2nd day off opiates

[Chrissy1124]

This is my 2nd day clean after being on opiates (percocet, roxicodone, norco, tylenol#3, vicodin) since February of 2007.  It all started during my pregnancy.  The doctor put me on tylenol#3 for severe back pain with my pregnancy.  After a grueling delivery in July, I have been prescribed a plethora of medications.  I herniated L4-L5, L5-S1 during the delivery with my S-1 nerve moved.  After my pain management doctor prescribed me dilaudid 4 mg for pain, I realized that this addiction was getting out of hand.  My pain is chronic and has been for over a year, but I knew I needed to get off of these pills.  They ran my life.  I couldnt go anywhere without making sure I had pills with me.  Although right now the pain is so bad I want to die, I flushed my percocet 7.5 down the toilet yesterday morning without taking any.  I never stole anything or lied to my doctors to get the medication, but I wanted to stop before it got to that point.  I have a 7 month old baby that I feel like I can barely take of him because the pain is so bad.  I am thinking about asking the doctor for tylenol #3 again just to take in case of emergency.  Well today is my 2nd day clean.  I know I have some of the withdrawal symptoms such as RLS, I have a slight fever 99.9, and general lethargy.  I am currently taking OTC arthritis tylenol, 1200 mg 2x a day, paxil in the morning to help with the depression, lyrica for the leg pain, elavil at night, and using lidoderm patches on my legs and back for the pain.  Can anyone suggest anything else to cope with the withdrawals?  Thanks.  I appreciate the support.

[nomorebaby]

Your not alone-I suffer from chronic pain in my back and knees and my wife has had a long history of medical problems--so we were being perscribed these drugs but we certainly did not "take as directed"--it goes from 'take as needed" to "take as wanted and find some extras on the street we  have been taking 50-100mg of hydrocodone daily for the last 3 years --my wife is currently in a inpatient facility for rehab for the same but  more of oxycodone--of course we would supply each other if one or the other would run out---last wednesday we fought and cried all night-main subject-pills-----thursday morning we called around and by 330pm we have each taken our last  dose--she was admitted --I stopped there as well-I've been detoxing myself at home since1stday -I took 6 tramaddols--diarea bad-headache-no sleep--- ultrum helped the rest of the stuff painwise----next day exactly the same except I took 5 tramadols----3rd day I have a quilty feeling about the tramadols so I take 2 only---today I have taken nothing for pain except ibuprofen--feel pretty bad I must admit but way better than day 1 and 2 and it feels doable now--I feel a 100% chance of success--keep it up you can do it

[beentrying2quit]

Hey Chrissy,
I understand about using the pills for the right reason and it turning into an addicition.  I too suffer from chronic pain but nothing like yours.  Over the past few years I have learned that the more we take pain meds they can acutally make our pain worse for several different reasons.

There is no shame in taking pain meds if you actually need them.  If you need them for the high is where the problem begins.  In your case I would suggest a slow taper, others may suggest going cold turkey.  If you go cold turkey the next 7-10 days are going to be very difficult.  Flu like symptoms, body aches, confusion, sweating and so on.  I'm not telling you this to scare you...just want you to know what is about to happen.

I basically went cold turkey from a 75mic Fentanly patch addiction and it took 30 days  before any type of normalcy returned...if I can do it you cetainly can do it.  Look up the Thomas Recipie.  ALthoug it did not work for me others here swear by it.

GOOD LUCK and keep posting.

[christian1904]

It's gonna get worse before it gets better I've kicked heroin so you can kick the pills...check out my post christian1904 to see how I did it.

[charliecallie]

You will still have withdrawals.  It will take between 3-5 days for the major withdrawal symptoms to subside.  The magnified pain is normal as well as the burning in your legs.

You are on day 2 and that is great!  

[Chrissy1124]

Well it's 6:20p.m. and I am trying to keep my mind off of everything.  All in all I dont feel too bad.  My legs are burning and since I have been on painkillers everyday for over a year, I am really starting to feel the extent of my chronic back pain.  its horrid.  I just took 4 advil, doesnt seem to be doing anything, but its worth a shot.  I am using the non-narcotic pain patches and I just took a hot shower.  I don't feel too bad.  Tell me the truth...is it going to get worse?????

[Missy31]

You are in such a good place right now there are such wonderful people on here you will get the best support I am on day 3 about 80hrs or clean and am feeling better and better you can do it, it is possible we are all here for you and we will help getcha threw this!

[Chrissy1124]

I can't thank you all enough for your kind words.  This is the type of support I need.  My husband and I had a long talk this morning.  I had to tell him about flushing the pills.  He was upset that I did it cold turkey.  He thought I should have tapered down to avoid some of the withdrawal symptoms.  I honestly don't think that would have worked.  He fully supports me and has been helping me tremendously.  He is right there for me through the tears and pain.  I am supposed to be going through a procedure on the 13th called a discogram.  I have this procedure is extremely painful.  This is the reason that I want to have the emergency pills.  I may postpone the procedure until April to get me through this time without worrying about the pills.  Again thank you all for your help.

[Firefaery1023]

I feel your pain.  My addiction started out relatively normal, I have a cervical bulge at C4-C5.  I have an 8 month old and had to have a C-section.  I was taking demerol for 2 months afterwards.  The truth is I was abusing while I was pregnant and way before.  Some of the pain you are feeling is phantom pain, your body has been walking around numb for months, so minor aches and pains feel as if you are going to die.  Please stick with it, break the addiction.  Then decide if you need emergency pain pills and see if you can go without abusing them.

[addictedme]

2 days ct,,making a decision to do this and get it behind you now,,,that defines courage,,gl

[cathy5841]

for the rls you can take hot baths with epsom salt.  eat lots of bananas and use a heating pad.  there is the thomas receipe on here for lot os vitamins and aminos and just some good ideas.  it is in goingtomakeit's profile.  congrats on your 2 days.  you can do this and be free of those demons.  you are well on your way.  keep posting there is lots of great support here
cathy

[toxictome]

Sorry you're going thru this.
Hot baths for the rls and aches and pains.
Drink LOTS of fluids!

keep posting..it helps to talk about it!!!