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MedHelp Member's Question

Trying to stop taking vicodin... how do I do that?

by RCG, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
About 2 years ago I was in a car accident that led my doctor to prescribe vicodin for me. I feel I am addicted and after many attempts at not taking vicodin I do not know what to do. I am in pain but something tells me that it is my mind that is making me think I am to justify taking vicodin. What can I do to get off of this stuff that is making me depressed. I am too embarassed to tell my family for the fear of them looking at me as though I am a weak person, and I would like to go to counseling without them knowing! Throughout this time period I have remained very active, working out 5-7 times a week in an effort to get my mind off of it, but with no success! Your input is appreciated,thank you!
Member Comments (73)

by AmberHunter, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
you are taking how much vicodin? how often a day? and you said this has been going on for two years...



the best way to come off of any narcotic is to taper down off of it. that is the easiest way. and there is something called the thomas recipe that i am sure someone will post for you!



and yes, from my experience, my body will manufacture or at least magnify pain in order to justify it getting narcotics. i think the doc on this forum calls it a kindling effect...



i take it you have never gone through any withdrawls ever?



the doc will be along shortly! good luck to you!



amber

by rodewc, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
Good Luck. Follow advice and grit your teeth (stopping Vike). For me it helped to be AWAY from all my "triggers" (books, music, etc.) We left town for a long weekend.



That, and thank you for the emails this week. Though I did take  a break from the board daily life, thank you for letting me see those glimpses of your thoughts, lifes, and opinions.



Later,





rwc~

by Trying2Stop, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
To: RCG
First of all, don't beat yourself up over this.  It is very difficult to get off this things.  I myself am only 2 days clean.  If you have enough self control, try to taper off, that is what I did and I barely have any w/d symptoms.  Also, keep posting, the people on this board are wonderful.

by Trying2Stop, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
To: RCG
First of all, don't beat yourself up over this.  It is very difficult to get off this things.  I myself am only 2 days clean.  If you have enough self control, try to taper off, that is what I did and I barely have any w/d symptoms.  Also, keep posting, the people on this board are wonderful.

by dancinginthedark, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
To: rodewc


Well, if you like glimpses of thoughts & opinions, there is a verifiable busload for you over at DA.com.



Enjoy!



Dancin'

by terter, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
To: tryin to stop
I am very new and posted for the first time today. I saw that it's been day number two for you and so am I. I did slip with a tablespoon of tussinex cough syrup but I have no more, good I think. I am so scared, the longest I was able to stop was under 2 weeks C/t I have used Hydro for more then 2 years at about 20 to 30 a day I have been tappering off by using Darvocette about 4 aday but felt I was prolonging withdrawls so I stopped. I really want this and any advice to and from would be helpful. I will read more posts to get more familiar with you and everyone else. Thanks TerTer

by Trying2Stop, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
To: terter
Don't be discouraged.  I had no choice but to taper.  I have 2 children, ages 2 and my oldest will be 9 tomorrow.  My husband is away all this week for a job and I think that I needed for him to be away...only b/c when he is home I make sure the house is spotless and dishes are done and stuff like that and when you are trying to quit that is a lot of pressure to put on yourself.  So for this week I'm just letting stuff go, take time out for myself.



If you want, there is another great board that Amber started and you will see my whole story.  There are a bunch of great people there, and very helpful.  They have helped me dearly.



http://forum.onecenter.com/friends_ah



That should take you to the board, if not, I'm sure Amber will give you the proper address.



Hang in there....it will get better.  My email address is ***@****, you can email me any time you wish...

by terter, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
To: tryintostop
How hard it must be to go through w/d with 2 lil ones mine are older but I couldn't imagine, It sounds like you have a plan, I don't know about you but the guilt is terrible for me when I don't get things done around the house and fix dinner for my husband. He keeps saying it's ok just relax and I'm so greatful for that but coming here gives me relief because you all understand what this feels like. I have eatten bananas which I think is helping with the leg aches. Any Ideas on sleeping I know it takes time but it goes by so slow..terter

by Trying2Stop, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
To: terter
If you can get you hands on some Valium or Xanax or even Flexeril (which is what I have now) they will help you sleep.  When I started tapering I had 4 valium and I would take 1/2 at bedtime.  The flexeril's really knock me out.



You will be ok....

by zman, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
Sorry to break up the is thread, but I need help really badly.  I just found this site today.  This is the first few days of being clean after stoping cold turkey from 120mg of Oxycontin daily.  I had been one them for 8-9 months for two herniated discs in my back.  I felt that the Oxys were a wonder drug when I first started taking them since no other pain killer helped.  I tried them all Vics, Percs, Lorocet, fent, morphine; but none helped my live pain free like the oxys.  About a month ago I realized that I liked them too much!!  I started taking anywhere from 120mg-200mg a day (all crushed).  I was prescribed 80mgs per day.  I deceided to go cold turkey when my script ran out two days ago.  To say I am going through hell is an understatement, I can barley type this post.  No sleep, shaking, ringing in my ears, sweeting, hot cold, my stomach is in knots, I have no desire to eat, infact all I want to do is die.  The only thing that helps is a hot hot shower, but I become dizzy so i have to get out, and then the bugs star crawling again.  What can I do??  Please i need help!!  If any kind soul could e-mail me, I could really use the support.



Thanks,



ZMAN



***@****

by terter, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
To: zman
I dont know much about oxys only what I have read here, Mine was Hydro but I hear what you are going through is much worse. But so many here have done what you are going through now. What is it your looking for? There are so many options like talk to a doctor, Meth clinics, ect.. Look back on the posts thats were I got most of my info. What I can tell you is that it can be done and your in the right direction. Someone named Thomas has a recipe of vitamins and such that you can get from past posts. I am not a pro just been reading through posts for several months and decided to write just today but being here and reading is a good start and it does stop, it takes time I know that for sure because this is not my first time stopping, I'm sure someone more educated will post to you anytime but if you need to talk through it just drop me a line; good luck your on the right track don't give up.   TerTer

by Thomas050, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
In response to the first post and to add with what Amber said, not only will you have to physical pain amplified by the addiction, but there will also be the mental manifestation of the addiction. Your mind will begin to give you reasons why you should take them again. Opiate addiction is one sly fox.  You only have your will on your side. (well, and us).



zman,

I don't take near that amount of hydro, but from what I know of  I would recomend a family doctor or even ER. That was a big amount to go cold turkey. Medical professional help, and a doc that understands opiate addiction, not someone that will put you on an antidepressant. Just personal opinion/advice. My prayers are with you man.



Thomas050



by teakettle2, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
How do you know if you are going through withdrawl?  Hope that doesn't sound too stupid.

by terter, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
To: teakettle
Oh you"ll know, No energy, depression,no sleep but it depends on what you are taking for how long and how much. I have gone through it a few times I hope this to be my last. terter

by Trying2Stop, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
To: teakettle
You will definately know w/d.  You'll sweat, then get chills, your whole body will feel like you have arthritis (sp), depression, restless arms and legs, and no energy.



Then again, you may be lucky.  My husband has never had w/d from anything, not even heroin.  I swear the man isn't human.

by gamzz, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
To: Everyone,,zman
god bless you for going cold turkey, but you are stonger then you think, im still using and have been  for two years. i have tryied to do it cold turkey and it doesnt work for me, im too weak i can stand the withdrawl it is to much for me to handle!  But it sounds like you really want to stop and i hope you succeed ! posting here really helps and everyone here really has gone through everything you are going through and will go through!  ive gone 5 days at the most and after not sleeping   for 5days and not feeling any better, i just gave in to it all. i wish i didnt but i didnt see any other choice at that time. my email is ***@**** if you or anyone every want to send me anything or just talk. i hope someday soon i can get over this hellish nitemare!! some people are stronger than others ( alot of you here ) and  i hope someday  soon i will be clean and FREE !! good luck to everyone!!

by Thomas050, May 13, 2003 12:00AM


teakettle2,

opiate