What can be done for lethargy?

[fragrantone]

Hello everyone!  I have been reading for a few days whil at work and have found the site to be of great help.  I have been addicted to vicodin and tramadol for a very long time off an on.  I have made a huge decision to stop for many reasons, but I find it very hard when I am lethargic and can't get out of bed.  I have been trying to taper, but don't have enough left to do so and so I consider it cold turkey.  I took a 1/2 of vic and tram an hour ago and I feel like a failure.  I know there is a great life ahead of me and I have a doc appointment for anti-depressants in two days and can't wait.  I really need to know what some of you have done to get some energy to fight this awful monkey.  I probably would not have been able to type this had I not used.

[avisg]

I really think you need to let your doctor know whats going on  .especially if you have already had a seizure that is going to put you at a higher risk for having another .

[fragrantone]

I had a seizure November 10, 2007 for taking too many trams.  The doctor told me to stop, but I couldn't  and was afraid to say so.  I begin purchasing them elsewhere and here I am.  I don't want to buy anymore to taper so I have about three left that I cut in half.  I had a few vics to help, but now that is gone too.  I'm going to the doc in a few minutes, but for anti-depressants and maybe vics so I can taper down to nothing.  I HATE THIS THING THAT HAS CONSUMED MY LIFE!  You all are the only ones that know and I just can't let no one find out until maybe I am clean.

[worried878]

and hang in there...which one r u gonna quit first?  i guess i misread and u r quitting both right now?  trams should be tapered but the vikes can go right away...and get rid of any extra vikes in ur house if u r done...they will sing in the middle of the night and tempt the stew out of u...it is best to talk to ur doctor and taper the trams with help from ur doctor if u can...handing over ur pills to someone u trust is a good ide..tapering can be hard for an addict...and welcome to cleandom..keep posting

[JBailey]

Here are a few things that helps with my lethargy; this is personal so maybe some will work for you too.  

Jesus.
Drink water, take vitimins, eat right (fruit, vegs, etc)
Exercise!  Stop smoking (haven't got this one yet but still working on it)
Lots and lots of LIGHT!  SUN!  Outside, fresh air, deep breathing!\
Get organized, make plans, have or make something to LOOK forward too...
Have and Make POSITIVE friends!!! (If you want a friend, BE a friend)
Keep a mood journal, you can look back and see whats working and pat urself on back.
Allow yourself time for pleasure
Music - i listen to positive, upbeat music all the time, cant keep from dancin'
Charity - it is in "giving" that we "recieve"!
Share with others, this will help your process of integration/healing, Hummmm makes me wonder about the word dis-integrate??? weird. hummm? to disintegrate as in "poof* is the same as to dis - integrate.... Okay, I'm better now...
I was recently told to read the book of Ecclesiastes (can't spell... in the bible)

Hope some of these help my friend.  Keep a stiff upper lip (what the hell does that mean?)  ha ha, made ya smile!

[JDRMinSD]

If there's one thing I've learned on here, it's that avisg is worth listening to.

I know how totally EXHAUSTED you can feel.  For me, I was physically exhausted but mentally unstopable, which led to more insomnia, more tiredness, etc...

So I just sort of surrendered to it all.  I got a lot done when I was awake, including a little increasing bit of exercise daily and eventually it all got better.

It's now been just over 4 months and I'm feeling damn good, working out daily.  And it all started in the first few days when I just couldn't fathom getting up to do ANYTHING and I did anyway (the dog needed to get out!)

It amazing what you can do when you're REALLY determined.

Good luck, keep posting.

[avisg]

You really need to taper off of tram there are seizure risks CTing  ,How much are you taking now. It can be dangerous to mix antidepressants with tram for one it can increase your risk of sezuires. Also tram raises your serotonin  level .So mixing an anti depressant with it can cause something call  serotonin syndrome  this can be fatal  in some cases. I would strongly suggest you get almost off the tram before starting an anti depressant like about 150mgs or less .

[TysonRed]

One thing that has helped me as far as energy goes, is sublingual B12 pills. They really help create enough energy for me when Im feeling very lethargic. I dont know if anyone else has used them for this purpose but maybe give it try. Make sure they are the sublingual ones(under the tongue to dissolve) not the regular time released B12, I tried those aswell but they were totally different. I also have started physical therapy and the first 6 days were really tough but after that I started to realize I was starting to have more natural energy, so any excercise you can do may help. If theres anything your wondering about please feel free to send me a message/note or keep posting. Good luck!!!!

[fragrantone]

You don't know how much I appreciate your encouragement and thank you so much for posting so quickly.  I realize we are all in the same boat and you are here to help.  I find myself trying to do something active, but then I end up throwing myself on my bed because I can't find the energy.  I'm hoping the anti-depressants will help for that because I really want to get up and get exercise.  Thank you...thank you... thank you.

[JDRMinSD]

You're right, YOU need to believe that you are through.  The best thing about that is, you're actually the only one in the world who can actually determine that you are through.  So it's more your own determination and belief in yourself that's most important but if you're here, that's a great sign!  

And we're here to help you when you need it!

Anxiety is a big part of the w/d's, the trick is finding something new to do when you feel that anxiety, like going for a walk, talking to a friend, etc.

Don't give up, stay strong, you CAN do this!

[fragrantone]

I need to believe I am through.  Do you think taking anti-depresants can help and what type is recommended?  I am so ready to get back to a normal life that I am feeling anxious.  My house work is piling up and I feel like I need someone to take care of me, but I don't want to tell anyone for being embarassed.  You all have been a great help, but I'm afraid it is not enough but it has to be.

[JDRMinSD]

First off, YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE!

You've just taken your last dose. I don't think there's any real way to avoid all the w/d symptoms.  We all have the one or two that are/were the worst for us (mine was insomnia).  But no matter how bad they are, it's better than continuing to use.  There are lots of times it's hard to get past the lethargy (like the "bad flu" that w/d's fee like) but also like a flu, this too will pass.  All of the bad stuff passes, as long as you stay off the pills.  

It's gonna be tough for a few days to a week but you can do it and it sounds like now might be the right time for you.  Good luck, keep posting!  .