[quote]texasguy1 wrote:
You sound to me like someone who understands what addiction is and knows that she is addicted to a substance.
You are maybe learning to admit it to yourself by posting here?
That is good, but now just do something about it. You have already stated that you know you take more than you should more frequently than you should and that you can identify the side effects just fine.
You know you have an addiction that is hurting you. Take the next step and get help. [/quote]
Thanks for your input and concern texasguy1. There is undoubtedly a problem there and I am actively working on it. I have already cut back about 50% of what I was taking. The first two days I was very uncomfortable. Today, I just feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. I feel absolutely terrible.
My stomach is doing flips, I’m freezing, my whole body just aches from head to toe, a very bad headache and I couldn’t concentrate on anything if my life depended on it. That and, even though they weren’t really doing anything, everybody was really getting on my nerves today. I knew it was me and not them though…I just had to come home and not be around others today.
[quote]MsM wrote:
texasguy1 wrote:
You sound to me like someone who understands what addiction is and knows that she is addicted to a substance.
You are maybe learning to admit it to yourself by posting here?
That is good, but now just do something about it. You have already stated that you know you take more than you should more frequently than you should and that you can identify the side effects just fine.
You know you have an addiction that is hurting you. Take the next step and get help.
Thanks for your input and concern texasguy1. There is undoubtedly a problem there and I am actively working on it. I have already cut back about 50% of what I was taking. The first two days I was very uncomfortable. Today, I just feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. I feel absolutely terrible.
My stomach is doing flips, I’m freezing, my whole body just aches from head to toe, a very bad headache and I couldn’t concentrate on anything if my life depended on it. That and, even though they weren’t really doing anything, everybody was really getting on my nerves today. I knew it was me and not them though…I just had to come home and not be around others today.[/quote]
Internet forum advice can be decent, but if you are experiencing issues like that you probably should see an expert. You sound like a meth addict honestly. Regardless of what substance you are using, they are having a huge negative effect on your life.
A strong sense of self will is great, but you might need professional help when you really get in to beating an addiction. Three days is super and holding out will end the physical withdrawels over time but the psychological ramifications of addiction will still need to be dealt with.
Ephedrine was banned for a reason, and in this supplements case,I think it is hard to argue ignorance of the FDA’s account.
I did go to see my doctor this morning. His response was “That’s too much. Stop taking it.” That was it. Whereas this is an internet forum, I’ve sure gotten a lot more support and encouragement here.
I’m not expecting it to be easy; it’s definitely not. Aside from the allergies, I used it because I liked what it did to eliminate my appetite. I don’t even really care about that anymore. I just want to stop feeling like garbage, go to the gym, lift something really heavy and be able to enter my powerlifting comp next year without having to worry about testing positive for some stupid stimulant.
Not to get into ephedra being banned - because it wasn’t here. Not totally. You can’t buy ephedra on its own anymore but you can buy Sudafed or its equal. Therefor it is fine to sell ephedra for a cold but it’s dangerous for a person to take it other than that, according to them. There is a double-standard there. It’s not fair that others should have to go without just because I had a problem with it. It’s kind of like saying, some people are alcoholics so nobody can drink. That is why I haven’t said anything until now.
Maybe you’re right and I will need to see somebody. I don’t know yet. If I need to, I will though. It just may take a while to find someone that tells me something other than what I’m doing…which is to stop taking it.
Bushy, I was going to say earlier that Modafinil is available in Canada, however, it is a schedule F drug. So, you need a prescription for human use. My father actually uses it (he does have narcolepsy); I just didn’t know that’s what it was for.
I actually like the idea of 10% every three days. I think that would be much more manageable than what I’m doing currently. Thank you for the suggestion. I’ll try that…and you are about the furthest cry from a geek I’ve seen.
As a sidenote, yes, I am experiencing some side effects from cutting my mg’s but I also have a ton of other big changes at this time: moving 900 miles away in a week, change in career and just being overly emotional from all of my goodbyes this last little while. So, a lot of symptoms are probably a combination of things.
I just wanted to concentrate on the ephedra here instead of telling everyone about “all the other stuff”. I’m not curled away in a corner somewhere crying (although I may have felt like doing just that at times), just not physically and mentally not quite as adept as I usually am and I am a little bitchy perhaps.
[quote]MsM wrote:
I just wanted to concentrate on the ephedra here instead of telling everyone about “all the other stuff”. I’m not curled away in a corner somewhere crying (although I may have felt like doing just that at times), just not physically and mentally not quite as adept as I usually am and I am a little bitchy perhaps.[/quote]
And that is to be expected. That’s why it’s called withdrawal, haha. However, you seem to be in tune with it and have a realistic perception of what you’re going through, so that should help see you through this. Be strong, don’t give in.
I think you are dealing very well and very rationally with your abuse of a chosen substance. I’m speaking from a background of abuse (laxatives); though not from the same substance, possibly for the same sort of purpose.
I really commend your courage in posting and asking for help, and sympathize with the clinical response you received from your doctor. A substance doesn’t have to be as serious as meth for you to FEEL desperate in needing and asking for help, and you are obviously intelligent enough to recognize when you need help and to ask for it.
I’ve been lurking around T-Nation for about 2 years and not posted but your situation reminded me so much of my own I wanted to try and offer a bit of encouragement.
[quote]BigRagoo wrote:
MsM wrote:
I just wanted to concentrate on the ephedra here instead of telling everyone about “all the other stuff”. I’m not curled away in a corner somewhere crying (although I may have felt like doing just that at times), just not physically and mentally not quite as adept as I usually am and I am a little bitchy perhaps.
And that is to be expected. That’s why it’s called withdrawal, haha. However, you seem to be in tune with it and have a realistic perception of what you’re going through, so that should help see you through this. Be strong, don’t give in.[/quote]
Big Ragoo, it’s hard not to be strong with the support like you’ve given:) I’m getting there. Slow and steady wins the race.
[quote]sluicy wrote:
I think you are dealing very well and very rationally with your abuse of a chosen substance. I’m speaking from a background of abuse (laxatives); though not from the same substance, possibly for the same sort of purpose.
I really commend your courage in posting and asking for help, and sympathize with the clinical response you received from your doctor. A substance doesn’t have to be as serious as meth for you to FEEL desperate in needing and asking for help, and you are obviously intelligent enough to recognize when you need help and to ask for it.
I’ve been lurking around T-Nation for about 2 years and not posted but your situation reminded me so much of my own I wanted to try and offer a bit of encouragement. [/quote]
sluicy, wow, thank you for sharing that. I suppose that’s a secondary reason why I decided to post my situation. This is a bodybuilding board and I’m sure that I’m not the only one with a stimulant issue. If I could kick this and help just one other person or make someone feel like they’re not the only one, it was worth it. I’ve always tried to have guts when it came to making an example of myself to help someone else. That’s why we’re here, to learn from one another. It’s funny how sometimes the ones that seem the most put-together on the outside are the ones with the most inner turmoil.
I am just elated that you decided to post. Please don’t be a stranger. I’m sure we could all learn a lot from you too.
And before I get going today and forget, I felt encouraged today when I realized that my skin’s starting to look better. I also don’t feel as dehydrated.
Hi Susan, just wanted to let you know how brave you are. It took me years to admit what a problem I had with stimulants/ephedra. How do you feel when you wake up in the morning? Right before I stopped using it would take 15 minutes to lift my head off the pillow because of the dizziness/headaches. Looking back it sounds soooo stupid now.
[quote]MsM wrote:
And before I get going today and forget, I felt encouraged today when I realized that my skin’s starting to look better. I also don’t feel as dehydrated. [/quote]
AND you’ll feel better and better. I’m now just about a year sober. I regularly drank over a sixer of Sierra Nevada a day…from 27-36. With many years it becomes habit, then it becomes the only “normal” thing in life…
To stop a drug or substance completely after years of abuse…will change your life dramatically. Keep it up! There are many of us out here pulling for you.
It makes it easier to know you are not alone sometimes.
[quote]MsM wrote:
And before I get going today and forget, I felt encouraged today when I realized that my skin’s starting to look better. I also don’t feel as dehydrated. [/quote]
Very good to hear! Let that be a catalyst to continue moving forward and kick that demon to the curb. As with overcoming any addiction, it’s one day at a time. Take care.
[quote]tootles27 wrote:
Hi Susan, just wanted to let you know how brave you are. It took me years to admit what a problem I had with stimulants/ephedra. How do you feel when you wake up in the morning? Right before I stopped using it would take 15 minutes to lift my head off the pillow because of the dizziness/headaches. Looking back it sounds soooo stupid now. [/quote]
Aren’t the mornings awful? The dizziness and headaches…I’m awaiting the day when it’s all behind me. I’m so glad that you were able to get yourself back to normal.
Today was so-so. It was better than yesterday. Tomorrow, hopefully it’ll be a little easier.
