Ali I think I am different as my adrenals are 100% shut down. I have been tested advised tried some stupid things over the years trying to kick start the glands. I almost payed with my life.
I am not sure about supplements? Just know OTC can be just as dangerous as prescribed meds. So many vitamins have fillers and they cause side effects.
Just be careful
Jeff
Cecily, I am wondering the same thing? I am really torn about whether to take it. I don't want to do anything to slow my own body down and I dont exactly understand how the adrenal support supplement works. It is made from bovine which means cow, i believe. So that can't be something that occurs in your body naturally. I think this whole topic makes sense and I do understand that The money for studies all goes to the pharmaceuticals, but I just dont understand whether using the supplement might interfere with your own body kicking in and when would you stop. I guess if it supports your own body then it wouldnt supress like the opiates do, so it shouldn't prolong anything right? Just help you get better a little faster. Ali and soulpicnic where are you guys.
llh,
I know you might not believe this, but you're actually sounding a lot better than you were even two days ago. I'm sure you're impatient to feel 100% immediately, but stop a minute and look back over your old posts and I think you'll be able to discern a change for the better. You sound clearer and less panic-stricken.
Why don't you quit angsting about the supplements which may be of questionable value? There are other things you can do to get your endorphins going. Try taking a brisk walk with your favorite music plugged into your ears. Are there any pleasurable activities you have let drop during active addiction? Would one of them distract your mind and feed your soul right now?
I think you're doing really well. I understand looking for the right supplements to fix your body. I took a ton of them early in recovery but truth be told, I think it's just a matter of time and trusting that your body will recover on its own. Be patient. Give yourself permission to rest.
Take care.
Gina
I know you might not believe this, but you're actually sounding a lot better than you were even two days ago. I'm sure you're impatient to feel 100% immediately, but stop a minute and look back over your old posts and I think you'll be able to discern a change for the better. You sound clearer and less panic-stricken.
Why don't you quit angsting about the supplements which may be of questionable value? There are other things you can do to get your endorphins going. Try taking a brisk walk with your favorite music plugged into your ears. Are there any pleasurable activities you have let drop during active addiction? Would one of them distract your mind and feed your soul right now?
I think you're doing really well. I understand looking for the right supplements to fix your body. I took a ton of them early in recovery but truth be told, I think it's just a matter of time and trusting that your body will recover on its own. Be patient. Give yourself permission to rest.
Take care.
Gina
Thanks Gina.....I just still feel so nauseated especially in the morning and my bowels still aren't normal. Does that seem right at this point? It has been 17 days. I would have thought the physical stuff should be clearing up by now. I am depressed... but I am going to take your advice and try to get some things done. Thank you so much for responding. I keep checking.
Also Gina how long has it been for you and how long were you using?
llh,
I took up to 30 mg of percocet a day whenever I had it, for maybe five years. It's hard to calculate because I didn't jump to that dose right away. And I would fill in with whatever I could lay hands on -- vicodin, ambien, xanax, valium, pot, hydros, lots of codeine when I could get it OTC.
I don't want to discourage you, because you really are sounding much better, but I didn't feel right for months -- largely for psychological rather than physical reasons. That may be true in your case, if you are prone to depression or anxiety, for example. I guess I compare it to being pregnant. I got a lot done during the first trimester of my pregnancies even though I was throwing up everything, including water, every fifteen minutes. But I was ecstatic to be pregnant, so the physical discomfort didn't matter.
Whereas, when I quit c/t, I wasn't terribly happy about sobriety and so the physical discomfort overwhelmed me. I didn't find this board until two months after I quit. You're smart to get the support early on.
You're really doing fine. Be proud of yourself and give yourself room to feel 50% or 75%. If you're doing the best you can right now, that's all anyone can ask.
Remember to breathe.
Gina
I took up to 30 mg of percocet a day whenever I had it, for maybe five years. It's hard to calculate because I didn't jump to that dose right away. And I would fill in with whatever I could lay hands on -- vicodin, ambien, xanax, valium, pot, hydros, lots of codeine when I could get it OTC.
I don't want to discourage you, because you really are sounding much better, but I didn't feel right for months -- largely for psychological rather than physical reasons. That may be true in your case, if you are prone to depression or anxiety, for example. I guess I compare it to being pregnant. I got a lot done during the first trimester of my pregnancies even though I was throwing up everything, including water, every fifteen minutes. But I was ecstatic to be pregnant, so the physical discomfort didn't matter.
Whereas, when I quit c/t, I wasn't terribly happy about sobriety and so the physical discomfort overwhelmed me. I didn't find this board until two months after I quit. You're smart to get the support early on.
You're really doing fine. Be proud of yourself and give yourself room to feel 50% or 75%. If you're doing the best you can right now, that's all anyone can ask.
Remember to breathe.
Gina
Thanks.....did you take an anitdepressent? I am still wondering about the bowel and stomach issures....is that still normal at this late stage? You sound strong now. How long has it been?
I think you can take immodium AD for the gastric problems and ginger tea is excellent for upset stomach. Weak tea and dry toast (the pregnant woman's breakfast). I didn't have stomach issues so much as skin crawling sensations and the bathtub was the only place I was comfortable.
I took a few different SSRI's for years but stopped in 2002. LOL, I thought I didn't need them anymore because the percocet and pot were making me feel so much better than the a/ds ever did. How dumb is that? I haven't gone back on a/ds because I always had bad side effects.
And I'm coming up on two years. Who'd a-thunk it?
I took a few different SSRI's for years but stopped in 2002. LOL, I thought I didn't need them anymore because the percocet and pot were making me feel so much better than the a/ds ever did. How dumb is that? I haven't gone back on a/ds because I always had bad side effects.
And I'm coming up on two years. Who'd a-thunk it?
wow 2 years, i can't wait to be there. I can tell that this hasn't let go of my brain yet, I am trying to be patient but it isn't my strong suit.
No, LOL, I don't think patience is any addict's strong suit, or we wouldn't have opted for the quick fix in the first place. But learning to wait is a good tool to have in recovery.
You're doing your best. You're doing fine. Where you are right now is awesome.
You're doing your best. You're doing fine. Where you are right now is awesome.
IIh,
I dont really think there is a "normal" - I think everyone is different, and if you're still having stomach/bowel issues at this point, then that's probably just your body's way of still trying to readjust. Some of this stuff, as hard as it is, you're just going to have to let it ride (or definitely get some immodium, and GINGER ROCKS!). But try not to worry so much about what's "normal" for you compared to everyone else... I think it is what it is... and if you start feeling really sick, you'll know when you need to go to the doctor. Trust yourself, trust your gut (no pun), and try and take a deep breath because as we all know, anxiety snowballs itself until it gets us all into freakland.
You're doing amazing! Just remember that...
I dont really think there is a "normal" - I think everyone is different, and if you're still having stomach/bowel issues at this point, then that's probably just your body's way of still trying to readjust. Some of this stuff, as hard as it is, you're just going to have to let it ride (or definitely get some immodium, and GINGER ROCKS!). But try not to worry so much about what's "normal" for you compared to everyone else... I think it is what it is... and if you start feeling really sick, you'll know when you need to go to the doctor. Trust yourself, trust your gut (no pun), and try and take a deep breath because as we all know, anxiety snowballs itself until it gets us all into freakland.
You're doing amazing! Just remember that...
Finally SP I wondered where you were? do you work with substance abuse as a nurse or is your knowledge mosty from your family experiences?
I actually work in oncology. Most of my knowledge is all experiential. I mean, I have learned some as a nurse and just working with people. But experience... that's been my boat. And I research everything I can get my sticky little fingers on.
I wasn't around yesterday because I had my patho midterm. I actually studied and finished. GO ME! :)
How you doing today?
I wasn't around yesterday because I had my patho midterm. I actually studied and finished. GO ME! :)
How you doing today?
P.S. I also backed off a little bit because I was afraid I was coming on too strong. I didn't want to irritate the s*** out of you when you're already having a tough time. :)
I feel okay today, I just still feel so empty and blue. I want so much to hear that you wake up one morning and it is different, but I am not really getting the feeling that...that is going to happen. I hope it does for me though. I know this fog must clear. This is just so painfully slow. I am by myself now because my husband is gone for a week. He is the only one besides you guys that knows about this and I want to keep it that way. If I ever have a relapse I will go a different route, but I think I deserve a chance to try keeping this from hurting my family. I don't plan ever do this to my self again. I don't have a history of drug abuse or a family history. But I always liked the way opiates made me feel ...so the tendency must have been there. I just never was around it that much until the last few years. My life is very stable and happy so I think if I can get through this I will be able to maintain. I just feel like I am not ready to jump back into my like and maybe that won't happen. Maybe the more normal things I can do willl help. I just want it to be better then this now. I would try anything a this point. Sorry rambling
Rambling is good. I am a firm believer in venting :)
Have you given any serious thought to suboxone? I know people on this board have a lot of different opinions about it, but if you have insurance, it might be something to really give a thought about. I know it has helped a lot of people (myself included), and is beginning to gain a lot of recognition in the Addiction Psychiatry community.
Let me know if you want a web site or two with more information....
SP
Have you given any serious thought to suboxone? I know people on this board have a lot of different opinions about it, but if you have insurance, it might be something to really give a thought about. I know it has helped a lot of people (myself included), and is beginning to gain a lot of recognition in the Addiction Psychiatry community.
Let me know if you want a web site or two with more information....
SP
I just reread your last post and the part about just doing "normal" things really resonated with me. Everyone always says that that's the best way to starting to feel normal, but I know how paralyzing it can be to just pick up and do something... Maybe start slow. What do you enjoy? What things make you happy? Do you have any hobbies? Anything that you would like to do to distract yourself? You do'nt have to do it all at once, but maybe make a list of things that you like doing, and pick one of those. And try to do that once a day for a little while each day.
You could even post the list on the board. I would love to hear more about some of your interests.... Maybe if we start talking a little bit more then just the addict part of us we will learn more about how to move forward with recovery... I know you're more than just a person detoxing, but let's here it :) If you want, of course...
We'll have a share :)
You could even post the list on the board. I would love to hear more about some of your interests.... Maybe if we start talking a little bit more then just the addict part of us we will learn more about how to move forward with recovery... I know you're more than just a person detoxing, but let's here it :) If you want, of course...
We'll have a share :)
llh
Your doing great. It took a month for me to feel better, and even longer for my guts to straiten themselves out. The narcotics affect the way your intestines move food along and digestion (parastalis.sp?). It can take awhile for this to return to normal. You will feel better, but only on your bodies terms. The worst is behind you, just keep moving forward. I was taking 20+ vics a day, and have almost 21 months clean. Trust me, it will get better. Rest, eat, and try to get back into the normal swing of things.
Michelle
Your doing great. It took a month for me to feel better, and even longer for my guts to straiten themselves out. The narcotics affect the way your intestines move food along and digestion (parastalis.sp?). It can take awhile for this to return to normal. You will feel better, but only on your bodies terms. The worst is behind you, just keep moving forward. I was taking 20+ vics a day, and have almost 21 months clean. Trust me, it will get better. Rest, eat, and try to get back into the normal swing of things.
Michelle
I don't want to take something else that I will have to get off of. Right now that scares me to death. I never want to be back in this dark place. I am afraid of all medicine right now. I am even afraid of the prozac I have been taking. I have taken it for years for PMS (think I already said that) but usually only took it every other day. Well since I have been feeling so depressed I have been taking it every day.... since that is how it is prescribed and now I am worried that its making my stomach hurt. And I am still taking 1mg of ativan to sleep and I am scared to stop that for fear I will go into so other kind of withdrawl. I am a mess, its like my mind is working overtime and I can't seem to sort out my thoughts. I know I am torturing myself. But I seriously cant think of anything I would enjoy doing right now. Geez I sound so negative. I think I am just really depressed and mad at myself. I take care of my parents who are 90 and 85 and it has been so hard to even make myself go over there. I also have a 16 year old son at home and a daughter who is a senior in college. They have no idea about this..Luckily my son is at school all day and pretty busy right now, I don't think he has missed me at all, or even noticed. He thought I had the flu, ha!
Michelle, that makes me feel better about the stomach issues. It sounds like everyone detoxing right now got through the physical stuff a little faster and of course that freaks me out. I don't have any idea what to expect. I guess everything is just scaring me right now. Fear of the unnknown.
