Dear Julie
thankyou for the suggestions...i love my husband way to much to put Bengay all over my legs...lol.....isnt that the stuff that smells so bad???
maybe they have a non smelly one.....good idea........wont make the pharmacy anymore tonight as it is snowing and i am the worst snow driver....
know im supoosed to steer towards the skid but always do the opposite....like rubbing your tummy and slapping the top of your head....my brain just wont cooperate..lol
Thanks again,
hugs,
Ali
Ali,
no, that is NOT restless legs...it is part of w/d of your drug from your body.
your muscles are used to being relaxed and medicated. now they are not.
so they tighten and stiffen. this happens at night, not during the day because during the day you are keeping your legs active. at night you are sleeping, they are inactive and trying to relax but they tighten...and so when you awake briefly, to turn over, they rebel.
this is an extremely common w/d symptom...and extremely uncomfortable
and painful.
and you are correct. the thing that almost always stops it for the moment is leaping out of bed and standing on both feet as flat as you can.
i had these and thought i would lose my mind!
i would scream out as i would get tennis ball size knots in my calves, or my toes would clamp into directions they were never meant to be in.
it does let up as the drugs clear your system.
no, that is NOT restless legs...it is part of w/d of your drug from your body.
your muscles are used to being relaxed and medicated. now they are not.
so they tighten and stiffen. this happens at night, not during the day because during the day you are keeping your legs active. at night you are sleeping, they are inactive and trying to relax but they tighten...and so when you awake briefly, to turn over, they rebel.
this is an extremely common w/d symptom...and extremely uncomfortable
and painful.
and you are correct. the thing that almost always stops it for the moment is leaping out of bed and standing on both feet as flat as you can.
i had these and thought i would lose my mind!
i would scream out as i would get tennis ball size knots in my calves, or my toes would clamp into directions they were never meant to be in.
it does let up as the drugs clear your system.
Miss kate,
What a GREAT explanation......I really didnt know why this is happening ( of course knew it had to w/d/ related) But you explain it well...didnt know thatpain pills usually made me relax...thought only benzos did that and i dont touch those. ( thank you God) This makes sense.....cant wait for it to stop...
No wonder it happens at night.
you answered all remaining questions re these crazy cramps..WOW.
thankyou luv,
Hugs,
Ali
What a GREAT explanation......I really didnt know why this is happening ( of course knew it had to w/d/ related) But you explain it well...didnt know thatpain pills usually made me relax...thought only benzos did that and i dont touch those. ( thank you God) This makes sense.....cant wait for it to stop...
No wonder it happens at night.
you answered all remaining questions re these crazy cramps..WOW.
thankyou luv,
Hugs,
Ali
Miss Kate.....pssst.....Bless you.
thanks Ali,
i know about them 'cause i suffered them so badly...
i know about them 'cause i suffered them so badly...
Ms. Kate...............
Im sorry that YOU had to go through that,
But grateful that you have shared
Your experience and knowledge.
With me.
Hugs,
Ali
Im sorry that YOU had to go through that,
But grateful that you have shared
Your experience and knowledge.
With me.
Hugs,
Ali
Ali, I just hated the restless leg part of w/d, but mine was nothing like yours. I didn't get charley horses or cramps. To me, it felt like some awful tickle inside my legs that wouldn't go away. I couldn't keep my legs still. It didn't hurt it was just a miserable feeling.
It's very hard to get comfortable or sleep when you can't be still.
Other things besides wd would cause it too. Benedryl or tylenol PM would cause the same symptoms.
I've heard of people who even experienced it in their arms. What a dreadful thought.
Hope you have a better night tonight and the baths, etc help you.
Love, Kat
It's very hard to get comfortable or sleep when you can't be still.
Other things besides wd would cause it too. Benedryl or tylenol PM would cause the same symptoms.
I've heard of people who even experienced it in their arms. What a dreadful thought.
Hope you have a better night tonight and the baths, etc help you.
Love, Kat
Dear kat,
thank you for your time Kat.
i dont take those 2 things that you mention, tried a gravol for bed time one night (as was suggested here for sleep problems) but it made my heart flutter....scared me so i didnt take again...
But im off for a hot bath right now,
Thanks kat, your the best!
Hugs,
Ali
thank you for your time Kat.
i dont take those 2 things that you mention, tried a gravol for bed time one night (as was suggested here for sleep problems) but it made my heart flutter....scared me so i didnt take again...
But im off for a hot bath right now,
Thanks kat, your the best!
Hugs,
Ali
when those cramps and charley horses start, you know for a fact
that your drug IS starting to clear your system of the high doses
you were on.
you might wish to slow your taper a speck.
since you are not being guided by a doctor, you do not want to
throw yourself into a medical crisis.
and blood pressure is ALWAYS a concern for any detoxing addict
withdrawing too quickly. it should be monitored very closely,
as people have had strokes tapering down too quickly.
the blood pressure goes way up or even just-up, in response to the
drug leaving your system.
that your drug IS starting to clear your system of the high doses
you were on.
you might wish to slow your taper a speck.
since you are not being guided by a doctor, you do not want to
throw yourself into a medical crisis.
and blood pressure is ALWAYS a concern for any detoxing addict
withdrawing too quickly. it should be monitored very closely,
as people have had strokes tapering down too quickly.
the blood pressure goes way up or even just-up, in response to the
drug leaving your system.
Ali, Drink lots of water. It helps to flush toxins out of your body. Get a massage if you can, or massage yourself. Soak in the tub with a ton of epsom salt, it draws nasty toxins out and is good for your skin. Try Biofreeze gel. It's available thru most chiropractors. Works much better than Bengay. Hope you feel better soon. Keep up the good work on tapering! Love, Atlas
What's gravol?
Hello everyone,
I did experience that in my legs and arms. It was worse in my legs than my arms, all my arms did was ache and twich all the time (it was hard to write). I would spend hours in the bath tub. When the water would cool down I would refill it again. That helped me soo much, heating pad also worked for me. I took Tyenol PM one time during that whole episiode and it did make it worse (i took it thinking I would sleep) and I couldn't sleep at all it made everything worse! I didn't find a cure i pretty much had to ride it out it got better after a few days but I LOVED the bath that helped me the most (even though i'm a lot longer then our tub, I had to sit halfway out of it so my legs were under water). I hope your feeling better today Ali. When I talked to you yersterday i completly spaced on it bneing withdrwarals, but now that I thought about it, it probably is (if you haven't had this problem before) but i'm not Dr. but I think it's from that. I hope you feel better today and it will get better! How was last night?
Love,
april T.
I did experience that in my legs and arms. It was worse in my legs than my arms, all my arms did was ache and twich all the time (it was hard to write). I would spend hours in the bath tub. When the water would cool down I would refill it again. That helped me soo much, heating pad also worked for me. I took Tyenol PM one time during that whole episiode and it did make it worse (i took it thinking I would sleep) and I couldn't sleep at all it made everything worse! I didn't find a cure i pretty much had to ride it out it got better after a few days but I LOVED the bath that helped me the most (even though i'm a lot longer then our tub, I had to sit halfway out of it so my legs were under water). I hope your feeling better today Ali. When I talked to you yersterday i completly spaced on it bneing withdrwarals, but now that I thought about it, it probably is (if you haven't had this problem before) but i'm not Dr. but I think it's from that. I hope you feel better today and it will get better! How was last night?
Love,
april T.
I forgot something. Exercise helped me a lot. I would go jogging every morning and that helped the cramps (as long as I stretched that morning) and the other withdrawals I was having, and I felt better my personality even changed. Everyone is different and I know the last thing you want to do is exercise but it did helped me, but it doesn't work for everyone! I would try it though because you never know, I t could help plus what will it hurt (not intense exercise light workouts or even fast walking instead of jogging) so you really dont push yourself over the top. I thought I would mention that to you.
Thanks
April T.
Thanks
April T.
Ali - I'm a little slow on the responses, but wow do I ever remember the restless leg bit, especially when I in detox. Just like you see in movies, all twitching all over, the "twigginess" (kinda like cramping). Was so bad. I haven't read all the responses, but I hope somewhere in here someone mentioned having bathes in Epsom salts, becase that is what saved me. In detox they had buckets of the stuff, and for obvious reasons. I know always have the stuff at home (and it's dirt cheap) for any achy muscles etc. Make sure you take calcium too, but try the salts, got nothing to lose and I bet it will help. But that twitchiness and twigginess will pass. I don't know how it is for you, but it was like a deep aching pain right in your muscles. I remember watching a movie soon recently after I got out of detox, andI can't remember what the movie was called, but it just happened to have a scene with a guy detoxing from herion (all opiates) and he was twigging out just like me in detox, and I had to shut it off. something kinda triggered in my body automatically and I started doing the same. Was freaked out, but it must have been too soon after. I can watch movies now and it doens't get that reaction, it just reminds me of my experience in detox and am so grateful I never plan to go back. Wow, sorry got a lil off track there.
Hang in there and try them Epsom salts!!!
Chris
Hang in there and try them Epsom salts!!!
Chris
Hi there,
thanks for that..i think..lol just came out of the epsom saltbath and think im going to faint...keep seeing orange and feel like the blood is running from my head.........just laid down for a secound..hole cow......lastnight was WORSE..my toes were cramping...the bottom of my feet were cramping...............How can it happen NOW after nearly 3 weeks on a low dose?? I dont get it...youd think i would have had this BEFORE when i first dropped from like 30 a day to 8......
Im feeling discouraged, but will stay on course...not sure if i could survive cold turkey at this point however YYYYYOOOUCH!!!!!!!!!!
Hugs,
Ali
thanks for that..i think..lol just came out of the epsom saltbath and think im going to faint...keep seeing orange and feel like the blood is running from my head.........just laid down for a secound..hole cow......lastnight was WORSE..my toes were cramping...the bottom of my feet were cramping...............How can it happen NOW after nearly 3 weeks on a low dose?? I dont get it...youd think i would have had this BEFORE when i first dropped from like 30 a day to 8......
Im feeling discouraged, but will stay on course...not sure if i could survive cold turkey at this point however YYYYYOOOUCH!!!!!!!!!!
Hugs,
Ali
Ali
When's the last time you dropped your dose?
When's the last time you dropped your dose?
As difficult as it seems right now Ali, please stay the course. This too shall pass, I for one can PROMISE you that. It doesn't last forever. Imagine the strength and confidence you will have once you get past this part? You'll be rock solid girl! Make sure you are praying lots, ask for as much help as you need. God will help. I wouldn't be where I am at without him.
Please hang in and keep reaching out!!!!
Chris
Please hang in and keep reaching out!!!!
Chris
Hey Chris..
Howd you answer me so fast???....isnt it beautiful outside..sun on snow..
Funny you say that...I WAS talking to God last night....up close and personal....praying it is his will to have me turn my life around...these cramps are bad and dont understand why NOW?? after tapering for 3 weeks..i could see it if i was at the cold turkey phase.....i will kep telling myself that my fellow Kelownian had help from God and pray he has the same inmind for me...
GOD: IM doing the BEST that I can...
Chris, how long have you been clean and what was your DOC if you dont mind telling me...I cant recall....
Hugs
Ali
Howd you answer me so fast???....isnt it beautiful outside..sun on snow..
Funny you say that...I WAS talking to God last night....up close and personal....praying it is his will to have me turn my life around...these cramps are bad and dont understand why NOW?? after tapering for 3 weeks..i could see it if i was at the cold turkey phase.....i will kep telling myself that my fellow Kelownian had help from God and pray he has the same inmind for me...
GOD: IM doing the BEST that I can...
Chris, how long have you been clean and what was your DOC if you dont mind telling me...I cant recall....
Hugs
Ali
Hi Ali - I answer so fast for a few reasons. (1) I love helping or providing advice or my opinion (hoping that's what I am doing most of the time with my two-bit comments). (2) I have a dead-end job which I don't care about and am covering up front at reception today, so I cannot get to "my" work, so this is what I do. Exciting eh? (not to mention am also looking for other jobs as we speak, one that I enjoy and can utuilize my skills) Bet you are sorry you asked.......lol And yes, it is beautiful outside. Wish we had more snow though, love the snow.
Keep on praying Ali, it helps. And this might sound weird, but sometimes what I ask for when I am really have a bad day (with life or just anything), I ask God for a sing that he's with me or that I am on the right path. And you know what? On his time, he does it. Just in my heart and gut I KNOW that that is the sign I am/was looking for. So ask, then listen, and wait. Be patient. Amazingf I can even talk like this, b/c if you knew me over a year ago, I'd be or say anything BUT this. Amazing my turn around. But give it a shot.
Maybe it's time to start doing the cold turkey thing Ali? How much support do you have? You might have a s***ty few days-week, but in the end, it's best. When I was "considering" getting clean, I told myself that I was going to cut down or taper, and I did a little bhit......but since I was taking any, It made it easy to lie to myself and get right back up to the amount I was taking before. IMO, cold turkey is the only way, but everyone is different. I prefer that way, but I also respect that everyone's goal is just to get clean - so to each is own.
And yes Ali, I am praying for you, and will continue to do so. God (or whatever your Higher Power is) will help you, just gotta be willing, open and listen.....
My DOC was codeine, and lots of it. Long story how it all started, and I can tell you if you like, but won't bore you just now with it. But I have been clean for almost 11 months (a few days away, and almost to the year mark). I relapsed once a few years ago, but I was messed. I thought my problem was just the drugs, that I was fine, and different from everyone else. Didn't need meetings, prayers, etc. etc. At about a 1 and a bit clean, I need pain relief, so I figured "oh, I'm good - I can take and be okay". Yeah, right. So this time, my recovery is everything. No, I don't go to meetings as much as I should, but I pray every day, work my steps, read, etc. etc. I am about 500% more knowledgeable about my disease this time around than I ever was last time. I used for over 10+ years, and when I stopped 11 months ago, I was up to 70+ pills a day. And even that wasn't doing it for me anynmore, just taking to live, to maintain. Funny, at 50 I wasn't scared, but at 70 I was. I didn't want to have to take more to "get high", figured 70 was enough. lol???
Well, how was that for babbling? I can babble more if you like. lmao
Just hope you feel better soon.
Take care, Chris
PS - I just noticed...........you joined this site on my birthday! Very cool.
Keep on praying Ali, it helps. And this might sound weird, but sometimes what I ask for when I am really have a bad day (with life or just anything), I ask God for a sing that he's with me or that I am on the right path. And you know what? On his time, he does it. Just in my heart and gut I KNOW that that is the sign I am/was looking for. So ask, then listen, and wait. Be patient. Amazingf I can even talk like this, b/c if you knew me over a year ago, I'd be or say anything BUT this. Amazing my turn around. But give it a shot.
Maybe it's time to start doing the cold turkey thing Ali? How much support do you have? You might have a s***ty few days-week, but in the end, it's best. When I was "considering" getting clean, I told myself that I was going to cut down or taper, and I did a little bhit......but since I was taking any, It made it easy to lie to myself and get right back up to the amount I was taking before. IMO, cold turkey is the only way, but everyone is different. I prefer that way, but I also respect that everyone's goal is just to get clean - so to each is own.
And yes Ali, I am praying for you, and will continue to do so. God (or whatever your Higher Power is) will help you, just gotta be willing, open and listen.....
My DOC was codeine, and lots of it. Long story how it all started, and I can tell you if you like, but won't bore you just now with it. But I have been clean for almost 11 months (a few days away, and almost to the year mark). I relapsed once a few years ago, but I was messed. I thought my problem was just the drugs, that I was fine, and different from everyone else. Didn't need meetings, prayers, etc. etc. At about a 1 and a bit clean, I need pain relief, so I figured "oh, I'm good - I can take and be okay". Yeah, right. So this time, my recovery is everything. No, I don't go to meetings as much as I should, but I pray every day, work my steps, read, etc. etc. I am about 500% more knowledgeable about my disease this time around than I ever was last time. I used for over 10+ years, and when I stopped 11 months ago, I was up to 70+ pills a day. And even that wasn't doing it for me anynmore, just taking to live, to maintain. Funny, at 50 I wasn't scared, but at 70 I was. I didn't want to have to take more to "get high", figured 70 was enough. lol???
Well, how was that for babbling? I can babble more if you like. lmao
Just hope you feel better soon.
Take care, Chris
PS - I just noticed...........you joined this site on my birthday! Very cool.
Chris,
thankyou for your post..didnt mean to say WHY did you answer so fast...but HOW???LOLOLOLOL..i thank you for sharing part of your story...i have an added probem of actually having a bone growth that is non-cancerous but flares up and is PAINFUL....I actually started this whole taper when my pain level just stopped....and realized how badly I needed them just to function and got MAD..
So far God has cooperatd and so far has kept my pain level down.Im determined to find a non narcotic with that once it gets bad again..but who knows? maybe ive been blessed and it will not cause me future pain.I had bone pain so bad that I would often hit myself or smash my head or something HARD just so that for thatSECOND i didnt have to feel that exact bone pain. I am grateful to have had pills to take that pain away , and did try alterantives for YEARS before surrendering to narcotic use. Fact is out of 10 years of taking, it has only been the last 2 years i started to use for non pain.....so weird..tolerance went way up to of course, but have realized im addicted to them for the last year or so......and how.....
Just you talking about going cold turkey scares me...lolol..yet i think about doing that everyday and know it will be soon..... beofre Christmas. I was taking 25-30 a day and they were STRONG...hydromorphine.....so just stopping was not something i thought safe...i have been able to stick to my taper for the first time in my life and so will taper down a bit more befor I take the plunge. mentally? Im ready...excited even....weird huh???Just now am getting the worst w/ds re cramps at night..but really its been so easy till now....
thankyou for your support. I am grateful.
Wonder if i can help you with the job dept? know many good people here.
Hugs,
Ali
thankyou for your post..didnt mean to say WHY did you answer so fast...but HOW???LOLOLOLOL..i thank you for sharing part of your story...i have an added probem of actually having a bone growth that is non-cancerous but flares up and is PAINFUL....I actually started this whole taper when my pain level just stopped....and realized how badly I needed them just to function and got MAD..
So far God has cooperatd and so far has kept my pain level down.Im determined to find a non narcotic with that once it gets bad again..but who knows? maybe ive been blessed and it will not cause me future pain.I had bone pain so bad that I would often hit myself or smash my head or something HARD just so that for thatSECOND i didnt have to feel that exact bone pain. I am grateful to have had pills to take that pain away , and did try alterantives for YEARS before surrendering to narcotic use. Fact is out of 10 years of taking, it has only been the last 2 years i started to use for non pain.....so weird..tolerance went way up to of course, but have realized im addicted to them for the last year or so......and how.....
Just you talking about going cold turkey scares me...lolol..yet i think about doing that everyday and know it will be soon..... beofre Christmas. I was taking 25-30 a day and they were STRONG...hydromorphine.....so just stopping was not something i thought safe...i have been able to stick to my taper for the first time in my life and so will taper down a bit more befor I take the plunge. mentally? Im ready...excited even....weird huh???Just now am getting the worst w/ds re cramps at night..but really its been so easy till now....
thankyou for your support. I am grateful.
Wonder if i can help you with the job dept? know many good people here.
Hugs,
Ali
