hydorcodone

[gmdd]

I started hydorcodone 10/325 tablets about a year ago, supposed to be 4 per day for my TMJ (jaw pain)... The doc and dentist gave me a "few" prescriptions.  The next thing i knew about 6 months into the pain meds, i was popping 6 a day, at the end of the year i was taking about 15 per day.  Well, I couldnt take it anymore, i was going through a bad divorce, not sleeping, very "jumpy", etc.   A little history, I'm 37, female, full-time working professional.  I went to my doctors office in late august and told him i couldnt stop taking the pills.  The next thing I knew, he was giving me a "shot", which within the 10 minutes it took me to get home, I was "hugging the bowl" - in every way possible.  The first few days I hardly remember... I was popping any kind of sleep aid to hopefully "sleep off the withdrawal"... The doc gave me clonadine for withdrawal, prozac for depression and buxbarb for anxiety... all of which did nothing but make me worse.  I lost 20 lbs in 2 weeks, didnt eat anything but a spoonful of yogurt which my mom forced down as i took the prescribed meds... 3 weeks went by, I couldnt leave my house, had severe panick attacks, shakey hands/tremors, etc.  So upon the referral of my cousin a RN (registered nurse), she gave me the name of the head of the local hospital for physhe... Well, that night my life changed, he gave me "klonopin", 1mg 3 times per day... Within the first week I was already down to only 1 per night.  its been a few weeks and now i'm only taking 1/2 klonopin at night and by this weekend plan to cut down to 1/4 and then nothing and have my life back.  I tell this story because of a few reasons, first I NEVER thought I'd become an addict, never thought I would have a problem, I was doing what the docs told me... I never would have thought to see a physhe doc. for this, when he saw me after the first week, he didnt even recognize me, like I was back...  I encourage everyone to reach out, I know its hard, you can always respond to this and I'll come writing... Be strong, know that I thought my life was over, i was going to kill myself, i never knew how hard it would be to withdraw from hydrocodone...I lost 1 month of work and my life, dont let this happen to you.  

[gmdd]

thanks for everyone's comments - its nice that we all have a place, a confidential place where we can be honest about what we're going through. - lisa - i'm sorry about your friend, and yes, we are the lucky ones... Each day is a struggle, but we are strong and getting stronger every day.  I have a client who is a doctor, used to be g/p, now works for the dept of homeland security and is developing vacines, etc. to help us in the event of a "9-11" type situation...  He told me how many people are addicted to pain meds - people dont realize how bad until its "too late", its never too late if you ask for help, you dont have to go to rehab, like lindsay and brittney... we are just normal people who got "caught up"... To all of you, I am here, I feel that since the desparity i went through those first few weeks after stopping the meds, i would like to help someone - in any way i can, even a comforting word.  

[guersnuts]

i took hydro 7.5-750 for 4 months my blood pressure was always normal 120/75 3 weeks ago i stopped because my blood pressure was high i tryed to tapper for 3 days but that wasnt working so just stoped (tappering didnt bring my bp down) its been 12 days now since anything and my blood pressure is up not like it was but its not normal yet now the dr is talking about a pill for it the last thing i wont is a pill from them. maybe still wd still yawning and sill have a slight headache what do u guys tkink thanks as always god bless

[mrssippi]

Iam sorry to hear about your situation, I too have been there. BUT we are the "lucky ones" while we are still haunted by our addictions and while we recovered we are and will always be those horrible words.. "drug addicts".
While Iam ashamed of what I had become I agree with you for not wanting anyone to go thru this, because in general we all just want to feel normal. Back to the we are the "lucky ones" my best friend about 6 months ago  at the age of 27 was found deceased in her home from a drug overdose. Everytime I feel or have felt those horrendous withdrawals I tell myself.. Your alive to feel them, your alive to have them, you have a second chance"     I speak to myself and everyone in this forum "lets do this for the ones that didnt get that second chance.
I really liked those words, what doesnt kill u makes u stronger.....
Lisa

[gmdd]

i just wanted to further add that the physhe doc took me off everything and the only thing he wanted me to take is the klonopin and ambien for sleeping.  He was also very upset that my regular doc would make me go through such a HORRIBLE 3 weeks..... I must tell you I learned my lesson - never again another pill... but the hard part is the day to day.. and the sleeping, i'm so paranoid that i'm not going to be able to sleep when i stop taking the klonopin, thats why i already started lowering the dosage.  To all of you out there who are afraid, ashamed, scared, feeling like you cant live another day, you are NOT ALONE, we are with you.  I'm glad I found this forum because you dont feel alone, other "normal" people are dealing with these issues.  People put such pressure on everyone and if they hear your taking drugs - well then automatically we're drug addicts..... We all got "caught up" in the cycle of pain meds - the worst thing I've ever gone through in my life.  I try to not think back to those first 2 weeks when i really was freaked out, thank goodness for my little dog, dusty, who stayed with me with one paw on me at all times, the poor little terrier/mix (who was thrown out of a car window and I rescued him), was my savior, making me walk him 2 times a day when I couldnt bear to get out of my bed - even to go to the bathroom.  The dark days are over, I hope to be strong and to encourage everyone I'm scared and its hard, but what doesnt kill you makes you stronger!!
Gina from New York