Forced vicodin withdrawal

[bill0223]

I need help and have no where to turn.  I had a major back injury in 2004 and had surgery.  The surgery was successful, unfortunately I reherniated a few weeks later and have been on vicodin ever since.  In the beginning I took 1-2 pills a day, that inched up to 2-3 and then 3-4.  The real downturn started in December.  I was given a 120 a month prescription for 3 months.  Needless to say, I ran through  these pills 16 days early. I went to the pain management specialist yesterday and received a refill, 120 a month with 2 refills, but noticed on my way to get it filled (I used my last pill yesterday morning) that the prescription couldnt be filled until 3/10, which would be 3 months from my December appointment.  I have now been without my pills since yesterday and starting to freak out. I am scared, not only that I will be in massive pain for 16 days (right now having minimal to moderate pain, but am afraid of doing anything at all physical for fear of major flare up as well as a major change in weather which always causes a major flare up) but also afraid I am addicted to these pills beyond the need for pain relief. I cant speak to anyone about this and dont know what to think about all of this and what I should expect over the next 16 days.  I want a 2nd surgery and get away from these damn pills, but my surgery insists on me waiting to see if my body absorbs this new herniation,but its been 4 years.  I gues I need to talk

[bill0223]

Well its the end of day 4 and I am in moderate pain today.  My leg is numb and back hurts. Had a meeting and was in the car  for a total of 4 hours, cars are the worst for me, the position pushes the herniation harder on the nerve.  Had 2 bouts of major anxiety, and funny thing I am sneezing, which I just read in earlier replies is another symptom.  I am not sleeping, havent been this wide awake in I dont know how long.  RLS driving me crazy at night, and both bouts of anxiety were right after I woke up, from my big 3 hour night's sleep and an hour nap when I came home.  Have a bit more energy this evening, but am getting fearful that I will have a major pain flare up and the daypro wont stop it. I decided that if I do I will call the pain management specialist and fess up that I ran through my 90 day supply of 4 a day, 16 days early. I dont want to do that, but with 12 days left till the prescription if a major flare up happens soon (ie in the next 8 days, if it happens in the last 4 I will just deal with it), then I wont have a choice. Scared about tom, will have another long car ride of 4 hours total, that could push me over the edge. If I survive it, I should be home free, next week I am in the office all day every day, no major driving, and I am keeping an eye on the weather, sudden weather swings can throw me into a major flare up.  The last hurdle will be the 10th of March, the actual day the refill is available, as I have flights in the morning and a return trip in the afternoon, and just like cars, sitting in a plane kills me.  However, I decided to get the prescription picked up as I leave for the airport, so the anxiety of a major flare up happening on that day is now not a worry, and its an important business trip so a flare up, on the day that my refill comes due, would suck.  I am not having the mental cravings for the vicodin that I was having the past three days (other than the anxiety, but that is a panic feeling not a desire for the vicodin), so that is good.  I think I will still need teh vicodin when thsi is over, but I WILL NOT LET IT GET OUT OF HAND AGAIN AND I WILL BE GOING BACK TO THE SUREON AND DEMANDING THE SECOND SURGERY. I dont want to be on pills forever. This has been quite a wake up call.

I may have made a mistake last night, I told my wife about what was happening and as expected she was not supportive and scolded me, that just made matters worse, I also told my Mom, which I didnt want to do, she is old and has enough problems, but I was selfish and  needed someone to turn to.  She is supportive.  Not cold anymore, but getting quick hot flashes here and there, but way better than the constant cold.

Thanks everyone for your support and swan good for you on your career choice.

[swandive222]

I hope everything is a little better today Bill!!  Hopefully you are working today and are able to put your mind elsewhere other than just on w/d's!!  Hopefully things are better today.  You are on my mind for sure.  Wishing you the best still!!

-J

[aTtHeEnD]

day 3 here today too. Whew this is hard **** to kick, but we are doing it right? Im here if you even wanna chat. These forums are better then anything you will find anywhere. I owe my life to this site. NO QUESTION

[swandive222]

btw, Rue also mentioned that she was sneezing a lot during her w/d.  Sneezing and yawning are also part of the process of opiate w/d.  Sneezing is another way of your body trying to get the toxins out.  Yes, I have been sneezing a lot too!!  And Bill if anyone asks what is wrong with you, just tell them you have the flu!!!  Opiate w/d mimic flu symptoms.

-J

[swandive222]

Bill!! :)  

I am happy to hear that today is a little better at least!!  Three days is AMAZING so far!!!  It is only going to get better each day, remember that!!!  I woke up today with a headache but I think it was just a sinus headache b/c it went away after I took some Tylenol.  I haven't had any Arthritic pain at all except for a little morning stiffness in the last 9 days (9 days now!!) so I am grateful for that as well.  The insomnia will get better with each night.  It has for me.  I am now sleeping pretty much through the night from about 1:30am to 9am.  Still not a good "codeine" sleep, I toss and turn a little, but that is fine with me!!  I know my body is still adjusting to the deep 10+ hours of deep sleep that codeine used to give me.  But now I am up in the am not waisting the day away sleeping and actually studying for my test and getting other things done instead of sleeping all day long.  You know what else I have realized is that I am not angry anymore these last few days!!  I have always been the type of person who is really caring and cares deeply for others but never took care of myself and always hated a lot of things about myself.  These last few years I have not wanted to be around other people, just wanted to stay home and not talk to anyone and lay in bed all the time...  I have never really been an outgoing person to begin with though.  I don't like to go out to bars, I don't drink or do any other drugs.  Anyway, I now realize the pills were affecting my relationships with my friends and my boyfriend.  I feel like I am finally getting my life back and am no longer in that withdrawn opiate haze!!  Things are only going to get better Bill.

Def. take the Daypro (anti-inflammatory) if it is helping!!!  That is what it is for!!  Be careful not to take over the prescribed amount though b/c NSAID's can have bad side effects if taken too much over a long period of time.  You are being monitored by your doctor while on these drugs which is great because you need to have tests done (blood) to make sure you are not doing harm to your internal organs while on these drugs.  NSAID's can cause stomach bleeding and perforation (forming of a hole) if taking in high amounts over a period of time so make sure and tell your doctor if you are noticing any blood in your stools or vomiting up blood.  This only occurs when taken in massive amounts (I don't want to scare you!!)  Also make sure not to take more than one NSAID at a time.  So take your Daypro but don't take Ibuprofen with it!!  I take an anti-inflammatory called "Mobic" for my pain when needed and it helps a lot!!  So yes, the Daypro should be helping you at least some.

The restless leg syndrome is part of the w/d process of coming off of the opiate (Vicodin).  It will not stay around.  Once again it is part of the w/d process.  This is not something you will have to worry about long term and you will not need to take a Vicodin to stop it.  Restless leg syndrome for me only lasted 2 days.  I took Soma which is like Skelaxin to help the first two days with that.  I know you said the Skelaxin did not help you much with that.  Maybe you could try taking some Tylenol PM at night to help you sleep??  If you do decide to do this, don't take the Tylenol PM with any other sedatives you might have such as the muscle relaxer.  This can depress your respiratory system too much and that would not be good.  Sorry, I know I am rambling on!!!  The nurse part of me is coming out!!!  I just want to inform you and make sure you and everyone is safe!!  Also, someone mentioned an OTC Restless Leg Medication??  If you do look into this, make sure the medication does not interact with any other medications you are taking!!!  I am guessing the OTC Restless Leg Medication is also a sedative of some sort so just be careful please!!!

If you do decide to fill your script in 16 days or you decide to call your doctor Bill that is up to you.  I think you are pretty aware of how you are feeling right now but I know "real" pain is a killer!!!  If you do get more pills, take them just when you REALLY need them.  Don't take them just to take them like I was doing.  This is how you get into trouble!!!

Keep posting Bill and remember it is just going to get better!!!  I promise!!!

BTW, So I have decided after I take the NCLEX and pass my test and become a licensed RN I want to work in addiction recovery.  Psych was actually my favorite nursing class/clinical and I really think I can help and really understand what an "addicted" person is going through esp. b/c I have been there and have come out of it and am still fighting it...

-J :)

  

"i'm going to go ahead and go boldly because a little bird told me
that jumping is easy, that falling is fun
right up until you hit the sidewalk, shivering and stunned"

-From the song "Swan Dive" by Ani DiFranco

[rue10]

I have 278 days or so off percocets about 6-8 7.5 mgs a day give or take 8 years or so.  I have herinated disks in lower back.  That's how it started, but I began to abuse about 5 years into taking them and convinced myself I wasn't really abusing, I just needed to take them to "cover" my pain.  I still have pain and if I don't stretch or take care when moving it becomes worse where the motrin doesn't help much.  I still crave, but not like I used to and my depression has gotten somewhat better.  I've never actually been a up-beat person....that's another sotry in itself.

Some days are harder than others but none have been better than the last 278!

I wish you the best.  Dig deep to figure it out.  If you do decide to end the opiate use it can be done.  There are tons of wonderful people here to offer support.

Blessings.