It's been awhile.....

[tomatoface]

I haven't posted in awhile, but I've been keeping up with everyone's progress. It's so encouraging to read the recovery stories - there's something to be learned in every story -- And it helps motivate me to keep tapering (yeah, I'm still at it!)

Many of the posts are so inspirational - Secrets, Emsmom, reach - you, especially ,express yourselves beautifully, and you are where I want to be --- living without pills. Thanks for sharing your experiences to help others!

Now me. The holidays are over and so are my excuses. This is where I stand in my taper - I'm off the oxycontin, and have tapered oxy's to 65mg. As far as withdrawal symptoms, I've had some gastrointestinal issues, but what's bothering me more than anything are the restless legs. I've had them for many years, but they are disrupting my sleep more often (at least once a nite). Taking 5mg of oxy usually does the trick - don't know why but narcotics do help restless legs for many people. I'll have to figure out a way to deal with them without meRAB soon. Not looking forward to those nights!

Congratulations Full Circle and Secrets! Your success gives me hope that I can do it too.

Hope everyone has a good weekend....
Tomatoface (how about TF from now on?)

 

[Secrets1983]

HELLO TF!!!!!

Welcome back!! It is so great to see you posting again!!! Reading your post really has made my morning! What a great way to start the day I am so proud of the steps you have taken!!! Getting off the Oxycontin is a HUGE success in itself!!!! I don't even think you have given yourself enough credit for that!!!

All the way down to 65 mgs!!! YOU HAVE TAPERED SO WELL!!! I am so excited for you!! I know the restless leg situation is HORRIBLE! That and the deep muscle pain in my legs were the worst! During w/d I would seriously be constantly taking baths when I was home. I could not wait to get home from work and get in the bath tub.... When at work (I didn't take one day off thru my taper and w/d process..) I would try to wear my legs out by walking up and down the stairs over and over again..... I would also constantly flex the muscles all over my body all day long and that seemed to help a bit. I did use a small amount of xanax (my Dr. gave me 10 pills) That helped me at night but then when I ran out.... I could not get more than a couple hours of sleep back to back... It was so frusterating.... Now, the point of me telling you this is not to discourage you!! I shared this with you to show you that there are ways to cope while dealing with w/d's and also to let you know that in those late nights tossing and turning where the times when I learned a lot about myself. While at work, having to look normal and healthy while going thru w/d was a feat in itself but since I MADE myself do these things, it showed me just how strong I am. I know you are strong too! Look how far you have come already!!!! It's amazing.

I have kind of been rarabling now but I appreciate what you said about me! It was so very sweet and honestly, I know I feel that we were given the support and knowledge from others on this board when we were going thru this so it is our pleasure to give back.. It warms my heart to watch others success and also, all of these stories I read help me in my recovery proccess. I will always be recovering TF and there will always be room for me to learn and grow. The stories of others remind me where I have been and what I went thru to get to where I am. It helps me stay clean.

Okay, I am going to close for now... You hold your head up high and be PROUD of yourself. I am proud of you TF!!!!
Sending you a warm hug and you will remain in my prayers honey!

 

[mel486]

Hey there TF! Glad to see you post again. It's good to hear that your off of the OC and and continued your tapering of the oxy. Ain't restless legs tough??!! Oh how I hated them!! Like Secrets, I used to walk and walk and walk around my house, just trying to keep moving. I would finally be so tired from lack of sleep and the walking, that I would pass out in bed and sleep some, just to start it all over again the next day. I think if I could have done it over, I would have increased my magnesium and calcium supplements, which help calm the nerves.

You have the right attitude and stamina to keep going. Slow and steady will get you there. Keep up the great job!