Due to my own violation, I am in five weeks of withdrawal from oxycodine-acetaminophen 10-3.25, 180 tablets which I took for 8 years. I am still experiencing withdrawal symptoms that render me non-functional. I choose to not use Suboxone or any other opioid to help with withdrawal, but eventually only percipitates the inevitable, having to withdraw from another opioid and doing further damage to your receptors in the brain. Obviously, you get all this, but surprisingly most providers do NOT. Allopathic or holistic.

I am in excruciating pain, in my lower back(hence the opioids), and both feet are numb, and my legs feel heavy. My family is genetically pre-disposed to panic attacks and unfortunately I suffer from panic disorder 24/7, which the opioids helped. My PCP also prescribed Xanax in conjunction with the opioids, which I was successfully weaning myself off of UNTIL withdrawing from opioids. The panic disorder, like the back pain is severely manifesting, tempered by Xanax, which I now am increasing. 

Before effectively going cold turkey by myself at home, I successfully cut my opioid dosage from 180-150 per month. I started experiencing SOB and tachycardia while doing simple tasks such as making the bed, or taking a shower. Now with total withdrawal these symptoms are more severe, even after five weeks! I have no support from doctors as they all want to use Suboxene, or injections for back and foot pain. I don’t feel my body needs more added drugs. I went to my acupuncturist, but that made me feel worse, and he stated it would take a long time to heal my CNS. I have no craving for opioids, just a strong desire to have a functioning body and brain. I fight everyday, but am not doing well. Five weeks of incapacity, especially in these times, and always being an active person is incomprehensible. Also, I had a good figure, and now my entire body had changed, and despite not eating due to anxiety and nausea, I have gained weight everywhere. I am guessing my cortisol levels and hypothalamus are very confused and adjusting. I also have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, so my endocrine system is severely compromised, and IBS which the opioids made worse, better since withdrawal, but now experiencing acid reflex. I am now seriously wondering how I can ever recover normal brain,CNS,  gastroentrological, and endocrine function from all this damage????? Is there any hope???  Thank you for patiently reading this!!!????. I am desperate for advice from a medical professional who understands how traumatically the opioids and benzodiazepines have affected my body.

Thank you,

Andrea S
917-482-0423