What are the symptoms of post acute withdrawal syndrome 

Going thru it now, My Dr.s never told me about time limits or WD. please help me to understand this.. Please just some clarity so I can fight.

@@latisharedfernharris7584 have you healed yet?

@@BuffaloBarber24 No unfortunately, I am better than I was. Evenings are alot better mornings really rough alot of akathesia during day.

@@BuffaloBarber24 How are you?

I'm going through exactly that now, and I've never experienced any withdrawal that has lasted this long. I've never used for longer than a year b4, this time I was on it 2yrs, and I've never used as much in the passed, I've been using 3.5 grams a day, almost for the passed 2yrs. The major withdrawals passed after about 14 days, then lessened and levelled off at feeling like normal flu, rather than flu times a million. I am now 4 weeks in come Sunday this week, and its showing no evidence of easing off further any further. I'm getting very close too the end of my tether, I dont believe I can stay strong enough to continue, I've been through agony. I've got a huge supply of poppy heads, and am considering having a tea, just to take the edge off of it. My thinking is, it's far weaker, and if I use it once for relief, then continue after with my detox, will it just reset my brain, or I could get used to the tea, and in a few days wean myself off of that. But to carry on with the way I'm feeling now, I know I'll break, I dont want to do that, but I can only take so much. I hurt from head to toe, I cant move without sweat pouring off, christ, i cant even lay in my sleep without rolling around on a soaked pillow, that brings me back to insomnia, can't eat, drinking is a problem, I'm just nackering my body, and getting weaker. Knowing that a hit will fix this straight away, but the thought of going through this again is terrifying. I hate being sober, dont want to be, my PTSD is getting bad, along with my DID, and bipolar. Depression bad, along with boredom and suicidal thoughts. I have a wife, who is so understanding, shes never been a user, and my 15yr old son who doesn't know anything about it, just thinks I have the flu. I only ever got myself here due to years of back pain, and just slowly got from a weaker opiate, onto a stronger one, over the passed 20yrs, to then end up on heroin. It's not my first rodeo, and in ther passed I've always had help from drug services, this time though due to pain and all the lockdowns, knowing I wouldn't be seeing my councillor for a long lenght of time, I relapsed. Reasons being pain, and emotional boredom, PTSD, and to get rid of my suicidal thoughts, it makes me happy, motivated, and strong, on them is the only time I'm happy. B4 that I'd been clean for 2 and a half years, the worst time of my life. Really I'm only ever content using, and I'm dreading feeling like that again. I can't function sober, im so well on the drugs, that I wonder why im even doing this, I have nothing to gain from being sober, other than the lower risk to health. Please any advice would be really appreciated? I've seen this kratom leaf is meant to give similar effects, and was wondering what your thoughts on this would be? I just dont want to walk through the rest of my life feeling like that. Makes me laugh, my doctor will not prescribe me opiate pain relief due to my passed now, but they know it would make me painless, functional, and happy, instead they have put me on SSRI's and antipsychotic medications, which do very little to help. I just dont know where to turn, as I dont want to go to my councillor, coz I would be put back on daily pick up of my buprenorphine, where I get them fortnightly, though if I was to, they could raise them back to 16mg pd. Plz help, I'm really low, don't want to be here anymore, I'm hating life, no point to anything, plz help, thanks so much Steve

Thank you for watching and for your comment, Ed. It was definitely NOT unicorns and rainbows for me! That's for sure. I think this is so important for people to know because it puts people at such a great risk for relapse if they don't know about what to expect. Thank you for your input. It is definitely just the tip of the iceberg. AND, SO WORTH IT!! So, keep going 💪💜🙏

@@DRKJFOSTER I agree, alcohol and drugs can look very appealing after being sober but feeling worse. I appreciate the work you are doing to shed light on the topic of PAWS, and I'm sure this information will give many people the fortitude to continue on their journey of sobriety. In the meantime, I've bought your book to show my support, and to help buoy my spirits when those moments hit and I question whether I am on the right path.

Thank you, Ed. Would love to have you feedback oncw you've read it. I believe the key to overcoming addiction is an understanding of the power differential, and the elements and time it takes for the key "flip" to take place. Let me know what yoy think. Appreciate your support very much 💪💜🙏

@@DRKJFOSTER do you use some medications for tapper the simptoms

Hi Dana! You're so welcome. I'm glad you are finding it helpful.

Thank you, Roxanne 💜

Congratulations, Mac 🎉 Yes, stay strong!! Thanks for sharing 💜🤗

@@DRKJFOSTER Thank you! 👍

Thank you 💜

I'm so glad!

I'm so glad!

Hi Tom - I'm so glad to hear you found this helpful. Hang in there. It gets better.

I'm so sorry for the delayed response. I'm just seeing this comment now. Congrats on your clean time and I'm glad to know you found this helpful.

Thanks, Rhi 💜

Yes, it is normal. The fact that it is a terrifying experience indicates you have a strong desire not to use! 5 months is amazing - congratulations! Keep going!! It's an amazing life 💜🦋

@@DRKJFOSTER thank you so much for your reply. I haven't been able to find any information about this so you have eased my mind!

Thanks for watching!

You are so welcome, Audrey 🥰

Hi Loni! I appreciate you sharing your experience and glad to know that you are finally healing. Thanks for watching.

Hey Loni, who is it going at the 2 year mark? Did you have success and if so did the PAWS finish?

Ah, yes. I remember my PAWS and the thoughts that would come out of nowhere. It's great that you are learning to identify these triggers and using tools to help you move through them successfully. Keep going, it gets better. Congrats of the 6 months, Alex. That's wonderful!

Alex ruano bro how's your condition now?

Yes. Unfortunately, it does take a long time. But the good news is that you ARE recovering 💜

@@DRKJFOSTER Just when you start to feel better then bam! The anxiety, insomnia. 😓

Yes! I've been there myself. So frustrating. My PAWS lasted so long!

@@DRKJFOSTER Wow😯 Well you did it! Congrats to you. I guess if you made it I will too.

Yes, you will!

Hi Jonathan - I'm sorry to hear you're struggling, but it all sounds pretty common, based on the substances and where you are in your recovery process. The good news is that it will ultimately get better. Keep hanging in there and take some of the suggestions I offer that will help you with your PAWS. Also, be sure that you are seeing a doctor or psychiatrist who specializes in addiction recovery. I wouldn't trust the doctors in the emergency room. Most of them are very uneducated about addiction recovery. Please be sure to go to see a specialist, especially with your high blood pressure and heart palpatations. And.... congrats on 115 days clean!! That's amazing!!!

Jonathan did u feel extreme fatigue and feet sweating in ur withdrawals Please answer I m 76 days taper

@@sangeetalambh6389 definitely extreme fatigue. I did not experience any feet sweating that I can think of. Maybe when I’m real anxious. I’m just over 4 months clean now and the fatigue is just getting better. I would drag myself out of bed and want to lay back down all day then get really burnt out in the evenings and that’s when my heart would start pounding. Still feel like that sometimes but not nearly as bad. I didn’t really do a taper but was on Librium in treatment then have been on bp medicine and a beta blocker since. Hope you feel better.

@@jondon2829 did u take ur bp medicine when you have extreme fatigue

@@jondon2829 ur fatigue gone after how many moonths

Like I shared previously. I think any benzo use will set back your recovery.

I was a drug addict in my younger years so I have always been an addict, I just kept switching it for different things ❤️

Congratulations on your 8 months, Suzanne. That's wonderful 👏 I'm glad yo know you are finding the videos to be helpful 🌺

Hi Ethan. First of all, congrats on your 8.5 months of sobriety. Generally, the symptoms are time-limited 2-3 days with each occurrence. As your brain continues to heal the time in between will generally get longer. And yes, I'm a huge proponent of talk therapy 👍

Sending you prayers as well skinden! Glad you are seeking counsel.

Sorry to hear that you are experiencing such difficult PAWS symptoms. I do believe you will start to feel better eventually, it is just going to take some time. Any light exercise that you can incorporate into your day, even something basic like taking a walk, will be helpful. Try to change your perception of your experience and use it as motivation to STAY clean because then once you get through this, you NEVER have to experience it again. Much good luck to you.

Hi Anil - I am not a medical doctor and I am not fully educated about medication, nor do I prescribe medication. That said, there is something that I would recommend and that is learning how to practice mindfulness as a way of being able to cope with the pain.

Hi Courtney - You're welcome. Hope you are doing well.

Hi there, I can't really speak to that. I've not heard anything about the impact of magnesium on PAWS. That doesn't mean it isn't valid. I'm just not aware. However, having said that, I don't believe magnesium could hurt so it would be worth a try, as long as you are taking it in accordance with the daily dosage recommendations.

@@DRKJFOSTER thank you so much, im a new subcriber to you and im sharinf you knowledge with my friends who also plans on getting sober. much love and respect from the philippines ❤️❤️❤️

It depends on so many factors, that it's hard to say. But the short answer is yes, most likely.

Hi Pipesfranco - it is really so hard for me to say, in terms of how long you will experience this, due to other possible underlying health issues. I feel pretty confident that if it is a PAWS symptom that it will eventually go away and it is a symptom I've heard from others. It's just hard to say because I don't know your health history.

I actually have Tinnitus, and I find that during heavy periods of stress and anxiety, the ringing gets worse. Perhaps you have mild tinnitus and the PAWs is making it worse. Honestly, it's nbd. You hardly notice it after a while.

Itll go away eithwr completely or mostly. Let us know if yours did. I believe it may be causes by dopamine receptor imbalance and Glutamate excitotoxicity. Glutamate excites your neurons but too much of it can damage synapses including the ones from your inner ear to your brain. It goes away when the calming neurotransmitter GABA returns to levels that balance the Glutamate, they are in a yin yang relationship. Tinitis can be annoying along with audible hallucinations amd hyper sensitivity to even small noises. It will go away once it rebalamces itself to the new norm. White noise, earbuds at a low-med volume, and avoiding overly quiet places help many people. Push through it, its worth it to get to the other side!

Sure, depending on the circumstances, this is possible. Especially if you're recovering from Benzo use.

Not really familiar with suboxone.

Its a partial agonist instead of a full. So yes its normal. It only helps, it doesnt eliminate and the dosage would be tapered if doing as part of a med plan. Keep the faith you'll get through it.

@@extrememiami I have and I’m good. Thank you. ✌🏼

It definitely depends on quantity and duration of use, but they will likely experience PAWS, especially with benzos.

Yes, we are. And you can do this. PAWS is uncomfortable, but manageable and you'll feel so much better once your brain has fully healed. Be good to yourself today!

Sounds like classic post acute withdrawal, especially based on how long you have been clean. That said, I always recommend that you please follow-up with a physician to be sure there is nothing more serious going on. But my guess is that it is related to your brain healing.

@@DRKJFOSTER sure . And thanks a lot 😁

Hi, I'm so sorry to hear of all the issues you have been struggling with. I am an educator and not an MD, and even if I were an MD there is so much health history that contributes to your overall experience that it wouldn't even be appropriate to make any type of assessment or recommendations. I would just continue to take the advice of the doctors who are treating you, especially relative to the heart spikes. You definitely want to be sure to have regular monitoring. The only bit of information which you may already know is how gastric bypass surgery impacts the processing of alcohol. I've heard many cases of people who have had gastric bypass then having issues with alcohol afterwards due to the changes to your body.

@@DRKJFOSTER

Hi Marianne. Sorry to hear of your struggle. It is possible. Our bodies are very complex. How are you feeling now? I apologize for the delayed response. I've been sick for the past few weeks and just now feeling better.

Yes, 💯! PAWS typically start to kick it at about 14 days, but this varies. It then comes and goes over many months into recovery. Totally normal!

Hi Eli! Absolutely!! PAWS lasts an average of 18 months but can last longer. It depends on the substance, the amount, duration and your personal health. Crystal Meth is certainly a drug that comes with some significant PAWS symptoms. I'm happy to know you are seeing a therapist... keep that going as long as possible. It helped me so much 🙏

@@DRKJFOSTER hopefully I will be ok!

​@@Eli-nu6yb hi how are you feeling now?

Hi Cheryl - I trust you will improve. It takes time, but you will get better. Sorry for the late response. I had Covid and it's put me way behind.

Thank you so much for answering. Pray your better.

Yes, I believe so. Especially when it comes to muscle aches and pains. Of course, I would confirm with your physician to be sure it is right for you, based on your personal health history.

@@DRKJFOSTER thanks for responding. I love your videos by the way.

Sorry it took so long. I just noticed it today 😁

@@DRKJFOSTER Better late than never😊

Yes and no! It helps with relaxing but not much. Depends what your kicking

That would be more "acute" as opposed to "post" acute.

Hi The Royal One - I don't know the person or if they are taking any other meds, so that is an impossible question to address. What I can say is that when someone is on antidepressants and stops taking them abruptly (without a taper) they are going to experience an extreme crash (i.e. return of their depression to the max) and I would guess this is what happened with your friend, which is why she cut her wrist.

@@DRKJFOSTER so basically your saying that its possible she will hurt someone else other then self ?

No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying it's impossible for me to comment on either way since I have absolutely no knowledge of your friend or you. Also, "hurt other people" is very vague. Hurt physically, emotionally, mentally? There are many different forms of hurt. I would recommend you seek advice or a referral from someone you know and trust if you are seriously concerned about your wellbeing.

@@DRKJFOSTER physically but thanks

Anil, try this sleep meditation by Deepak Chopra ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-F9inzP7vYOE.html

@@DRKJFOSTER thanks a lot maam. I been suffering from insomnia too and having palpitations in the initial post acute withdrawl .

Congrats on your 7 months! That's wonderful!! Remember, PAWS can come and go fir an average of 18 months. I would predict that your tension headache will eventually subside. Keep me posted 👍

@@DRKJFOSTER thanks a lot . i will

You're brain is actually doing the opposite. It's healing and repairing all the crazy. It just doesn't feel that way, of course!

@@DRKJFOSTER I've been doing lots of nightly Louise hay podcast and it dose talk about things feeling pretty uncomfortable and worse before it gets better... I'm only 2mth sober the 1st six weeks was great felt amazing now I've just gone down hill dramatically, I'm taking time of work but can bearly get out of bed and feel horrible... 😩

Hi Anil - it depends. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth. It depends on what drugs, quantity and length of use. Generally, once the acute withdrawal stage subsides, it could take a couple of weeks. Then it can come and go for a couple of days at a time. Also, your exercise and diet will impact your insomia, such as caffeine intake. Again, I can't give you a definitive answer, since I don't know your personal situation. The good news is that it will ultimately get better.

I'm so sorry to hear that you are suffering. I hope that you are being medically monitored because detoxing yourself can be dangerous and you need to taper rather than stopping completely all at once. This is most likely why you are experiencing these symptoms, at least to the extreme. Please consult with your doctor who prescribed the medication.

Yes 💯

Hi Keylor. Sorry for the late reply. I hope you're feeling better and appreciate you watching.

Do you feel better?

@@odintalks yes. I take therapy. Because i had overdose and i have trauma.

@@keylor512 wish the better for you

It depends. They could be. It's hard to say without know more about your health and your history.

@@DRKJFOSTER Thank you

Hi John - Sorry to hear you are suffering, but the good news is that you are heading in the right direction. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience.

Hi Jamie - I haven't heard of them, but it sounds very possible to me because of the impact to the brain. Sorry for the late reply. I've had Covid and just now starting to feel better.

It's not fun.

Rocky did u feel extreme fatigue stomach cramps and feet sweating in ur withdrawals please answer I quit benzo 77 days before

@@sangeetalambh6389 yes

@@RhiceyHarierar how r u now u have still fatigue or not

@@sangeetalambh6389 not really, but it did give me a nervous breakdown and I had to be hospitalazed for a month and now I'm on prozac for panic and anxiety and deprresion. I'm still sober and don't smoke , I'm a lot better now but still healing

Glad you're finding the videos helpful!