Opioids opiate PAWS?

[e92]

im 2 months clean after using opiates (primarily oxycodone) for about 10 months, and about 8 of those months was habitual meaning pretty much every day. but even now, on some days i feel slight withdrawal symptoms. lethargic, depressed, teary eyes, aching muscles. is this normal? or is it all in my head

 

[SpaceYourBassAgain]

You could very well be experiencing Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (not precipitated acute withdrawal syndrome, to anyone confused). There is an immense amount of information about PAWS on this site and others.

These are quotes from The OD Opioid Withdrawal Megathread and FAQ (http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/threads/562628-The-OD-Opioid-Withdrawal-Megathread-and-FAQ)

PAWS (post acute withdrawal symptoms) begin after you have finished the physically painful withdrawal process. They can continue to occur for an extended period of time especially in users who have been on opiates for a while. PAWS generally consist of psychological problems like depression, anxiety, etc, which stem from chemical imbalances in your brain. The Dark Side is an excellent resource for those who are looking for information and support on this phenomena.....

exercise: This is the big one. Getting up and moving about is important for mental reasons as mentioned below, but vigorous exercise (whether running, weight lifting, or playing sports) can really improve how you feel. Even if you feel like utter crap and can't imagine getting out of bed, remember that you don't have the flu and breaking a sweat is a sure fire way to actually feel better. An exercise regime is also very important to getting over PAWS and maintaining your sobriety (never mind living longer and looking super sexy). You might as well start now when it'll also help with withdrawal.

 

[SugarHill]

yes e92 it is normal... its not in ur head... i mean my habit was a 5 year one before i took a little break but still... anyway i went to rehab for ten months and it took me 77 days just to even sleep well!! the anxiety stayed for a while too.. as for the naseua, puking, stomach cramps, diaherria, etc.. thatll go away fairly quickly.. but yea dont be alarmed that you are experiencing paws 2 months later... they shudnt be severe considering ur length of habit and usage and will probably diminish soon.. but definitely not surprised theyre existing.

 

[BiggDirty01]

PAWS is absolutely a known diagnosis and what you are experiencing is completely normal. It is important to exercise regularly so your brain restarts normal endorphin production which well help dampen the effects of PAWS.

Also, establishing a sober support system and regular attendance of 12 step or some other support meeting is pretty critical to establishing a normal lifestyle outside of the using one.

Also, neurochemistry! Your brain has been used to having the opiates generate the neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin and now it is learning to do it on its own. If the depression continues, it may be that you need to be evaluated for an anti-depressant or some other medication to help smooth the transition.

Good Luck!

 

[Cane2theLeft]

Here is a thread discussing a lot of information on symptoms and treatment that might be helpful.

PAWS is unavoidable to an extent but you can do so much to mitigate the symptoms and expedite getting better. If you aren't making the right changes from your using days, you'll remain miserable. You need to be proactive in moving yourself forward, addressing the issues that lead to your use, finding ways to manage stress and cope with life's ups and downs and trying to keep your body and mind healthy.

 

[Alex000]

You say these feelings are "slight" wd symptoms. What you are describing does sound like it could be PAWS, yes, but there are usually some symptoms that linger after the acute phase of opiate wd's is over in almost any case. It does not sound severe, and it has been only two months. Being it that you only were addicted (physically) to opiates for 8 months, I think these symptoms should begin to improve on their own, and serious PAWS is not really what you are going through. Everyone is different and I could be wrong, but I think it may be that you just need to re-adjust to non-opiate life. If there is severe depression which persists directly due to lack of opiates in your life, you could look into buprenorphine maintenance therapy, which can help greatly with those who suffer from PAWS and acts as a wonderful anti-depressant. It is, however, an opioid. I would only consider this, like I said, if the depression is severe and continues on despite efforts on trying to rid of it.