NEED HELP AND NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT

I AM A MARRIED WOMEN AND HAVE 3 WONDERFUL KIDS AND I AM HOOKED ON LORTAB OR ANY OTHER PAINKILLERS THAT WILL MAKE ME FEEL LIKE I CAN FUNCTION IN LIFE. I STARTED TAKING THEM JUST FOR THE SPEED/ THEN I WENT TO THE DOCTOR AND STARTED GETTING A PRESCIPTION. I TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 4 TO 8 A DAY, DEPENDS ON HOW MANY I HAVE OR CAN GET. I HAVE A FULL TIME JOB AND WOULD LIKE TO STOP BUT I WOUL D HAVE TO BE OUT OF WORK BECAUSE OF THE WITHDRAWLS AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE MY JOB. I GET FLU LIKE SYSTEMS AND GET REALLY DEPRESSED. I KNOW I AM KILLING MY SELF AND I AN'T BEING FAIR TO MY KIDS. THE BAD THING IS THAT MY HUSBAND IS HOOKED TOO. HE ALSO GETS A PRESCRIPT. AND BETWEEN THE BOTH OF US IT IS BAD AND EXSPENSIVE. I AM SO ASHAMED TO TELL ANYONE. I HAVE CALLED FACILITY BUT CAN'T AFFORD TO GO. IF I KNEW HOW LONG IT THE HORROR WOULD BE OVER I WOULD QUIT COLD TURKEY. PLEASE HELP ME OUT . TELL ME WHAT TO EXPECT.

[Allicat0117]

The best way to quit in my opinion is stop cold turkey. You will be sick for about a week. There are some things you can do to help with the w/d sy,ptoms. You need to talk to your dr and tel him everything...that is what I did. He can give you some other meds to ease the pain and anxiety. Is your husband quitting too? IT would be best for ya'll to do this together. After the physical w/d subside you will have to deal with the mental anguish..which is even worse...therapy helps if you can afford it. Keep posting and let us know how you are doing. We can give you certain advice to help with certain symptoms while going thru the w/d. Good luck!

[scared197703]

Thanks for the reply. I hope he will stop with me, it would be too hard if he didn't. I am scared to go to the doctor. I am trying to taper myself off, but I know that is just a way to keep taking them. I just can't handle the w/d. I am the only one working and can't take off to do this. I have really learned alot from this site, but it has also scared me even more.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

You know its time to stop......the altenative is to crash and burn even harder and not under your own control. Possibly even in a jail, prison, or hospital. Trust me here.....I have been to all of the places above - and where you are now. There is hope and there is still life. But you have to do it yourself........people will help you with advice and support, but you must supply the work.  Learn as much as you can by reading this site and the archives some more. And it should scare you - you are in a fight for your life.....Best of luck to both of you......

[bull172]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Addiction-Substance-Abuse/48-days/show/992022

[scared197703]

I had someone give me only 5= 7.5 and I already had 2 and half of one. can you taper off with 7. I did good today I only took 2 and half of the 7.5 tabs and i still feel good. I don't know if I should try 1 1/2 tomorrow or what I should do to make them last. THEY DON'T EVEN DO ANYTHING ANYMORE, I HAVE TO TAKE THEM NOW JUST TO FUNCTION. I HATE IT AND NEED TO STOP.

[HelpinUtah]

I think if you can taper than do that - but most of us who are addicted cannot do that.  I went cold turkey from Lortab.  I had flu-like symptoms like the worst flu I ever had, but I took 2 days off work and had to work the rest of the time.  It wasn't easy, but so WORTH it!  I do think you should see about having your husband quit with you as the temptations will be too much for you.  I agree you HAVE to WANT this and if you do - YOU WILL SUCCEED!  Please think of your health but also think of your children.  They need a mother who is clean, right?  If you need help, just let me know.

Have you read the Thomas Recipe or the Amino Acid Protocol at the bottom right hand page?  Check it out - if WILL help you!

Good luck and prayers headed you way!

Hugs,
Janet

[peaceinknowing]

You sound a lot like me. I'm new here and need the same help but I just can't seem to get away from the pills. Stay strong and keep doing what you're doing in tapering. This seems to be the route a lot of people are going. Maybe I should try this as well??

[Ella789]

  You have just read some very good advice,  I hope others like you will find your own path to detox and recovery.  It is hard for a few days,  you will be on edge, jittery, have loose bowels, and just feel like you have a case of the flu.

  Clonidine REALLY helped with the jitters, please see if your Dr; will help you with that and perhaps a few tranzene, ( I'm not condoneing tranzene, but a few during detox really helps.)  These two things really made a diffference for me !!!!!!!  You will need the immodium, hot baths with epsome salts,  otc arthritus strength pain meds, benadryl perhaps to help with sleep.   You will yawn,cough,sneeze, ect,  it's agravating but this is how it goes, and it is normal.   YOU CAN do this.  It isn't eazy to rid your body of the opiates, but this is how it happens.  You are not alone,  just get on line and ask for help,  PM people to ask private questions.  

God bless you all,

Ella

[HelpinUtah]

My doctor used Xanax and Tranxene for me and it worked great.  I do caution that you be careful with those things as they can be addictive themselves but used in conjunction with your doctor's care, the Thomas Recipe, exercise, hot baths and a positive attitude they can really help!  :)

[scared197703]

well I am back and have only took 1= 7.5mg today. I didn't have to work today so i thought i would try and take as less as possible. I didn't start feeling bad until around 12. and I had not had anythhing since yesterday around 10 only 2 1/2= 7.5 mg and felt okay all day. I really don't see how tapering really helps you get off them because yuo are still keeping them in your system, it just makes them strecth out. I don't know feel that bad but don't know what i'm gonna do when I finially run out. I am not gonna be any good for my kids and my husband is going out of town next week to start a job and I will be alone. I have no one that i can tell to give me any support. any more advice.

[IBKleen]

You only took 1 today? that is wonderful! Yes, it is hard and I know you feel crumby but you are well on your way. Don't worry about next week or even tomorrow, get through today and you are almost done. Each day it will get better.

Congratulations on your decision to get clean!! Hope you stick around!

[scared197703]

well I screwed up and went back to the doctor. I just can't do this. I have to work and can't stop myself. I have done so much today since I have been home from work. i have clean my house and not just come in a layed on the couch. I don't know how to do this. i took 6 today. i don't see how this is ever going to end. i thought about maybe getting preganant and that way I would have to stop. We couldn't afford it though. This is too much stress.

[IBKleen]

I am sorry to hear that you went back. It CAN end if you end it. You scare me because if you think it will get better, you are wrong. You will need more and more and there will come a time when the doctors will cut you off and then you will get them through other means. It is a vicious cycle.

I don't know what makes you think you will stop if you get pregnant. I have to tell how that sounds. I am trying not to be rude but it is your choice to do this to yourself, please do not do this to an innocent child who cannot make the choice.

I wish you the best and hope you get clean and healthy so you can have your life and your family back.

You are always welcome here no mater what stage you are in and maybe if you keep talking it will hit you. Please take care of yourself.

[scared197703]

How long have you been clean and how many tries did it take you. I don't want you to think that I would even hurt an my child by doing that if I were preganant. I know I would quit if that was to happen. That way I would be fighting for someone elses life. i think i could stop now if I set my mind to it, even if I had to work, I have been without them for a week and know what it's like, just doing it is the problem, now that i have them in hand again. i was hoping the doctor would say no, and then i would have to have told them that I have a problem. I don't understand why they put you on something they know you will get hooked on and then the stuff to help you get off of it, is also addictive. But that's how it is. I was always miss goodie to shoes that would have never done anything and now what I have chosen to do, not knowing that it would have ended up this way. I will just keep praying and hope GOD hears me.

[worried878]

HOLY COW!   ur habit is not astronomical...getting pregnant to make urself stop is a bit extreme..i know u dint mean it literally....but this is not an easy thing to do...did u say ur hubby uses as well?   makes it double tough...even stopping smoking..if one of the 2 in a relationship contnues to smoke then the other will usually fail....if u decide to quit//for real quit/then u do not ned ur doc anywhere near u for a long long time..if ever... sounds as tho u r trying to quit with pills near by..dont beat urself up for failing cos u r making it impossible on urself to stop in the first place..u just dint realize it...if u r truly an addict then u can not have pills in ur face...not for now or probably ever..addiction is a chronic disease and it never goes away..u can treat it and "go into remission" but u can not get rid of it per say and relapse is always a pill away.....and no one knows if u r an addict but u

makin a plan is of essence..the health pages r slap ful of great info....40-80 mgs a day is gonna feel a bit flu like physically when u quit...i was at 100 mgs for 4 yrs and i did feel kinda cruddy/flu like for 4 days...but i have had worse flu's than this by far....physically being ill sux..and depression to boot..so u gotta want it....fear can paralyze u...when in actuality, continuing to use is what is terrifying...have u gone to a meeting in ur area?  go to a couple, even now while u r using, hear some stories bout where people have ended up staying on the track u r on....i am glad my bottom was not as low as some people i have heard..literally lost everything before their bottom was hit...and some never do hit their bottom..they overdose and r gone..poof....no happy endings with contnuing to use...and it doesnt get better..only worse...and to be afraid of feeling flu like for a few days can be a bit "small" in the scheme of things....but it is very easy to c clearly later on after the whole "quitting" process is over....and u r acting perfectly normal as u seem to be in the "realization" phase..and u should be proud cos many never get to this phase..sad but true

but u r where u r...and it is not abnormal to have to toy with this quitting stuff before u get the deed done...i did many times..and most here did..few stop the first, second or third go around...the important thing is that its buggin u...and it will keep buggin u as a rule...cos once u realize u lost control it will keep popping up in ur head...it may go away for a few days..or a few months...but the fact is ur using will continue to bug u til u quit..and this is a good thing ...so keep posting...learn what to expect.health pages r great...and when u r ready..make a plan and go for it...would be good to check in and post here and there...keep urself focused for when the time is right to quit....hang tight and keep posting

[scared197703]

Thank you for your comment. It makes me feel alot better. I just got a new script for 60 and half went to my husband, so once them are gone....I am done. I know I can get through the flu like symptoms, but afterward is what I am worried about. You just think you will not be able to get your life back the way it was. I use to have so much energy. In your mind you think it is impossible. I wonder sometimes when I see people being active and doing everyday life stuff...if they too are on drugs and if not how are they so energetic and happy. I am just tired of worry about the ****. I will keep coming to the website and posting and reading. It feels so good to get things off my chest and not be looked down on. I try to talk with my husband but he is not at the point where he is wanting to quit. I just hope it don't cause us problems with our marriage.
I wanted to say thank you to everyone that has replied and read my thoughts. Thank you!

[worried878]

but congrats on u being where u r..u cant always stay in the past and wait on someone to catch up..u gotta move forward and do the best u can with what u have to work with..in ur case/having a user in the house/i would think aftercare/meetings would be essential..it is possible he may resent u moving forward..not openly but inwardly...i dont know him..but some do not like to c the ones they love move ahead of them...if he really loves u he will catch up with u one day...u are doing what is right for u..and having the strength to do it is wonderful....congrats on ur decision to move forward..keep us posted