I'm just worried....

[WhySoStupid]

I know there are a lot of people out there a lot worse off than I, however I'm still concerned. I've been taking either Lortab (for kidney pain) or Hydrocodone (for kidney pain, headaches, and tendinitis) on and off for the past almost 3 years, but in the past 6 months, I have been taking it every day. I NEVER take more than 2 pills a day because I get so nauseous. Although I still have pain, I don't want to take pills anymore. I find myself getting nauseous every night when they've worn off, and I'm irritable and not myself if I don't take them regularly. BUT, I have to stop, so I am going to. I just took my last one yesterday afternoon, and I refuse to call the doctor for more. It has now been about 30 hours since I took a pill. I'm nauseous, I have diarrhea, and I'm light-headed. Is this normal? How long will this last? I'm also worried that I've damaged my liver. Is this a valid concern?  

[rmrobbie11]

Hello me again. I myself just today had to start taking zoloft again. I was diagnosed with depression when I was 13 and was taking it for 5 years. I have been fine ever since, but my therapist tells me today that the imbalance I've caused in my brain using opiates may have brought my depression back up. I was feeling very depressed and anxious for the last 2 weeks and finally broke down and went today. If you have already been diagnosed with depression and anxiety then the withdrawal will only make it that much worse. You may need to see a therapist and see what he or she says. I tried to do it on my own and it didn't work. But I didn't give in, I just came up with another solution. I really wanted to do this without more pills, but that just wasn't in the cards for me.

[vicki595]

Just wait and see how things go. You may feel so great being off the pills that you won't notice any depression or have any anxiety. If you do, be sure to call the doctor right away. Many folks need to go on AD's for a brief period of time, just to jump start the production of new brain chemicals.

Don't start worrying this far ahead or you'll create a problem!

[WhySoStupid]

I meant Paxil...not Prozac. Haha! oops.

[WhySoStupid]

Thank God I came to you people at this website for support! I have a small support system. I say that because I am embarassed and afraid to tell people. My husband now knows and one of my good friends, but that's it. I was horribly nauseous all night, and I have been having the sweats this morning...and a terrible headache. The only way I ever got pills was through a prescription (I'm a HUGE worrier so I was always afraid to take pills that were sold on the "street"), so the only way for me to now get more pills is to call the doctor and ask for more...and I will not do it, as much as this nausea *****. I am very, very worried about the anxiety and depression that might come with this. I have been diagnosed with depression twice now in the past 10 years, I have been diagnosed with panic disorder, and most recently as bipolar. I usually took my pills right before I was going to be in a social situation (and this included something as simple as visiting a relative) because they calmed me down. I do not want to take anything like Zoloft or Prozac (I think that is what it was called) because they gave me WORSE panic attacks. I do have a highly addictive personality, so I don't want to take anything like Valium, either, because I'm afraid I could easily become addicted to that, too. They tried giving me Depacote for the bipolar disorder (and the headaches I get) but after I read about it, I refused to take it. Right now, I am not taking ANYTHING but a multi-vitamin. However, with all my "diagnoses" and going off pills, I'm afraid I'm going to be a mess.

[vicki595]

Hi and welcome!  You've gotten good advice above. I just want to stress the liquids. You really need to stay hydrated. That's why you're light headed. I know you're nauseated so take sips of coke or pesi or some peppermint tea, and try to get SOME food in...toast,crackers. You'll feel terrible if you don't get enough food and liquid.

Keep posting and telling us how you feel...we'll try to help.

[kyle505]

See? rmrobbie popped on as I was rambling. You are in good company. Just don't give up. The first few days can be very hard, and you'll be tempted. Stay strong.

[kyle505]

What you are going through is normal. You need to talk to your doc about liver damage. Although you've been using for three years, you've kept the dose very low, compared to most on this site. You should be over the physical withdrawal symptoms in three or four days. Again, you are at a pretty low dose. After that, you will have a longer period of time adjusting mentally. Drink a lot, take Vitamins, a mild, OTC sleep aid if needed.
I am new here: today is my eighth day clean, cold turkey. I was using Norco, similar to what you've been using. I read this site for days, getting support, information, and, did I say it, support. You're at the right place. Keep posting. We'll be here.

[rmrobbie11]

Hello. I myself am at 11 days clean. And yes all of this is unfortunately normal opiate withdrawal. Those symptoms and others like hot and cold flashes, palpitations and insomnia are very common during withdrawal. The physical symptoms usually last about a week. The worst happening between days 3-5. Then there are psychological symptoms as well. Depression, anxiety, irritability and more insomnia. After the initial detox your brain has to readjust to being without the drugs. It has to learn how to remake all the natural chemicals it used to make on it's own before opiates. I am unfortunately in the middle of this part of my recovery. It is hard, but it does get better and not being stuck on this marry go round is so much better. There are things you can take for the physical aspect of withdrawal. Look up the Thomas recipe. I didn't use it myself, but other people swear by it. The only thing I would say not to use is the Valium or other benzos. They are more addictive than opiates and MUCH harder to withdrawal from. I used Ativan for 1 week and suffered through 4 days of awful withdrawal. Sorry not trying to scare you. Just want you to be aware as I was not when I first started this. My first withdrawal was 2 months ago and I didn't expect it. My dealer ran out and I suffered for 6 days before I got more. I should have just stayed clean then but I couldn't take it. I decided to go back on my pills and taper down slowly over time. Which is where I am at right now. I tapered down and came off completely 11 days ago. Like I said it's hard, but not impossible. Do you have any type of support. Family, friends? Aftercare? Someone who will help you no matter what and can help you get through this. It's very hard and I can't imagine doing this without my husband to help me. I almost gave up once on day 7 and he pulled me back from the edge. I don't know what I would do without him. You need some kind of support system while going through this. I come here and read a lot and post too. keep posting and asking questions. There are a lot of people here who can help you and give you advice.