Opioids Post Acute Withdrawal Strange symptoms lingering

[J444]

Hi there,

I am new to this forum, and decided to join based on all of the amazing feedback I have read.

I am currently 3 and a half months clean from a three year norco stint/cold turkey withdrawal. I was only taking 30mg daily. I still having lingering physical symptoms (that come and go), but that are starting to concern me. From what I have read PAWS, is mostly emotional/psychological symptoms, and I was wondering if anyone has had physical symptoms that linger?

Here are may symptoms:
Bouts of dizziness/ veritgo
Leg cramps (behind the knees)
Weird tingling in my legs and feet (almost like nerve pain)
random muscle twitches in my eye, thumb, triceps, etc
bouts of nausea
Feeling like I am out of my body
insomnia
dry eyes/ mouth
headaches behind my eye


I have never had any of these symptoms prior to quitting cold turkey from norcos. I have been to see a neurologist, a cardiologist, ENT, and a rhuematologist, and all say that I am normal. I have even had an MRI of my brain. I am just terrified that the drs. are missing something, because should these symptoms all be gone by now? My symptoms seem to match more with benzo PAWS, than opiates. Any input would be much appreciated. Thank you so much for your time.

 

[Pagey]

Huh.
That does sound much more like benzo PAWS than opiates. In my own experience and from what I've heard from others, as you said, opiate PAWS are mostly just psychological (or at any rate, the physical stuff comes from psychological problems). I've certainly never experienced any of the stuff you mentioned on my heroin breaks

It does sound awfully like what I had after getting off xanax last year though.

Are you sure it's related to the hydros? Have you been on any other meds recently? I mean maybe you're just looking in the wrong direction?

 

[J444]

Hi Pagey,

Thanks for the reply. I guess at this point, I do not know what to do, since I have seen so many doctors. The only thing I can think of is that it is just my brain readjusting to the changes, similar to a benzo paws. I am very lean, and an athlete, and even the small dose of substances affect me greatly, which may be a factor? I does seem to be getting better, and I hope that it will just pass.

 

[RobotRipping]

i've experienced every symptom there in opiate PAWS except for the out of body experiences, that's definitely a benzo withdrawal thing for me. Are you on any other medications, using any other drugs?

your brain will adjust back to normal, it takes a while, but it gets better each day. You're already 3.5 months into it so i'd say by 6 months most of it will have completely cleared up. Not much you can do to treat the symptoms, i still get leg cramps though, never used to before opiates. Sometimes i still feel a bit restless as well.

 

[missmeyet?]

I agree that this does not sound like PAWS at all.

Its good that you have been seen by a (some) docs but please keep in mind that it sometimes take a long time and many different doctors to diagnose many things especially when the complaints are as yours are. There are several thing that come to mind when you mention these symptoms and a lot of them do not show up on standard diagnostic tests. Frequently because of the way the medical model is devised, if your symptoms are not objective (can be seen by docs on tests or your body) but more subjective (how you feel, pain, dizziness etc..or just ones that cannot be measured by a test) then doctors tend to dismiss the symptoms.

That being said, I really don't think it is PAWS this far out. If you continue to have these symptoms I would continue to pursue answers for a physical illness.

 

[J444]

Thanks RobotRipping,

It definitely settles my nerves to hear you say that. You just read so much crap on the internet, and it is good to hear from someone who has actually experienced it. Also, no, I am not taking any medications or any other drugs. I have been taking plenty of vitamins, etc.

 

[J444]

Missmeyet,

I understand what you are saying but they did all of my blood work, EVERYTHING, and all of this started as soon as, i quite norcos. They checked for MS, Parkisons, ALS, cancer, tumors, Lyme, Hypotension, diabetes, Lupus, etc. I am in Los Angeles, and have been seeing some great, doctors. It does seem to be fading slowly, like a prolonged withdrawal.

 

[Mr.Scagnattie]

It's very odd that from that small of a habit, from that weak of an opiate, you would have been feeling any physical withdrawal symptoms after even the first couple weeks. What you're describing is more reminiscent of the withdrawal cycle from much bigger habits from much more potent opiates like heroin and methadone.

Everyones body is different though so you never know. Some of it could be mental as well. A lot of those symptoms are easily cooked up via the mind making yourself sick and psyching it up.

 

[Halif]

The only thing I can think of is that it is just my brain readjusting to the changes, similar to a benzo paws. I am very lean, and an athlete, and even the small dose of substances affect me greatly

Everyones body is different though so you never know. Some of it could be mental as well

You just read so much crap on the internet, and it is good to hear from someone who has actually experienced it.

I think this all fits together. Sometimes too much info is a bad thing. Just focus on your experience.

As someone who is sensitive to their body, you are very aware of all the changes that are occurring to a very fine degree. Three years is a long time to be taking something regularly so of course it's going to take a good while for your whole self (body and mind) to get used to living and operating without the substance.

I'm sure that you'll be fine. I know that it seems like it's going on forever and you just want to get back to being 'normal', but keep in mind that you are now creating a new normal for yourself. You're not the same person that you were before, mentally and physically, and it's going to take time to solidify into this new state of normality.

It sounds to me like you've done all the right things though, and will soon be able to report back to us with the news that you are doing well. Then, everyone who reads this thread will be encouraged to follow your fine example, knowing that it can be done and it is worth it.

 

[Anthrogirl]

Do you think that you might be depressed? Sometimes depression has weird physical symptoms. Depression can be common after quitting. I know I was

 

[ChemicalSmiles]

Huh.
That does sound much more like benzo PAWS than opiates. In my own experience and from what I've heard from others, as you said, opiate PAWS are mostly just psychological (or at any rate, the physical stuff comes from psychological problems). I've certainly never experienced any of the stuff you mentioned on my heroin breaks

It does sound awfully like what I had after getting off xanax last year though.

Are you sure it's related to the hydros? Have you been on any other meds recently? I mean maybe you're just looking in the wrong direction?

sounds like xanax withdrawal for me as well!!!!

 

[Damjd]

I experience the same symptoms from quitting them as well. The nausea and vertigo will probably take some time to go away. Your body just needs time to adjust from the sudden change. The nerve pain will linger but will eventually fade. But the tremors and twitching could last for a long time.

 

[anythingbutsober]

I'm sure that you'll be fine. I know that it seems like it's going on forever and you just want to get back to being 'normal', but keep in mind that you are now creating a new normal for yourself. You're not the same person that you were before, mentally and physically, and it's going to take time to solidify into this new state of normality.

like halif said, you're going to be just fine. CONGRATULATIONS on three & a half months of sobriety! that's wonderful!

my advice is continue seeing doctors to make sure it's nothing more serious than your body adjusting & continue adjusting & finding new ways to get natural highs. i look forward to reading an update soon saying you're doing much better & have no withdrawal symptoms at all

 

[username13]

Thre years of norco is no short time! Also op didnt say what her avg dose was, but whatever, paws can come n go for a while. Best to give it more time. Damn thats a lot of testing to have done. Sorry just sayin... Well congrats you are hopefully it will get better. Maybe we will get an update soon fromOP.? Cuidate

 

[neversickanymore]

Huh.
That does sound much more like benzo PAWS than opiates. In my own experience and from what I've heard from others, as you said, opiate PAWS are mostly just psychological (or at any rate, the physical stuff comes from psychological problems). I've certainly never experienced any of the stuff you mentioned on my heroin breaks

It does sound awfully like what I had after getting off xanax last year though.

Are you sure it's related to the hydros? Have you been on any other meds recently? I mean maybe you're just looking in the wrong direction?

paws is paws

 

[J444]

Hey Everyone,

Thank you for all of the great feedback and comments. It has been much appreciate. Yes, it has been a ton doctors and testing! I am 31 years old, and a personal trainer, so I am attacking this pretty hard. I just want to make sure. I had another appointment with the neuro, and now an ENT for the vertigo. At this point, all the doctors, cannot find anything seriously wrong. I think that we would have to say that these crazy symptoms are truly a mixture of PAWS and anxiety. (maybe anxiety from paws???) I am going to continue getting my regular checkups, and will keep you updated! It is truly amazing that on the low dose of norco, that it could affect my body so greatly. I thought I was being smart by only taking 20mg a day. 8(

 

[J444]

Oh, my GP, said she would put me on a low dose benzo for the anxiety, but I am not sure if I want to do that. If the opiates screwed me up this much, I am not sure what 6 months on benzo would do? You think it would be safe to take the lowest does of a benzo, for a fews months, to help the anxiety/paws/physical symptoms ?

 

[Numb19]

I'm hoping someone can help me...

It's basically about 50mg-70mg of Oxy crushed and taken orally 4-5 times per week at night. When I stop after say 4 or 5 days in a row then I feel like complete crap from the wd and it seems like its been getting worse compared to before. Obviously hand in hand with this is that my tolerance has increased. I've been going pretty steady like this - not everyday but more than half of the week in the week/month (sometimes most of the week/month) - for about 9-10 months now.

It's obviously way higher than the prescribed dose but there was a whack load of old pills from previous scrips, plus I could always find a few here and there...but all things must come to an end!

There's still a good few left but there will definitely be a gap and waiting period before the next Rx. If I had to I could find them on the street but I'd much rather not and what I'd really like to do is get down to 2-3 times per week or whenever I have pain and I'd also like to lower my dosage, ideally by at least half. I also would prefer not feeling miserable in the process.

Any advice for this? Taper...how? Or should I just go cold turkey for as long as possible? How bad and long would withdrawals be for someone in the same boat like me?

Thanks beforehand all.

 

[thesameoldfears]

I think this all fits together. Sometimes too much info is a bad thing. Just focus on your experience.

As someone who is sensitive to their body, you are very aware of all the changes that are occurring to a very fine degree. Three years is a long time to be taking something regularly so of course it's going to take a good while for your whole self (body and mind) to get used to living and operating without the substance.

I'm sure that you'll be fine. I know that it seems like it's going on forever and you just want to get back to being 'normal', but keep in mind that you are now creating a new normal for yourself. You're not the same person that you were before, mentally and physically, and it's going to take time to solidify into this new state of normality.

It sounds to me like you've done all the right things though, and will soon be able to report back to us with the news that you are doing well. Then, everyone who reads this thread will be encouraged to follow your fine example, knowing that it can be done and it is worth it.

^ This.

I think you're hyping up these symptoms in your head a great deal. I'm sure they are in fact very real, but just the fact that you've been to multiple doctors and had so many tests done is an abnormal response when you know you're going through a period of adjusting to sobriety that is notorious for causing a whole myriad of symptoms.

You've gotta think, you were on opiates for three years, should you really expect to be back at 100% after three months? It takes a long time to get back to normal when you're "normal" for the past three years has involved opiates daily.

My advice would be to just chill out. Going to so many doctors can make you feel sick, because the fact that something is "wrong" with you is always on your mind. Being in so many doctors offices etc is also likely to have you wind up with a cold or the flu or a low-grade fever which will make you feel crappy as well. Just give the doctors a breakunless you feel something is in need of emergency care. Like if you're seriously ill or having truly terrifying symptoms, then yeah, see a doctor. But otherwise just give yourself some time torecover.

Focus on yourself and your mental wellness. Do things that excite and challenge you. Keep your mind occupies. This can be as simple as playing a game of online scrabble, or watching a show on netflix. But you could also do more physical things, anything from a fifteen minuteking cross country. Another good thing is to practice mindfulness. This involves staying in the present completely - don't think about yesterday or tomorrow or what you have to do in five minutes. Focus only on the present, on the physical sensations of living. Feel the air in your lungs, the sun on your face. Feel your morning coffee slide down your throat.

I hope you feel better soon, but keep in mind your habit was very tiny compared to a lot of folks, and while that doesn't dimish your symptoms, it does work in your favor.

 

[Toz]

That sounds exactly like what I am experiencing from Gabapentin/Benzo use.

Opiates tend to get better at a steady rate (albeit sometimes slow) and when it's gone, it's gone and doesn't come back (thank god). At least for me.