Day One: Hydrocodone Withdrawal

[singledad476]

I'm starting my withdrawals today after stumbling onto this site. I'm a single dad, and for the last year and a half I've managed to hide my addiction from my parents, daughter, etc. I'm ready to quit. I just lost a wonderful job opportunity because of this addiction, and I quit another job in order to apply to that one. I tried to use the fake urine, but having sent the sample to a lab, it came back "inconclusive". When I tried to take a retest, using a friend's urine, I was unable to take the test, because the container leaked, which was noticed by the staff at the testing place, and so I had to refuse, which means I won't be able to reapply for a whole year. After a weekend of beating myself up, I decided to try and find a solution, which is when I came across this forum. I don't think my addiction is as bad as some, about 1-5 a day, but the withdrawals hurt none-the-less. I've used many excuses; it makes me a better worker, a more active parent, it keeps me cleaning house, but I now see that these things are things that I can accomplish myself, once off of this addiction. So here I am, Day One. I'm going to need support from everyone, and I'll give y'all an update each day. I've tried before, but gave into the withdrawals after the third day. Please help me get through this guys. I need you more than ever.    

[pharma9]

I have not posted for a long time because I forgot my log in but finally it came to me and when I read your post my heart went out to you.
Please please please get your life together for your sake and for the sake of your daughter.
You have to remember that you can do anything you want to do if your mind is made up.
You have to want to be clean more than you want the "high" of drugs.
I was the same as you and thought the pain pills helped me get through the day and excused myself for using them because I work long hours on my feet and have rheumatoid arthritis and yada yada yada.
When I quit,I discovered that most of my pain was rebound pain from the opiates and when it gradually subsided I actually have far less pain now than before and only use otc pain meds when necessary
Every time you feel like a "hit" now think of your new life and your daughter and pop a vitamin C or a b12 instead.
For the rebound pain ibuprofen alternating with tylenol will decrease it and hot soaks in epsom salts helps.
I am about 4 weeks short of being clean for 2 years now and wish you the best luck.

[singledad476]

I even have a job opportunity lined up tomorrow. Got to go fill out an application for a job, but that will make me more money than the one I screwed up....things are looking good.

[atthebeach]

no i am sorry. my mistake i read so many posts.

[2nd_X_Around]

Sorry atthebeach but this is not my thread this one belongs to singledad476 i was simply stating he missed the immodium

[atthebeach]

hey dad starting more than one thread gets confusing and hard to follow. you have two going. i would just stick to one and update on that one
debbie

[2nd_X_Around]

Ok one thing you forgot to get is Imodium, you are most likely going to need more then u can understand. Also try taking Aleve for any pain. Just remember it will be better tomorrow an even better the next day.

[dominosarah]

Have you given any thought to what you are going to do after you withdraw?  Any aftercare plans?  Stay strong, this week will go fast!

[curlygirl2]

Wow, day one under your belt.....and it went not too badly you said?  thats so great....did you get that sick feeling in your stomach and intense cravings, it must be working whatever the things are that you bought from Walmart.......
I'm tapering soon so I have you for my insperation from your withdrawal and cold turkey approach......Keep posting to let us all know......
You sound like an amazing dad, how lucky your daughter is.....and she must be so special to have a dad committed to your plan.....
Take care!
Curlygirl
(Dianne)

[singledad476]

Thank you. I'm not having my regular leg pains just yet, which is odd...not sure why, but damn sure not going to complain about it...lol. Still here though. It's going to be a long week.

[usedtobefunny]

Good for you. I just wanted you to know that there is some stranger in Oklahoma pulling for you. You can do it!!

[singledad476]

Yeah, they are all good about me trying to quit. They are all close friends that I grew up with, so all I have to do is tell them no, I'm trying to quit, and all is good. A lot of support coming from them too, believe it or not. This really is an epidemic in this town....it's sad. But I'm still going strong. It's not like they can't throw a rock and hit a person with a prescription here. A simple "no" works fine with them. I have more willpower than most people though, I just needed a window to withdrawal....and this is the only chance I'll get. I'll end this addiction this week, no doubt.

[singledad476]

This Melatonin works pretty good, as far as sleep goes. It really dilutes the pain. A must while coming off. My bills are starting to roll in, which ***** because, no job. I've got to get out there and start making things happen soon, but I need off of these Hydros more I guess. Anyway, Day One almost done.

[singledad476]

Hugs would be great, but unfortunately my daughter is in South Carolina for a week with her mother, which is why I'm trying to quit now. I sure could use a hug from her right now though. My daughter is fricking awesome.

[Tattoo67]

Hang in there and stay strong.  As it gets tougher just try to think about how painfull it is everyday to be on this stuff.  Life can only get better (at least that's what I keep telling myself).  I am currently trying to tapper down from 12-10 7.5/750 Vic's a day.  down to seven for today and hope to get down to 4 1/2 by Friday.  My goal is to stop C/T once I get to 2 a day for 4 days in a row.  Hope my plan works and I wish you all the luck in the world.  Also, every time you want to use try to hug you kids and remind youself you are a great man.  As a dad I find my kids to be my best support system even though they have no idea what I am going through, one hug and I can make it a few more hours without pills.

Tatttoo

[tavia14]

Just wanted to throw my two cents in about the trams... Flush as soon as possible!!!! They are one of the worst to wd from!!! I know I've done it several times and it takes months to feel normal from them ugh! And please do what Sara suggests you must get out of the game! Start to surround yourself with sober people.. You will have a lot more in common with them now! Stay strong

[dominosarah]

You need to tell those people you are no longer in business.  These pills are deadly, dont contribute to that anymore.  Stay strong.........

[singledad476]

Thanks for the tramadol comment, wasn't sure about them all along, which is why they sat around the house for several months. Anyway, thanks. I wasn't sure if I'd be getting quick responses on here, but everyone is doing great. Thanks a lot guys, I needed this.

[singledad476]

I hope by Friday I can go out and look for another job, which, with as much charisma as I have, won't be a problem, but the calls are already coming in. People need me to find them Hydros, since I know about 8 people who get monthly prescriptions. I have become quit resourceful over the last year, since I needed them to be able to work without going through withdrawals. In this small town in Texas, there is an hydrocodone epidemic going on, and it has replace nearly every drug. It doesn't stop the doctors from prescribing them though. And I hear the suboxone will work, but then you'll get addicted to those also, and the doctors will have no trouble keeping you on them as well. It's amazing how our government has turn our doctors into drug dealers, isn't it? Anyway, another text came in while writing this, someone needing hydros of course, but I've decided not to answer them. They'll just convince me to get them some. I'm pretty confident that with your help I can beat this. I have the willpower.  

[dominosarah]

Stay away from the tramadol.  That comes with its own set of problems.  Just do what you have listed.  Get up and move around as much as you can.  Make sure to drink plenty of fluids.  Gatorade and water are recommended.  Stay as positive as you can during this.  You can do it!!!

Flush those trams, they are wicked.           sara

[singledad476]

Thanks guys. A friend of mine, who lived right under me in the same apartment complex, just died a month ago for this same reason, but he was taking 20 in one gulp, and suffered from depression. So at his funeral, he was 24 years old by the way, I said I'd quit, and that's what I'm doing. Since my daughter is away for a week, and I'm unemployed, this is the perfect time to quit. Since the withdrawals aren't that bad the first day, I went to Wal-Mart and bought some stuff to help me kick this.

3 packs of cigarettes
3 gallons of water (already had)
Nyquil (sneezing, runny nose, and one hell of a buzz, so I can rest medicine)
Melatonin (also to help with sleep)
Equate Nutritional Shake (12 pack, to give me vitamins when I can't eat)
Equate Night Time Sleep Aid (also for sleep)
Bananas (for potassium, hopefully to help with the leg pains)
Last meal (because, from past experience, food just won't seem as good after today)

So here I go. Ready to get this over with. I'll post with the same Day One: Hydrocodone Withdrawal, so everyone will know it's me, except the numbered days will change of course...Day Two:, Day Three:, and so on. My legs are starting to get irritable, and I can feel my back pain (which is why my doctor put me on these damn pills in the first place), but nothing too bearable at the moment. I'm totally dreading the second day though. That seems to be the worst. If I get bored, or feel like answering the phone, which will be filled with offers to score Hydros, I will post a comment under this section instead. Thanks for everyone's support. Does anyone know if it's ok to take tramadol while going through this? I have several that have been lying around for months now, but have never tried them. Will it help?

[curlygirl2]

I'm not sure if my note went to you the right way on your profile about your tapering schedule......Love to hear how you did it and it will help others....I wish the best for singledad, he sounds so motivated.....Congratulations to you too Meegan

Take care,
Dianne

[curlygirl2]

Good for you......be proud of yourself, and I know it will be hard.......I'm right behind you, I'm going to ask the doctor for a tapering schedule and hoping to get off these pills finally.......I have a problem with pain but there has to be something else for fighting my illness........

Post all the time if you can.......As a single parent, I hear you so well.......Take one hour at a time......Take care!!

[meegWpaw]

Hi singledad.

You're making a great decision and you're going to do great!  I just got of  that stuff after making a 28 day tapering down system.  It was hard.  But your habit is wayyyyyyyyyyyy less than mine, so it shouldn't be as brutal on you physically.  I guess the tough part is still psychological, but that should be ok too, if you really want to do it.  You have to really want to.  I had tried a couple times in the past, when my habit was your size, but I caved after a couple weeks.  The thing was, I never believed my using would get to the point it did, and furthermore I never believed it would ultimately make me crazy and unable to function, because it felt so incredibly great it in beginning.  I ****** up some work business cuz of it too, though indirectly.  I hid my habit from almost everyone.  It was pretty amazing to me.  I was like, "Doesn't anyone notice something is wrong?"  But I function well on or off it i guess ....

The thing that helped me was this forum and N*mi (would I get in trouble mentioning their name?) but at first mostly here.  I stuck to all of this nutrtion and vitamin stuff, which was hard for me to get with, but I'm still doing it and I'm clean ... for one day ..... for the first some in 10+ years.

Keep going and keep posting!  Write me anytime.  I'll be glad to help as much as a One Day can.

Meegan

[tavia14]

Congratulations on wanting to get clean!!! You can do this! It's not going to be easy but it will be doable!! You have to set your frame of mind into "i can do this" and you have to prepare. I have gone through wds way more times than I would like to remember with each time being worse than the last!!! Once you get pats day 4 or 5 the physical part will lessen a bit then you will have the challenge of battling the mental. This is a good time to  start setting up some sort of after care. This forum is awesome but you will need more support. Trust me this is where I failed last time!!! I am 22 days clean today so I am pretty new again but slowly things are starting to look up! It seems as if my wds went on FOREVER this time and actually sometimes feels like they are still here BUT I also know that with each day my body is struggling to heal and with each day it is :) It will take a while but eventually I will be able to do all the things I use to but much better becasue I am clean. Our kids deserve that! I have posted all through my last detox and this one too I also find it extremely helpful to re-read all the hell I went through to help me remind myself not to go to that place again!!! Keep posting there are some incredibly amazing people on here that will help you everystep of the way! You've got this!