Day 20 and I keep running a 99.0 temp

[sherbear1189]

For the most part I am feeling better.  Just want to know is it normal at this stage of the game to run a temp of about 99 off and on also I have no energy and still not sleeping.  Can anybody answer this question????  Just wish I could become normal..

[GA Guy]

It's not being philosophical. For me, it's a condition of my recovery. If I ever feel normal, it will give my disease a reason to talk me into using again. I remind myself every single day that I am an addict and I can't do some things that normal people do. I dread the day that my disease talks me into being a "normal" person. And yes, I do consider "being a normie is vastly overrated". Sure, I can't drink or take prescription meds like most "normal" people do...but, I am convinced my life is a better one. I have a higher power involved in my life, I have my 12 steps, and I have groups of people I can always be honest with. I am a grateful recovering drug addict and feel that I'm way above normal.

[laurel453]

LOL vicki, thanks a lot for your beautiful metaphore of my sometimes "weird english" :) being always positive like you  makes anyone feel better :)

sherbear, as for this thing of feeling normal, yeah, of course we are normal non active addicts ( jk )...

what i can say ? we need to be patient for some months as vicki just said to you. We have to face whatever comes and however we are feeling cause even feeling strange or not normal for a while should be "normal" in this new life without drugs and after what we have done to ourselves. Be patient, take each day at a time and never look back with nostalgia  and at the same time, don't hurry yourself, sherbear. Take the right steps each day and things will fit in.

I mean, at first i wanted to be like my old non addict self and this was a mistake because i realised that  was 15 years ago. My God, i was in my early twenties. So i realised this was so  silly of me looking back for something from my past.  Then, one day i realised that I've  just had to deal with every day the best i could as any normal person would do and this time i was doing it without hiding behind pills ( i was just grateful only for this )  and this meant facing whatever came to me ,  and this was/is  living a normal life  and being normal again for me   ....

But of course,  enjoying that we are  free  and healthier and wiser even if that meant dealing with some baggage and who hasn't a baggage ? my baggage is my addiction but i can carry it well  now and feeling ok with me, of course.

keep walking.... and you'll start smiling one day if you just don't hurry for that day, focus and work on your present , don't ask it to be better..and then, the better days will come .. ( hummm, something like that :)

[IBKleen]

Sherbear,

Instead of adding to a great bunch of responses, I am just curious? What prompted you to check your temperature at this stage? I can't imagine that you felt warm, but I could be wrong.

When I first got clean I noticed every darn thing going on with my body, including the noises in my chest which turned out to be my heart beat..phew! It is amazing that we physically beat ourselves silly during our addiction and then when we get clean we become obsessed with things that could be wrong with us. At least I did anyway.

Be proud of your 20 days and start getting back to the things you loved to do and may have forgotten about now. Or, better yet, find new things that make you feel good. I am not saying to ignore anything that may be medically wrong, but don't look for things or spend too much time worrying about them.

You have so much to look forward to. Enjoy it!!!

[vicki595]

Of course,if you want to get philosophical about it...you're right.

I think most people here just want to know when they'll feel normal again as in able to do activities of everyday life. Like really wanting to take that shower,go to the store,walk to the mailbox. Basic things: sleep and energy.  

I have no idea what you mean: "being a normie is vastly overrated".  Maybe this is particular to you...and that's okay...but folks need something to strive for and often times it's being normal. That's the best word for them to use...

But,you and I get caught up in semantics all the time.   LOL  It's just me and it's just you!!!

V.

[GA Guy]

Let me make clear that I meant not being normal as in not being able to do they same things "normal" people do in some situations. It's a question that my sponsees ask me all the time.."when will I be able to ___ just like normal people". if you fill in the blank with drink or do drugs, then you'll never be normal. Physically, it's possible to actually feel better than what we perceive as "normal". I'm in better physical condition and mentally happier than I was before my active addiction. Being a "normie" is vastly overrated.

[vicki595]

Lee Ann~   Glad you brought some perspective to our day!!!   It's ALL good and people need to know that.  We've quit the pills,sought help,and are so much better for it. I look at the people with a ton of clean time here: Gnarly ~ So inspirational and reassuring.
Avisg~ She'll stay on all night helping and resourcing and has a great sense of humor.
Sara~She's tough and she cares til it hurts and is hysterically funny. IBKlean~always gets to the issues,gives sage advice and unless she's fakin' it,she seems pretty happy to me. Laurel~our beautiful, resident poetic poster.  And on and on; you all know who you are...  To me,these are normal people.  They prove there's a good life after acute addiction.

You and I?  Well,we're normal too. Just still in the "playpen" of recovery,making every day matter,and watching those clean days keep flying by...

So,anyone reading this:  It gets better,you will FEEL better. Work your recovery plan and be a little patient.

Vicki  xo

[LeaAnn807]

I guess it's just really how I feel now.  I was so negative during my using for all those years.  I could find something to complain about in everything!  I try to help people see that THEY have control of their attitude just like I did all those years and do now.  It's easy to just look at the glass as half empty all the time.  The fact is, the glass IS half empty, but there is not much use in pointing that out!!!!  

I have a smile on my face 99% of the time now.  Even now, I'm hurting from my root canal, but nothing is as bad as going back to pills, so I'll just take the pain!  

It's a choice like everything else!!!

Thank you!  How are YOU?  You are hardly on here anymore????  

[pharma9]

Awww..that was a wonderful post tramhater.Brought tears to my eyes.
You have such a positive view of things now and it shows in your posts and probably attitudes in life.
I"ll bet you are a much easier person to live with and that your family is delighted in your growth and changes for the better..
I know we  are all happy to hear from you and your wonderful posts
Hugs

[LeaAnn807]

My temp is usually 97!  I don't know why, but I don't consider myself abnormal because of that!!! : )  I'm definitely not normal though, no doubt!  

We are addicts for life, but I don't consider it a curse.  See, because of my addiction problems, now that I am sober, I appreciate things, little things, that most "normal" people do not appreciate or even think about.  I won't go into all the things, but you can probably imagine there are many to appreciate and be thankful for.  I realize how precious my life is and all the people in it who supported me even when I wasn't at my best.  So.....actually, I don't regret a day of my active addiction.  It taught me so much!  

See....there's some sunshine in everything!!! : )))  You ARE normal!!!  Don't be so hard on yourself!

[vicki595]

We may be addicts for life BUT it's definitely possible to feel good,have fun,sleep at night and have the energy of a hummingbird !!!

It takes some time. Be patient and work at your recovery!!

V.  xo

[GA Guy]

99 isn't a high temperature. People's normal temperatures range from 97-99.9. It's only considered problematic if it gets over 99.9. I do know that the increase in BP can make you feel hot during withdrawals. As for being normal..it isn't possible. We're addicts for life.