12 days opiate free, having cravings, could use some love

[Jewelzzzzzzzz]

12 days opiate free. 4 yrs on 120mg Vicodin a day from Failed back surgery. Went cold turkey and detoxed at home. I told my prescribing doctor no more. Told him after 5 days clean. I'm at the point where the cravings are killing me. Suggestions? Also not sleeping so good, maybe 3 hrs a night. Not enough for a single mommy of two awesome boys (my reasons for quitting) What do you have for me people? I need your strength and support. Xoxo much love.......
       * TRUST YOURSELF *

[Jewelzzzzzzzz]

Thanks for the recommendation of the tyrosine. What exactly does it help with? Energy? I think my lack of  sleep or should I say lack of quality sleep is what's killing me. I'm up and around all day with the kids, back and forth to school, housework, meals, ect. I just feel like garbage. I will keep going, I made a promise to myself and that will not change. You're encouraging words and praise are keeping me focused. Love to all of you

[ImOverThisBS]

I was told it helps give you energy but mostly takes away the crappy feeling from lack of sleep. Nights have been kinda bad for me but I feel fine during the day :)

[ImOverThisBS]

Read this when you can it will help explain the reasons for tyrosine..... Thomas recipe.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Addiction/Thomas-Recipe-Re-Posted/show/16?cid=66

[EvolverU]

Hi there Jewelzzzzzzzz,

A Huge Hi Five to you on your Big Accomplishment! 13 days (You Go!) The truth is that the healing is going to take a little longer. It's a gradual process. The trick is not to go back!  Many of us can testify that the longer you run w/ opiates, the more years you use, the more habits you have -- the longer & harder the kick. So, please, do whatever you have to do to make this detox stick.

I couldn't agree w/ you more about the sleep. The cumulative lack of  healing rest is the worst symptom for the vast majority of addicts in acute w/d,'s & in PAWS. Believe it or not, 3 hrs. per night @ 13 days (it was 12 when you posted, right?) is pretty good & bodes well. The best thing you can do are hot salt baths (epsom or table) followed by massage (foot &/or body) Exercise will really help to speed your healing, elevate your mood & help you sleep a little better. (The exercise thing tends to be cumulative.) Try to stay well hydrated, too! It doesn't sound like much but is extremely important in detox & beyond. (2 to 3 liters of plain water per day.) Nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, energy drinks, eating right before bedtime & certain OTC's will also interfere w/ healing sleep. If you find it impossible to sleep longer than you are, try not to fight it & obsess. Just redirect. Come online to MH, journal, watch a funny movie, listen to your favorite music, whatever is distracting. I find that listening to progressive relaxation/meditation vids on YT helps as do the vids of 'rain' or nature sounds helps me to fall & stay asleep a little longer. I'd add that drama & stress are killers in every sense & are often triggers to relapse.) So, if you find that sort of thing happening in your life, please reach out!:)

While L-Tyrosine is good, I'd supplement with a full-spectrum Raw amino acid formula (you can get this at health food stores, GNC's & Whole Foods -- they're not that expensive.) L-Tyrosine is one of the 22 amino acids our body uses to synthesize protein. There is no magic bullet for regaining energy. A healthy diet (eat as much fresh food as possible), hydration, exercise, a good attitude, time & more time are the answer. I know it's rough, rough, rough but look at it this way. You used for 4 yrs. So, it's not unreasonable that it'll take a little time for your body/mind to heal. (I know, it's hard to have patience when you feel like hell & you have people depending on you!)

It sounds like you have so much to look forward to & to live for. Try to look at what you're going through as an uncomfortable but necessary initiation into the new life you want for you an your awesome boys. :))

Here's a link about Tyrosine:

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1037-TYROSINE.aspx?activeIngredientId=1037&activeIngredientName=TYROSINE

Congrats again.You're doing it & have every reason to be proud of yourself
Hold Fast, my friend! We're here.

[Jewelzzzzzzzz]

You are a rock star!!!! I just got back from the vitamin shoppe and picked up the tyrosine and 5 htp. Talked to the manager at the shop and it was his suggestion. It's was inexpensive so I said I'll try anything. If you aren't familiar with it here's a link:

https://www.google.com/search?q=5+htp&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari

I also picked up melatonin. I have been eating well, lots of bananas, yogurt, lean proteins, fish (salmon). Not a fan of veggies so I've been drinking naked juice green machine. I'm trying anything. Haha. I have an appointment with my doctor on Friday. This is the doc I shut myself off to. Going to talk about PAWS and his thoughts on all this. I think he's kind of mad at me for going CT, but I tried tapering and couldn't do it (who can?) I've been telling him that I've wanted off for the past 6 months but he kept writing the script... Money in his pocket I'm guessing. He's a great doc, I won't knock him, he's always been very supportive and always made me a priority with the failed back surgery.
Anyway, day 13 feels phenomenal and no, I won't turn back, I'm way to hard headed. Now that I understand PAWS a little better I feel a little better. I keep this little saying on my iPhone lock screen...
"The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm....TRUST YOURSELF"
So, I'm going to trust myself, something I haven't done in a very long time.
Also, tomorrow begins Lent. I'm not religious at all and I've never given up anything for lent ever but tomorrow, instead of giving up something, I'm taking something back. I'm taking ME back. Giving up the "old" me and embracing this "new me". Thanks for the love.

[EvolverU]

Jewelz (may I call you that for short?:))

I'm so glad to hear you so positive & proactive! What are your symptoms currently? (i.e. what have you left behind & what are you still experiencing?)

Hard-headed, eh? (We've got that in common as well as the c/t thing & the attitude to just push through it & never go back.) That said, hard-headed can be both good & bad. By all means Trust Your 'higher' self but never forget that the real challenge will come in the form of denying the cravings you mentioned when they come at you. Have you given any thought to some form(s) of aftercare? I know that this isn't always the most welcome question (especially for us brick-heads;) but it would be a shame to do all the right things except the most important one! (Sounds like so far you're batting 1000.)

Let us know what you think & rock on my friend!:)

Annie