Day two of being off Vicodin, how long do withdrawals last?

[brokenfireman]

Ive been on vicodin 10mg for about two years after a back injury that left me unable to return to work as a firefighter?emt. I decided it was time for me to stop just taking these pills it was becoming a problem because as most as you know the longer your on it the more you want and need. My wife found our about my little secret by finding my secret  stash of pills, I didn't want her to know I was taking them so I would refill my pills without telling her. Ive been reading some older posts and some people say day two and three are the worst. I feel really crappy today I did lessen my dose for the last few days but I not sure its going to help much. Just wondering how long this is going to really last?

[sosobored]

I'm at 50 hrs off vikes... Unable to do much but only because all i can think about is the discomfort... Its not even that bad but i just feel weighted down and ridiculously unmotivated... The first 24 hrs sucked bad, these last 26 not too bad...just bored as ****...been talking to friends about it but they can't really identify... Seems like ever hour is slowed down...can't wait for this moderate but unrelenting irritation to b done with....

[rickinvegas]

I too am going through Vicodin Withdrawals. I was a Rock Band Promoter in the 70's and developed a few bad habits and unfortunately opioids are the biggest weakness and highest hurdle for me to overcome. I have twice been addicted to Heroin and once Methodone in the 70's & 80's and was clean for 15 years when I started getting headaches in 1998. I was diagnosed with a 5cm X 4cm Subarachnoid Cyst (Brain Tumor) on my left temporal lobe. Thankfully it was benign. My doctor started prescribing me Vicodin 7.5/10 and Oxycodone (180) every other month. I was very careful for years but then it got away from me. I was strung out from 2005 until 2012. I was taking 8-10 Vicodin daly. It was effecting my marriage and career so I decided it was time to clean up.  I was tired of the dependency and all the pills did was keep me from being sick so it was time to stop. Here is what I have learned from almost 40 years of experience.
1) The older you get and the more times you kick the harder it gets.
2) Methadone is by far the worst and the hardest to kick, 2-3 weeks of discomfort.
3) Heroin is the next hardest, depending on how much you use you can count 1-2 weeks of discomfort
4) Oxycontin is next 5-9 days with the worst being over in about 72 hours.
5) Vicodin withdrawals will last typically 4-7 days with the first 72 hours after your system gets clean the hardest.
I quit this last time, and I do hope it is the last time, pretty much cold turkey. I had a few Xanax and broke them into quarters and took a piece of one whenever the discomfort got unbearable and followed that up with a very hot shower to relax my muscles. But other than that I did not even take an aspirin. All I can say to anyone quiting Vicodin or opiates of any kind is it takes will power and you have to be determined and I wish all good luck in their efforts.

[NorthEast213]

Hey man how's it going today?

Check your inbox also...


Hang in there!

[Bkitty]

Hi and Welcome to the forum! There are many people here that will help support you and pretty much "ditto" to all the above,,keep us posted on your progress anytime day or night!~Bkitty

[NorthEast213]

I am indeed....   I love it as well so I can appreciate what it must be like for you....  I'm gonna follow up with a message in a little while..

Hang tough and this will be the best choice you have ever made.

[IwillDoThis]

Hey there - I can still smell day 2 like fresh paint -  even at day 63 - it is fresh in my mind and is a good reminder and lesson of why I don't ever want to go back.  So sorry you are dealing with all this.  Getting a handle on your pain, actively seeking alternate options will help you feel more in control.  Seeking alternate pain relief has now become my addicition - I'm reading, researching, talking to others with chronic pain.  This forum got me through my withdrawal and a big help in keeping me away from the pills.  So many stories, so much support from people just like you and just like me!  Be strong!

[GA_need_help]

You that are quitting are so brave.  I tapered to 1/3 of my dose, then went inpatient detox and treatment.  My pain medicine was Opana.  I took the suboxone route at the end of my detox.  The next month will show me whether I made a good choice.  As soon as I am home from our post-detox week at the beach, I will start tapering.  Since my detox was different, I can't answer the question.  I just wanted to say hi, and give my support.
Marie

[doitformyson]

I'm on day 7 and feel very good today.  There is light at the end of the tunnel...hang in there!  Days 1-4 were hard on me, but u gotta push through....

[brokenfireman]

thanks brother, are you still on the job? you didn't get into your story much but its great to get another view from someone who's done the same thing I did. It ***** not being able to return to work i loved it honestly i think that happening started this whole downward spiral for me.

[brokenfireman]

thanks for the support. I did tell my doc about it and he shut me right off and left me high and dry. they don't want any problems with the DEA so they just dump ya.

[brokenfireman]

thanks your story seem very similar to mine except I'm on only day two that isn't alot but at least its a start.I was on a very similar does as you were and tapered down for a few days when i too "Jumped". 63 days is awesome hold your head high i know this stuff is not an easy thing to get over alone so thanks for the support.

[brokenfireman]

wow joining this thing was prob the best thing I've don't. people like you really give you strength that your not alone in this crappy time. Don't give up people say when you have someone else pushing you your less likely to fail, so ill push you and you can push me. Just not to hard lol

[shell10101]

on day 3 myself. i've been in & out today. hot showers are the best. i just wish my hot water tank was 30X bigger, :o).

congrats on your decision to quit & good luck. i will be trudging this path w/ you & i imagine i will be on here a lot for the next few days while i'm off work with the "flu".

any connection here seems to help make quitting for good more possible.

post often, & i will too

[littlebit667]

Days 3-5 were tough,but doable!  Hydrate, immodium and rest will help.  Some exercise when you can and lots of hot baths, showers.  Talk to your doctor..best thing I ever did.  I did not use pain management drs. but went to my regular one and finally told her.  She helped a lot.  I was getting them from her decided I needed to stop.  I had no pain, but did not even know if when and If I was having pain.  Those pills mask so much, your body and brain gets so confused.  Mental is the hardest.  I am almost 60 days clean this time and still up and down in moods.  Glad you got here and I hope you are able to keep going.  Stick around and keep posting!  It really helps.  

[NorthEast213]

Also just wanted to give my support.  I am a Firefighter as well so feel free to message me if you ever need to talk my friend...   You are making a brave choice.  Stick around.

Sean

[dominosarah]

Just wanted to throw in my support too.  You are making a great decision on getting your life back.  Have you talked with your doctor about any of this?  Cutting off your supply will be a huge step for you.  Let us know how you are feeling~~sara

[IwillDoThis]

Hey man - just throwing some support out there for you.  I started with pain mgmt also so don't beat yourself up.  You came here, you admitted there is an issue - that can be HUGELY freeing and a great first step.

how many per day were you taking?  I'm 63  days off a 4 a day 10/350 hydro for 2 years solid, down from 6 per day and then sporadically for a couple years before that.  I tapered down to 1 pill over a short period then jumped.  Withdrawal set in about 16 hours after last pill, was pretty severe on days 2, 3 on day 4 I forced myself out and every day after.  For most of us I think we'd say days 2 and 3 are the worst but just hang in there.  Tell yourself you have the flu and you must endure it.

I will tell you my pain at the end was worse on the pills because my body had gotten so used to my dose and I just refused to go up.  I wanted to see where my pain levels were pill free - at first I had almost no pain, then I had some rebound pain about 20-30 days in, a really miserable two weeks but you gotta give your body a chance to bounce back before you really know.

Today at 63 days I am managing my symptoms as they come, naturally with many different therapies, natural stuff.  It can be done if you take time to educate yourself about the options out there for your specific condition.

Hang in there brother - we are here and we know where you are right now!

post for support!

[gnarly_1]

HI typically its a 4 or 5 day ordeal with you starting to come out on day 5 some people are faster some slower but that average be sure to push the fluids gatoaid is good it is ez to become dehydrated you dont want no part of that other then that a hot soak with sooth away most of the withdrawal symptoms keep posting for support good luck and God bless.......Gnarly