Lortab Withdrawal

[VOsRose]

Can anyone give me a good idea of the degree of withdrawal I might go through based on my past addiction history.  I have been told that each time you go through withdrawal it gets worse.  I went through the worst withdrawal I could imagine (my third time, by the way) several months ago.  At that point I as taking 70 to 80 10mg. Lortab a day.  It took me a good month to stop withdrawing (although the initial really awful stuff was over in a few days).  I was weak, could hardly lift my arms to take a shower and wash my hair - I would have to lay down for an hour just to recover.  By the end of the second month, without really realizing it, I was back to my "old" self.  Full of energy and feeling great.  Then, about a month ago, I picked up a bottle of pills that I had found in the house and took a couple.  That led to a couple more and, next thing you know, it's been a month now.  I kept the count down to 18 or less, usually around 12.  I know that's considerably less than what I had been taking.  The weird thing is, they made me feel exactly the same way.  At first, the feeling was euphoric.  Then I just felt strung out all of the time.  With it only having been a month that I've been taking these pills again, can anyone give me an idea of how severe the withdrawal will be?  Will it be as bad as the last (when I was taking 80 pills a day)  or should it be milder given the lower amount and amount of time?  I had been taking pills, the last time, for 3 years, with the 70 to 80 a day dosage lasting for about 9 months or so.  Thanks for any advice anyone can give me.  I am getting married in a month.  I have Bridal Portraits tomorrow and have to go out of town Friday for a party my Maid of Honor is throwing for my fiance and I.  I need to know what I might be facing.

[VOsRose]

I won't post on here where I was getting that many pills, but I can tell you it wasn't off the street.  I never really looked at the numbers...2,400 is unbelievable, actually.  I always thought about it in terms of how many a day...never added up how many a month...WOW.  That is a scary number, for sure.  I hope everyone understands that I built up to that dose over a period of 11 or 12 years...not overnight.  I was never endorsing it, only trying to be honest about MY situation...everyone is different.  

Rosie

[lovemysobriety]

This last time I did cold turkey detox, 3 months and some days ago.... I drank the **** out of Glaceau Vitamin water called 'Revive'. It has a good amount of the B vitamins in it. Also, what FL and others have said, you have to heal your brain. Take a multi-vitamin with aminos. And something else that has helped me. (I realize this isn't for everyone) I became a vegetarian. Mainly eating raw foods. I wanted so badly not to have those cravings, because I KNOW they are bit**. I've been down the detox road soooo many times, I wanted some way, a smart, healthy way not to crave. And to heal my brain. I'm still healing. And I've slipped. But I'm commited. Another thing that helped with the shakes and MUCH needed sleep was Hylands Calms Forte. I still take them when I am stressed, or can't sleep. They are herbal and work great.

In retrospect, I should have posted YEARS ago. Maybe, I would be celebrating years of sobriety and not months. I was a lurker, as I'm sure so many are. So to all you lurkers..... there is hope. Really.

Peace.

P.S. --A little insight for those that posted about Rosie taking so many pills. At my worst, I'd estimate I was taking somewhere around 40 or 50 a day (10mg Norcos).... and I was sick, my liver is surely screwed. I was so very sick back then. So yeah, we can build up a tolerance that is inconcievable, but it can be done. Not without consequences, of course.

[FLaddict]

Its probably the B12 and the taurine in the red bull thats helping... those are two things that as addicts we are commonly deficient in, Exercise will also help get your natural endorphins flowing which are your natural "opiates" even walking briskly can help..
Yeah methodone isn't really the way to get an addict back to normal.. drug co would like to think it is.. but the truth is most of us really screw ourselves up nutritionally.. those essential nutrients,vitamins, amino acids are vital for function and proper balance in our brains.. even taking a mens amino complex will help.. you may wanna give it a try.. the cravings will start to get better i promise..
Lifestyle changes are neccesary to stay off the pills... Its hard.. its the hardest part.. I know for me.. I got off pills 3 months ago.. only to find out I have Fibromyalgia and Myofascial pain syndrome.. sucks.. but I am making some changes.. diet, level of activity, changing my stressful job situation.. I know for me... i don't crave the high as much as i crave pain relief.. so by changing things that increase my pain.. I am less likely to have that feeling..
YOu are doing f-ing great for 2 weeks... you should be really proud.. stick around here and keep talking about it.. that also helps alot..

XOXO
Stephanie

[Angryman]

Yep. I saw a show on HBO the other day about drug replacement therapy instead of drug cessation.
They were putting people on Methadone saying it takes the brain awhile (years sometimes) to return to pre-drug operation. Kind of depressing to think it will take that long.

I think I need to change my lifestyle and get to doing something besides watching TV.

It's hard for me to explain the ANGRY part about going off the Lortab. I actually do need them for the pain I have, but I am trying to mentally use that pain as a motivator. The "No Pain No Gain" theory.
I also take 2 blood pressure meds as well as Cymbalta for depression.

I was never a drug taker until starting Lortab. (except for when I was in HS)  I would always wait until I couldn't stand it anymore before taking an Advil.

I think I will start taking long walks. The excersise might help and I need to lose some of this weight anyway. 287lbs and 5' 7" don't mix very well.

Oddly enough, the drink "Red Bull" seems to helps a bit. It's probably running my BP up but I feel better after one.

RoD

[helpforhubby]

I just wanna know how someone gets 2400 pills a month legally or illegally? thats about 10 grand a month bought off the street or ,,,,,,geeez how many drs are you seeing

[FLaddict]

Cravings are caused by the damage we do to our neurotransmitters in our brains. While on pills our brains stop producing alot of the normal things that control our moods, pain levels, sleep,ect. When we stop using pills our brains need time to heal and start producing these things at normal levels again, this takes time.. you can speed it up.. With a good diet full of protein and amino acid supplements and B complex these things can get better.. amino acids can rebuild the pain receptors in our brains. Its these pain receptors that cause cravings since they are not working up to speed.

XOXO
Stephanie
3 months 3 days

[Angryman]

Hello to all, and to all good luck quiting.
I have been taking 3-4 7.5mg lortabs daily for a bulging disc and degenerative disc for about 6 years. Anyway, I severely broke my leg in March of 2003 and was on a morphene pump for 4 days in the hospital. After going home I was prescibed lortab 7.5 again and got back up to my 3-4 pills a day level
in short order. I recently got ANGRY, ANGRY, Pis** off about my life and how this **** has a hold on me. I quit cold turky a little over 2 weeks ago.
The 1st few days were horrible with most of the normal WD symtoms. I was sleeping 3 hours out of 72 even with taking a 1mg Xanax and 10 mg Ambian at bedtime. My sleep is still screwed up even after this long. If I don't take the Xanax and Ambian, I won't sleep at all.
The problem I'm having now is the craving is starting again!! WHY?? After the first week I was starting to feel better even though my sleeping was poor.
I'm really thinking it's psychological at this point since I don't have the shakes anymore.

I REALLY feel for the people out there that were taking massive amounts of the **** and don't feel
like I have ANY room to complain, but on the other hand, WHY am I wanting them so bad in the past few days?

Good luck to all on getting off of these LIFE SUCKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

RoD

[ldt3201]

Hi all just reading at this forum b/c I too am addicted to lortab. I attempt to take 18-20 10 mg pills a day. I have no script so I have to buy them on the street. If I ever got caught I could be in big trouble. I am a nurse and can not miss work and feel I have no time to take to get better. I did quit last year and I went through the worst withdrawal, I could not take it. I am scared to feel that way again. I want to quit so much! I am out of pills right now and feel bad but I am taking some Ultram that does seem to help. My only concern with that is... Will it help me to get off of the pills or is it doing the same function in my brain so that I will get sicker when I quit taking them? I want to add that buying these pills on the street is also expensive. They are $3.00 a piece. That is $60.00 a day, however I do not get to take the amount I would like everyday. Anyone have any imput on the Ultram and if it will help in the long run?

[VOsRose]

When I found this board I was trying to find out what w/d I was facing after a short relapse and a much lighter dosage amount.  I was terrified that it was going to be just as bad as all the times I went through w/d after long, sustained periods and heavy usage.  The people here have been so helpful and so supportive.  I try to help people by answering questions and giving encouragement to quit, but I'm a long way from knowing all there is to know about addiction!  

I did stop taking the pills again...today is day 9 for me.  I did a rapid taper and, believe it or not, suffered no withdrawal.  I don't understand it.  I know I was very lucky.  

I hope you're doing fine today!  Have a great day.

Peace

[Calzy]

It's funny when you post here you play a dual role with one min asking questions and the next sharing advise. You kind of see where you have been and where you going. I don't think w/d day 3 and 4 are much different when you have been using along time if you took alot or a little, at least i always had the same w/d routine and it's no picnic.

[VOsRose]

That's a tough one.  You may have become dependant on the pills, but not addicted, which is a good thing.  It is still the same physical component, but not the same psychological component.  Unfortunately, your body and brain chemistry changes when you take narcotic medications and will have to adjust when you stop.  Just be prepared and, if you can, ask your Dr. for some clonidine when you get ready to stop again...it is supposed to REALLY help with physical withdrawal.  Good luck and if you need anything or have any other questions, please ask.  Lots of people here will jump in, I'm sure!

Peace
Rosie

[Wind Walker]

I have been going to a "pain mgmt." clinic for a couple years now (off and on) for 3 herniated disks that really get in the way.  They tried all the injections, etc., and nothing seemed to work.  Anyway, they had me on 3 ultram and 3 lortab a day for about a year.  I stopped the lortab myself about 8 months ago (it was a very hard week), but, I survived.  About 2 months ago, I was in an accident that really aggreivated my back/neck.  He put me back on the lortab along with the ultram and said that dosage was not too high.  I suppose it isn't reading this forum, but I didn't like what I had to go through 6 months ago.  I was able to make it through work, etc., but I'm sure I looked as bad as I felt.  Since I'm supposed to refill the lortab then end of this month, I was thinking of not doing so.  I'd like to not have this constant "pill taking" as part of my life.  I do understand that pain needs to be treated sometimes (as I tried the "grin and bear it" way, and according to my family I was barely "bearing" and never "grinning") as pain itself takes it own toll.  But, I also don't want the WD symptoms again.  And, I did taper off down to 1/2 a pill (10mg pills) a day before I quit, I thought for sure that would be enough.  It was a good 5-7 days before I felt relatively normal again.  After reading all these posts, it seems I'm going to just have to go through it again.  (I was hoping there was someway to ease it a bit.  Since I still, and have, taken the Ultram - I don't think it will be much help).  The doctor isn't very sympathetic since I'm trying to "not" folow his directions...  Any advice?  

[VOsRose]

In addition, I am well aware of what the withdrawal was like from the large amount.  I was asking for advice one what the withdrawal is going to be like after one month of use at much, much lower doses - average of 12 a day.  I have no experience with withdrawal after a SHORT usage period.  

[VOsRose]

Thanks for your words of support and encouragement.  I KNOW I can do this.  You're very right.  There is no way to go through the things I have to do this week while detoxing.  I'm hoping, even though it's a rapid, rapid taper, it will be enough to help.  Also, Fladdict advised me to take the pills one at a time in more frequent doses today (one every three or so hours) so as not to peak my plasma levels.  That sounds like good advice.  Like yesterday, I'll hold off until I start feeling shaky and sweaty and take one.  I'm strong-willed and determined - that's where the Italian blood really pays off!  I'll let you know how I do today.  Today will be a good test since it's going to be a looooong one.  

[VOsRose]

My point was not to "inform" people that you, too, can take this many pills and be okay.  I was trying to talk honestly about my addiction as we are encouraged to do when seeking recovery.  I have stated that it IS a wonder I'm not dead.  I was TOLD that when I was in the hospital.  However, I'm not.  In addition, I mentioned the amount because I wanted to let these people who are facing withdrawal know that, even at that amount, it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected it to be (which is what kept me from seeking help for so long.)  Anyway, I do believe that everyone's body is different. I did build up to that dose over a long period or time and years of on and off the pills.  I also find it hard to believe that I am the only addict that's ever reached that amount.  Anyway, I won't ever be there again.  And by the way, my doctor wasn't as surprised or doubting as you seem to be and told me that the severity of my withdrawal was about in line with the amount.  I wonder, though, if some of the horrible withdrawal wasn't from the tylenol itself.

[azaddiction]

I'm soo glad you said something about the 80 a day habit, as a current pill taker I did ponder over that figure, but I did also think that maybe my 5 to 6 pill a day habit was not so bad?  So the amount stated can go both ways, I myself do not have access to that large amount but I wonder if I did????? Anyway just wanted to let you know.  W/D's suck, I hate to say but I'm just not ready to feel like ****, but I'm so glad I have this forum because just reading that I am not alone does make a difference, and I do hate the fact that I'm letting something run my life, so with that being said, I do want to quit, just havent had the strength...

[wdagain]

Never underestimate how much tolerance a person can build up on long term use of opiates and how much the human can take without dying.  You are correct that is a lot of Tylenol but no one knows how much liver damage they really have unless a liver biopsy is done, I know about this as I have had 3 of them for cirrhosis and Hep C.  Elevated Liver enzymes tests show liver cells putting off enzymes into the blood but they do not show how much liver damage is done, such as severe bridging and different stages of cirrhosis.        

[wdagain]

It sounds like to me you are being very honest about your situation and in no way do I think you are being weak.  You clearly have a plan and I am proud of you as I am sure your husband to be is.  There is no way you could get pictures done rolled up in a ball withdrawing.  I am also just as certain that you are going to quit when you say you are as the words you are writing ring of a sincere desire to quit this nightmare we often find ourselves in.  I am also very proud that you did not get the 120 filled. <<< that is a huge accomplishment!!!  Please keep me informed of how you are doing.  PS.  I grew up in Houston..from what I can remember lolol...  My Mom has Lupus so I know a lot about it.  You can do this...you did before!!!    

[oxyhydro]

Did I hear you right? She wins the prize for most pills in a day! She is full of ****, that's 40,000 mg of Tylenol per day for a year. She would be dead! Her liver would have went into failure in no time. I just want to post because that is just moronic to even state that you have taken 80 pills in one day. Many people read this forum everyday, people who are still taking pills, and for them to hear that other people are taking 80 pills per day, thinking that is safe, or that they can take that many pills, is just plain dumb. She was taking a suicidal dose of Tylenol every day for a year, ya right!!!! Second of how can she not know how the withdrawals are going to be like after coming of a dose like that. Bunch of **** if you ask me.

[Addicted2Pain]

You were taking 70-80 ten mg pills per day? Am I reading that correctly?

At the most, I've taken approx. 30 ten mg pills in a day, and I can't imagine 70-80! You win the prize for most pills taken per day! LOL

Anyway, good luck in your recovery. I have no room to talk, but at that amount, I can't imagine you haven't damaged your liver.

[VOsRose]

By the way...just to let you know.  I'm doing fine on 6 pills today.  Yesterday I wasn't.  I ended up taking 9.  I hope that's a good sign.  I did hold off as long as I could today before I took the first ones.  I realize I'm doing a very quick taper, but that's the best I can do.  I'm so afraid that if I get another whole prescription right now I won't stick with the taper correctly.  I am obviously facing a very stressful time right now with the wedding and everything.  Best not to tempt myself.  God Bless and thanks!

Rosie

[VOsRose]

I made it about 20 hours and got weak.  I have taken a total of six today.  I have enough pills to take five tomorrow, four the next day, three Saturday.  I could go ahead and do 2 Sunday, 1 Monday and then stop.  I think, though, after the Saturday dose I will then cold turkey it.  I was doing "okay" but very sweaty and shaky.  I don't know if I told you, but I have Bridal Portraits tomorrow and then Saturday my Maid of Honor is throwing a cocktail party for my fiance and I in Lafayette, La.  I live in Houston now, but grew up there.  All of my family and lots of friends will be there.  I just HAVE to get through this week/weekend.  After that, there's not much that HAS to be done in any certain time frame until the week of the wedding, which is the last week of August.  I'm thinking that, surely, given the short amount of time I was back on the Lortab and the fact that I controlled the amount, if I do this quick taper, the withdrawal won't be horrible.  Even if it is, I did this to myself and I deserve it.  My biggest issue was being able to make it through this week.  I did not fill the 120 rx.  I have given it to my fiance and he is aware of what is going on (again) and very supportive.  He paid for my last hospital detox as we own a business and, right now, I don't have health insurance.  Because of the Systemic Lupus, the rates are out of this world.  That's a whole other issue.  Thanks so much for your support.  I hope that the fact I couldn't go cold turkey this week doesn't make you or anyone else that reads this think less of me.  I promise myself and you that, as soon as this stuff I must do this week is over, I'm done.  No matter how bad it is.  I'm tough...I can take it!  I will be here talking to all of the wonderful people who are so supportive of each other all through this and from now on!  What a great support system!  I wish I had found this site a month ago.  I would not be where I am.  God bless you in your recovery and journey of sobriety.

[wdagain]

You should be about 13 hours since you took any.  How are you doing now?   I hope it does not hurt too bad.  Let us know how you are doing.  You can do this :)

[VOsRose]

Thanks!  I'm trying to get my courage up to go out.  I will get there in a few.  Not feeling too bad right now.  I haven't had any pills since 6:00 yesterday evening.  I took three at that time, for a total of 9 yesterday.  The day before was 12.  I was going to take 6 today, 3 tomorrow and then none Friday.  I just decided to go ahead and face the music and (so to speak) "take my medicine".   I hope it hurts bad.  I NEVER want to be here again.  I'll check in later to let you know how I'm doing.