I will never judge again.

[Relate2u]

I can't believe I am here. I left my wife 9 years ago because she was addicted and began sleeping around in exchange for pills. I never understood the extent. I have since remarried in 2008. This same time I was diagnosed with Crohn's. I took my first lortab in 2009. The scrip was for 60 7.5/325. It took me a few months to go through 60. It then went to 90/mo every month. Then 90 Percocet 10/325. Then 120 Percocet. Soon my scrip was running out before the month was out. I knew I had to stop, but I knew the doc could not refill the percs so I asked him to drop to lortabs. He did. Now, it is 120 10/325 per month for the last 4 months. Plus he gives me adderall and tramadol.  However, my scrip gets filled in 10 days and I only have 8 left.  I decided this is it.  They sit in my cabinet and I have been off of all three as of 56 hours ago. I will never judge again. Thank you so much for those who post here. I am a praying man and in those prayers when I seek for help when I fear I can't do it, I mention all of you.

[lulu747]

Totally normal to feel achy and constantly fatigued.  Your brain/pain receptors are screaming GIVE ME DRUGS!  Being on opiates long term creates more pain receptors.  It takes about a month for you to level out and be able to properly assess your pain.  Keep doing the hot baths with epsom salts, try the sauna if you can, and because I know you can't take NSAIDS- just take extra strength tylenol.
There is no way for you to know what kind of pain you actually have because you have been overusing pain meds.  After a month clean I was in 75% LESS pain then I was on opiates.  After 2 months I started hot yoga and even in the winter months and during a Crohn's flare I was able to manage my pain with heat and tylenol.
It wasn't until my recent reccurance of my severe endometriosis that I found myself in a pain crisis that these things can't solve.
You need to give yourself time.
Your body has been through hell and back and you need to invest in a good vitamin regime, lot's of green veg (juice if you can) and lean proteins.  Some on this site swear by protein powders but they mess with my gut, and I'm guessing they'd mess with yours too.
You made it a week.  You're doing AWESOME!
Maybe you'll need the lortabs in the future, maybe not.  But you won't know if it's your addict voice or your real pain talking until you get some clean time under your belt.
You've got this.
Lu

[krisnile]

Hi I have read all your answers, I have a different opinion... If you are in pain that's why your doctors gives them to you, not unless you are taken more then you should , if you feel like you are addicted to them or taken more then you should...try cutting back on your own or give them to someone you trust and let Them give you what you need a day .that's what I had to do,cause I was getting a months worth and they be gone in a week!!! Like I said if you really need them for pain that's what they r for...

[Relate2u]

Hi Lulu. I made it a week. You are right about the peaks and valleys (at least I hope you are). I wonder sometimes if its just me and I NEED to go back on the lortab. I haven't and I'm trusting you and others that it will get better. Felt achy today and I am constantly fatigued. Normal?

[lulu747]

Haha the thing about the detox process is that it is peaks and valleys.  I will tell you that I had pretty bad physical symptoms for about a week.  Really bad.  Then I didn't sleep for about 3 weeks for more than 4-5 hours.  But I felt AWESOME (as in better than I'd ever felt in my life) after 2 months.  It comes and goes.  I don't know about adderall or tramadol because I've never taken the first and the latter I only took for about two weeks (made me depressed) The opiate detox physical is 4-7 days, peaks at day 3/4 and then slowly gets better from then on with minor setbacks.  Again, this is just my personal experience.  I know tramadol is harder because of the anti-depressant kicker and benzo like attachment to the gaba receptors.  Look up some of our long time tramadol users and read their stories for info.
I'm really proud of you.  
Keep taking the clonidine as long as you keep checking your BP.  I took it for nearly 3 weeks and it really helped with the anxiety, sweating, etc.
Keep posting.  I'm back to a busy work week tomorrow but I will do late night check ins and if you need anything send me a pm and I will do what I can to help.
From one addict/crohn's sufferer to another, wishing you a restful night.
Lu

[Relate2u]

I guess it's time to stop counting hours. I'm over 5 days into this. I am still just wanting to lay down and shake. Thanks, Lulu, for your support. The depression has subsided and when I woke up today, I felt ok. However, the physical feelings started coming back. They're still here, but not as bad as those first few days. When? When?

[lulu747]

Yes the mental part will pass after the extreme w/d and then will come and go.  This is why aftercare is crucial for recovery.  But you flushed your pills, told your doc, cut your sources right?  In early recovery it's so important to put as many road blocks between you and the pills as possible.  You're 103 hours in and that is AWESOME!  You're through the worst.  The BP meds help enormously.
The depression is also totally normal.  Your seratonin levels are going to take awhile to reset.  Getting outside and getting fresh air and exercise no matter how hard it is REALLY helps.  Trust me.  Also- CRY CRY CRY.  You gotta weep out those tears of futility, or they poison your soul.
You should be very proud of yourself.  You're doing great things here to reclaim your life.  I promise that this too shall pass.
Keep posting.
Here to support...
Lu

[Relate2u]

They put me on a blood pressure med. I told them (er) what I was doing. I have to check in with my doc on Monday. Right now I am 103 hours in. Physically, I am feeling better, I still just want one...just one. How do I deal with the mental part? Will that pass? I feel more depressed than I ever have. I could keep crying. Thank you for your concerns.

[lulu747]

OH GOOD!
Dammit you just about gave me a heart attack.  Yes- pred is a devil drug and yet it saved my life MANY times.  That combo of drugs is very dangerous.  Your BP is too high.  When I detoxed I took clonidine which is a BP med commonly prescribed in opiate detox.
If the doc does not call you back- don't know what time zone you're in but here it's 5 pm and past hours.  PLEASE GO TO ER.
I am worried about you.
Let me know what they say.
Lu

[motye51]

Good job on flushing those meds!!!!  Make sure when you call the dr you tell him everything your currently doing so he knows where to go with it!  Tell him you don't want to take the meds anymore!

[Relate2u]

I was taking remicade which really helped. Now I just take prednisone for flare-ups. My blood pressure right now is 142/102. I'm a little worried after your last post. I called the doc and am waiting for a call back.

[lulu747]

BTW I have Crohn's too.  You realize we absorb the pills differently than most right?  Are you taking meds for Crohn's?

[lulu747]

Ok good for you.  But that was quite the combo and I'm concerned about the adderall and the tramadol.  Could you please contact your dr and tell them what you've done?  I just don't want you in a dangerous situation here.  The norco detox is HE(* but totally doable- you just gotta suffer through it.  I'm worried about the adderal/tramadol combo.  Please, we just want you to be safe.  Please keep posting how you are feeling.
As addicts we can be stubborn as heck and sometimes do things in irrational ways (I put myself in this category) the first time I detoxed I also went c/t off the benzo I was on and nearly had a seizure before realizing something was really wrong and contacting my dr.  This saved my life.  
Stay in touch
Lu

[Relate2u]

I flushed them. To hell with them. It was so difficult, but after my last post I got up and didn't stop and think what I was doing. I just did it. For those who asked: monthly- 120 norco 10/325, 90 tramadol 50mg, and 60 10mg adderall. Gone.

[lulu747]

You are totally at the worst point now so don't give in.  The straight up narcotics are a bi&^ to c/t from for sure, but they leave your system pretty quickly and you should feel better within the next 48 hours.  Tramadol, however, is another thing.  At the Beach asked you what dose you were taking and for how long because Tramadol is a synthetic opiate with an anti-depressent kicker and a benzo like affect on the brain.  It is much, much harder to C/T this drug.  I'm not saying it can't be done, just that it is very hard and affects the body and brain in a different way.  Let us know about your dosing and we can help you better.
Personally, and this is JUST ME- but I would flush the pills other than the Tramadol.  I would contact your doctor IMMEDIATELY, and tell him/her what you are trying to do.  If you were on a high dose of the trams, I would try a bit of a medically supervised taper.  We just want you to be healthy, happy, safe, and ultimately SUCCESSFUL in your mission to be clean and free from the shackles of the pills.
Please let us know.
Sending support...
Lu

[Relate2u]

Thank you to all. When I went to the doc, he told me a story that a veteran who was in chronic pain was taken off of narcotics. He became bed ridden because the pain was such that he couldn't get around. His arthritis hit worse. Had he been left on narcotics, he would have survived. He actually encouraged me to keep taking them. This was 6 months ago. It is so hard to flush them. Today, now 77 hours in, is the hardest so far. Just one pill to make it all go away, but no. Please tell me that tomorrow will be better. Today I have stomach issues and a headache from hell.

[ActingBrandNew]

Congrats on quitting. Like the above said, you should flush the rest. Having them sitting in your cabinet waiting for you is bad business.

[atthebeach]

Hello and welcome. Happy for you that you want to reclaim your life.
How many milligrams of tramadol were you on per day? And for how long?
How are you feeling at 59 hours?
Stay hydrated is extremely important eat bland foods.
Move around as much as possible.
Keep moving forward.
Get rid of the pills
Keep the faith.
You got this.

[motye51]

Isn't it amazing what we will do for our drugs! Once u run out of drs to use, friends medicine cabinets, parents medicine cabinets, we.will do whatever it takes to get our drugs. Now, you have to take the same stamina used in getting drugs, to get off of drugs. The best thing to do, I think, is tell your Dr you have a problem and get him to start tapering you if u can. I personally, could not taper do I had to do cold turkey. It was a *****, but doable. You must take that.jump and flush what u have left! It's the only way to start this process! Look for Thomas taper on this website, get what u need and start this thing! U can so do this!

[Jinx_777]

sometimes God has a way of teaching us lessons.  Just get rid of the meds you have left and consider it a lesson learned

[vicki595]

Hi there and Welcome-  Good for you for recognizing a problem and finding a way out. If I can make a suggestion: Dump the pills you have left. It's a safety measure because they can call to you...You might tell the doctor who prescribes them, as well. It works better if you cut your sources.

Questions? Have you detoxed before?

[jleeflcntrygrl]

Flush them all! Good luck! U definately made the right choice! Mabey sum aftercare like therapy or NA?