Headache during withdrawal

[chuck385]

Is taking ibuprofen for a headache during vicodi withdrawal okay - or will it prolong the withdrawal?

[atthebeach]

hey chuck,
you are 30 days clean today. that is awesome. way to go. keep fighting the good fight.
press on. keep up the good work.
thank you for the update. so glad to hear that all is well.
have you considered counseling or support groups?
be proud of yourself. you are doing great.
30 days is a huge milestone. keep on keeping on.
hugs,prayers and continued blessings
debbie

[chuck385]

Hi Debbie - Thank you so much for checking in. I haven't taken any vicodin since 8/11. The vacation was a vital distraction from the withdrawal, both physically and psychologically.  I have had some physical complications since which I don't believe are directly related to the withdrawal - I have a hx of GI problems and of course there's the arthritis but I'm managing that with other med, non-narcotic, some Advil occasionally.  The good thing is I haven't even taken any acetaminophen.  However, because my condition will worsen over time I will have to speak with my doctor, in addition to resigning myself to the fact that it is what it is, but never again render myself powerless to an addiction.  I haven't been back on the forum because it's been incredibly busy with work and home life but you and the others are always on my mind.  I hope that everyone that shares in the struggle find their way to this forum.
Eternally grateful!

[atthebeach]

long time since we have heard from you. i hope and pray all is well. that you are still fighting the battle. that you are still on the road to recovery. please send an update
hugs and prayers
debbie

[chuck385]

My wife and I have been together 23 years. She is my life. She stuck it out with me when I was strung out over 20 years ago all the way through my meth detox 20 years. She knew I was taking the pills and challenged me several times toward the end - and I appreciate her for that. I has a full day of work today, lethargic at first but came to my daughter and felt very encouraged.  Posting on this discussion has kept mtoivated - especially helps with the underlying depressed mood.

I have another dilemma, which is that I am on a subcutaneous drug (injectable) known as Enbrel - it's for an arthritic condition.  however, this drug is an immunosuppresant, which makes me susceptible to infection.  I am going to skip this week's injection because I almost certain that my withdrawal symptoms were intensified by the effects of the drug and my body took a beating.  Is there something you can suggest to boost my immune system?

[atthebeach]

good for you telling your wife. honesty is the best policy. addicts seem to think that they can fool everyone, but  those close to you, most times can tell. they just wait for the confession.
how are you feeling

[overopiates]

  Chuck u did a smart thing telling ur wife.Just so u know I took excedrin when I had those AWFUL headaches and it helped a lot(theres caffeine n them so eat just a cracker just not on an empty stomach.)Keep doing what ur doing.Keep praying I will pray for u as well.I noticed my son is/was a great distraction as well.By the  time ur wife gets back u will feel SO MUCH BETTER TOO.

[chuck385]

No headache today, yet - but thanks for the tip on the cool washcloth. If I am able to sleep tonight there shouldn't be a headache.  Just weak - sleep deprived but have been moving around. Drove nearly six hours today to take my son to camp - good distraction. No more vomit but stomach still sour - cramps are gone, thank God. I have been drinking water, pedialyte, and gatorade.  Told my wife today what is happening - she is away but I had to tell her bc she could sense something was wrong.  Can't wait to see her in another week.  Feeling spiritual.  Any more advice is welcome.  Thanks all!

[atthebeach]

hey chuck,
BRAT diet, bananas,rice,apples,toast this is recommended to bind up. are you vomiting?
if you have an appetite you can eat. if still nauses still eat light,soups,yogurts,milk shakes, smoothies,
use the immodium.
since you have a history of addiction and relapse please look into one on one counseling and get yourself into some support groups, na/aa, also there are christian based groups,celebrate recovery,overcomers outreach,salvation army.
sick and tired of being sick and tired is where you need to be to finally get this demon of addiction off your back. the devil is the enemy of your soul and he uses addiction to  keep you separated from the love of the LORD.
glad you are feeling better today.you have work in tomorrow. work will keep you busy, keep your mind occupied and get your body moving and your endrophins and serotonins producing again.
congrats on your clean time. keep fighting the good fight. you can win this battle over addiction. it is a war for your soul and your life.  fight within you have in you. the LORD is with you.
sending hugs and prayers
debbie

[gnarly_1]

HI ......how you doing with the headaches ???? I had them every day around 3pm for like 2 weeks strait the ibuprofine took the edge off but a dark room with a cool washcloth over my eyes helped the most hope tihs breaks for you mine where real mind benders...good luck on this.......Gnarly

[chuck385]

Thanks for the support! i"m going to run out and buy the immodium especially since I have to be at work in the morning. I have battled addiction in the past - clean from heroin, methadone, and cocaine twenty years. I knew the vicodin would become a problem - and perhaps there was the residual psychological effects of my previous recovery - but despite my chronic arthritic condition, which I had managed to live with before I started taking the vicodin, I realize I have to render myself powerless to the junk. Taking this junk on and off for over 5 years, and consistently at up to 18 pills a day at different points, I guess yu ca say I just got itred of being sick and tired.  I'm at a good place now spirituallly - but the  support I have received from this discussion is "PRICELESS."

BTW - What foods do you suggest? I have been eating bananas as Debbie suggested, crackers, a little rice today.

[overopiates]

Also those w/d headaches r a killer.Take whatever otc med that helps as well as for sleep.I really respect that ur checking2make sure nothing is going to hinder u n getting clean.Ur willing to really b miserable for however long to get clean.Otc+natural stuff is fine as long as u don't take too much which I already know u won't cause ur a trooper.

[chuck385]

overall i'm better than where I was two days ago. finally able to get a nap and a dream believe it or not - but still feel sleep deprived. I have melatonin but perhaps i'll pick up the alteril.  The diarreah hasn't let up and I hesitated on using immodium bc I figured let the "junk" clear out of my system - but do you think that's wise?

[atthebeach]

you can take immodium for the bathroom issues. also bananas will help with the diarrhea and restleg syndrome. it is important to drink fluids to prevent dehydration.gatorage,vitamin water. just take small sips since you vomited.
for sleep you can buy over the counter natural sleep aids. alteril, or sleep by nature made the main ingredients in both is melatonin and valerian root

[chuck385]

Hi Debbie - Thank you for responding. I took 9 vicodin 5/500 on Wednesday around 6:30p and 1 5/500 around 7:30am Thursday (8/11). Since then I've had chronic diarreah, vomitted yesterday, appetite is shot, and worst of all I'm sleep deprived - probably a total of seven hours of sleep since Wedenesday. Any more advice?

[atthebeach]

hi chuck and welcome to mh. it is fine to take ibuprofen during your detox. it will also help with the aches and pains. besides the headache how are you feeling? when did you stop using the vicodin?
debbie