How long does w/d last???

[Peg626]

I'm on day 1 of Hydrocodone withdrawal. . . I tried to taper off as best I could but as many of you know, that's difficult for us to do. I'm pretty miserable today. . . hot, cold, hot, cold, anxiety, etc. . . . I called my dr. who has been prescribing me the meds & his nurse says there's really nothing he can do & that it just has to run it's course. I asked how long that would take & she said "usually a week." A WEEK!!!! From what I'm experiencing today, I don't know how I can go through a week of this!! I think my husband is in denial that I'm addicted b/c when I told him to be expecting me to have some withdrawal issues, he said he doubted I would have any. I do have a very close friend that is cheering me on & supporting me. Unfortunately, I can't spend all day/everyday w/him. Basically, tell me what I can expect in the next few days & is there ANYTHING I can do to make this any easier. I know, it's not supposed to be easy but I had to ask.

[whitie]

thats why they prescribe those muscle relaxers.........because they are not addicting and are not exactly enjoyable.


its best to study your enemy,like others stated, not scare you, but it varies with individuals and teh drug of choice(DOC)  replacement opioids like methadone and suboxone can take 2-3 times longer to shake off. I made a journal entry about how many symptoms I had going through a nasty methadone/norco wd.

for heavy users fatigue can be an issue for a quite a few months. but by far the worse parts of the wd process is over the first week and somehwat the second week.

besides .....if it was easy to do, there would be no rehab clinics. but it can be done, you must be strong and willing to quit for good,otherwise your spinning your wheels.

[Peg626]

This is also for tray_c.. . . . I can't wait to be at the places where you both are. I just can't imagine what the next few days are going to be like for me. I have some muscle relaxers & I've taken those, hoping they will help me get through this. I truly don't think there's any danger in me becoming addicted to the muscle relaxers.. . . . they are a few years old & the reason they're still around is b/c I don't like how they make me feel. . . . but right now, I could just really use some help w/relaxing. My husband is getting ready to go to work (he works nights) and I have a feeling it's going to be a LONG night for me!!! I wish I had someone here w/me during the night so I could hopefully talk to them & maybe it would help keep my mind from focusing on what I'm going through.

[tray_c]

I completely understand where you are. I am day 7 off Norco and Percocets, 10-15 per day. I feel better now, but I won't lie, day 1-5 were the worst. I am still shaky and anxious. I can't sleep which has been the toughest thing. I want you to know, it does get better! I had to force myself to do things. My 7 yo wanted to play soccer last night with me, and since I vowed to not let WD effect the relationship with my kids, I played soccer. It hurt and I was so sick feeling, but afterward, I think it really helped. Today was the same, anxiety and lethargy but I got up, did laundry, cleaned the house etc. It got better as I was busy. WHen I sit, and just wallow in my misery its worse. I hope you feel better soon. This group really helps. I also have gone to NA even though i felt so bad, that helped too.Good luck, keep posting and dont give up!!!

[Peg626]

I guess I should have explained more. . . . I don't have body aches & diarrhea (yet?)  but I do keep reading about people that have that as part of the w/d. I guess I have that to "look forward to." I can't imagine having this hot/cold & RLS feeling for 5-7 days. This is going to be a long haul. . . .

[GA Guy]

Exercise can help, but I wouldn't stray far because of the stomach upset. The hot/cold flashes should be mostly gone by 5-7 days. The RLS and sleep, along with energy takes longer. You may want to say you have the flu and stick close to home for 5 days or so. BTW...the clonidine can help with the clod/hot flashes.

[Peg626]

I think I could handle the body aches & diarrhea, if I could just get rid of this hot/cold feeling! Does anyone have any feedback on how long that lasts? Is it one of those things that lasts the entire time too or not? I know it's going to be different for everyone. I guess since this is my first day, I'm just looking for answers that maybe aren't there. I usually go to the waterpark w/my best friend & her children tomorrow. The way I'm feeling, I don't want to go anywhere or do anything. Does anyone have any feedback about that? Is it better if you FORCE yourself to go do something, maybe you don't think about it as much? Thanks to everyone for your support, I'm pretty sure I'm going to need it.

[Peg626]

I was on Hydro. 7.5 for a few years. I recently had a herniated disc in my neck repaired & they gave me Norco 10. However, when I decided I was going to come off the meds, I went back down to the 7.5 Hydro. The dosage varied. . . . I never really counted how many I took during a day. Last week, when I started tapering off I'm guessing I was taking 4-6/day??? In the past several days, I was taking 1/2 a pill at a time, every 4 hours. I've even tried cutting the 1/2 pill in 1/2 in order to decrease the w/d symptoms. I don't think it's working. I only have 1 pill total left & I'm hoping not to take it until I try to go to sleep tonight. I am a college student & am in between semesters right now so I don't have anything to do but yet, I don't FEEL like doing anything. Thank you for your support & if you have any pointers, I'm all ears!!!

[GA Guy]

Unfortunately, depending on how you react, your doctor may be right. Usually, most people have their worst symptoms on day 3-4 and start getting gradually better by day 5. But, some symptoms, like sleep and lethargy can last up to a month. I'm not telling this to discourage you...just letting you know what's coming. The best thing is that it will and does get better. But, taking a pill will not make it better...just prolong the misery. There is no magic antidote for a painless withdraw I'm afraid. You may call and ask your doctor about clonidine which can help with some symptoms. Besides that, hydration is important and immodium for stomach upset. Look on the health pages for the Thomas Recipe..some stuff in there may help.

[hook1423]

contrats...im on day9 and feeling better by the min.....day1-3 were the hardest on day4 i started to see the light.hang in their it only get better.the people on this form are GREAT!!!!!!!!!!

[ImGettingClean]

How much were you taking, how long, etc...that really is important...

for most, WDs last 3-5 days, but everyone's different and also depends on your DOC and the length of your addictoin.....

Also, Congrats on deciding to get clean...