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How long will it take to be "normal" again
I have been taking hydrocodone for about 1.5 years every day. I am a high functioning mother of 3, married and I have a college degree and great life. However my husband had massive leg surgery a yr and a half ago and because I knew from taking lortab after my c section that they enable me to get alot done and have alot of energy it was just too easy to take one of his pills, then one turned in to 1-3 per day. Then after his pain begin to get less his dr stopped giving him so many. So I went to a dr here who is known to hand out opiates like they are Pez, and she prescribed me my own script of 6 10 mg lortabs per day. I usually take about 7-10 of them a day so I run out early every month and have to buy some from people at ridiculous prices. I never intended to become dependent on this medication. It was just too easy. Only my husband and a few close friends know that I take them every day, so it feels really good to see all these stories about people just like me. I ran out of pills yesterday, and have been unsuccessful at finding any today. So needless to say it has sucked to say the least. Part of me can't wait until I go to the dr Thursday to get my script, and the other part says that I just need to get clean and not go back to the dr for more. I am lethargic and have no energy. I have been crying all day and feel horrible. I can't believe what I have become. But when I have my pills I am normal and I have to have them to feel normal. It is hard for me to remember that just 2 yrs ago I WAS normal and didn't have to have a little blue pill to help me clean my house or take care of my kids. I'm sorry I'm rambling, but it feels good to get it out. My question is if I decide to not go to my dr or buy any pills how long will it take for this horrible feeling to go away? How long before I will have some energy and feel normal? Please help, I am drowning of self pity and self loathing.
I was just reading your post and as for me, I was taking about 18 percs a day. I've been on the patch, roxys, everything but methadone. I took it cause I have chronic pain. I had back surgery but the damage was done. Long story short, I too have two girls and just lost my husband. It even helped me with the loss of my grandmother's funeral, which she was the most important person in my life. I was also able to be the good wife and good mother always in a great mood.
It's not worth it. Just how others are telling you that your tolorance will increase and later you'll be doing about six pills just to get out of bed. I tried cold turkey and was off them for a week, my pain was too much.
This Saturday I went to a function and saw a lady w/ the patch. She seemed disoriented and I just said to myself that I don't want to be that way as I get older. Sunday I was my first day without nothing and today I did call my doctor. I told him that I was taking more than I had to and I didn't want any more pain meds. He put me on suboxone 2.mg three times a day. I've never taking them but I swore to myself I will not take more than that. Since I am a single parent, I couldn't neglect my kids as I am alone here in Florida. I'm aching but I can still feed my kids. I've heard good things about it so why not try.
I wish you the best of luck, some of us can do the cold turkey and some of can't cause we have kids that depend on us. I really do hope you are ready to give them up, trust me as I was a rollercoaster for three years and I swore I would never go back to depend on pills to make me normal...
Godbless Lett
It's not worth it. Just how others are telling you that your tolorance will increase and later you'll be doing about six pills just to get out of bed. I tried cold turkey and was off them for a week, my pain was too much.
This Saturday I went to a function and saw a lady w/ the patch. She seemed disoriented and I just said to myself that I don't want to be that way as I get older. Sunday I was my first day without nothing and today I did call my doctor. I told him that I was taking more than I had to and I didn't want any more pain meds. He put me on suboxone 2.mg three times a day. I've never taking them but I swore to myself I will not take more than that. Since I am a single parent, I couldn't neglect my kids as I am alone here in Florida. I'm aching but I can still feed my kids. I've heard good things about it so why not try.
I wish you the best of luck, some of us can do the cold turkey and some of can't cause we have kids that depend on us. I really do hope you are ready to give them up, trust me as I was a rollercoaster for three years and I swore I would never go back to depend on pills to make me normal...
Godbless Lett
day 1 for me after weenin down from 4 year addiction done it b4 and its hard but possible after each surgery the same thing happens battle for a week i feel for ya i just try over the counter stuff immodium,sleep aids,vitamins and extra potasium and b vitamins helped a couple years ago for me but i've really increased the use this time should be interesting fight the good fight
Where did you read that her doctor suggested methadone? She came on here asking how long will the withdrawals last if she decided not to go to her doctor for a refill on lortabs or buy them elsewhere. Methadone wasn't even considered until you brought it up. Unless I missed something. It seems that every post you reply to is pushing people to go the methadone route. Although it may be the way to go for a small number of addicts, it's not the way to go for everyone as you seem to think. You were definitely one of the lucky ones who got off of it quick and with little discomfort. There are many who have been trying for years to get off of it and wish they never would have started it. Just type in "methadone" in the search engine here on medhelp and read all of the horror stories. There are plenty of people who were able to get clean without going on an even stronger opiate. I am not against methadone. I just want people to realize it comes with its own set of struggles so they should do plenty of research before going to the clinic. If any addict goes to a methadone clinic even for an evaluation they will more than likely start it. Who wouldn't when you are in severe withdrawals or if a doctor says all you have to do is take this and you won't take another oxy or shoot heroin. If it's in front of an addicts face, they will take it and then more than likely they will be on the liquid handcuffs for life. I'm just happy that you were only on it for 4 months and were able to taper off. Most don't end up like that.
You should listen to Dominosarah and people like BM Dad, they have your best interest.Stay away from Methadone if you can,I am in the program its great for us(wife too) but we were bad at oxy's and not doing them the way real people do them.Wish I was a strong person.You are educated woman,you can do anything and beating this is just another thing that you can do.What is one week out of your life?? Nothing but one week,then back to a great life that is drug free.It like a walk in the park with a walker LOL.I always wanted to say that Best of luck(remember you can do this)
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sounds like you have done your homework on Methadone. You are never alone on this forum. We are always here to support you. sara
I so appreciate all the advice. However I do believe that I have enough will power to do this with out methadone. I have known people who went that route and they never really get clean methadone is just another drug in my mind. I refuse to get any worse than where I am now. I WILL NOT up my dosage or try any other drugs. Besides the crap you go through on methadone is the same thing. I might as well just take my pills. I have relapsed but I am going to combat this. It may not be today and it may not be this month but my time is coming. I will beat this. Now that I have found this site I don't feel so alone. And I sincerely thank you all for your words. I love each of you for what you have opened my eyes to. Thanks so much
I am advising that she listen to her doctor or go to a methadone clinic because it is FREE and the doctors there are used to working with addicts of all types. They don't always advise methadone and in her case probably won't.
I should have been more clear. Methadone clinics also treat cocaine users (without methadone), pot users, etc. They would know more than a GP what she needs or doesn't need. If she doesn't need methadone they would be the first to tell her not to take it because they have a specialization in opiate addiction withdrawal.
Here is a person whose doctor suggested methadone, meaning the person with her chart in front of them--they may know something that all of you don't know, and you are all telling her against the medical advice of her doctor that she should go without.
I am suggestion to every addict that you see a doctor, and quite frankly that is exactly what all of you should suggest as well. How do you know she doesn't have another health issue and that is why they suggested methadone?
If someone says already that they are going go do it alone, that is one thing. If their doctor recommends methadone for just that tiny amount of drug usage then there may be another reason for it.
I should have been more clear. Methadone clinics also treat cocaine users (without methadone), pot users, etc. They would know more than a GP what she needs or doesn't need. If she doesn't need methadone they would be the first to tell her not to take it because they have a specialization in opiate addiction withdrawal.
Here is a person whose doctor suggested methadone, meaning the person with her chart in front of them--they may know something that all of you don't know, and you are all telling her against the medical advice of her doctor that she should go without.
I am suggestion to every addict that you see a doctor, and quite frankly that is exactly what all of you should suggest as well. How do you know she doesn't have another health issue and that is why they suggested methadone?
If someone says already that they are going go do it alone, that is one thing. If their doctor recommends methadone for just that tiny amount of drug usage then there may be another reason for it.
Hey to you
Most people will advise you through information compiled due to reading studies, etc.. I will advise you through personal experience. My friend you are in a very important phase in you addiction. Seeing as you state you have been off now a few days and by judging your attitude the d.t.'s should have been full blown by now. There a various levels of d.t.'s which manely key off the amount taken per day and for how long. I was scribed up to 8 5/325 percs per day and of course I took over twice that amount daily for well over 2-years. When I ran out I always found a way to get more until my next scribe was due. Then I found myself in a situation (not Jail) that I was unable to obtain any more so I just decided to stop. I was well invested into this addiction and the d.t.'s were never ending. The first day I felt over excited,helpless and sad. That was just the beginning. The first night I felt like the backside of my body was spliting open and I was crawling out of my skin. I was so tired yet could not close my eyes or stay still for any time at all. I would get out of bed but feel so weak that I would go back to bed. When I was in bed it felt like a motor was running full blast in my brain. Later that night into the morning I started throwing up yellow vial, my heart was racing. These feelings got even worse the 2nd day. These are classic d.t.'s from a long time and heavy user. I believe your situation would not compare to this AT THIS TIME ! My friend, The longer you invest into this adiction the worse the d.t.'s STOP NOW and deal with minor complications of the d.t.'s or you will find youself in the same situation I was in. Do it for your son. My 7 year old baby girl was my savings grace when it can to bearing the d.t. pains. It is clearly mind over matter.
Most people will advise you through information compiled due to reading studies, etc.. I will advise you through personal experience. My friend you are in a very important phase in you addiction. Seeing as you state you have been off now a few days and by judging your attitude the d.t.'s should have been full blown by now. There a various levels of d.t.'s which manely key off the amount taken per day and for how long. I was scribed up to 8 5/325 percs per day and of course I took over twice that amount daily for well over 2-years. When I ran out I always found a way to get more until my next scribe was due. Then I found myself in a situation (not Jail) that I was unable to obtain any more so I just decided to stop. I was well invested into this addiction and the d.t.'s were never ending. The first day I felt over excited,helpless and sad. That was just the beginning. The first night I felt like the backside of my body was spliting open and I was crawling out of my skin. I was so tired yet could not close my eyes or stay still for any time at all. I would get out of bed but feel so weak that I would go back to bed. When I was in bed it felt like a motor was running full blast in my brain. Later that night into the morning I started throwing up yellow vial, my heart was racing. These feelings got even worse the 2nd day. These are classic d.t.'s from a long time and heavy user. I believe your situation would not compare to this AT THIS TIME ! My friend, The longer you invest into this adiction the worse the d.t.'s STOP NOW and deal with minor complications of the d.t.'s or you will find youself in the same situation I was in. Do it for your son. My 7 year old baby girl was my savings grace when it can to bearing the d.t. pains. It is clearly mind over matter.
You don't need anything that isn't available at the grocery store to get through this. Shadow's methadone suggestion is preposterous, so forget that (maybe she didn't see your dose and length of use). Fass Feat's suggestions will work just fine.
Shadow, seriously, are you advicing her to go to a methadone clinic ? and how can you tell her that her future is H ? 1.2 years is not a long time at all.
I think you should consider all of your options. My bf checked into a methadone clinic under my advise and the doctors explained length of time on painkillers versus damage to your system and what are the drop off points. You've been on a long, time. You will experience both physical and mental depression. It is debilitative. Think of how you're jonesing now and who you can get them from. Wait until you're scoring junk. None of us who did H just jumped to that drug. We got there slowly. That IS in your future unless you get help now.
A doctor's help.
They won't judge you. Methadone clinics make you go through a 2 hour exam, drug testing and monitoring, and help you taper off methadone.
Talk to a physician, not just to people online. You don't know what stopping will even do to your system. ITs a medical issue and treat it like one before its too late.
God bless
A doctor's help.
They won't judge you. Methadone clinics make you go through a 2 hour exam, drug testing and monitoring, and help you taper off methadone.
Talk to a physician, not just to people online. You don't know what stopping will even do to your system. ITs a medical issue and treat it like one before its too late.
God bless
I really wish you would reconsider. I have as much will power as any one, by the time I stopped (13 days ago) I was taking over 30 per day, and hadnt had a buzz in a long time, that was to just to keep from getting sick. Take some OTC meds to help. Motrin 800mg 3x per day, immodium (acts as an opiate, helps) lots of water and or gatorade. After day 2-3 it is downhill. Gets better everyday. Please think about it. We can help get you thru this, read the Health Pages. Andrew
Thanks for all of the wonderful advice. I just woke up and it's day two. I hurt all over my back, legs hurt so bad. Everyone talks about feeling like they have the flu, but I'm not throwing up and I don't have diarrhea or any of that. So far I just hurt all over. The worst part are the thoughts. My brain is controlling me, I keep thinking of people I can call to get pills, and ways to find some. I'm not sure that I am goin to make it this time....
i am day 15 and can relate to everything you said. everyday of these past fifteen days I wonder if I can make it and everyday I read through the posts new and old and read about myself in them. it is scary to know that what you are and do so many others have been there and done that. I have yet to tell hubby and dr and will at some point. but try to hang in.
below I pasted part of your post which if I was a better writer I would of written about myself about myself.
. "But when I have my pills I am normal and I have to have them to feel normal. It is hard for me to remember that just 2 yrs ago I WAS normal and didn't have to have a little blue pill to help me clean my house or take care of my kids."
I have been doing drugs close to 20-30 years with some periods of being straight, I to am a mother of 2 kids both are married and one has two kids my grandkids. But still I kept using after they were out of the house.
Just keep trying and at the beginnig of WD might seem hard but really is just an extreme flue do not be fooled because once you feel better after day five to eight the mental part starts but hang around here and read new and old posts to help give you support.
wendy
below I pasted part of your post which if I was a better writer I would of written about myself about myself.
. "But when I have my pills I am normal and I have to have them to feel normal. It is hard for me to remember that just 2 yrs ago I WAS normal and didn't have to have a little blue pill to help me clean my house or take care of my kids."
I have been doing drugs close to 20-30 years with some periods of being straight, I to am a mother of 2 kids both are married and one has two kids my grandkids. But still I kept using after they were out of the house.
Just keep trying and at the beginnig of WD might seem hard but really is just an extreme flue do not be fooled because once you feel better after day five to eight the mental part starts but hang around here and read new and old posts to help give you support.
wendy
You might as well quit now. You should be done with serious WD by monday or tuesday. I callled my doctor and told him I got clean and to never give me a rx again. I also called my friend who would find more for me and told her to never to bring me any more no matter how much I begged. It feels so good not to have to go to a pill to keep me from getting sick. This is my day 4 of being clean and I feel FREE!!!!!
You can do this. No one else can do this for you. Do this for yourelf and family, you have so much to offer and those pills just give us energy and we act fake, thinking we can rule the world and get everything accomplished in one day and be a super mom and super wife. Goood luck to you and I hope you do the right thing.
The doctor will not be surprised when you say that you are physically addicted. You can move on to the physcological part later. The doctor can then help you with a taper program, although most people do not succeed with taper unless someone is handing out medications, or CT. In your case you are CT so just keep telling yourself you have the flu really bad. You are stronger and better than this drug and your family needs you. when you go to your doctor and you will be done WD by then ask her to help find an after care program to give you the tools to deal with the stresses of life and addiction. best of luck and stay strong!!!!!!
You can do this. No one else can do this for you. Do this for yourelf and family, you have so much to offer and those pills just give us energy and we act fake, thinking we can rule the world and get everything accomplished in one day and be a super mom and super wife. Goood luck to you and I hope you do the right thing.
The doctor will not be surprised when you say that you are physically addicted. You can move on to the physcological part later. The doctor can then help you with a taper program, although most people do not succeed with taper unless someone is handing out medications, or CT. In your case you are CT so just keep telling yourself you have the flu really bad. You are stronger and better than this drug and your family needs you. when you go to your doctor and you will be done WD by then ask her to help find an after care program to give you the tools to deal with the stresses of life and addiction. best of luck and stay strong!!!!!!
Like Sarah said above, about a week or so and things start getting much better. Also listen to her advice about the amino acid protocol. Eat healthy, push the good fluids, and exercise.
Like Sarah mentioned above, your tolerance will continue to grow. Remember when 1 or 2 pills a day would do the trick? Look where you are at now. That number will continue to grow and eventually you won't be able to take enough to get that energy buzz. You will then be taking over twenty a day just to keep from feeling sick. You won't feel sick, but won't have any energy and have zero motivation. You say you pay a ridiculous amount of money for the extra pills now so just think how much you will be spending a day when you are taking twice what you are now. It's not a matter if it will happen, it's a matter of when. I was warned in the past and I didn't think it would happen to me. Heck, I didn't think it was humanly possible. But you can see how your tolerance has grown thus far so you should realize that anything is possible. Take it from someone that didn't take heed to the warnings. So please, take this warnings seriously.
It's great that your husband and a few close friends know of your problem. Myself and many others hid our problems from everyone. My wife knew I took them for my back pain but had no idea the amount I was taking towards the end before I finally put them down for good. The close support will help you be accountable if you let them know you are done. One thing you really should do is set up an appointment with your doctor and tell her you are ready to quit and to not prescribe any more. She will also be able to prescribe some things to help such as the blood pressure med clonodine. It is commonly prescribed for withdrawals. If you don't let her know you are done the temptation to get those refills will be overwhelming and more than likely you will end up relapsing. It took me quite a few relapses until I took that advice. You have to cut off all ties. Wherever you get your extra pills from, you have to delete numbers or even cutoff friendships. I know it can be difficult but if you really want to get clean it really should be done. Many here will agree.
Try and stay motivated to quit. You have to want it more than anything. Until then, it will not happen. Be sure to stick around this forum for support. There are some wonderful people here that will not judge. We have all been in your shoes and there are still many that are where you are at right now. Quit now while your habit is still somewhat manageable. The sooner you quit the easier it will be.
Best of luck to you. If you need anything, please let me know.
Brian
Like Sarah mentioned above, your tolerance will continue to grow. Remember when 1 or 2 pills a day would do the trick? Look where you are at now. That number will continue to grow and eventually you won't be able to take enough to get that energy buzz. You will then be taking over twenty a day just to keep from feeling sick. You won't feel sick, but won't have any energy and have zero motivation. You say you pay a ridiculous amount of money for the extra pills now so just think how much you will be spending a day when you are taking twice what you are now. It's not a matter if it will happen, it's a matter of when. I was warned in the past and I didn't think it would happen to me. Heck, I didn't think it was humanly possible. But you can see how your tolerance has grown thus far so you should realize that anything is possible. Take it from someone that didn't take heed to the warnings. So please, take this warnings seriously.
It's great that your husband and a few close friends know of your problem. Myself and many others hid our problems from everyone. My wife knew I took them for my back pain but had no idea the amount I was taking towards the end before I finally put them down for good. The close support will help you be accountable if you let them know you are done. One thing you really should do is set up an appointment with your doctor and tell her you are ready to quit and to not prescribe any more. She will also be able to prescribe some things to help such as the blood pressure med clonodine. It is commonly prescribed for withdrawals. If you don't let her know you are done the temptation to get those refills will be overwhelming and more than likely you will end up relapsing. It took me quite a few relapses until I took that advice. You have to cut off all ties. Wherever you get your extra pills from, you have to delete numbers or even cutoff friendships. I know it can be difficult but if you really want to get clean it really should be done. Many here will agree.
Try and stay motivated to quit. You have to want it more than anything. Until then, it will not happen. Be sure to stick around this forum for support. There are some wonderful people here that will not judge. We have all been in your shoes and there are still many that are where you are at right now. Quit now while your habit is still somewhat manageable. The sooner you quit the easier it will be.
Best of luck to you. If you need anything, please let me know.
Brian
COMMUNITY LEADER
WD's last for at least a week with day 3-4 being the worse. There are many things that you can do to ease the symptoms. Check out the health pages and read up on the amino acids. Drink plenty of fluids and take immodium for the diarrhea. Try and get up and move around as much as you can as the quicker you do that the quicker you will feel better.
I hope you decide to stay clean. Your tolerance will go up and your life will spiral even more out of control. Death is a reality with this addiction and noone is safe from it. We have lost a couple members to their addiction in the last couple months. Check into some type of aftercare as we cant do this alone. Keep posting as we are here to support you. You dont have to be a prisoner to these pills anymore....sara
I hope you decide to stay clean. Your tolerance will go up and your life will spiral even more out of control. Death is a reality with this addiction and noone is safe from it. We have lost a couple members to their addiction in the last couple months. Check into some type of aftercare as we cant do this alone. Keep posting as we are here to support you. You dont have to be a prisoner to these pills anymore....sara
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