Lasted as long as I could.

[beentrying2quit]

I need to appologize to all that have supported me over the past 10 days but today I had to take a Lortab.  I did not do it for the high but for legitimate pain.  I have nerve damage related to a condition I have and also suffer from some digestive disorder that I'm still trying to figure out.  

Both of these conditions are the reason I began taking pain meds as I'm not supposed to take any OTC pain reliever.  Starting last Tuesday I went CT from the Lortabs and went 2 days without taking any ibuprofen, Asprin, or tylenol.  Friday of last week I could not handle the pain so started taking Advil and Excedrin, about 4 tabs each day.  Now I'm paying the price for that.

I am hyper sensitive to both Advil and Asprin.....both items cause me extreme abdominal pain but I was willing to fight that and the withdrawals at the same time to try and get of opiates.  I could not take it any longer tonight.  I broke down and took one 5/325 hydro and will probably have to take another one soon.

If the pain continues I will be heading to the ER as I'm affriad that I may caused some more damage to my stomach.  I tried....I really, really tried.  I was in a great mood yesterday and this is when I noticed my ":new" type of pain and realized that my original pain was still around and that if I continued taking OTC pain meds they would probably kill me like the almost did in 2004.

I could not be more dissappointed in myself than I am right now.  I felt I was on my way to a drug free life but it seems they will be with me to the end.   I guess it could be worse.  You guys are all I have...my wife does not understand and actually becomes angry with me if I dont take a Lortab.  Hope you dont give up on me.

[marcatj]

...only you know the truth.

if you needed it for pain, you did. then why feel bad?

if you could have gotten by without it, then only you know.  and you then need to try something new in your recovery.  trying the same thing over and over doesn't work.. as we all, unfortunately, know...

good luck...

[Ghilly]

As a chronic pain sufferer (adhesive arachnoiditis), I have to stick my nose in here and say that if you are taking opiates for chronic intractable pain, and have been instructed NOT to take anything OTC because of the stomach problems it gives you, why are you trying to quit taking the meds in the first place?  You have to have SOME quality of life, and if taking an occasional Lortab will give you that quality of life, then I wouldn't worry about it at all.  Taking pills for pain doesn't make you an addict.  It's when you don't have pain but take them just to feel normal that the problems start.  There is such a stigma attached to opiates today, and it's truly a shame, because there ARE people who need them in order to have some time being at least marginally free of pain.  Sometimes, when a person has chronic pain, and finds themselves taking more and more of a medication in order for it to work, it's not a sign of addiction, but a sign of being undermedicated.  If they were taking enough medication to control their pain, there would be no need for them to constantly increase their dose on their own.  

If you want to get off the pills because it's something that YOU want to do, then more power to you, and I wish you strength and every success.  But if you are doing it because of pressure from family or friends who don't understand what it is like to live with chronic pain, then that's their problem, and not yours.  You have to do what you have to do in order to have some quality of life.  Addictions happen to people who take pain meds for a condition that eventually heals completely and goes away, even though the yearning to take the pills doesn't go away when the pain does.  Pain that never goes away, however, shouldn't be allowed to overtake someone's life just so that that person can say that they don't take drugs for it.  PLEASE UNDERSTAND, I am NOT trying to talk you out of stopping the use of opiates.  I'm just presenting another side to the arguement because in your case, it doesn't sound like you have an alternative if you want to control your pain, and nobody's life should be ruined by pain just because of what other people might think about the fact that they take pain meds.  Again, if you're doing it FOR YOU, God Bless and stay strong!  If you're doing it for someone else, they're not the one with nerve damage, so you should not be expected to live with LEGITIMATE pain because of what someone else thinks of pain meds.  

Ghilly

[feohmoon]

There is a difference in a drug of choice and a necessary prescription.  Don't be so hard on yourself.  Most importantly you must keep your best interest in mind.
Continue posting...stay strong, this is not a relapse so please do not let it affect you as though it is.  You are still doing great.
hang in there...
peace

[opi]

don't sweat it................   :)

[Mikeinthesouth]

Don't worry much if legit pain. I 5mg not bad I'd say just don't let it lead to abuse. That is what it is all about in my opinion. I have not had to give in to take one trashed everything I had and burned bridges regarding sources but i am not ruling out dulling pain if it becomes to bad as long as I can find away to have them dispensed to me in a controlled enviroment or someone who would never give in to me when I start looking around for more. Jump back on and be true to yourself honesty about abuse or use we are the only one that really knows. At least that is where i am.

[wait2long]

Aww hun...dont be so damn hard on yourself.  as long as it was legit pain, you didnt abuse, it was your prescription, and it was only 1...that is a legit reason, and you only took 1?!...i know how hard you have been working at this...dont let this ruin all of your hard work...when your better get right back on track, you wont have to go through all of the withdrawals again, you are almost there so work on getting there and staying there!!!...no need to be disappointed in yourself or apologize to us/me...we have all done it, but now is the time to get right back on track dont let this deter you from your main goal, you can still do this!!!  its never too late, 1 pill is NOTHING compared to where you were!
but if you have legit pain problems what are you going to do in the future?  you really need to work on this so you dont have to resort to the pain meds and get so down on yourself about it...a lot of people have legit pain, there are other options available...i dont know what your pain stems from, and i see you have trouble with OTC meds...but there HAS to be something non addictive for you to take...there has to be, you need to speak to your doctor about this also.  
you need to throw that bottle of pills away hun, i understand your in pain, i do...but if you really want to live a drug free life, you have to toss them regardless.  if your pain is chronic and unbearable...then you really need to work on other options for pain meds.. and think really long and hard about what you want to accomplish, or if it is possible with your type of pain...i hate to see you set yourself up for disappointment again because of chronic pain...but for now get back on track and then start working on other options for your pain...
good luck and i'm here for you if you need to talk!!!
take care!

[newmanagment]

if you needed this pill for pain i think it is ok ya took it, but dont let it set ya back in the mind set that you have to have them everyday. if your stomach is that bad, go to the ER and let them check you out!! dont be taking chances. we have all come to care about you, and i dont think any of us are judges here. so stay focused, keep ya chin up, and take care of yourself... much love

[allaboutmary]

Please don't be disapointed with yourself .  NO ONE should be in pain.  We are here for ya.  There are going to be times in all our lives that we will NEED to take pills for actual pain.  Please don't beat yourself up about this.  Keep posting.