When will I feel normal again?

[areynolds550]

I took 4-5 10/250 Lortabs a day for two and a half years for a lower back injury. I may never fully heal from it but I went to my doctor and told him that I think I was taking more than I should have - refills were given at the earliest moment.
He weaned me off the pills last week and its been about 8 days since my last pill.

I don't reach for them anymore but I want one so bad. I don't want to leave the house and even making a cup of coffee sounds like too much work. I am normally an active mother but last night I realized I didn't even ask my 12 and 8 year old if they ate, let alone make them something. My husband has been helping but I felt really ****** about myself and worthless. I have never been this bad off.

I can't eat because I can't muster up the energy to do so. I do smoke and that really ***** because I am bored but really too weak to do anything.
Today I made a list of accomplishments that I made and it was like "took a shower", "walked my dog around the short block" "made my bed, except I just got back into it because I feel so weak.
My whole entire gastrointensital system is shotty. I have pangs and burning sensations and my bm are either too hard or complete diahherea.

I am a well accomplished person, I graduated Summa from school and have an MBA but thinking of even getting a job makes me sick. I do art and was amazing about it right up to the point that I quit the pills. I have no interest in making art or even selling it, which I made over $2000 a month on up until last month.

Someone please tell me I am not dying. I feel like my life is coming to an end. Sometimes, I get real jittery and my heart hammers and sometimes the pains in my body feel like I am really really ill.

[areynolds550]

I can't do vitamins, even before the Lortab. They kill my stomach but I take the gummy multivitamins every morning with my kids. I also take Spirulina and had a pb sandwich for lunch today!!

I actually went grocery shopping this morning! This was big for me because 1. I had the energy and inclination to do so and 2. I overcome the fear of being around other people.

Now its 3pm and I feel the weakness and the downs all over again. I don't know why. My stomach is reeling and I feel gross. I want a pill. But no access and look forward to tonight's sleep and maybe tomorrow will be better.

[HappyDays2Come]

Hi and welcome! I lived on Ensure, Gatorade, and water in the beginning! Also, are you taking any vitamins? Pick up a good multi, some B6, magnesium, a zinc/calcium/mag combo, and L-Tyrosine. The L-Tyrosine will really help with energy (I take 1000 mg each morning on an empty stomach, about an hour before breakfast). If you have the chills/sweats double up on the magnesium for a while.

I cannot stress enough how important the vitamins have been for me. If I missed a dose early on I felt awful for the entire day.

What you're experiencing is completely normal and it really does get better!! You're doing great!

[ArmyWifeMomof4]

Hey :)  I am on day 5.  I am doing the same thing.  Too weak and more or less do not care if I am doing anything.  I have 4 little ones and my husband has completely taken over.  I feel really bad.  Then I lay in bed and listen to my heart beat and every time it beats I think that is one heart beat closer to being the mom I will be off these pills for them.  That is one more heart beat to being cleaner.  (I too was on the Lortab).  Now I really am in the "fake it till you make it" stage and make myself do things all day to keep my mind off things and I know the faster my heart beats the faster my heart will get this body going so I try and exercise even though I am dead.  My moods are all over the place.  I had dreams last night of taking the pills.  I know the mental part is coming and coming strong but I know I can do this.  I listen to a lot of inspirational songs to help me get up and fight because that is what it is...a fight.  And we are going to win :)

[areynolds550]

I did wear a patch as I weaned off of it but stopped this past weekend. After hydrating last night and this morning, I am feeling semi better.

[Ann2497]

All the advice above is great.  What I would like to add, do you think the doctor that took you off the meds would give you some Clonidine?  It is a great med for anxiety, overall feeling crappy during w/ds.  You are out of the worst part of w/ds so it won't be as big a help as it could have but if you have any trouble sleeping or anxiety it is a great med that is non-addictive.

Many rehab centers use it.

Hope you feel better.  :)

[ricart70]

Yes Gatorade would be better than water.Fresh salted tomato juice,coconut juice or even v-8 would be great !!   Take a walk around the block again. Believe me we all know exactly how you are feeling.

[kyle505]

Water is good, but watch your electrolyte level (again, many bathroom trips equal low electrolytes).  Try Ensure...
K

[zerokewl123]

Like I said anytime you need to talk Pm me I have no problem helping people.

[areynolds550]

Wow, you guys are amazing, thank you. I feel a bit better bc of this community and am on my 2nd glass of water. I was thirsty.

[kyle505]

I just saw your post about hydrating...It is very important, especially if you're using the bathroom a lot. Get a drink that has electrolytes added. If you can't eat, try drinking Ensure. You HAVE to keep your body nourished. When you finally do get hungry, eat lots. Very important.
K

[kyle505]

Everything, I mean everything that you're going through is absolutely normal when someone is detoxing, especially after a long period of fairly high pain med usage. Several things I can suggest - first and foremost, DO NOT BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF!!! You'll have no energy, no motivation, no appetite, no bowel control and no self esteem - but only for a short while. Also beware of the amplified drama and anxiety.  Those two will team up and knock you down over and over again. Be ready for it; if you are it will take the edge off a bit.
Very shortly you'll start feeling better, but still won't be "normal". Your system is used to the pills and will take a while to rev up the endorphin engines again.
I used for over 15 years. My last run was two years, 10 to 12 Norco 10's a day. I went cold turkey 20 months ago and have never, ever felt better.
Keep posting...This is a good place to be.
K

[zerokewl123]

Staying hydrated is key to recover you want to help your body as much as possible as well as pushing your body to do what you think you cant do...dont let your mind control what you are capable of doing dont over do it but make sure you help your system get the endophins going please keep us updated and if you need anything just pm me im on day 20 of no tramadol ive also taken just about every opiate too

[areynolds550]

Thank you. I am not hydrating at all. I can't seem to even get to the kitchen. Will that help a lot???

[ricart70]

Hey there !!  Nope you are not dying .Quite the opposite .You are healing .If you are on day 8 then feeling better could be right around the corner.It just takes several days for your brain and body to adjust to not being on the pills and for your system to start producing natural endorphins and neurotransmitters. Just hang in there and keep taking those walks. Push yourself a little and eat lots of high protein food and stay well hydrated. Just hang in there and you will get a little better every day and soon you will be making art again and doing all of the things you used to.  Keep it up. Time is what it takes.  Don't worry    ;))    Welcome