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1-3 vicodin/percocet a day

Hello everyone, I've been a long time reader of this forum and find it to be so informative. For about ten years, I've been perscribed vicodin ES for painful periods-I never abused them and only took them once a day that one time a month. About 3 yrs ago, I started to you use them recreationally every now and then. Two years ago, I started to take them for fun on the weekends as well as once a month when I really did need them for the pain.

This past year, I began to take them more days than not anywhere btwn 1-3 vicodin/hydrocodone (btwn 5mg-30mg). A few months ago I had ankle surgery and was very strict with taking no more than 3 a day (even though I was in so much pain and could have taken more). I took 30mg a day for 2 weeks straight, than stopped for a full week. I didn't have many withdrawl symptoms was just really tired and my legs ached for a few days. I still continue to take them for fun and starting to find myself taking them more days than not and want to stop and just go back to taking them only when I do need them-(I did it for ten years, I can be responsible again with using them).

So basically my question is-the past 3-4 weeks I've been taking anywhere btwn 1-3 a day and sometimes taking 2-3 days off in between. Today I took, 1-10mg percocet and 1-5mg vicodin and tomorrow I'm done, so I want to know if you think I'll have bad withdrawls? I didnt when I took 30mg for 2 weeks straight but now its been almost a month of taking them more days than not. Any feedback will help. I know its not as serious as others but would like some type of feedback bc I really have no one else to speak to about this! Thanks
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Avatar universal
Wow, what a story!  I can't even begin to imagine the experiences you've endured both physically and mentally. First of all, thank-you for serving our country and I'm sorry you had to experience all of that pain!!! I did find your post and you are right-it's def willpower and mind over matter! Also, there is no doubt in my mind if you were able to get through being shot and get through those surgeries-pills are peanuts in retrospect-something you def don't need. I commend you on being so strong and realizing, why risk becoming dependent on something possibly for the rest of your life??  I hope you begin to feel better soon & are able to carry on with your life. I think your story is a great example of how mental this addiction can be as well as the withdrawl process. Please keep posting to help yourself and others! You def put things in perspective for me, of course on a different level. I think about how I overcame so many other obstacles in my life that these pills don't even compare! Thanks so much!!!!!
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Avatar universal
Yeah, my doctor knows, he was the one giving them to me and I told him Thursday along with the pharmacy not to fill them.  I threw out a full bottle or norco's, soma's and benzo's and just stopped.  Here is how I calculated it, okay the reason I am taking these is due to all of the surgeries from an IED blast in Iraq.  As I became exited about my new bottle of pills I thought back to my last surgery.  I was in an Inf. Control surgeons office and they were going to do a minor shrapnel removal, so Novocaine 2% and nothing else he opens me up, uh oh, huge infection (MRSA staph) had eaten a whole inside of my leg and down to my knees.  W/O any painkillers as he didn't have a needle long enough he start scraping and scraping as I was past the point on no return for transport.  I have been shot 4 time, had 17 surgeries for shrapnel,  I thought to myself how did I not know this was going on.  Bingo down the drain they went with every other painkiller I had.  As for what I did scroll down to the bottom of the page and look for how much of W/D are mental?  If I can take all of this pain from gun shots, shrapnel, surgeries, I can kick these suckers out of my body.  I really think it is more will power that anything else.  Seriously, I am taking 400mg of motrin 1x day with a gaping infected hole on my leg, toss them!
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Avatar universal
Congrats to you!!! Thanks for your support- tomorrow will def be the hardest "mentally" but no doubt I'll get through it! I have another month before I "may" have to take one again but I'll see how I feel and may not want to take it in fear.

I workout 4-5 times a week. Tomorrow I'm going to push myself to take 2 classes that really make me sweat as well as go in the sauna. By sweating, does that make the pills get out of your system quicker bc your sweating out toxins???? I'm going on vacation on Friday with my husband and want to feel great!!!!!
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Avatar universal
Hi Again,

Tramhater brings up a good point.  If addiction is at play it's nearly impossible to "go back".  Only you know YOU however.  If you can take them responsibly and they help you then I certainly would not fault you for taking them.

There will always be someone around here to help you.  Yes I have a problem with pills.   Other than a short little "road trip", I've been clean from oxys almost 7 months.

Keep us posted and know that we are pulling for you,

bob
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Avatar universal
Wow congrats on 100hrs thats great, keep going!!! For such a high dose you worked yourself up to, it seems like you're doing pretty well! What have you been doing? Does your doctor know you stopped c/t?
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Avatar universal
I totally understan what you mean! I'm defintely mentally addicited bc they became a habit.  I'm a 32 yr old married woman, who doesn't drink or smoke-no reason at all for me to take them. Its so silly and its a habit I need to stop!

I workout 4-5 times a week, I know I'll be tired but does sweating and excersie really help? The last time I took for 2 weeks straight and stopped-I couldnt workout bc of my anke but now I'm back in the gym. I understand excerise releases the good endorphines but if I go in the sauna & sweat a lot will that help get the pills out of my system! Thanks again everyone :)
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Avatar universal
Thanks for replying Bob! I always look on here and notice that not too many ppl respond to posts where the addiction isn't too severe. I'm a real anxious person, so if I take 3 a day I get scared-so I honestly don't think I can ever take more.  I feel my addicition is def more psychological bc it became a habit taking them on wknds or just for fun when I'm with friends. I just don't like the fact that now its become more days than not, its pointless and  the day when I may really need them, I'll be so upset if they don't provide me any relief bc I took them for no reason at all.

I find after taking them for days straight, the first day is always the hardest (mentally) so I really need to get through tomorrow with the support from all of you on this forum. After the first 24hrs, I feel great like (ok I could do this) but this time I'm not going to take a week off and think (ok I'll take one this weekend & watch a movie).  I only want to take them when I need too, like I always did. I remeber back in the day ppl were always like "wow you have vicodin" I never saw what was so great about them and it was bc I only took when I needed it so it didnt get me "high". Anyway thanks again, it feels so good just to vent :)   Did you have a problem with pills?
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Avatar universal
I agree that your WDs may not be too severe, but something you said bothers me.  Do you really think you can go back to taking them correctly?  After this?  The only reason I point this out is because you must think you are somewhat addicted.  Do you think that addicts can take pills responsibly?  I don't.  If fact, I know we can't.

Just something to think about!  Best of luck to you!!! : )
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Avatar universal
Yep, time to get out while it is easy, I worked up to 10-15 10/325's per day and stopped cold turkey wed late afternoon, so I was well beyond your dose and we doing that for 7 months straight per docs orders.  I am 100 hours in and fell pretty much back to normal, a little sweating, but that is it now,  If it gets rough on day 2, just bear it and it will be over soon.  Toss the pills, flush them before it gets far worse.
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Avatar universal
Hi and welcome!!!

I think you indeed are one of the lucky ones in terms of how severe your wd will be.  You really should be fine if your previous wd was not bad.  Yes your habit has increased slightly but seriously, things shouldn't be bad for you.

You may feel a little restless and perhaps a little sweating or chills but it should be minor.

You are making a very wise decision before things progress to a point wher the pain and discomfort of wd is much worse.  Congrats on your decision to stop!!!!!!

Goodluck,

bob
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