[stevie2868]

Hello all fellow recoverers,

It fills me full of hope to see so many of you tapering and/or taking the plunge to face these awful pills head on.

I am day 70 now after CT and thought I’d seen the light at the end of the tunnel until I also stopped nicotine. I know they warn you against trying to do too much at once but I am very much an all or nothing person.

I agree with Access in that without the buffer of the pills or vaping (or whatever it may be) I have become faced with the issues I’d been masking with the meds this whole time. It is certainly not an easy road but it is a worthy journey.

Standing with you all in this sobriety and sending strength – Stevie x

[stevie2868]

Black Warrior,

I can completely relate. I have a sleep disorder that affects my sleep/wake cycle which I have always had. I hadn’t even realised that the pills had settled the symptoms but now that I’ve gone cold turkey it is back out in full force and I have struggled.

It has helped to go back to the old school way of coping with it for me. That includes:

– Creating a structured routine around bedtime. This looks different for everyone but it helps to find what works for you and stick with it. It helps to set a rough time to start unwinding and preparing your body to sleep. Eventually it’ll associate the things in your routine with bed and naturally start to lower any cortisol levels in the body.
– You have already mentioned good sleep hygiene and I cannot emphasise this enough. Make sure your space is comfortable. I recommend minimising any lights in the room or turning them off completely – this includes blocking any outside lights with blinds. I think a book or anything other than a screen when you get into bed is a great idea. If you are struggling with noise then you can grab ear plugs from your local pharmacy or use headphones – whatever works best.
– The biggest thing for me was not giving up. I can wake up periodically throughout the night or struggle to drop off and after a few minutes of trying to sleep I’d get frustrated and reach for my phone or get up completely. It helps to sit in that feeling and not rush yourself further awake or out of bed. It is difficult but the best thing you can do is lay with it and keep trying. You are essentially training your brain to remember that this is a time for sleep and you must counteract the release of cortisol and other neurotransmitters by reminding your body that it is not the time to do so. The only way to do that is to not physically react.

I don’t know if this helps or not but I am always willing to listen if you want to discuss further.

Sending you all strength,

Stevie x

[stevie2868]

Wynter,

I did the exact same thing! I told my partner, my mum and I rang my GP surgery on Day 3 and asked them to take everything off repeat. I felt it held me accountable, took away my easy access and it’s actually been the best decision I made. I had 30s on repeat and other things – and I know now that I would have to go back on that and ask which I’m not willing to do.

Well done everyone – the sneezing drove me mad and the yawning almost done me in but it does settle eventually.

I am definitely playing less mind games with myself to stay on top of it. I find myself having little conversations with myself throughout the day or whenever I feel an urge. Someone else said on here it helps to speak to yourself out loud and say no and I really believe that. It reinforces and helps rewire the stupid little connections in your brain ????

Keep reminding yourself that all you are feeling is the silly little synapses in your brain crying! Your body will relearn how to release the dopamine it craves in more organic ways. Another day down and feeling happier every day.

Standing with you all x

[stevie2868]

Hello all,

I am Stevie! I have tried to post on here before but it just disappeared.

I am currently on day 16 and this thread has kept me going almost every single day. It’s a relief to know that it isn’t just me who is struggling with this.

I was prescribe codeine by my doctor for a chronic pain issue that I have. I noticed about a year ago that it had become more of a routine than a need and I was reaching for them as part of my schedule throughout the day rather than to manage symptoms. This frightened me and I eventually made the decision to cold turkey.

I absolutely do not advocate cold turkey – it is definitely not for the faint hearted but so far the best thing I’ve ever done.

Day 16 and my body is starting to feel “normal” again. I still get an urge every now and again, especially when in pain but I echo other people’s sentiments in managing with other OTC’s that can be really effective.

The energy is slowly returning and I’m feeling more like myself now. The anxiety and heaviness I felt was definitely the worst part for me as I was always so full of beans before.

It does get better and I am so proud of you all!

Stevie

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