Down to 0 tablets - doing well

[Zurich42]

All -
I am now down to 0 tablets a day with no cravings, no withdrawal symptoms, and a 'renewed' energy for life.  I've been able to do some phenomenal progress with the tapering regime - and truly believe it was the best choice for me.  Thank you all so much for your support - this has been one of, if not THE, hardest thing I have ever done in my life.  To 'imagine & picture' myself free of Vicodin was my goal - one that I hope I can continue to achieve daily with God's help, support from the forum/counseling/NA meetings/boyfriend, and sheer determination.  

As I look back at my postings and my journal entries, I see that it was indeed a struggle - especially with the withdrawal symptoms and the frightening 'relapse' statistics.  I was surprised that I felt both to the intensity I had - but for the last 24 hours, haven't felt anything close to a symptom or a relapse.  

I don't want to have a religious discussion because my relationship with God is so personal - however, I do want to say that I believe God set me up to succeed in the tapering process by giving me the time off work, helping me seek this forum, taking all the unnecessary stress out of my life (I haven't worked in a hospital since October), and strengthening my relationship with my boyfriend.  I feel so much more educated about all this - and truly humbled.  Thank you all for your support - as always, I send hope and encouragement to you.

Also - I don't plan to 'go away' anytime soon (although I did start work this morning and won't be able to post as often).  I plan on 'checking in' a  few times a day and encourage anyone/everyone to review my journals and messages.  

[GoingToMakeIt]

Good for you Zurich! I too have been following your progress. You should be proud. You have fought the good fight. Hang in there. It will get better and better.

[Jennip]

I think NaughtOne is just keeping it real!!!

[Jennip]

Wow!  It sounds like you are doing really good for day six!  I could not even leave the house until the third week, let alone deal with a crazy Santa, lol.  Good for you, youshould be proud of yourself.  You are on your way and those slight craving are totally normal, I am sure you already know that.  

[Zurich42]

Day #6 - going strong.  I had a 'slight' craving this morning - but think it had to do more with cabin fever (I've been stuck in the house for too long due to the weather) than anything else.  I did not use any type of narcotics and/or alcohol - rather, took the car out and slid around on the ice for a couple miles in order to get to the store.  Got to love winter! Went to Wal-Mart for more Christmas lights and ran into a mob scene waiting to have pictures with Santa.  I'm not sure I'm more afraid of relapse - or of the mob scene.  Both are scary!

[Jennip]

Hey Zurich, just wanted to see how you were holding up, let us know.

[1eagle]

nauty - like many products the benadryl is formulated in several manners. The one you want is just 25mg of diphenhydramine.- up to 100 mg dose  ..you don't want the type with an antihistamine also included - phenoprolanamine is one of them, but just get the plain benadryl -the anthystamns speed you up and aren't nearly as good for sleep.

Zurich - you know that I've always been on your side and rooting for you!!! This is a good post to read. BTW we even talked about a supreme being. Now I have to lay this on you. In addittion to everything else (and I haven't fibbed to you) I am an ordained minister....never wanted to **** off my CEO so all I have ever done, besides giving my opinion, is marry people..as much like a justice of the peace as anything...but I thought that i would tell you that. Surprised?

[treglx]

Good job. I have been following your posts and rooting for you.
I also tapered, and took my last perc on Thanksgiving with minimal wd's.
AND they expect me to do some actual work, too! How rude, huh? Let's keep up the good work.

[Zurich42]

Thanks so much for your posts.  I feel as though I've gotten to know you all well enough to call you 'friends' in such a short time.  Truly, it has been so very helpful to see your posts and know that I am 'not alone' through this.  

I have now changed my 'Days' to reflect my 'sobriety' - thus, today is Day 2.  Again, I feel blessed in that I have not felt any cravings, very little pain/discomfort, little anxiety (due to StarBucks), etc.  Take pride in that YOU ALL helped me over the very rough parts (so far) of this withdrawal and into sobriety.  I think it was on the movie:  ' A street car named Desire' whereupon one of the actors stated, "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers."  In this case, those 'strangers' have become friends...

I'll check in later - this whole 'work thing' is really get out of line.  How dare they want me to actually WORK while they pay me.  :-)

[tzt2lady]

I have followed your posts and am so happy to see you are down to 0 pills!!  Imagine that!  

You have worked so hard for this..............never let it go, ok?

tzt

[NautyOne]

What do you mean don't get the antihistamine??? what else is there?  I took the benedryl and felt like cr@p in the morning.......i am curious.  thanks.

nauty..............

[IBKleen]

Be proud. Tapering is so hard and you made it.

Sorry you won't be around so much. You are great with people here and you will be missed. Pop in when you can.

Keep focused.

[1eagle]

Man, you need some help and you need it now....I can tell by your post. I was there once too...it isn't easy to quit 20 or so daily...I did quit successfully so far by going ct. But it was a bear (grizzly). Most people here think to taper if you have the supply, and hopefully someone else to hold them. Try and check out benadryl for sleep (don't get the antihistamine) , immodium for stool, use ensure (walgreens) for nutritional supplement - maybe yogurt type smoothies, ibuprophen for aches....it wouldn't hurt to have a benzodiazepine (valium,ativan,lorazepam,librium) around for awhile..just watch it, they are too much fun too. Please keep posting here and there will be a gob of people ready to help you with better instructions than I have. But we are behind you. It gets soooo much better after 2 weeks.....join the world again, brother - we want you here

[NautyOne]

it's your first day.  Tell us how you feel in a few days.  I hope you get lucky, but the first day is usually the calm before the storm. Although, I was able to taper for quite a while, I got myself down to 10mg a day. I will tell you my witdrawals were pretty minimal, but it got really bad around day 9,11,12.  I wish you all the best.  Good luck, and God Bless,

Nauty..................

[laser0]

hey i am glad 2 here that u r done with the addiction i need the help from u or who ever has any input i have been taking vicodine for a few years and about 20 a day i am going insane i have decided too cold turkey it, it is the third day and the worst day yet i have too take nyquil too catch just about 2 hrs a night.  need someone to give me advfice that has gone through these symptoms diareah non stop no sleep cant eat nor drink and restless legs never stop i just want one good hour its been 3 days and i am about 2 just give up and try again another day help me out............

[road2recovery]

Great job---- to me a great job in tapering shows your strenght and willpower....Tapering is very tough and sticking to it all the way to the end is one of the best accomplisments one can make...So be so very proud of yourself...
keep fighting, counsouling and what ever after care you need will get you through the roughest days..
r2r

[lostlake]

Way to go on the 0. Yes do check in with us when you can. It was good to watch you get threw this monster. Glad to hear all the withdraws are gone. I am still chugging threw this Sat was a hard day for me but as of Sun I got down to 4 1/2 and most my trouble is not being able to sleep. Once again congrats and keep us posted on your mental progressoin of what your doing to stay off.

[1eagle]

Sorry that you won't be around quite as much...sometimes work is a necessary evil....I've loved your support and just "talks" - it seems like a small world sometimes....a good friend is city manager of cripple creek, old partner has a cabin in Estes Park - ya never know, I might even be telling you that I am going to be in the mountains sometime....please keep up with us here..but best wishes on the emplyment...

[avisg]

wooo hoooo down to 0. i am so proud of you ,you have done soooo well . You will have some hard times but you will get threw . keep it up ......
avis