Aa
Hope
Hi.......We've never actually talked, but I read your posts all the time. I was devistated (sp?) to here about you being in the hospital. How absolutely scary for you. I am an RN who has worked in a hospital for about 17 years, I know how scary it can be to be in there as a patient!
Anyway.........I wasn't on the forum all weekend (or even on Monday) so I was just thrilled to see that you were out!!! YEA!!!! I just wanted to tell you how happy I am that you are home. How are you feeling today? I read that you are having absolutely NO w/d's and you have no craving to take the pills. THAT IS WONDERFUL!! I'm thinking you were on Morphine or Demerol (that is usually what they put in the PCA pumps that you were on). They are both narcotic, so I'm not sure WHY you're not going through w/d. WHO CARES............JUST GO WITH IT!!!!! LOL Let's not ask why.....just enjoy the fact that you don't have to endure them!! GOOD FOR YOU!!
OK...........just want to introduce myself and say that I couldn't be happier that you are home and well. Take care of yourself!!
xoxo
Swany
Anyway.........I wasn't on the forum all weekend (or even on Monday) so I was just thrilled to see that you were out!!! YEA!!!! I just wanted to tell you how happy I am that you are home. How are you feeling today? I read that you are having absolutely NO w/d's and you have no craving to take the pills. THAT IS WONDERFUL!! I'm thinking you were on Morphine or Demerol (that is usually what they put in the PCA pumps that you were on). They are both narcotic, so I'm not sure WHY you're not going through w/d. WHO CARES............JUST GO WITH IT!!!!! LOL Let's not ask why.....just enjoy the fact that you don't have to endure them!! GOOD FOR YOU!!
OK...........just want to introduce myself and say that I couldn't be happier that you are home and well. Take care of yourself!!
xoxo
Swany
Thank you for writing back. You're totally right. I think that medicine actually makes the pain WORSE. I've said that before. The thought of not having relief when it is really bad is just torture to me. I wake up every morning at 3:00 AM (2:15 thins AM, because I just can't lay in bed anymore. I get up and take my medicine and go straight to my heating pad (pathetic........I know.......and I'm only 42!!!). The thought of waking up in the morning when I can barely walk and not have the medicine is like......."I don't know if I can do it"!!! I was thinking if I can get myself down to just, maybe, three doses in a day, that would be safe. The Norco has 325mg of Acetaminophen as opposed to 650mg in Percocet.
I don't know.........maybe I'm just fooling myself. After I heard your story it scared the **** out of me (again, I don't take nearly as much Acetaminophen), but I definately don't want to end up sick in the hospital! I am so between a rock and a hard place. Obviously, the reason I started taking the medicine in the first place is because I had back and right buttock pain that I couldn't relieve. That's the scary part to go back to that!
Anyway, tell me what you think and I will look into those patches. OH!! YES! I would definately go through w/d's. I am totally physically dependant on this medicine. I've been taking it for over 2 years now. I would have to do a taper which I'm kind of trying to do now. It has been 4 and a half hours since I've taken anything and when I did take my Oxy. I took only 1.5 pills (I usually take 2).
Thanks for taking the time to write to me. I'm glad you are feeling good enough to work. That's wonderful. You said that you were tired............It sounds like a "good" tired! I definately CAN'T hurt my children (they are actually 16 and 13..........not so small anymore!! lol). It would kill them to loose their mom. BUT..........I'm not trying to sound selfish......but I so don't want to live in pain for the rest of my life either...................
Oh well...................thanks Hope.........talk to you later.
xoxo
Swany
I don't know.........maybe I'm just fooling myself. After I heard your story it scared the **** out of me (again, I don't take nearly as much Acetaminophen), but I definately don't want to end up sick in the hospital! I am so between a rock and a hard place. Obviously, the reason I started taking the medicine in the first place is because I had back and right buttock pain that I couldn't relieve. That's the scary part to go back to that!
Anyway, tell me what you think and I will look into those patches. OH!! YES! I would definately go through w/d's. I am totally physically dependant on this medicine. I've been taking it for over 2 years now. I would have to do a taper which I'm kind of trying to do now. It has been 4 and a half hours since I've taken anything and when I did take my Oxy. I took only 1.5 pills (I usually take 2).
Thanks for taking the time to write to me. I'm glad you are feeling good enough to work. That's wonderful. You said that you were tired............It sounds like a "good" tired! I definately CAN'T hurt my children (they are actually 16 and 13..........not so small anymore!! lol). It would kill them to loose their mom. BUT..........I'm not trying to sound selfish......but I so don't want to live in pain for the rest of my life either...................
Oh well...................thanks Hope.........talk to you later.
xoxo
Swany
Hi, I am sorry i am just now getting to your post. I just got home from work...
You asked how long i was taking the pills? I was taking them for about 4 years.
Second thing, Your back...I know it is causing you trouble and you are in alot of pain, but listen to me please, My mom had back surgery a few years ago and still to this day her back is killing her. She will have pain for the rest of her life the dr. told her. She also has siatic (spelled wrong) nerve problems in her lower back and in her hips. The Dr. put her on the Litoderm patches (prob. spelled wrong too) she puts them on her back where the pain is, and on her hip. They seem to help her quite a bit. She also takes Aleve! She won't take any type of narcotic what so ever! She is 56 years old and goes to work everyday being in this conndition. Don't get me wrong i know she still has pain, but it is NOT as bad since she started using those patches. She gave me one once to try when my back hurt and it really did help.
There are so many other options for you to try. I really believe that we let ourselves think that we NEED those narcotics and will tell ourselves that we have worse pain than we truely do. It is NOT us doing it to ourselves it is the pills talking. If you don't feel that you are addicted then please just stop now. Get some of those patches, and try aleve along with it. Maybe it'll help you.
You have 2 small sons, that you say are your life, and a hubby too...I almost lost my chance to spend my life with them over those dang pills. It is so NOT worth it. I would rather be in a little bit of pain than to have to go throught that ever again. Please, see if you can stop taking the pills, if you don't have any w/d's then i feel that you will be ok using the patches and aleve. If you do have w/d's then try tapering from them, but definately get those patches! My mom swears by them.
If you have any other questions, please ask me.
I am kinda out of it right now. like i said it was a long day at work and now i have to mow the grass. I am so hot, and very tired. So i hope what i typed to you made sense. I will check back here in a bit to see if you have any other questions. There is alot more i want to say to you, and i will later this evening, ok?
Good luck..
Hope
You asked how long i was taking the pills? I was taking them for about 4 years.
Second thing, Your back...I know it is causing you trouble and you are in alot of pain, but listen to me please, My mom had back surgery a few years ago and still to this day her back is killing her. She will have pain for the rest of her life the dr. told her. She also has siatic (spelled wrong) nerve problems in her lower back and in her hips. The Dr. put her on the Litoderm patches (prob. spelled wrong too) she puts them on her back where the pain is, and on her hip. They seem to help her quite a bit. She also takes Aleve! She won't take any type of narcotic what so ever! She is 56 years old and goes to work everyday being in this conndition. Don't get me wrong i know she still has pain, but it is NOT as bad since she started using those patches. She gave me one once to try when my back hurt and it really did help.
There are so many other options for you to try. I really believe that we let ourselves think that we NEED those narcotics and will tell ourselves that we have worse pain than we truely do. It is NOT us doing it to ourselves it is the pills talking. If you don't feel that you are addicted then please just stop now. Get some of those patches, and try aleve along with it. Maybe it'll help you.
You have 2 small sons, that you say are your life, and a hubby too...I almost lost my chance to spend my life with them over those dang pills. It is so NOT worth it. I would rather be in a little bit of pain than to have to go throught that ever again. Please, see if you can stop taking the pills, if you don't have any w/d's then i feel that you will be ok using the patches and aleve. If you do have w/d's then try tapering from them, but definately get those patches! My mom swears by them.
If you have any other questions, please ask me.
I am kinda out of it right now. like i said it was a long day at work and now i have to mow the grass. I am so hot, and very tired. So i hope what i typed to you made sense. I will check back here in a bit to see if you have any other questions. There is alot more i want to say to you, and i will later this evening, ok?
Good luck..
Hope
the norco, at least, has a much lower dose af acetominophen, that is why the doc put me on it. i too have back pain, although it sounds like yours is much worse than mine. mine is controlled by 3 or 4 norco's a day. i will be getting off them when i get insurance in a month or so and can get an alternative treatment. i have been told by a friend of mine who is a licensed therapeutic masseuse that massage helps a lot of people who have arthritic pain in the back. i will start with that, and move on to stronger measures if i have to. don't look forward to getting off the norco, cause i just went through wd's from methadone for the pain and xanax for anxiety caused bu the methadone. i hear norco is easier to kick than either of them, so i guess i'll find out.
Lucy
Lucy
Sorry, this thread did NOT begin with me. (I am just full of myself, huh..lol...lol..lol). Anyway, hope to see you start your own. Share your story.
Hi Hun! Sorry I took so long to get back. Had to run errands and deal with "life" stuff..lol
Since this thread started with me, maybe you could post a new one, whatever you want to call it. I'll wait for you.
Hugs to you, Bonnie
Since this thread started with me, maybe you could post a new one, whatever you want to call it. I'll wait for you.
Hugs to you, Bonnie
It's me again. I just read your post about "your" story. Wow! You've really been through it!! Man......it's so amazing how such nice people from all walks of life can be affected by this medicine. It's really scary! Just wanted to say congratulations on all of your accomplishments (and you have alot of them). I KNOW now (unfortunately) how hard this medicine is to be free from. The fact that anyone can succeed is an inspiration!! Especially those of us who do SO very much.
Just wanted to say that.
xoxo
Swany
Just wanted to say that.
xoxo
Swany
Hey.........I'm back. Thanks for writing back. OK........WOW.........That actually makes me feel a little bit better. I had no idea that Perc's were 650mg!!! OMG!!! X10 YIKES!!!! I think for me my best bet is to taper down to a number that I can live with and that is safe. Actually, my doctor has me taking 12/day which he says is the highest we can go due to the Acetam. That is why I'm at 12 only (LOL........."only".........most people would look at that and say "ONLY???!!!".....LOL). I still think that it would be nice to be able to just take the Norco when I just can't stand it anymore. Maybe 8-10/day. MAN!!! THAT WOULD BE SOOOOOO NICE!!! I'm pretty sure that I can do it. I, actually, don't look at the clock all day long. I really take the medicine when my aching starts getting unbearable and that's when I know how much time has passed. What I will say is that I'm almost wondering if this medicine makes your pain WORSE. So.......that being said.......I think I can taper down to that.
I don't know if I told you, but I'm taking 12 of my Oxycodone (which is what I used to take alone until I switched back to the Norco. It was because the Oxy. made me SOOOOOO sleepy so I asked my doc if I could take that at night and the Norco in the daytime.....he agreed. But......I ran out of my Norco early due to the little run of uncontrolled behavior that I had, so I thought I will just refill my Oxy one more time so as not to have to go through w/d's. My doctor knows ALL of this) So, I can refill my Norco on Thurs. I'm so scared that I am going to have to go through w/d's from the Oxy once I start back on the Norco. I think that is what was happening when I first came to this forum and tzt helped me. It was the opposite then. I had run out of Oxy, so had to take more Norco. Cutting back I went through terrible w/d's. I guess from the Oxy. I don't know if it was THAT or just the fact that I had cut back on the number of pills I was taking. I guess I'm just going to have to find out.
So..........my plan is to just cut back where I can. So far today I took 2.5 pills this morning when I woke up at 2:15 (normally I last until 3:00AM, but not today for some reason). Then, guess what, I waited 5 HOURS!!!!! AND........I only took 1.5 pills!!!!! I'm really proud of myself so far. So far my pain is NOT unbearable. Now, I'm going to have to stratedgically plan my walk for after I take my next dose. I just HAVE TO WALK!!!! It keeps me sane! Then we'll see from there. I'm just going to do what I can and not beat myself up about it. What do you think? You are very sweet to chat with me. Everyone on here is so incredible. I guess no matter what your story is as to why you started taking this medicine (rather for legitimate pain or not) we are all in the same boat! Our bodies could care less WHY we started taking the pills, all our bodies know is that we are all physically dependant on them no matter WHAT the story.
Let me know what you think
xoxo
Swany
I don't know if I told you, but I'm taking 12 of my Oxycodone (which is what I used to take alone until I switched back to the Norco. It was because the Oxy. made me SOOOOOO sleepy so I asked my doc if I could take that at night and the Norco in the daytime.....he agreed. But......I ran out of my Norco early due to the little run of uncontrolled behavior that I had, so I thought I will just refill my Oxy one more time so as not to have to go through w/d's. My doctor knows ALL of this) So, I can refill my Norco on Thurs. I'm so scared that I am going to have to go through w/d's from the Oxy once I start back on the Norco. I think that is what was happening when I first came to this forum and tzt helped me. It was the opposite then. I had run out of Oxy, so had to take more Norco. Cutting back I went through terrible w/d's. I guess from the Oxy. I don't know if it was THAT or just the fact that I had cut back on the number of pills I was taking. I guess I'm just going to have to find out.
So..........my plan is to just cut back where I can. So far today I took 2.5 pills this morning when I woke up at 2:15 (normally I last until 3:00AM, but not today for some reason). Then, guess what, I waited 5 HOURS!!!!! AND........I only took 1.5 pills!!!!! I'm really proud of myself so far. So far my pain is NOT unbearable. Now, I'm going to have to stratedgically plan my walk for after I take my next dose. I just HAVE TO WALK!!!! It keeps me sane! Then we'll see from there. I'm just going to do what I can and not beat myself up about it. What do you think? You are very sweet to chat with me. Everyone on here is so incredible. I guess no matter what your story is as to why you started taking this medicine (rather for legitimate pain or not) we are all in the same boat! Our bodies could care less WHY we started taking the pills, all our bodies know is that we are all physically dependant on them no matter WHAT the story.
Let me know what you think
xoxo
Swany
Always glad to talk to someone who is going through the same thing. On the perc's, It is 650 ml of Acetam each. That is a dangerous level. With the Vic's, I had only 80 ml of Acetem each. Much lower.
Still, by the time I stopped taking them (a short 7 days ago), the acetaminophen was not my only worry.
I was (still am) addicted to these pills in so many ways.
Like I said, every waking moment was "When should I take another pill", or "Where will I get my next pill". I was scamming docs and pharmacys. Geez!
I used to have energy years ago, from the meds, at the end I couldn't keep my eyes open. I have gained more weight than I ever have in my life. My memory is shot to h***. My teeth are bad. My skin is a wierd color and feels like rubber.
These are just a few things I can think of off the top of my head.
Have you considered tapering off? There are a lot of good posts in here where people describe how they are doing it/or have done it.
Some can suggest herbal supplements. I use Soma as a muscle relaxant because it is non-narcotic.
Read thru the posts on BOTH forums and you will see all the suggestions.
You didn't say, does your family know? That could be very beneficial if you plan to quit either c/t or wean off.
BTW, yes you CAN totally quit, but you will have to work for it.
Post when you return, or you can e-mail me. My e-addy is on my profile.
Either way, stay in touch.
Hugs to you, Bonnie
Still, by the time I stopped taking them (a short 7 days ago), the acetaminophen was not my only worry.
I was (still am) addicted to these pills in so many ways.
Like I said, every waking moment was "When should I take another pill", or "Where will I get my next pill". I was scamming docs and pharmacys. Geez!
I used to have energy years ago, from the meds, at the end I couldn't keep my eyes open. I have gained more weight than I ever have in my life. My memory is shot to h***. My teeth are bad. My skin is a wierd color and feels like rubber.
These are just a few things I can think of off the top of my head.
Have you considered tapering off? There are a lot of good posts in here where people describe how they are doing it/or have done it.
Some can suggest herbal supplements. I use Soma as a muscle relaxant because it is non-narcotic.
Read thru the posts on BOTH forums and you will see all the suggestions.
You didn't say, does your family know? That could be very beneficial if you plan to quit either c/t or wean off.
BTW, yes you CAN totally quit, but you will have to work for it.
Post when you return, or you can e-mail me. My e-addy is on my profile.
Either way, stay in touch.
Hugs to you, Bonnie
Gosh. Thank you so much for your post! It is HORRIBLE isn't it?! We didn't ask for this!!! I am wondering if I can get it down to 6-8 Norco a day. That is a very safe Acetaminophen level, I wonder if I could just do that. Really, I have tried PT a nerve rool block and accupuncture. I walk approx 1-2 hours (at separate times) a day, so I get plenty of excercise. I used to run, but no longer for obvious reasons.....lol. My heating pad has been my savior....lol. Right now, I have gone 5 hours without anything!!! I wonder if I can push it longer. I'm not dying as of yet!!
Anyway, how much Acetaminophen were you taking per/day. How much is in Percocet. Actually, now that I think of it, Hope was taking Percocet. I think there is much more Acetaminophen in that than in Norco. I know I have to get down, I just don't know if I can totally quit!
Thank you for replying. I totally appreciate it ALOT!!! I'll be back in a bit. Have to take my son to school.
xoxo
Swany
Anyway, how much Acetaminophen were you taking per/day. How much is in Percocet. Actually, now that I think of it, Hope was taking Percocet. I think there is much more Acetaminophen in that than in Norco. I know I have to get down, I just don't know if I can totally quit!
Thank you for replying. I totally appreciate it ALOT!!! I'll be back in a bit. Have to take my son to school.
xoxo
Swany
I know your post was to Hope, but I had to reply. You sound so scared.
I was taking approx. 150mg daily of Perc/Vic. I started them 9 years ago.
The w/d is scary and can be painful.
I too have severe back pain from an injury and I was also afraid to stop the pain meds because I didn't think I could live with the pain.
I started Suboxone a week ago (7 days). It has helped with the w/d, but I am sorry to say, not with the original pain.
I am looking for alternative methods to pain relief because I knew I just could not live taking those pills anymore. They consumed my life.
Like you, I only sleep a few hours at a time then wake up from the pain. I sit in the living room in the dark rocking in my chair with the heating pad on.
Still, I don't want the life of pill taking. I spent every waking day looking at the clock, waiting for my next pill. I had several scripts going from different docs, but they were never enough.
You can make it without the pills, but you have to realize that you will also have to seek alternative pain relief.
I hope I made some sense for you.
Please stay on the site and let others share their stories with you.
God Bless. Bonnie
I was taking approx. 150mg daily of Perc/Vic. I started them 9 years ago.
The w/d is scary and can be painful.
I too have severe back pain from an injury and I was also afraid to stop the pain meds because I didn't think I could live with the pain.
I started Suboxone a week ago (7 days). It has helped with the w/d, but I am sorry to say, not with the original pain.
I am looking for alternative methods to pain relief because I knew I just could not live taking those pills anymore. They consumed my life.
Like you, I only sleep a few hours at a time then wake up from the pain. I sit in the living room in the dark rocking in my chair with the heating pad on.
Still, I don't want the life of pill taking. I spent every waking day looking at the clock, waiting for my next pill. I had several scripts going from different docs, but they were never enough.
You can make it without the pills, but you have to realize that you will also have to seek alternative pain relief.
I hope I made some sense for you.
Please stay on the site and let others share their stories with you.
God Bless. Bonnie
I just read how many pills you were taking on another post. I am really scared. I take 12 Norco/day along with Oxycodone. Right now (since I ran out of my Norco early) I am taking 12 Oxycodone/day (30 my a piece). I'm scared because I take alot more that you all. I'm so very afraid that I can not live without them. Not because I'm addicted, but because I'm in so much pain with my back.
Any suggestions? I'm starting to think that I don't have a choice. I have two sons who are my LIFE!!! And, a husband who is also my LIFE!!! I love them more than life itself and I want to be on this earth as long as possible. BUT.......the though of not having adequate pain relief is HORRIBLE!! I wake up at 3:00 AM, because I just can't lay in bed any longer. I get up and go to the couch and sit on my heating pad and watch TV for 3 hours until I have to take my son to school.
I feel really scared right now listening to your story. How long did you take this medicine?
Swany
Any suggestions? I'm starting to think that I don't have a choice. I have two sons who are my LIFE!!! And, a husband who is also my LIFE!!! I love them more than life itself and I want to be on this earth as long as possible. BUT.......the though of not having adequate pain relief is HORRIBLE!! I wake up at 3:00 AM, because I just can't lay in bed any longer. I get up and go to the couch and sit on my heating pad and watch TV for 3 hours until I have to take my son to school.
I feel really scared right now listening to your story. How long did you take this medicine?
Swany
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