7 days, why do I feel,this way?

[Freejen]

Good morning all my MH angels. It's been 7 days, quit 2 year 14-20 Norco a day cold turkey. I followed Thomas recipe and toughed it out, even had a tooth pulled, no narcotics. The first 3 days weren't really bad....Why do I feel so down still? Still have general achiness, can't sleep, malaise, bathroom stuff, NO energy or motivation. Spend a lot of time in bed. I thought I would be feeling more  "normal" by now. Just need some thoughts and support I guess....I appreciate you all supporting me through this. I wouldn't have made it this far without your support. Sorry for the negative post.....

[Spike2654]

Hey girl, still hanging in with you!! I KNOW we can do this together! I have tried all kinds of tricks and things to get me through this...kinda like the whole we didn't become addicts overnight, we sure aren't going to wd overnight (oh, but wouldn't that be nice??)
there is a reason God created women's bodies to take 9 months to grow a baby it's so that we can mentally prepare for the things to come and get our lives in order...so I know that we are "birthing" a new thing in our lives and this awful physical/mental stuff is a reminder of where we NEVER want to go back and to prepare us for the awesome lives we will live on the other side of this journey. Just know there will be a day coming SOON that we look back and say "Yeah, I did that. I was strong. I made it. Look at me now, I ROCK".

[ariley13]

Hey Jen! Good to see you posting. You have gotten some wonderful advice. I just wanted to add my support and let you know how great you are doing. 7 days is a very big deal, and something to be proud of. I know I'm proud of you! Try to be patient and give yourself time to heal. I know we all hate that answer, but it's an honest one. Please hang in there, take care, and keep your head up. Keep posting girl!

[kyle505]

First, I have to agree with some of the above posts...Seven days is monumental. No matter how you feel, you have to understand that you are just about over the hump. The first week or so is a non stop struggle, so be very proud of yourself.
As far as feeling "normal", well, that's not going to happen for a while. A two year habit is serious; feeling normal will happen in a few months. HOWEVER, don't be discouraged. Your riding the recovery roller coaster now, and will be for some time. Good days, bad days, so-so days, good days, and on and on.
The good news is the longer you're clean, the better you feel.
When I came on to the forum over two years ago, I was looking for someone to tell me how long detox would last, when would I sleep, when would I feel normal. I got honest answers (as I'm responding to you now) and didn't like them. I wanted to hear that the detox would be over in three days and I'd be as good as new.  You're paying the devil his due, and that can take a while.
K

[Christie082979]

Hey friend! The low motivation is totally normal. It's just the part of your brain that want's the pills pulling out all the tricks up it's sleeve to get you to use. Try getting up and stay busy. Going out for a drive helps kill time and the music comes back to you in full force! Try some music and you'll know what I'm talking about! You're doing great!

[ThePhoenix75]

Hey Jen,
You've gotten some great ideas here so I really don't have too much to add other than yo lend my support.  I am still tapering off fentanyl (which as a nurse u know is a nasty drug) but I've heard it can take quite a while to get your energy back.  Sometimes even up to a month.  

Please hang in there!!  Maybe try even going for a walk around the block?  Anything to take your mind off of the recovery process.

Wishing u the best ,
Phoenix

[onthefence]

hang in there, my wife and i were on pain contract all the way to the end (8 years) although supplemented w/heroin or methadone because scripts only lasted a week, when we detoxed i didn't even start walking or moving around much before 11 days, , i think everyone is different and length of habit & amount abused has alot to do with it, but there are so many variables, i know desire and positive self talk and attitude have alot to do with how one feels to, especially in acute w/d.
within 3 months of detox we relocated to another state, started completely over with nothing and i was working 2 jobs 7 days a week, my wife was working to, just to give you an idea, now its almost 2 years later and i cant believe i use to live for opiates, i am completely different, my journey (process) has been quite interesting but i am in recovery and never felt better in my life, i encourage you to push through this early part it is well worth the effort, remember, to get this far it took alot of courage , persistence, and now you need to have perseverance, and you will if you really desire this.....

[takingmylifeback2014]

Your doing AWESOME!!!! You say you used for 2 years ... Well 2 years of abusing our bodies is going to take a little longer then 1 week to get better! BUT YOU WILL ... Hang in there trust me it gets ALOT better!!!!! XOXOXO

[nonights]

To freejen. Look at what you have already accomplished.Just try to stretch if you can with tooth extraction. Would you ever have thought you do what you alresdy done. Also the Epson salt bath still feels good.

[littlebit667]

When I was struggling in the first week of withdrawal..I posted that the depression was hard and when would I feel better.  I got this response.  I hope it helps.

You have to remember how opiates work, and why you feel depressed etc. when you quit taking them and after you are over the withdrawals and often why we keep craving long after the physical withdrawals are over.

Opiates bound to the opioid receptors in your brain and body. They release their artificial endorphins to them, and block the bodies natural endorphins. After a while the neurons that produce the body's natural endorphins disappear. There is no need for them so they just don't rejuvenate like they would normally.

When you stop taking the opiates,  they leave your opioid receptors bare, and they are calling out for your body's natural endorphins, but there isn't any there at first. You body has to repopulate the neurons that make them, and this takes time.

Endorphins like dopamine  control your moods, anxiety, sadness, anger, happiness, pain etc.

You will slowly get your "old self" back as these neurons repopulate and begin increasing their endorphins production. After being off the opiates for a month, they should be about 45-50% of normal, and be back to normal within a year.
So hang in there, you will feel better and better as the months roll by.

Try keep busy and keep your mind focused on positive things instead of dwelling on the depression, anxiety, etc. that are only temporary and will disappear as your endorphins return to normal.

[msdelight]

I agree! Force yourself to get up and accomplish just one thing. Force yourself to get out in the fresh air, walk and breathe just a little. The first couple of weeks I found I was trying to relax in bed or on the couch but it just wasn't the same. In other words, doing what I was doing when high was not the thing to do. Just made me more miserable. So build a new routine, and just do one thing at a time. I remember that at day 8 I was angry, upset, depressed. Day 11 was GREAT, 12 and 13 not too bad. It will start coming in waves. Soon the good will outnumber the bad. Hang in there!

[Freejen]

Thank you so much. I appreciate you taking the time to answer.

[ROSYouralright]

Congrats on 7 days!! Honestly, It was day 8 before I felt any significant improvement although most people are around days4-5. Just goes to show it's different for everyone. I wouldn't advise staying in bed.. Get up and get moving , ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO! It will speed up the recovery process!!
Your doing good!