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MedHelp Member's Question

Hydrocodone Withdrawal...

by Bungee7, Jan 14, 2003 12:00AM
Everybody,



Thursday will be my last day of taking hyrdocodone(hopefully for ever). I am going to detox at home for five days. I am very nervous and scared. I have support and everything else all of you say I will need (ie. Thomas reciepe, valium,vitamins etc..). Yet I am still scared, first I don't know if I can do it and am afarid of relapse, and second and this may sound weird...but after 14 months of using these pills I honestly can't remember how my body used to feel...for me these pills are "normal" feeling. I don't know what to expect(how do non pill users feel? I don't know I guess I just need some reassurance, becuase I think i'll be freaking out when it comes time to do it! Any thoughts or personal experiences would be helpful for me to read. Thanks,





-Anthony
Member Comments (136)

by lifeisbetter, Jan 14, 2003 12:00AM
To: Bungee and Nod
Anthony, When I was taking 2 Vicodan a day it didn't feel any worse emotionally than I did when I was taking 40. Either way it was a big problem  because I couldn't stop. Try not to gauge yourself and how you are "supposed" to feel against other people's problems and how they're supposed to feel. Nobody lives inside Anthony but you. Nobody can begin to know what it is that made you start on a path of self destruction. The pills you take are only a symptom of whats bothering you inside. When you get through the detox part, which I don't think will be half as bad as you've imagined, you should find someone to help you understand what it is your afraid of... or angry at... or you've been hurt by...Most of us have a reason for wanting to only feel good all the time or at best just feel numb. You are so young sweety, get help now, you have your whole life to live as you choose to live it. If you get through this and stay clean you will have an enormous amount of insight that most people don't get for many more years and some never. That can be a huge advantage, you know? I know its scary but you'll be alright. I promise.



Nod, I didn't take my first drug until I was 30 and now I'm 37 so for 30 years I lived like the so called "normal people" for five I lived as if I was dead and now I live in recovery. I honestly never want to be "normal" again. The addiction is a nightmare from hell I would not wish on anyone but,there are some advantages. Because of my past:

1. I can fit in with any group of our so called "society" personally, I much prefer the homeless guy over he Yacht club crew that I grew up with. Actually, there is a group to which I could never belong, those that judge others religion, sexuality or color. You know the passage "whomever is without sin cast the first stone" I don't understand how people can be so cruel.

2. I have become more forgiving and much more humble.

3. I don't worry so much anymore, someone else is in control.

4. I enjoy the most unusual things now. Like Coppertone self tanning mouse! I felt so great when I learned that it really works, I work 50 hours a week but I have a tan!

5. I know a scammer or liar when I see one...It takes one to know one right? I lived a life of scamming and lying also.

6. the list goes on, but most importantly, I've learned that there is more to life than I thought and that I have a creator who loves me no matter what.

So as horrible as the addiction is when your in it, Life is much better when you can finally be real and be free.

by lisabet, Jan 14, 2003 12:00AM
To: lifeisbetter
Thank you for the most inspiring post!  It was what I needed to hear right at this moment. Please keep posting - this is the kind of post that inspires us to try to do better.  I've been struggling with my tapering for the past week; your post gave me the "kick in the pants" I need. God bless your heart. This is one post that I'll print and save, and I really mean that. Love/Peace, Lisabet

by unpilled1, Jan 14, 2003 12:00AM
To: Bunjee7
Anthony- I don't know if you read my posts from a day or so ago, but I'm here to let you know that you will be fine - mind you, withdrawal is NO picnic - but it's tolerable & do-able. We're all here for you. I'm clean from hydro's for 10 days, after a weaning/tapering down & didn't have the severe w/d'l symptoms I'd had in the past - but I was damn miserable & counted hours for many days before I started counting days. You need to take this forum to heart and read EVERY word... I'm saying to make it damn clear to yourself (and your addicted brain) that you CAN NOT TAKE PILLS not one, not ever - or you have to go through this all over again & the next detox is harder & much longer. I have relapsed several times and thus, detox'd several times - it always sucks & always will & it gets worse each time. I failed to take that one fact to heart & inevitably drugged again. Keep going to NA meetings - even if its just to hear how f****d up everybody else has gotten with the narcotics - it will impress upon you that using is a dead end street-- you either end up dead or in prison - that's it!(bummer). I didn't start posting here until a could put sentences together through my foggy brain - but I've done the w/d'l thing just over a week ago - and I made it through :) Now I just have to NOT take pills, learn how to enjoy life as it is, and mend some relationships that I damaged while in the depths of my addiction/using. OK... that's it for now. I DID use this forum to get me through my detox - sat and read each word and prepared myself as you have - and I adore all these folks for caring about each other (& for me too).

Anthony, post your email address for me if you'd like to correspond about these things more.

by J. E. W., Jan 14, 2003 12:00AM
To: Bungee7
It is not fun but you can do it! Im on my 4th day at home. Without any valium only vits. and some robaxin which I dont think is helping! Ithink the worst part is I feel like a 100lb. weight is on my shoulders all day and night! And I just got rid of a tention headache. You feel like you have a super flu or something! If I can do it anyone can!!!!!!! Plus you have everyone here to help!!!!!  GOOD LUCK!!!!!                                 J.E.W.

by Nod, Jan 14, 2003 12:00AM
To: Bungee7
I have no idea how much hydro you were on daily or if you have tapperred at all - so hard to really help you with what to expect.  If this is your first WD's it will be like the super flu like j.e.w. said.  



Just had to comment on your "what normal people feel like."  There are times when I am around a lot of people, like at a mall, and I look around and say how do all those people do it?  How do they feel to be "free."  Guess it's just my way of having self pity and feeling sorry for myself.  



Anyway, I'm tapperring which is only way I can do it anymore.  It's hard but it does work to minimize the WD's.  Just gets harder and harder every time.  Hopefully, will stay off this time but with each relapse I lose a little more of me.



Best of luck.  It will stink but since it's your first WD you'll do just fine.  Take lots and lots of hot showers.  When your done, let the hot water heat make more and get back in!  NOD

by Bungee7, Jan 14, 2003 12:00AM
To: Nod/EVERYBODY***********************
to answer your question. I have tappered. I'm down to about 1-3 pills a day. That has been for the past few weeks. Before that I had mini-WD, I would stop for a few days, or only take 1 a day....I did that since November. Before that I was taking 3-5 a day everyday since August, and before that from December 2001-August 2002 I was taking anywhere between 6 and 12 pills a day. So I don't know what my wd symptoms will be like, because I have had at least some hydrocodone in my body for the last 13-14 months. I'm guessing it will be bad but not as bad as somebody taking 8+ pills a day for years.

I have even tried talking myself out of detoxing by thinking "hey most people here have been taking massive ammounts of pills, mine is just a small problem". But I guess when it comes to addiction it's true what they say addiction is addiction, and there is no "small" problem? Besides, i'd say 50-70% of my problem is mental--like most people I assume...so no matter how much I have been taking the mental/psycological part is the worst, and I will probably have to deal with that part of my addiction forever or a long time at least(does that sound logical to you)? So I know I really do need help and so I will be detoxing this weekend. If anybody has any advice or words of wisdom I would appreciate it! Thanks again,



-Anthony

by J. E. W., Jan 14, 2003 12:00AM
To: Bungee7
You are right addictin is addiction no matter how many you take or what. Your very lucky in the fact that you can taper down first! I could not. If I have them I take them whenever I feel the need. I cannot control my intake. You should be alright if your down that low. This is my 3rd shot at it and Im still here!!!! You just have to realize youcannot take them anymore. It sounds like you have. After you detox dont even take ONE!!!!! I found out the hard way cause one leads to two two to three  and so on!!!!!!!!!!!! Its not fun but through the aches and pains we realize what this drug does to our bodies.  And hopefully wont do it again!!!!!!!                     J.E.W.

by hyjack, Jan 14, 2003 12:00AM
To: Anthony
You were absolutely right when you said it's psychological.



From what I've read and seen here, you are one of the lucky addicts that have been able to taper yourself.  Pat yourself on the back for that one accomplishment that the majority of addicts cannot do.



One of my best friends was able to do the same thing as you are.  She tapered from 10 per day to none, dropping one pill/day every week.  That was her doctor's recommended tapering schedule which worked very well for her.



Since you've come this far with your tapering, can you finish it?  I understand if you are just fed up and want to get it over with.



You will have some withdrawal symptoms, the worst probably being the restless legs and fatigue, shaking and aches.  Basically flu like symptoms.  Don't ever underestimate the power of a hot bath during w/ds.  When I was in full w/ds, that was the one thing I remember that helped me beyond words.  I literally stayed in that tub all night one evening.  When the water would get warm, I would let a little out and refill it with super hot water.  Thomas' recipe should help you, too.  



Just remember, no one has ever died from detoxing, you may feel like it, but in your case, I think you will have VERY MILD symptoms.



Keep us posted!

by Nod, Jan 14, 2003 12:00AM
To: Bungee7
With 3 a day even at 30mg (10mg hydro) you will feel like **** but be fine in a few days with some discomfort.  To make it easier think of us who have gone 200mg a day to 0.  Not saying anything is a easy but you are well off than most.  You'll make it just fine Bungee7, key here is once you get clean stay that way.  Most here have been in your shoes and went back to more and more.  I respect your honesty and desire to put it behind you. You sound like someone on the right path.  Best wishes and here's to no more nodding. Nod

by theGolden1, Jan 15, 2003 12:00AM
To: Everyone ... Where is BodyMechanic?
I haven't seen hide nor hair of him ....

by Rex1, Jan 15, 2003 12:00AM
To: theGolden1
Thomas either.



Good to see you though...



Rex

by Elvis27, Jan 15, 2003 12:00AM
To: Bungee7
I hope things go well for you this weekend.  Make sure you post while you are going through this so we can hear how you are doing and reassure you that things will be fine.  This situation we all have to live with sucks, but if we keep talking about it we can get better and stay that way.  That is how I look at it.  I found this site the other day and I am on it all the time now reading comments, etc.  I need this site and you people to deal with this.  I am on a tapering schedule with Vicodin and MS Contin and I hope I can get down to zero soon. I am praying for you Anthony.  



Elvis

by FINISHED!!, Jan 15, 2003 12:00AM
To: Everyone/ Rex1
Bad news. I broke my left ankle & right wrist yesterday while riding my motocross track. Looks like I'm going to need surgery on the ankle. While in the hospital, they shot me full of demerol (sp) & wrote me out a script for lorecet 10. I took 1 this morning & man it makes me loopy. The good news is that my tolerance is down to where it was in the beginning. Its been about 3 hours since I took the pill & I still feel fairly painless. No worries on my part of relapse bacause I HAVE taken a Vicodin ES pill or two here & there & have had a bottle of them since my detox...mostly untouched. This is why I chose cold turkey. The memories are still branded in my brain. I'll know today after seeing my ortho doc if surgery is needed. Between this & my gut, I think my strength is being put to the test...I'm getting an A!!!



Rex,

  How you feeling these days...emotionally. I HOPE & PRAY