Hey guys, new here

[MamaShark]

Hey guys. I've been creeping on these boards for awhile now, and finally decided to join in. I started taking hydrocodone a few years ago, but it didn't really become an addiction for me until a year or so ago. I'm a stay at home mom and wife. I love my husband and children very much. In the past few years our family went through a lot, and I became dependent on the norco to feel normal. But our life has been great for the last year, and now I want to learn how to be happy without the meds. I hate that this happened, but now I want to fix it.

[donewitis]

That's actually what I wanted to know for sure..where were my pain levels really at...and now I know that OTC meds at least take the edge off. Way better than surviving in a fog and losing the person I was. Yep definitely.
I just reread this thread..and though I ignored it in Sept. (I didn't want to embarrass you regding auto-text) I did have a good chuckle tonight!

[overopiates]

U can do this and the reality is most of us have legitimate pain but u wont know ur level of actual pain til ur off them a few weeks.the  pills
&pain of w/d make it seem much worse.BTW the auto correct Wow.it happens2all of us but thanx  for the laugh

[wishfulthinking57]

Mama, keep your head up, you absolutely can do this!  Definitely listen to what everyone has had to say, for me I've been on this site around 2 days now, and the tremendous support I've been given is really whats helped push me going, so please continue to come back and keep posting!  The amount of support you will receive from here will help you more then you think :)

[littlebit667]

Auto complete can really drive you nuts!  I am so glad you are getting the support you need.  Keep posting, I have gotten so much support it is amazing.  Nice to know there are sharing people around.  Who knew drug addicts could have so much heart???   LOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!

BTW, the day you laugh out loud at something without the pills dragging you down is the day you know you are on the way of recovery.  It was amazing when I did it.  That pill cloud is scary!!!

[MamaShark]

Thank you so much for the support. I can't tell you guys how much you've helped. I'm very glad I signed up :)

[killmypain]

Sorry.... I know this isn't funny business but you gotta be able to laugh.... sometimes it's the only thing you can think of to help you feel better. I just posted a question about wanting to feel better and then I read your posts and just busted out laughing.....
Most of us have been where you are hun. Donewitis said to tell your doc that you've become dependent..... this will be NECESSARY for your recovery. You have to cut off your ability to get pills (easily anyway, they're everywhere). Make sure you have no more pills in the house and tell your doc that you don't want any more of them. As far as the pain goes, the pills actually make your pain feel worse than it really is.... as you detox, your body is gonna make you think that you need those pills to function.... Get through the first couple of weeks and you'll be surprised at how little pain relief you actually need once they're out of your system for good. Try heating pads, icy hot, and hot baths with epsom salts. Tell your kids that you have the flu and plan to stay in bed a few days. Tell your hubby what you're going through so he can be there for you and help you out. You can do this. You're gonna have a few rough days, but a life without those pills is worth it! Whats a few days compared with the life you're gonna get back in the long run.... right?

[killmypain]

lol that's hilarious....thank you for that. I needed a laugh.... I think we've all sent crazy stuff with the autotext

[donewitis]

Hi and welcome. So y ou have been reading he posts for awhile and aware of Thomas's Recipe and the Amino Acid Protocol? I too had back pain especially while going through the w/d's..it was much more severe then. It seems like a common side effect. What mg. did you taper down to? I think what you are saying is you have stopped as of the last pill...well please keep posting, take a hot bath w/Epson Salt and know that you re not alone..we have all been there and many are in the midst of the battle. You can do this..you can be free of these pills and get your life back. I have 19 days opiate free..and though at times have the desire...it passes..and I keep going one step at time. It would be beneficial if you can share this with your family for their support..and if you are getting scripts from your Dr., let him/her know that you now have an addiction...it was hard for me to do but now that I look back..if I hadn't told my my Dr., I very well might have asked for another script. I am very grateful that I did what I did. It was a necessary step. I wish you well.

[MamaShark]

I meant to say mother. I can't believe that's in my phones auto spell :/

[MamaShark]

Oh my gosh I am SO sorry about the swear word! My phone has auto spell. I'm so sorry!

[MamaShark]

Thank you so much guys :) I'm really glad I joined in. I have been tapering off for the past week. On average I've been taking about 10 norco 10-325's a day. I took my last one today. I've tried to quit cold turkey in the past, but the withdrawl was so aweful I didn't want to go through that. Right now I feel a little weepy, moody, and very anxious. My fuse is also quite short at the moment. I'm trying not to be snappy. The other thing I'm struggling with is my back pain. I've tried everything over the counter, but nothing is really helping. I've also tried ice and heat. I guess I've forgotten that I do have legitimate pain issues, since I've never really been off them for long. As for the therapist, I have considered it. I think the biggest thing I'm struggling with is that as a teen, I struggled with marijuana and methamphetamine addiction, and overcame that. So for this whole addiction thing to pop up eleventh years later, its a surprise to me and a huge blow to my ego as a wife and motherfucking. I can't thank you enough for tbd support :)

[tomskat]

Hi there and welcome. We've all been there. Yes,you can have your life back. How many pills do you have left? I would suggest tapering off them if possible. Of course you love your family-because you're an addict doesn't take that away. As luciddreamgrl said it is possible to be happy. The time to start is now...you CAn do this. Stay strong!! Here if you need anything!

[luciddreamrgrl]

Hi MamaShark,

I was in the same situation as you. I realized on my own I had a problem and needed to fix it. Do you have any specific questions? I was addicted to hydro also. How many a day do you take?

We are here if you ever need someone to talk too. I am only 8 days clean but Every day gets better. It may be difficult but you'll get through. Have you thought of speaking with a therapist?

The worry of being happy without the pills was a major concern for me in the beginning also. I thought I would become a different person without my pills. But the other day, I laughed and joked with my boyfriend and for the first time I REALLY felt like I was happy. I wasn't sure it was possible without the pills but it is. I promise you.