withdrawl newbie

[al0885]

Here goes, I am 28 I used to be a alcoholic i havnt drank in two years. I had a bad injury years ago and have been on and off ainmeds for a while. Lately app last 9mo I have been on norco 10.325 I am prescribed 6 a day I sometimes take 4 sometimes take 12 this has become a problem I have run short on my last to refills I got quite sick both times but went back both times I have terrible anic disorder and bad rsd my panic however has gotten better as of late I take zoloft and xanax as needed I currently take half the xanax dose I used to.  When I take them I get obbcessed about things and sometimes get euhoric I have to take alot for that now I always said I had to take more beacuse im a large man but that was a lie.  I want off but am afraid to die from withdrawl, I have tylenol w codiene from canada Ive read these work kinda the same way and are much less strong than norco and will hel with the withdrawl some, I need advice here I give my dad my ills so I wont take to many but I find them and save up I have alot of refills left but dont want to get them anymore I want this over I cant stand the memory and us and downs I really want to be over this, please any advice I beat alcohol but I wonder if I jsut relaced it with pain pills also the weight gain has been terrible I love playing hockey and work hard I have terrible heart anxiety I get alps but not bad last I used to I also have had auses in the night every test says im fine but as you can see by my rant i clearly am not thanks in advance al

[al0885]

update, been down to 40 mg from 60mg with no problem drop to 30 next mon hope all is well with everyone

[Jaybay]

You didn't fail.  You learned something!  Look at all the good that came out of your attempt.  You talked to your parents and - how about that? - the world is still spinning!  Now you have support from your family, your doctor and your church.  Work out a firm plan with your doctor, and write it all down on a calendar so you and your dad both know exactly what your dose should be and when.  Cross off each day and celebrate because each day brings all this suffering that much closer to an end.  

Ask your MD about any other meds that might make your final jump more tolerable.  Clonidine is and old, cheap, alpha-blocker blood pressure medication that is helpful for withdrawal symptoms.  He may not know about it because it's an off-label use, meaning he can't look up a correct dosage for addiction.  You know you're going to have increased anxiety, so ask your doctor if you should take anything different if it gets bad.  What you don't want to do is self-medicate and possibly over-medicate with meds you already have for anxiety.

Seriously, be proud of yourself today!  You've got a plan and a support system in place.  I think you're going to make it.  :-)

[al0885]

by all means dont shut up I appreciate it so much but Ive already failed you guys, I took 3 of my moms 7.5's I was so sick I am going to get my next perscription and my md is going to work on a taper with me, my dad who is hardcore is going to hold the meds and give me them 2x daily I told them all about it and well your right they knew its emnarrassing but im glad its open to all, I really do need some meds as I was run over from the waist down by a 30000 lb cement truck and have terrible rsd I feel bad for quiting quitting but want to taper I am very strong and my fear to return to alcohol is always there, will the taper work what can I expect I am perscribed 6 day but was fine with 3-4 my problem was doing 10 or 12 one day when I didnt need to I worry about the tylenol so never go over 3500 but I know thats not good long term, I appreciate all of you so much was I wrong to go back I was sick and in pain but it immediately went away which makes me think it was mental as well, I will be in church at 10 sun morning come hell or high water and I paln on talking to my father about it, I told him when I got on the pills he said they serve a purpose but can be the devils hands easy last time I want my life pain free but dont want to rely on chemicals forever im dipressed about going back but am taking many steps to get it straight with a taper, hope you guys continue to tune in I am by no ways better

[Jaybay]

You are so tremendously lucky that you can sleep!  The sweats and chills are just part of withdrawal.  Try to drink plenty of water so you don't get dehydrated.  Caffeinated beverages don't count as fluid intake, so go easy on the coffee, tea, colas, etc.  

Since you know you have an addictive personality what with the alcohol and now drug abuse, have you thought about any kind of aftercare for your continuing recovery?  I think some kind of psychotherapy, NA or AA meetings would be a big help for you particularly in these early weeks.  Since you already have to deal with anxiety and panic attacks, private psychotherapy may be the key for you to get your life back.  It's worth thinking about anyway.  

Don't let guilt, shame and desire for secrecy destroy your recovery.  That's where so many people fall down and relapse.  You no doubt already know the whole stinkin' thinkin' routine: "I am a piece of shite; therefore I must use."  "I am an addict; therefore I must use."  "I've let everyone in my life down; therefore I must use."  "I am weak; therefore I must use."  "I can't ask for help because everyone will know I'm an addict, and I can't do this alone; therefore I must continue to use."

So many people try to detox alone trying to keep that terrible secret in the closet with predictably poor results.  Guess what?  Everyone who knows you even a little bit already knows you have a problem with some kind of substance.  Funny how the addict is always the last one to know.  ;-)  You might be surprised just how much support you'll get and from some surprising places if you only ask for it.

Head on back to that church and get involved in something to help keep yourself busy and distracted.  You know how it goes with any church - show one little bit of interest in something and next thing you know you're heading up the stewardship committee.  LOL!  Maybe ask for a little one-on-one time with your pastor while you're at it?  Music has always been my lifeline, and whether it's ringing handbells, playing the piano or singing with the choir, it's always uplifting.  If you have any musical inclination at all, I'm sure there's something for you to do in that ministry - or any other ministry - at your church.

Sorry about the run-on response.  Hope your symptoms don't last too much longer. I'll shut up now.  :-)

[DayToTry]

Hang in there just a little bit longer.  If you are at 48 hours you've almost made it.  I really wish I'd quit refilling a long time ago.  You should really try not to refill.  Get your head straight and then see what kind of life you want to live.

If you refill you'll just have to do this all over again.  If you don't you will be so proud of yourself.

[al0885]

well about 48 hours in Im sicks as Ive ever been my head is ponding and I am so weak I need something wow I didnt thinks it would be that bad but unlike most of you that cant sleep I could sleep whenever

[al0885]

WELL 24 hours feel ok very  tired and my jaw hurts so bad, when I naed I awoke drenched ohwell hope I dont die

[al0885]

how long will I be sick, I cant afford to lose another job is there any sure fire methods how about just using nyquil and sleeping through the worst parts, I really need this to work I kinda withrawl every month it seems like this time I wont refill I hope

[al0885]

going to stop, taper and me dont work im nervous im flushing tomm am

[IBKleen]

Never feel ashamed. You are not a bad person I am sure, you have a disease. You need to stop beating yourself up and work toward getting off those devil pills!

The church is great btw, wherever you find comfort, serenity and a group of people you can share with is good.

So do you think you would be able to taper down or are you going to just stop?

[al0885]

no after care, I used to use church maybe thats the ticket Im not saying im not a ddict I osted for help Im just embarrased that im going down this familiar road with another substance, I dont feel right already and all I did was make the decision lol great

[quitinoxys]

Have you ever done aftercare for your addictions. We addicts tend to tell ourselves "oh I haven't taken any drugs or alcohol in x time so it will be OK". This is just you letting your addiction come back alive.

[al0885]

I will just quit if that codiene hels great if not oh well Im done with this crap, I dont have underlaying health conditions Ive had heart palps for years as do tons of healthy people Ive had echos ct's stress tests holters my heart is ok so is my health Im a addidct but there was also a 2 year lase between alcohol and pills I dont know I really want to do this on my own my dr knows im hurt and will write scripts not helpp me and I have no ins so another dr is out of the question thanks for your reply though I appreciate it

[IBKleen]

Hi & Welcome,

First you have to understand that you never beat alcoholism, you just switched addictions. Once you are an addict, alcohol included, you can become addicted at the drop of a hat. If you are running out of refills, going thru withdrawal, etc, then you are addicted tot he pills.

Ask yourself if you think you can manage the pain without the pills and then come up with a plan to get off of them. You amy want to speak with your doctor about a taper schedule and go that route or just go off of them. Since you are getting heart palps, I really need to suggest that you speak with your prescribing physician and get honest. Opiates are not one of the drugs that people die from during withdrawal but if you have underlying health problems, it can be dangerous.

The codeine probably will not help and you are in danger of getting addicted to that.

We can support you and offer up home remedies. Let us know what you think you will do.