Lorcet Addiction

[twoaday]

Here's my story.  I've been taking lorcet for about 2 years for my back (hurt while snowboarding)but more on the Lorcet later.  A couple of months ago my dr gave me a bottle of Xanax because I've been really stressed at work and having trouble relaxing & sleeping well.  40 pills in the bottle - I have no idea what the strength was.  At first I broke off a quarter every couple of days, once a week, whenever I felt like I needed it.  Worked great.  Then I ran out.  The pills had lasted for several months and I took the last piece on a Saturday night and didn't think twice about it.  Well, well, well.  I was wide awake all night Sunday night, felt like an empty-headed idiot all day Monday, bought Simply Sleep, took two Monday & stared at the ceiling all night.  By Tuesday I was a walking zombie, I had the runs, sweats/chills, my hair was frizzy, my mouth had a nasty metallic taste in it, no appetite, etc.  While staring at the ceiling Monday night trying to calm my thoughts (impossible - they wouldn't stop coming at me), it occurred to me that I had started taking the Xanax just about every night so my body probably was rebeling & refusing to sleep without it.  I guess over that period of time my body got used to even that little bit.  That's when I got online and found this forum.  With help from what I read & knowing this wouldn't last forever, I suffered through the week, got Unisom after reading this forum which worked better and finally got some toss/turn sleep Wednesday.  Each night was a little better but it took more than a week to feel "normal" again.  On a tip I picked up here I kept a diary of exactly how I felt each day so I could remind myself, if need be. This experience and reading this forum got me thinking about the Lorcet.  Just like everyone else, I slowly increased my intake 'til I reached 3-4 per day.  I know this isn't as many as some take but it's probably more than I need. I talked to my doctor - he wanted to switch me to Vicodin because it has a lower hydro content but I asked him to work with me on a taper-down on the Lorcets (frankly I was terrified of having w/d's if I suddenly switched meds).  He agreed so I took 3 for a few days and reduced to 2 1/2 for a week, now I'm down to 2 a day.  It's been okay but I can feel when the affect is wearing off in my back.  My original plan was to taper down to none but they do work for my back and I'm wondering if it's okay to take 2 a day if I'm careful & stick to this number.  Any input is appreciated - Thanks, TwoADay

[Rosie2012]

Hi I am quitting lorcets today cold-turkey I am scared because I know exactly what's about to happen (done this 2 times before) but I just feel so determined today, it's the beginning of summer and I want to have a good summer with my children this year, I eat to travel without having to worry if I have enough pills to make it. I have been addicted to lorcets for the past 5 to 6 years and I am tired of having to depend on them, and yes I will miss the high but I guess I got to a point in my life when I just got fed up with it. I love my family more than the pills that's for sure! I want to be a better me, a better person, a better wife,a better mother and a better friend. All these years I have neglected my surroundings and I Want to be that happy girl I was when I was 21. Never mind it's been 7 years of being addicted! That's pretty bad if you can't even remember when you first started! But I'm doing it and I'm going to win this battle. Everyone on this forum has inspired me and I really needed to find something like this thank God im not the only one!

[twoaday]

Wow, thanks for that.  No, my dr. never mentioned anything about what a really bad idea it is to suddenly stop taking Xanax.  Maybe he thought because it was only one bottle???  From my experience and what I've read here, these things are incredibly addictive and it doesn't take long.  If that was w/d's after only 40 pills, I have total empathy for those I've read about here that have been on them for years and are trying to kick the habit.  I've read so much here and have learned alot about meds and drs and misinformation.  The stories are so interesting and I can relate to many things.  I read some of my own thoughts and experiences.  It's almost better than reading books - so many stories.    

Not long ago I left my lorcets at a second home we have and was without them for 2 days.  As when I finished the Xanax, at first I didn't think anything of it but by the time I got them back, I was feeling the effects of not having them.   I think the only thing that kept me from realizing the full effect was that I still had the Xanax.  Speaking of the Lorcet, let's say for arguments sake that I decided to stop them altogether, would I still have wd's even at 2 a day?  I assume it will be easier but I have been taking them for quite a while.  I wonder if quantity or longevity makes it worse.

I'm watching Pride & Prejudice - I'd need many more lorcets each day to find men in wigs attractive.

Thanks for the information and making me feel okay about continuing at this dose.  Even my dr thought I was overreacting - though he also didn't warn me about the xanax.  His argument was that if you have pain, there are meds to control it --- until they're abused, which is easy to do.  Even though I'm taking them for the right reason and caught myself before it got too far out of control, I recognize some of the "side effects" other people mention like increased energy, ability to multitask easily, focus, etc.  I'm a high-energy person anyway but I definitely noticed a difference when I started taking the lorcets.

Thank you again.  If you know anything about possible wd's from this low dose, please let me know.

[DutchessGolden]

Is the doctor that put you on lorcet the same doctor that gave you the xanax? xanax is a benzodiazepine and should NEVER be stopped suddenly. This is very dangerous, I am really glad you are ok. There are a lot of people here stopping opiates cold turkey but opiate w/d rarely imposes any immediate threat. Your doctor really should have advised you about the xanax when he first gave it to you, although many doctors do not until you want to stop taking them, that's when their liability is its greatest. Your body wans't necessarily refusing to sleep without them, you were in withdrawal. And withdrawal from a benzodiazepine puts you at risk for seizures, stroke, and can be fatal. Often times benzo w/d can cause hallucinations and acute delirium. And like you said, you had the sweats and diarrhea- classic withdrawal symptoms.

On the lorcet, you tapered down to two a day and yes it's fine if you are taking what you need to relieve your pain. It becomes a problem when you are taking them to get high, and not just taking enough to relieve your pain. So you are doing great right now. As long as you stay on top of your dose you shouldn't have anything to worry about! It's great that reading here in the forum was able to help you. Let us know how you are doing.

xoxo- D.