whether there was something else in my IV or the nurse gave me the wrong dose, or what. But yes my heart stopped. It was terrifying.
Listen,
I know you are worried about your daughter and rightly so. I also know how much it SU*KS to go to the ER on a holiday weekend- Happy Thanksgiving BTW. BUT- don't push it with your health. If you experience another episode of heart pounding and explosive d, PLEASE GO. Dehydration is a dangerous thing. Trust me I know this first hand.
As for the pain and the opiates. It takes AT LEAST a month for your body/brain to heal in order to gauge your pain levels. You get rebound pain because long term opiate use causes hyperalgesia. Meaning that the opiates create MORE pain receptors that are screaming to be filled with the drugs. The longer you are clean, the more they decrease and you will have an actual idea of what your pain levels are. So hang on at least a month before entertaining the idea, okay?
I will say this with ABSOLUTE authority. Opiates are NOT good solutions for chronic pain. They create more problems than they solve. They are awesome for acute pain, and pre and post surgery. I went on in April because I was supposed to have surgery in June and I couldn't function (was vomiting and completely debilitated by pain) My surgery got postponed (twice) and here I am just a few days post op. I've been on opiates for 7 months, and while I know that I could not have made it through this time without them and I am grateful for the relief- I will be getting off as quickly as I can comfortably. Thankfully, I have kept my dose fairly low and it should only take 8 weeks or so if I want to taper without w/d which I do to avoid throwing my hormones off. I want to conceive at the end of this journey.
Take good care okay?
xo
Lu
I think any alcohol is a bad idea, but of course, the choice is yours.
I didn't see or call my doctor. My daughter is really in bad shape..we're like the walking wounded, the two of us. In our pj's, with heating pads, in bed, watching a Law & Order SVU Marathon.
She has severe stomach issues and refuses to go to a hospital. She isn't vomiting anymore, and there is no fever, so I'm resigned to just keeping her close to me.
My stomach has calmed down. Now the leg/bone pain is back.
THIS IS INSANE. Tomorrow is a holiday, and we have to go to her apartment and get at least SOME of her clothes out of there (she walked out on her abusive BF after hiding the fact that he WAS abusing her for 10 months now.)
I have developed a brandy new symptom: a persistent, dry, hacking cough. I'm an occasional smoker, but haven't had a cigarette in months. Weird, I know.
A cursory search on this site reveals that this is a common symptom in w/d's, since opiates are an anti-tussive (cough suppressant.) BUT. I'm asking my doctor for a chest xray this week, just to be sure.
Again...I'm sorry for all the complaining and rambling I'm doing. I never in a million years thought I would be going thru this.
I won't go back. But I want to...I want this all to go away. It is like I'm having a never-ending nightmare that won't stop.
Sleep is all messed up. I have trazodone (a non-narcotic, sedating anti-depressant that is supposedly safe---) but it makes me have REALLY vivid and disturbing dreams.
I was able to eat some broth and a cracker. Since the immodium, and hyoscyamine (sp?) my stomach has calmed down.
I should have gone to a 30 day rehab. We have good insurance, thru my husband's job...his pay is peanuts, but the benefits are very good. I'm kicking myself for thinking I could do this at home.
To anyone who is over 50 and has a dependency as long as mine (just short of a decade) I'd recommend going somewhere for this process, because it is so incredibly different for a 50-something than a 20 or 30-something.
If you have to do it at home, be prepared for a month of sickness. i pray that at 30 days, I will feel better. Honestly, I'm scared...keep thinking, "what if I never get better."
I'm a HUGE Janis Joplin fan. Bordering on obsession. I hate that her addictions killed her...and i know her life so intimately (even used to be email pen-pals with Sam Andrew, her guitarist in BBHC, and a former lover...and heroin user. He quit.) The year before she died (1970) she was trying to get off heroin. I remember reading that she was having an awful time with withdrawals. She took Dolophine (with was Methadone) and had a hard time getting off THAT.
During withdrawals, she once told Kris Kristofferson "If this doesn't get any better, I'm going back on junk," It didn't get better, and she ended up shooting again. It killed her within six months. She got sold a batch of very strong H, her tolerance was down, and she was very drunk when she took her last fix. Gone...in a cheap motel in California.
I gotta do this. I don't want to go back on opiates, but this really, really *****. Pain with a purpose. Gotta keep telling myself that.
Thanks for letting me babble. Back to bed, tea, water, daughter, new puppy...
I didn't see or call my doctor. My daughter is really in bad shape..we're like the walking wounded, the two of us. In our pj's, with heating pads, in bed, watching a Law & Order SVU Marathon.
She has severe stomach issues and refuses to go to a hospital. She isn't vomiting anymore, and there is no fever, so I'm resigned to just keeping her close to me.
My stomach has calmed down. Now the leg/bone pain is back.
THIS IS INSANE. Tomorrow is a holiday, and we have to go to her apartment and get at least SOME of her clothes out of there (she walked out on her abusive BF after hiding the fact that he WAS abusing her for 10 months now.)
I have developed a brandy new symptom: a persistent, dry, hacking cough. I'm an occasional smoker, but haven't had a cigarette in months. Weird, I know.
A cursory search on this site reveals that this is a common symptom in w/d's, since opiates are an anti-tussive (cough suppressant.) BUT. I'm asking my doctor for a chest xray this week, just to be sure.
Again...I'm sorry for all the complaining and rambling I'm doing. I never in a million years thought I would be going thru this.
I won't go back. But I want to...I want this all to go away. It is like I'm having a never-ending nightmare that won't stop.
Sleep is all messed up. I have trazodone (a non-narcotic, sedating anti-depressant that is supposedly safe---) but it makes me have REALLY vivid and disturbing dreams.
I was able to eat some broth and a cracker. Since the immodium, and hyoscyamine (sp?) my stomach has calmed down.
I should have gone to a 30 day rehab. We have good insurance, thru my husband's job...his pay is peanuts, but the benefits are very good. I'm kicking myself for thinking I could do this at home.
To anyone who is over 50 and has a dependency as long as mine (just short of a decade) I'd recommend going somewhere for this process, because it is so incredibly different for a 50-something than a 20 or 30-something.
If you have to do it at home, be prepared for a month of sickness. i pray that at 30 days, I will feel better. Honestly, I'm scared...keep thinking, "what if I never get better."
I'm a HUGE Janis Joplin fan. Bordering on obsession. I hate that her addictions killed her...and i know her life so intimately (even used to be email pen-pals with Sam Andrew, her guitarist in BBHC, and a former lover...and heroin user. He quit.) The year before she died (1970) she was trying to get off heroin. I remember reading that she was having an awful time with withdrawals. She took Dolophine (with was Methadone) and had a hard time getting off THAT.
During withdrawals, she once told Kris Kristofferson "If this doesn't get any better, I'm going back on junk," It didn't get better, and she ended up shooting again. It killed her within six months. She got sold a batch of very strong H, her tolerance was down, and she was very drunk when she took her last fix. Gone...in a cheap motel in California.
I gotta do this. I don't want to go back on opiates, but this really, really *****. Pain with a purpose. Gotta keep telling myself that.
Thanks for letting me babble. Back to bed, tea, water, daughter, new puppy...
So glad you are seeing a DR today. Please report back. I am heading out shopping, well forcing myself. I may get a foot massage to help deal with the muscle pain. I am craving a beer right now, my doc when I don't have Oxy. I am hoping I can still enjoy a cold one with lunch now and again. I should not risk it though.
Lulu: You are scaring me. Your heart stopped beating and you coded after an anti-spasmodic administrations.
Dear God. What have I have done to myself. Last night I woke up gasping for breath, in a FULL BLOWN PANIC ATTACK. My HR was over 150. It passed quickly, then around 4:00 am the diarrhea (water basically running out of me, I'm sorry,, I know, gross) after 7 trips, I took an immodium.
I'm calling my doctor. This is not normal. Will post laterl
Dear God. What have I have done to myself. Last night I woke up gasping for breath, in a FULL BLOWN PANIC ATTACK. My HR was over 150. It passed quickly, then around 4:00 am the diarrhea (water basically running out of me, I'm sorry,, I know, gross) after 7 trips, I took an immodium.
I'm calling my doctor. This is not normal. Will post laterl
Hi there, Sweetie. Wow, you really are having a rough time of it. I would agree that if your symptoms dont improve and soon, or if they get any worse, then go to the ER. This just seems pretty severe.
Hang in there! I hope and pray that you feel better soon. I'm so glad your daughter will be there with you. I will be following this to see how you are doing. Take care of yourself! All the best! Hugs!
Hang in there! I hope and pray that you feel better soon. I'm so glad your daughter will be there with you. I will be following this to see how you are doing. Take care of yourself! All the best! Hugs!
Hi there
I just wanted to wish you well. I would go to the ER if I were you. You could be dehydrated or there could be something else going on. Better to be safe than sorry. The "violently ill" part after eating just scares me.
I just wanted to wish you well. I would go to the ER if I were you. You could be dehydrated or there could be something else going on. Better to be safe than sorry. The "violently ill" part after eating just scares me.
Ok my dear.
I never took opiates recreationally either. Mine were prescribed for legit pain and illness. HOWEVER- I did reach a point where I was going through an awful time with my now ex-husband. He was abusive, verbally and sexually, and I realized I was numbing not just physical pain but emotional pain. I also realized once I was clean that I had been masking some severe trauma from past relationships and medical crisis. I did not connect with NA. I tried a few times. I did SMART recovery, CBT, and EMDR for my PTSD. SMART is awesome because it focuses on self-empowerment and changing old modes of thinking and behaviour that make us SICK. Spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. I needed it. Combined with the exercise and nutrition it helped me to reclaim my life and I am forever grateful and a better person for it.
As for the anti-spasmodics. They did not help me much and i infact CODED at the hospital after being given buscopan during a really bad Crohn's flare.
Also, the prescription anti-emetics can be hard on your gut in terms of bowel function. I myself just prefer Gravol OTC for nausea and natural things like peppermint tea with honey and ginger.
You need to get your colon calmed down and the best way to do this is to give it a break. Start with clear fluids just for a day or so. Chicken broth, water with lemon, peppermint tea, etc. Then try small amounts of food. A piece of dry toast, crackers, mashed potatoes, bananas. It WILL calm down.
PLEASE BEWARE OF PROTEIN SHAKES-
Anything that contains soy or whey protein is REALLY hard on the gut. Sure fire way to give me the runs and vomit is to give me whey protein. I don't think you should do protein shakes at all right now (personally)
I know you are hungry so the broth would be best, and some crackers if you can tolerate them. Bananas are binding so they are good too. And if your stomach is empty they will fill it.
I had surgery on Wednesday. My bowel has been going crazy ever since. I had horrible D, nausea and vomiting post op. The IV anti-emetics made it worse. So I started with peppermint tea, then broth, then a banana, then dry toast. Within a day I was well enough to leave the hospital and now I am eating small amounts of foods and my bowel is calming down as is my nausea.
Be gentle, be patient, be kind. The journey to wellness has many ups and downs and you must be patient and find what works for you.
You are doing awesome!!!
Lu
I never took opiates recreationally either. Mine were prescribed for legit pain and illness. HOWEVER- I did reach a point where I was going through an awful time with my now ex-husband. He was abusive, verbally and sexually, and I realized I was numbing not just physical pain but emotional pain. I also realized once I was clean that I had been masking some severe trauma from past relationships and medical crisis. I did not connect with NA. I tried a few times. I did SMART recovery, CBT, and EMDR for my PTSD. SMART is awesome because it focuses on self-empowerment and changing old modes of thinking and behaviour that make us SICK. Spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. I needed it. Combined with the exercise and nutrition it helped me to reclaim my life and I am forever grateful and a better person for it.
As for the anti-spasmodics. They did not help me much and i infact CODED at the hospital after being given buscopan during a really bad Crohn's flare.
Also, the prescription anti-emetics can be hard on your gut in terms of bowel function. I myself just prefer Gravol OTC for nausea and natural things like peppermint tea with honey and ginger.
You need to get your colon calmed down and the best way to do this is to give it a break. Start with clear fluids just for a day or so. Chicken broth, water with lemon, peppermint tea, etc. Then try small amounts of food. A piece of dry toast, crackers, mashed potatoes, bananas. It WILL calm down.
PLEASE BEWARE OF PROTEIN SHAKES-
Anything that contains soy or whey protein is REALLY hard on the gut. Sure fire way to give me the runs and vomit is to give me whey protein. I don't think you should do protein shakes at all right now (personally)
I know you are hungry so the broth would be best, and some crackers if you can tolerate them. Bananas are binding so they are good too. And if your stomach is empty they will fill it.
I had surgery on Wednesday. My bowel has been going crazy ever since. I had horrible D, nausea and vomiting post op. The IV anti-emetics made it worse. So I started with peppermint tea, then broth, then a banana, then dry toast. Within a day I was well enough to leave the hospital and now I am eating small amounts of foods and my bowel is calming down as is my nausea.
Be gentle, be patient, be kind. The journey to wellness has many ups and downs and you must be patient and find what works for you.
You are doing awesome!!!
Lu
Thank you lulu and ms and everyone else. I'm definitely going to try and find a probiotic, because at this point, I don't know how to survive....I don't eat, and then I get low blood sugar, and my stomach hurts. Then I eat a small amount and get violently ill. Up and down, yup, just like a rollercoaster.
LuLu: Do you think I should keep taking the anti-spasmodic? I've got them all: Bently, Hyoscyamine, as well as promethazine, zofran, etc (anti-emetics.)
My daughter is getting off a plane in 2 hours and into my arms. I'm going to hold her all weekend and she's got a big battle ahead of her. We have to empty out the apartment she was living in with this abusive psycho BF....and then back in here with my husband and I. She is off to medical school next year (right now she is working on a research grant for AIDs) and she also has major bowel issues. She is fragile, and so am I. We are almost too close sometimes, so we have to be careful not to upset each other.
Snuggling in bed, mint tea, and Golden Girls DVD's.
I will say one positive...she will NEVER take opiates after watching me do this. It is scaring the pants off of her. And my husband (whose pants are usually off anyways.) Hey, I made a joke...maybe I am feeling a bit better~!
Actually, I'm hungry and feeling panicky. I think I'll sip a protein shake, SLOWLY...
I'll check in later. You guys are my LIFE-LINE. Thank you SO MUCH. I won't forget this, and I intend to stay here and when I"m thru it, help others.
I never took opiates recreationally...only for pain. Would NA be a good or bad idea?
LuLu: Do you think I should keep taking the anti-spasmodic? I've got them all: Bently, Hyoscyamine, as well as promethazine, zofran, etc (anti-emetics.)
My daughter is getting off a plane in 2 hours and into my arms. I'm going to hold her all weekend and she's got a big battle ahead of her. We have to empty out the apartment she was living in with this abusive psycho BF....and then back in here with my husband and I. She is off to medical school next year (right now she is working on a research grant for AIDs) and she also has major bowel issues. She is fragile, and so am I. We are almost too close sometimes, so we have to be careful not to upset each other.
Snuggling in bed, mint tea, and Golden Girls DVD's.
I will say one positive...she will NEVER take opiates after watching me do this. It is scaring the pants off of her. And my husband (whose pants are usually off anyways.) Hey, I made a joke...maybe I am feeling a bit better~!
Actually, I'm hungry and feeling panicky. I think I'll sip a protein shake, SLOWLY...
I'll check in later. You guys are my LIFE-LINE. Thank you SO MUCH. I won't forget this, and I intend to stay here and when I"m thru it, help others.
I never took opiates recreationally...only for pain. Would NA be a good or bad idea?
Hi there girl. Sorry, mom had a mini crisis and o had to attend. Just read your answer to me real quick. Didn't read the other responses but wanted you to know that YOU CAN BEAT THIS! I'm not attending whatever it was you said about you can't do this. Also, I'm 56 and I'm definitely not the oldest around here. Also crying is so so normal at this stage. Its good for you. I call it emotional diarrhea. Anyway in a super hurry, but I love ya and I am rooting and praying for you. I hope you come on later or tomorrow. Good luck wishes for you and your girl. Get the comfy fluffy bed ready.
Well it's 2 hours since my last post and my stomach pain went down to a 5/10. I tried to eat solids this morning; that was my BIG mistake. Four more hours and I have to drive to the airport. I hope I can do it.
I am going back to a clear liquid diet, and if I don't start improving, I'm going to the ER at the hospital where my daughter works.
I'm scheduled for an endoscopy 10/30/14. If I had an ulcer, food would help. It makes it worse...I think that w/d's for someone with IBS is a totally different ballgame. After all, opiates affect your BRAIN...and the stomach, in medicine, is called "the second brain.'"
My gastric motility is totally out of whack. As are my digestive enzymes. What a schmess.
I am going back to a clear liquid diet, and if I don't start improving, I'm going to the ER at the hospital where my daughter works.
I'm scheduled for an endoscopy 10/30/14. If I had an ulcer, food would help. It makes it worse...I think that w/d's for someone with IBS is a totally different ballgame. After all, opiates affect your BRAIN...and the stomach, in medicine, is called "the second brain.'"
My gastric motility is totally out of whack. As are my digestive enzymes. What a schmess.
I think it would not hurt to go to urgent care or emergency for your symptoms. I think something else is brewing beside W/D for you. Please keep in touch.
Your post probably just saved my life, after reading it I resolved to not refill my scrip. I am 55 and on Oxycodone for 8 yrs now. I was trying this on my own, then came across this site. Thank you
God Bless You for answering me. I'm crying my eyes out right now.
Both my daughter and I are very ill. She had C-diff (she is an infectious disease med student in a hospital) last year, and ever since, has experienced significant tummy troubles.
Since the break-up with her abusive BF, she flew to see her father for a week and was vomiting and sick the whole time. She sees her GE on Wednesday,....at my insistence. She is still out of state; I have to pick her up at the airport in 7 hours. I can barely walk.
I am only having diarrhea once a day, but the pain in my gut is a 10/10. I'm not sure loperamide is indicated; I AM taking anti-spasmodics and they only help a little. I've had trouble with Immodium in the past...stopping all bowel movements and creating pain so bad I ended up in an ER.
Sigh. I know everyone is just trying to help. I've also started coughing...a dry cough. Is that a symptom too?
I am not bouncing back. In fact, I feel EXACTLY like i did on day 6.
I'm 52. If my life is going to be like this, why did I stop the pills? At least before I could work, drive, function...I had quality of life. Now I have nothing but pain.
Sigh. Should I go to the hospital? Is something amiss with me? I'm considering calling my doctor (on call; I know they HATE that, but I am so miserable.)
Please, no meanness or 'tough love'...I'll crumble like a house of cards. I dont' mean you, msdelight, or anyone else that has answered me...you've all been wonderful. I
My mind is not right. I'm crying at everything. My stomach hurts SO BADLY...and it sounds like a washing machine. Hypermotility.
I don't know what to do. The loperamide is a big gamble.
I do know that I'm not eating ANYTHING. ZERO. NOTHING. Just clear liquids. 15 days clean and I can't even eat a cracker.
I hope my posts don't discourage anyone from stopping, but I also refuse to sugarcoat this. If you are older, the w/ds are bad. REALLY bad. If you are young, I beg you, STOP NOW. How I wish I had.
Please God,
Both my daughter and I are very ill. She had C-diff (she is an infectious disease med student in a hospital) last year, and ever since, has experienced significant tummy troubles.
Since the break-up with her abusive BF, she flew to see her father for a week and was vomiting and sick the whole time. She sees her GE on Wednesday,....at my insistence. She is still out of state; I have to pick her up at the airport in 7 hours. I can barely walk.
I am only having diarrhea once a day, but the pain in my gut is a 10/10. I'm not sure loperamide is indicated; I AM taking anti-spasmodics and they only help a little. I've had trouble with Immodium in the past...stopping all bowel movements and creating pain so bad I ended up in an ER.
Sigh. I know everyone is just trying to help. I've also started coughing...a dry cough. Is that a symptom too?
I am not bouncing back. In fact, I feel EXACTLY like i did on day 6.
I'm 52. If my life is going to be like this, why did I stop the pills? At least before I could work, drive, function...I had quality of life. Now I have nothing but pain.
Sigh. Should I go to the hospital? Is something amiss with me? I'm considering calling my doctor (on call; I know they HATE that, but I am so miserable.)
Please, no meanness or 'tough love'...I'll crumble like a house of cards. I dont' mean you, msdelight, or anyone else that has answered me...you've all been wonderful. I
My mind is not right. I'm crying at everything. My stomach hurts SO BADLY...and it sounds like a washing machine. Hypermotility.
I don't know what to do. The loperamide is a big gamble.
I do know that I'm not eating ANYTHING. ZERO. NOTHING. Just clear liquids. 15 days clean and I can't even eat a cracker.
I hope my posts don't discourage anyone from stopping, but I also refuse to sugarcoat this. If you are older, the w/ds are bad. REALLY bad. If you are young, I beg you, STOP NOW. How I wish I had.
Please God,
Listen up sweet girl. At day 15 acute wd is over, but now you're in the roller coaster stage. You had a good day. Now a bad day. This is normal. You are healing. Don't give up now! Two weeks is a great accomplishment and you are over the hump. You will experience some great days followed by some bad days, and then good again. Soon there will be more good days than bad and by 30 days you will feel like a new person. Don't give up. Please take one immodium and follow the directions on the package. You can't feel well when your stomach is in knots. And let's face it, you on oxys isn't going to help your daughter one bit. She needs a mom who can feel. Hold her. Cry with her. The two of you should get in bed with a large box of tissues and watch a great movie. Please don't go back to insanity. This will pass.
Day 15 and this *****. I'm miserable. Every time I eat, I get very ill. I feel horrible. And my daughter (26) is a wreck after moving back home...her BF was abusing her emotionally, stealing and lying. She doesn't take drugs, but is "detoxing" from a VERY bad relationship. Also bad IBS with her. Our whole family is critically stressed. I could NOT have picked a worse time to decide to jump off oxy. I hate this. I'm sorry if I sound negative, but this is so bad, I just hate my life right now.
I'm NOT getting better...I posted on Day 14 out of sheer desperation that I was feeling better but then the day took a vertical nose dive.
Why, why why all the lies about "3-5 days and its over." I wish i had gone into a rehab now. Doing this at home while dealing with bad family stress is more than I feel like I can handle.
Right now, I am close to wanting to just take opiates again. Because I feel like i will never be normal again, never feel better again.
I'm NOT getting better...I posted on Day 14 out of sheer desperation that I was feeling better but then the day took a vertical nose dive.
Why, why why all the lies about "3-5 days and its over." I wish i had gone into a rehab now. Doing this at home while dealing with bad family stress is more than I feel like I can handle.
Right now, I am close to wanting to just take opiates again. Because I feel like i will never be normal again, never feel better again.
there is a pill - colon health probiotics that may help you. supposed to be all natural.
i too have been having severe stomach pain when i eat. feels like i ate razor blades.
try giving your gut a rest by eating a clear liquid diet for a few days and see if it helps. it did help me with the pain, but as soon as i started eating again, the pain came back. my issue may be diverticulitis though
congrats on your clean time. it does get better
i too have been having severe stomach pain when i eat. feels like i ate razor blades.
try giving your gut a rest by eating a clear liquid diet for a few days and see if it helps. it did help me with the pain, but as soon as i started eating again, the pain came back. my issue may be diverticulitis though
congrats on your clean time. it does get better
Try taking some imodium for the bathroom issues. There's no need in continuing to purge your system after two weeks. 2-3 2mg pills will do the trick. As far as the pain try streching and some light exercise. Your pain level will decrease with time. I was on oxy also and the 30 day mark was a big turning point for me. Just be patient and keep pushing on.
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I am inspired by your post. Way to stick it through! You will find that life without opiates is so much better and more beautiful than you ever thought possible.
TO the tummy-
I have Crohn's disease so I relate to you on a deep level. The opiates really mask the bowel symptoms because they SLOW IT DOWN. Initially, this was why I was put on them. The problem is they slow it down TOO much and you can end up with bowel obstructions (GOD I've had so many of these and they are HELL)
Now that you are 15 days clean your colon in still in spasm. I would strongly advise you getting a good probiotic as Jinx mentioned. You have to get it from a health food store in the fridge section. It must have more than 90 million bacterium. Take two in the morning on an empty stomach. The probiotics encourage the healthy flora and fauna of your gut to survive.
Next,
You MUST cut out ALL dairy. Dairy is the worst thing possible for IBS. As is any fried food, spicy food, or refined sugar.
Start out with very small amounts of bland food. Toast with peppermint tea, lean chicken or fish with well steamed veggies and plain mashed potatoes.NO CAFFEINE, NO ALCOHOL, NO REFINED SUGAR.
I know you are miserable right now. But it WILL get better. You were on opiates for a long time. When I went c/t off oxy I had been on for 6 years and it took me a good 30 days for my system to calm down. But after that 30 days I started to feel better than I have in my entire life. I committed to a strong aftercare program. I practiced yoga 6 days a week. I did a liver cleanse diet and finally dealt with my pain and autoimmune issues in a natural way.
Stress is a huge trigger for IBS as you well know and you've just gone through one of the most stressful times of your life. You need to be patient and gentle with yourself.
Keep trying to put small amounts of food in your body until it calms down. I never eat a big meal- EVER- because my body cannot deal with it. I have found what works and what doesn't and it is ever evolving.
The probiotic will really help you. But like all natural things as opposed to pharmaceuticals, it takes time.
Gentle gentle.
You are doing so awesome and I know you will turn another corner soon. If you have any specific questions about diet and remedies please PM me. I've been living with Crohn's and kept it in remission for nearly 6 years.
Bless-
Lu