Trying to turn it around!!!

I'm in my late 20's and I was first prescribed vic's for lower back pain for one month almost a year ago.  I found that they not only took away the pain but also had a calming effect like I could take on anything.  Needless to say vic 5 prescribed from a doctor 1-2 every 6 hours---in the matter of 9 months---turned to buying them off the street of vic 7.5 about 10-12 a day.  I have a beautiful one year old and it was killing me to look her in the eyes knowing that I could only truly be happy when I was taking them.  I mean, I had this absolute little beautiful angel that brought so much joy yet I was still taking vic to feel the "real" joy.  I started seeing a psychologist two months ago but didn't tell her about this until today.  I quit cold turkey exactly 2 days ago.  I have all the symptoms I have read about---chills, sweating, insomnia, nausea and muscle aches.  My p.c wanted to put me on suboxone but I told her that I don't want to  and that I'm 2 days into my own detox.  If the symptoms become unbearable she said I should call her Monday and will try the suboxone.  Can I do this without it?  How long will this last?   I've been through a lot of **** in my life, but nothing physically compares to this?  I found this site and I think this will be a blessing.  Please help....

[1234betterlife]

first of all welcome. you are not alone. you are in the worst of your w/d and have about 5 days to go for the physical w/d to subside. you are 1/3 way home. there are others here that i would rather address the suboxone issue as i have no experience with it. have you read of the Thomas Recipe for w/d anywhere in this post?

[turningitaround]

[turningitaround]

thanks for the response!! I have read about the Thomas Recipe.  Fortunately my psych. prescribed me lexapro (very low dosage) and xanax to use as needed (low dosage .25 mg up to 2 times daily as needed.  I saw this was probably the toughest part of the Thomas recipe to get your hands on.  So far I have only been taking 1 xanax (.25) at night to help sleep.  I still wake up several times through the night stuck to the sheets in sweat.  I could only imagine if I didn't have the xanax.  I went and bought a multivitamin and also the B6 and L-tyrosine.  I'm only taking the zanax and multivitamin along with some excedrin for the aches.  Is this right?  I don't take the B6 and L-tyrosine until about day 4-5???  I must say that hot showers are helping.  I was thinking about going to the steam room at the health club to try and sweat some toxins out?  Anybody ever do this? What did you find?  I know physically I can do this...its hell...but I won't to my mom and sisters gravesite and made a promise to them so I can't go back.  I'm worried about the psychological part though.  How can I get over this part?? This was a major part of my life for some time and I couldn't function without it.

[1234betterlife]

it sounds to me like you are doing well. you have all the right information and have done your homework on this site. you can do this physically. if i can anyone can. oxy was my doc and not a very easy demon to detox from. psychologically, you will most likely need to attend aa/na meetings and/or see a licensed therapist that deals with addiction issues. we addicts usually have some underlying issue we are trying to numb. like you said you have an angel at home. what more do you need? heck, i have everything, i thought. good family, good kids, good job. why was i spending time fussing over these STUPID PILLS. why was i counting and obsessing. i know you just have to get to the point of being so disgusted with the whole thing that you are willing to spend just as much time and effort to get well as you did to get high.

[turningitaround]

1234betterlife....wow we have a lot in common about the family, job, kid(s), etc.  I seriously didn't know how I was going to do this but with the counseling and outlets like this I know I can do it.  Thanks for taking the time to respond.  I'm going to post daily updates for my own benefit and hopefully for the benefit of others.

[1234betterlife]

please do.....we will all be pulling for you!!!

[turningitaround]

Day 3:  Fell asleep at 1:15 a.m.  I just woke up at 9:40.  I took .5 mg of xanax last night.  I tossed and turned for about an hour but I didn't wake once during the night!!  My throat is as sore as ever.  My wife wants to take the baby to the pumpking patch but I don't know if I have the energy.  I will repost around lunch time with an update.  ALL COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME!!!!  Sorry if this seems boring  to read but it's really helping to keep some type of 'journal'.

[turningitaround]

Day 3:  Fell asleep at 1:15 a.m.  I just woke up at 9:40.  I took .5 mg of xanax last night.  I tossed and turned for about an hour but I didn't wake once during the night!!  My throat is as sore as ever.  My wife wants to take the baby to the pumpking patch but I don't know if I have the energy.  I will repost around lunch time with an update.  ALL COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME!!!!  Sorry if this seems boring  to read but it's really helping to keep some type of 'journal'.

[TJack]

Hang in there.  You can do this.   I went the sub route through a study.  24 days of it and almost 3 weeks of withdrawals.  It isn't as bad a withdrawal but much longer.  I wish i had just ct the hydro and used clonidine and clonazapam or Lorazapam.  But, you have xanax, so you should be okay.  The half life of suboxone is much longer than hydrocodone and that is why the long withdrawal time.  I think the worse is behind me and i am so thankful and glad.
You can do it.  You are half way there.  Keep posting and best wishes to you. TJack

[turningitaround]

Day 3: Now 2:10 p.m  Sweating profusely while I lay on the couch in the basement.  Watching my football team start to blow it :(.  Anyways, I was going stir crazy so I found the strength (chugged gatorade and multivitamin & couple cigarettes (outside of course..with the little one upstairs :))  to go to Kohl's and get my wife a coat she really wanted.  She's been supportive for me and I wanted to get out of the house.  While I was standing in line waiting to check out I started sweating 5x as bad and had no patience....i started swaying back and forth..is this normal??  I smoke ganj about 1-2 month during the 9 month period of the vic addiction.  However, before that I was smoking 1-2 times a week.  I'm thinking that would help with some stress but I don't know if I should.  Maybe just tough it out for a month and then see?? Please help.

[bigliver]

Have you had your liver checked?

[turningitaround]

yes. and one of my enzymes was high.  i had an appendectomy as well about 6 weeks ago (in the midst of my addiction) and of course I was happy as a pig in doo-doo when they presc. vic's for that.  This meant I didn't have to but them off the street.  My primary was a little concerned but she said it was probably from the "prescribed" vic's after surgery.  I would like to wait a couple weeks of being clean and go get another liver test.

[blondee68]

It sounds like you are well on your way to recovery.  Keep up with all the stuff advised on this webpage.  At least you have the medicines to help out.  I had a doctor want to put me on the Suboxone stuff, but I refused it.  Figured it was trading my addiction for Methadone and Vics for that.  It's been tough for me, but it is worth it.  I felt so bad during the days after that I would sweat and be so hot, then freeze even a couple of seconds later.  It got really old. Things will improve if you give it time.

[turningitaround]

Day 3:  6:57 p.m.  very anxious right now and sweating (although that is a little lighter).  I went to the health club and sat in the steam room (10 min) I know it's mental but I thought I could feel some of the toxins leaving my body.  After that I soaked in the hot tub for 5 min and then took a high pressure shower.  I quit at 7:00 on Wednesday night so Day 3 is almost over.  Fortunately I took Wed, Thur and this coming Mon off work.  It's tough but boy do I miss those.  I feel so lazy right now and emotionless.  I knew something was wrong when I wasn't even laughing at my favorite show last night, THE OFFICE!! Am I numb to emotions?  How long will this last?

[brownie82474]

u r a junkie u deserve to feel the hells of withdrawls u freak u have kids b a man and take care of them and stop druging it u freak

[brownie82474]

im sorry im in withdrawl (withdrawal) 2 and am mad at the world when i should be mad at self u r a good man i have a new born im the loser and freak u r cool

[brownie82474]

you sound sexy