2 1/2 Week Detox....the Good The Bad And The Ugly

[Disabledvet31]

140 lbs on your back (including aide bag) for over a year in the middle east can really do a number on your back.  3 slipped discs L3-S1 and DDdisease.  Constant pain down both legs especially in the Glute area.  Started on pain meds about 4 years ago to treat pain.  Up to this point in my life I had never had anything stronger than a 600mg motrin and only had alcohol less than 10 times in my life.  Ive gone up the ladder starting with TY/cod and moving through Vi c and yellow Nor.  

As some of you know I work as an RN, moving up from my medic days in the military (and actually getting real pay LOL) I know the long term damage to the liver and kidneys from long term opiods.  I spent my entire life rebelling against any sort of controlled "getting high" material due to my drug addicted, in and out of jail, mother being straight edge and not doing anything controlling and the cold irony is that I am now dependent on what Ive tried to avoid my whole life.

I took a 2 week challenge to myself and flushed my meds down the toilet.  Detox was pretty lousy (personally i don't know how some of you can do that monthly OMG) but eventually with some sweat sessions (extremely painful) I got it all out of my system.  Im currently on week 2 and here's what Ive learned...i hope this can help someone with my experience.

1.  The pain I have from my back is sadly real and not chemically made up by meds.  I was hopeful that a "system reboot" might lower the pain however the pain is just as bad as i remember it and it keeps me from doing ALOT of activities.

2.  Medically this was a good idea as I learned EXACTLY where the pain is left and now i can pinpoint to the doc which nerves to finish burning off and that the knee I blew out in the middle east (torn MCL) still hurts and i have a slight limp when not on meds.  I would have never known that my knee still hurt if I hadn't done this so this is def the good.

3.  I will choose to continue the meds as I will not be able to work without them (heart vac time) however, I MUST decrease my tolerance level and will work hard to do so.  This 2-3 week adventure should help with that.

4 and Lastly I would never tell anyone how to live their life.  I am a firm believer in a free country and as long as people take care of their responsibilities, they should be allowed to do what they want for fun as long as it does not cause public harm.  So for all of you awesome peeps...please keep doing what your doing and live free.  Our current nameless commander in chief would love to take as many of these freedoms from you as he can.  Just know that long term opiod use can seriously harm your liver and kidneys and I don't want to see a forum of peeps talking while in middle of their dialysis.    Stay free, live strong, and love forever.  Thats my two cents...sorry so long I hope this can help someone...if I m out of line mods, I apologize and feel free to take this down.  Dk

 

[headbanger]

I wish I could do something to help with your pain and struggles D31. I don't know what I can do except tell you how much I respect and appreciate what you have done for me and this country.

American who have never served our country will never understand the sacrifice hero's like you made to ensure our freedoms and help others in the world who cannot protect themselves.

All  American veterans living and deceased have never gotten the proper respect and  honor they deserve. You are truly a special person willing to sacrifice your life so that other Americans can enjoy the freedoms and quality of life that most of us take for granted.

Sir, I wish I were half the man your are, but I'm not and all that I can say is you and your fellow service persons deserve so much more appreciation than you receive.

Thank you for everything you have done for me and others who can't do for themselves. It's a honor to have you as a member of DBG.

 

[Msm8358]

@disabledvet, I understand what it feels like to live in constant pain. I had a botched surgery 8 years ago that left me with a neurogenic bladder that doesn't work and kidneys that produce stones way too large to pass. I am in a pain management program, and I take breaks now and then with suboxone. A lot of dr. Are starting to use it to treat chronic pain. It makes detoxing a lot less painful than quitting cold turkey. Just a thought...

And as headbanger said, thank you so much for your service.

 

[nickiean]

Well said HB!!! My husband spent 21 yrs in. I have the utmost respect for our service men & it really makes me mad when they are not treated better than they are. Disabled31 a also salute you. It sucks to be in pain every day of your life. Respectfully, Nickean

 

[headbanger]

No bigger hero that the American Soldiers.

Police and Fireman deserve the same recognition too. They will risk their life to save another.

Thank you American Soldiers and Police and Fire personnel. I'm not trying to be some kiss ass seeking attention on the boards. I just trying to show my appreciation for what you fearless American do.

You heroes all deserve recognition, appreciation and honors. You never get enough so Thank you Disabledvet31.

Thank you all!

 

[Disabledvet31]

Thank you all for the kind words i am truly a humbled man....I hope that my xp can help someone who , like me, always has more questions than answers.  Im going in for the nerve burning again, hopefully doc will get them all this time...i tried to tell him 4 wouldn't be enough but u know docs...."I'm a doc ur a RN i have to prove I'm smarter"  Ya thats worked out great for me...now he gets more monthly visits and insurance payments....I get a co pay, half an hour to flirt with the MA and pain...constant, throbbing, dull, crappy pain.  @HB totally agree with the police recognition...fire ehh city fire are kinda worthless but the county and forrest guys are fricken heroes and a half....anyways cheers mates look forward to chattin

 

[nickiean]

HB no one could ever call you a kiss ass. We are the ones that are humbled. I feel very proud of my vet. He served our country proudly. You are right HB our police & firefighters risk their lives every day. None get enough recognition in my book.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for sharing your story Disabledvet. God bless you, and thank you.

 

[Caramel]

Hi disabledvet31, I'm an RN too and have chronic back pain. I appreciate your story and thank you for your service!! I think doing a detox is brave and also very informative, perhaps doing it a safer way is wiser though. I know it's tough to tell an RN what to do! Ha! What I'm wondering about is the nerve burning ... Did it help and for how long? I know we are all individuals just trying to sample some experiences, others I know have been pretty negative about that not helping. I'm on the fence. Tired of the pain. Don't like taking meds often (I work in dialysis, so yeah I know the long term effects of meds)! Best of luck to you /default_smile.png