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I need advice on my withdrawal from Lortab

Dear All,

I am new to this forum and searching for answers.  For several years(4) I have had back problems and frankly I have used lortab the entire time.  About a year and a half ago I was using about 10mg per day off and on every third day as well.  I started having elbow problems of which I used as my reason to use it every day. I had Surgery on my elbow in December and it is fixed.  Now I am left with back issues.  Long story short I am just tired of the stigma of using pain medicine even though I realize it helps I work with docs and suffer the embarrassment everytime they find out what I take.  So here we go.  I have been taking 5mg when I get to work and then around 5 to 6 pm I take two 10mg or two and a half.  This Monday I made the decision to lower it down and try to quit using lortab.  On Monday I took 2.5mg in the morning and 10mg that night and did not sleep all night.  The next day I worked and felt somewhat anxious....Tuesday I stuck with the lowering and had major GI issues that day and some anxiety.  Slept a little better night two.  Today I took the same and the only issues I had today were my back is really bothering me and Advil does not even seem to help.  I have kept the lowering despite feeling like I need to raise it back up and come up with excuses.  If I go cold turkey and just cut the 2.5 out and the 10 out tomorrow night will I just have another day of withdrawl like I had or will it likely be alot more.  Or should I just taper it down from here. It has not been that bad however my back is aching I have been using ice and heat.  I know this is probably a very mundane post to many that have way deeper use issues or addictions however I have been habitually using it for four years as well at times for the feeling to not lie and while pain exists I can no longer deal with the constipation issues, sleep issues and feeling tired all the time it seems.  Any thoughts on whether if I go cold turkey from here I will really suffer a deeper withdrawl.  It has sucked enough this week.  Thank you all for your help or advice in anyway.....

Kindest Regards....

Sam20111966
76 Responses
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Avatar universal
Hey Baridon,  Thank you for a very kind post sorry I did not see this sooner.  I am 45 and thanks for sharing your faith you know I love everyone regardless of faith.  Maybe that is wrong however just feel like it's not my place to judge.  I have been a bed person to my wife and kids and admit I am a big whiner.  Very low pain tolerance which they hear often.  You are right sir our families deserve more than high dads and husbands...I have been more focused at work and home in 4 years.  My memory has improved so much except for a large amount of lost sleep lol.  Amazing you don't sleep for three days and I remember better than on lortab.  The stuff is crap....Proud of you B-man.....Love you bro Hang tough.

Hey hiskidd,

I felt bad about my too direct post hope I did not upset you.  I have not tossed my bottle either.  I will soon it actually has been tormenting me the last couple days to keep them around more than normal.  I really wish you the best with your new baby.  Maybe you can refocus and hang tough at that point.  You seem turmoiled and maybe that is good.  I was serious about you thinking about not having your wife hold the pills.  You gotta be ready to do this and you seem to be doubtful.  It's not right whatever we are doing with these pills.  Sounds like you got a real super gal.....make her proud when you are "all in"... I wish you strength and all the best.  Fight when you can,  I gotta go buy a new spine and disc for my back.......:0)......Take care Sam
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Avatar universal
I just read this whole thread, Sam. This is awesome and inspiring. Pray for me. I failed big time today - as you read and replied - but at 60mg a day, I would have used 180mg tues, weds, and today, and I've only used 30mg. I still haven't tossed my bottle or perscritpiton, but reading how you endured even with a cold is awesome.

You are going to help a lot of people with your victory :)

David
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1717540 tn?1311622473
Hey Sam! So sorry I haven't posted for a while. I want you to know however that I've been checking in on you though, making sure you were posting, reading what you and others were saying, etc. I was praying you were going to go in the right direction.....And well......I guess I was just being a "big brother" making sure you were doing what you should and that people were saying the right things.
I'm not sure how old you are Sam, but it sounds like we are about the same age, and I feel that we have both learned and gained a LOT of knowledge from all of this (and still are)!
I have to admit you pulled at my heart strings when you thanked me....Tearing up for some guy I don't know about how bad I want him to see "the other side of life that he doesn't see yet" was killing me. But in actuality, I'm going through SH@@ too! I need this JUST as bad as you do, and to hear your inspiring words and demanding yourself to get off these stupid drugs made ME a stronger person. I'm not 100% if I would have gone back to opiates without your posts and truthfulness, but I certainly would have had it harder.
My legs have been hurting me SO incredibly bad since I first spoke to you- and now I can say that the leg pain is 75% better now! Managable. Thanks to your generosity of letting me into your life so I could look deep inside mine and make it better as well.
I never told you this either (because I never want God to be a reason why people turn a shoulder to this website and I want people to know that there are others you can count on to get through this) but I'm an ordained minister too :) I just never mentioned any praying to you. I find it comforting to see that you do have a relationship with Christ, and it seems like you have a wonderful wife too. We both share that in common. My wife is my life, and you know what Sam? We've neglected them for too long.....I'm not saying now, but within the next month or 3- we need to REALLY pamper these women who put up with our Sh@@! They never signed up for what we were- but DID. They are so strong and so deserving.......And I'm so ashamed.....So even though they will of course forgive us, let's just never forget what we owe them. I'm so proud of you Sam. -Baridon-
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Avatar universal
Hi Nanny,

You can do this....excellent folks on here create a post and let everyone know what you are doing so you can post and they can help you.....Life is too precious to give up...Get off the Norco and maybe have a Psych assess your depression to use a newer antidepressant or both.

God is holding his hands out to you....Just grab one and look up...

Prayers for you stay strong you really really can make this change...and thanks for your kind words...Make that turn quick....

Sam
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1235186 tn?1656987798
i send you a note
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1727149 tn?1314159536
I have been standing with one foot at the door of suicide.  This is a Norco addiction.  I am also on Wellbutrin but nothing is taking the sadness away.  Sam, your journey along with your great new friends may have just saved my life.  My turn..........
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1235186 tn?1656987798
hey my friend,
so proud of you.
out of the darkness and into the light.
keep walking in that light.
it will get brighter and brighter!!!!
continued blessings
debbie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Alright with exception of Saturday I am almost 10 days off.  Back hurts however feel good about myself and a broken back is better than a stupid high to make you not hurt.  The following people I want to thank deeply for your help thru this process in times of indecision, fear, denial(not a river in egypt) and of course withdrawal.  You all are thankless heros to all and I thank you much.  You gave it to me straight, encouraged and were friends in a tough time.  Thank you for all you do each day to give back and pay it forward....Love you all.....The rest whatever you are fighting keep it up.  Like a light switch you can turn lights on or stay in the dark.......Flip the switch and keep the light on.

BadObsession
Gnarly
Over opiates
Baridon
at the beach
kimrenee
back pain for life
aces mom
rush2112
self-induced
worried878

You guys and gals are AWESOME...thank you thank you for a 4th of July that I will truly remember for being clean as Indepence day and won't forget as memory great now...

God Bless

Sam

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
ok my post.  on vacation.  back killing me and leg killing me 7 days off last night.  The reality and what I learned I broke down and took 5mg last night.  advil helps more I could not stand the drunk feeling and it really just made me high and did not affect my pain that much.  I look more tired today even though I slept.  I learned that This **** I was taking was just a mind ****.....NSAIDs work better for pain.  I am not here to at all say do the clinical trial I did rather to say these pills are not fixing the issue of my back and walking around stoned with my wife and my kids sucked.  I like to be in control being off feels much better with pain than being drunk.  I am taking advil 600 mgs twice a day and yes I am in pain....and yes I am glad to be off these stupid pills....I cannot believe I was taking 40mgs per day and walking around that is crazy...You guys and gals that help on this forum know your ****....everyone listen for real!!!!!!!!
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Avatar universal
Tks Deb,  Just so irritable probably due to lack of sleep and cold.  I have done no exercises.  I need to start however I had that crutch to get me thru it all.  Crappy day. I asked for pills back last night I will give them back to her.  Man what a day.  It's hard for me to walk any distance with my back not just killing me.  Thought I would not be tempted that was close...Argued a little hard for me to be nice when I can't bend over.  I will get through it...Sorry to the board just a crappy day...

Tks for your words deb the sleep crap is getting to me.  I will not let ya down.  I need to pray for calmness and suck it up thru this vacation tomorrow already pissed....

Tks again sorry for whining....
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1235186 tn?1656987798
hey hun , you are going to have good and bad days. does your wife have the pills? the pills dont make your back strong. they make your mind,body,soul and spirit weak. back aches su ck i live with arthritis ,compressed discs  and sciatica, everyday in my back for years. . i know i could get pain meds if i went to the doctor and asked. but i wont put myself in that position. what kind of exercise do you do? if  you swim that helps and doesnt cause alot of strain and resistance. what about pilates strenghtens core, yoga, chiropractor, acupuncture,stretching,massages,
crunches,  my doctor always tells me if you strengthen your stomach it helps strenghten your back. please dont go back to the bondage. you know you want to and need to be free. my back is hurting so bad right now and i am not even detoxing. isnt our LORD bigger than a backache. i just su ck it up.
i think i have a pretty high pain tolerance i delivered my four children without any pain medication at all. i have been called nuts. so a backache better than addiction.
sending hugs
debbie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well my back hurt so bad last night did not sleep.  Long story short went to work and came home cleaned out truck and back is just fatigued anyway almost caved and asked for pill I did not.  That is closet I have come in five days.  took 4 advil and laying on ice pack how I am going to get my back and core stronger without pain medicine escapes me....Anyway thru day 5 just tired and hurting....Worried tks for your post.  Not a great day today....Sorry for a less than positive post for the board...
Helpful - 0
401095 tn?1351391770
Ct is what I woulda done after reading your initial post.  Your dose is low but it did sound as if u r an addict...or close anyway and try not to even get close to being one if u r not
I was at 100 mgs for 5 yrs,,,i took a long weekend..felt flu-like and went back to work day 5.  It is the mental aspect of addiction which is hard for many...staying clean is harder than quitting...for most...we r all different.
\Congrats on getting rid of those puppies..they will drag u down..they r not anyones friend

be safe and keep posting
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Avatar universal
Ya love the Neti.....lol I bet kids don't love hehe.  I think god has tasked me with this terrible cold, headaches and such to test my inner self, had many feelings of wanting a happy pill.  Ya fever went down and I am feeling better Tk God.  Still have some respiratory stuff goin on however get to go on vacation...You are one of the reasons I am totally off today and went CT last Friday I will never forget that Debbie...

Your friend in life and God....
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1235186 tn?1656987798
isnt the nedi pot great. my kids love it when i say time for nedi pot. lol.
so glad you are feeling better. as you told chad maybe the sinus infection & broncitis was a test for you as the tooth pain is for him. just saying.......
is your fever down?
you know the exercise is good so go for it.........
yes all your senses were repressed and  are awakening,,as is your endrophins,,dopamine,seratonin, yea.
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Avatar universal
96 hours no Lortab Hoooray and cold is getting better antibiotic is working Ahhhhh I feel so good thank you all for your prayers really...

Feel like going for a long walk in over 100 degree heat...I could never handle the heat while on lortab and my gosh it's kind of ironic but foods taste sweeter and better off lortab...

Still hanging tough you all.  Awesome to be off this ****.....

There is a hell of a lot more energy off this ****
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Avatar universal
Hi Gnarly and Self,

Doing okay except have a bad cold and rough cough....Fever today doc gave me stupid lortab cough stuff yesterday big side of me feeling so crappy wanted to take it.  Called a good Plastic Surgeon friend of mine who knows what I am doing and he said do not take it.  He was very serious and he gave me a good *** chewing.  Ended up taking Benedryl and advil and Vicks cough stuff.  I am at 89 hours now and so happy except for the cold...Self thank you for your kind helpful words, Gnarly the urges to grab one to feel better with this cold was tough however I just had to get pissed and say no.  Debbie did a fine job of helping me as well thru that deal yesterday...Laying on heating pad and ice pack.  Going to make this folks thanks to everyone on this board...I can never repay your kindness....Unreal support group that I am so glad God put in my life...

Love ya all okay now I gotta go shove the Neti pot up my nose lol
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Avatar universal
Good Morning, I lost your thread, but just found it  (yes, it is a dumb blonde thing). I read your post about you feeling guilty about your wife doing home and kid duties. Just thought I would comment on that. She is going to be much happier with a clean, connected, healthy husband and father in the long run. If you had an operation or cancer she would surely drop everything to care for you and hold down the fort. I am so proud of your progress! You put your mind to it and despite the suffering, your hanging in there. YOU WILL MAKE IT! Hope your day is better than fine!
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Avatar universal
HEY Sam just wondering how your doing every day you put in is a day closer to feeling better just be ready for the mental mind screw to start it brings more people down then the withdrawals N/A has a good program and will really help you out chech around the local churches for support groups theres one called celebration recovery google it but dont try and go this alone you need someone to talk to someone to confide in N/A is set up for this I often say as addicts we need to change the very way we think and reason ....our best thinking got us here....it is possible to change and once you do living in recovery is a beautiful place im praying for you dude good luck and God bless......Gnarly
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1235186 tn?1656987798
i typed a post and then when i went to sent it, medhelp update man that is annoying. so here goes again.
well now its 78 hrs and counting, awesome!!!!!  benedryl makes my heart race cant take it or any decongestants, have to stick to the antihistimines. watch the bp on that stuff.
dont lay flat, that is worse, try to sit up more. so it drains. i cant sleep its 1am here and i am not even detoxing. i have bad insomnia. lack of hormones, now that i am over the hill.oh man. i guess its all down hill now.
hows your legs doing? your physical symptoms seem pretty good, the LORD does answer prayer. i didnt get your note :(
i sent you a pm
debbie
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Avatar universal
Nice I listen to that song all the time Casting Crowns...never seen that video thanks for sharing.....Awesome message and song..Tks Deb.
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Avatar universal
Hey Deb,  Sorry about my freak out today....I made it so happy 76 hours....No inhaler I got some Vicks cough medicine and benedryl it stopped my cough in it's tracks and no need for tussionex thank god.  That is stowed in a drawer.  No inhaler I hope I caught this early.  I do not normally take Benedryl so it knocked me on my butt lol felt dizzy after a benedryl induced nap. Gotta work until wednesday I will probably go in tomorrow and Wednesday and then off to Great WooooooF.  No fever however my gosh my chest and back hurt from coughing all night it was bad...Tks for your prayers hey dropped you a note ck your inbox....prayers to you back atcha and doubled up.....going to watch that YouTube now tks again....
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1235186 tn?1656987798
you are going to be ok. did he give you a inhaler? do the sinus rinses, they really do work.helps get that junk out of there.
take the syrup if you need it as prescribed.
a few times when my kids got it (my husband drank the whole bottle at once) how sad what addiction can do.
please be careful.
well are you home now till vacation? or are you going in tomorrow? do you have fever?

listen to this> "who am I"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU_rTX23V7Q&feature=related


i am continuing to pray now for your bronchitis, my list keeps getting longer, HE is able

sending hugs
debbie
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Avatar universal
Haha filled the Lortab cough syrup and aint taking it took two Benedryl and Vicks...Hopefully this works I am staying clean sorry all thought I was going to have to give in......

70 hours CT amen thank you God....Boss made me go home like a kid lol he said you sound like **** get out of here did not have to tell me twice....
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