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How long does it take to feel normal again after using Vicodin heavily for 3 months?

To make a long story short I was in the hospital and went into skilled nursing facility afterwards and now home for 30+ days. I was using Dilaudid via IV in hospital every hour on the hour then down to Percs and finally went down to Vics when I came home I go through 40 pills in 4 days haven't been able to sleep etc since I've ran out. My doc is hesitant to prescribe anymore and feel very antsy not sure what to do. I want more of them so so so bad but I recognize this is how it all starts with flushing your life down the drain. How long until I laugh about all of this?
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1970885 tn?1435860428
Detox will take about 5 days, give or take. You should start feeling normal in about two or two and a half months. We're all different. This is just my best guess based on 15 years of using.
I have to caution you - the Vics were not keeping you sane. On the contrary...They were clouding over your real thoughts and emotions. If anything they were leading you down a very dangerous path, the proverbial slippery slope.  So please, try and see the reality of what was happening. Don't romance the drug. That's the first step to full blown addiction.
K
Helpful - 0
4113881 tn?1415850276
Im sorry your having such a hard time and that the hot baths dont seem to be an option at this time. An alternative may be to invest in an electric blanket to battle the chills that come with detox. For me, a regular blanket just didnt cut it. Also, I understand what you mean about the vicoden keeping you sane. Its hard to deal with pain and from the little you have posted about your situation...it seems that you are dealing with some heavy medical issues. What is your doctors advise in regards to you continuing on pain medication? Even at a lower dose that what you have been on?

Hope you feel better.
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Avatar universal
This is very good information and I appreciate all the support. There are a few of these things I have trouble doing such as exercise and baths. See I had a leg amputation above the knee and I'm still in some pain but I still don't have a prosthetic to walk on and can't get in and out of bath for the salts yet (I do love this idea though and will be trying it) to be honest the Vicodin was the only thing keeping me sane since I can barely leave the bedroom but I don't want to get too deep into it and make it harder on myself. You guys are the best on here I will make sure to keep tabs. Thanks again for the info.
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Avatar universal
Hi there, I would think that because it was months and not years of using, the ride won't be as rough as it could have been. Most addicts in the process of detoxing will tell you days 2-4 are the toughest and this was certainly true in my case....so you're halfway already...well done!

try epsom salts in baths...flushes out the toxins quicker and helps with aches and pains, melatonin or some other herbal medication will help with sleep, exercise as soon as you can ...just a walk in the fresh air will help with mood swings and sleep if it's all you can manage lastly but imo most importantly water is going to be your best friend for the next few weeks....drink, drink, drink as much as you possibly can, it'll help you flush those toxins and give your kidneys a helping hand.

There are lots of vit/minerals you can add to your regime to help aid recovery...look up the Thomas recipe on here...lots of tips you may like to try.

It isnt a pleasant time, but i can't state highly enough it is very do-able and sooo worth it (i went cold turkey from a 10 year opiate habit 143 days ago and it's the best "high" i've ever had knowing i'm knocking out those clean days and living again)

Keep posting, we'll all chip in with advice and support if/when you need it...after all we've all been there..at least once!!

good luck on your journey and just yell if you need anything
jane x
Helpful - 0
4113881 tn?1415850276
IV Dilaudid is the "big guns" of opiates. Good thing they transitioned you to Percs, then Vics. Look, 90 days isn't a long time but its long enough for you to experience some pretty bad withdrawals. Especially from the drugs and amounts you were doing. Everybody is different but if I had to take an educated guess based on experience, Id say you will be feeling significantly better by day 5. I dont think you will ever be laughing about this though.

Its good you recognize this for what it is and have made the decision to stop. Your on day 2 which is very hard as will be day 3. Look at it as you have the flu very bad. Stay hydrated, take hot baths when your bones ache or you feel "antsy". Try and stay as active as possible so you dont dwell on how bad you feel. It will hurt but not kill you.

Keep posting on this site.
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Avatar universal
I was on them for 90+ days heavily and this is day 2 I don't seem to be as bad as others the this still ***** nautious insomnia moody and I have that urges that I want more at all costs but I realize that is the onset of addiction. I want to get to a point where I feel normal not euphoric or depressed with or without the opiates I feel one of those two emotions it's too bad that eventually that euphoria goes away because I would never come off them but I know keeping them in me will end up a disaster
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Avatar universal
So how long were you on the opiates total? How many days have you not had any?
Helpful - 0
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