Norco Withdrawals, Help?

Ok, i have been on Norco 10/325 for 3.5 years. I do not take a lot of them, usually only between 2-3 a day, maybe 4 if it was needed. Before that i was on Lortab 7.5 for about a year.  My Doc denied my refill and said it was because she did not want me to build up a tolerance to them. uh, ok. I have actually been wanting to get off of them anyways. I do have a severe neck issue which is the reason i have them. I wont go into the details about it. I took my last one today. I did not have enough to taper off with. My PCP refused because the other Doc gave them to me and should taper me, but she will not. I guess i am really scared of the withdrawals. I am a single working mom. I cannot take off work. I am also in the medical field, as a nurse. I had no idea when or how these things took over me. I am not sure if it is mental or what. I tried to giggles to go a day or so without. I went and only took a half one morning and by the next morning, i could barely get by little one off to school. I had hardly slept. I was used to taking one at bedtime and in the morning. My legs ached so so bad, and i had restless arms and legs. I could not lay still for no more than a minute or two. Throughout the next day, i could barely function at work, and i wore a sweater over my scrubs because i was so cold. It got to the point i felt it was noticeable and could not bare to be at work another minute, so i took a half to get me thru the day. I hear  a lot of people talk about coming off 10-20 a day, where i have taken no more then 4, mostly just 2-3. and at times, i even cut those in half because they would make my head spin. I really did take them for my neck. The only thing extra i felt while on them was a little extra energy that would last only a hour or so, and sometimes i was more relaxed and open. I also started to get fatigued, and didnt care about anything, all over just a 24 hour period. I am kinda in a panic at the moment, trying to figure out how to do this and take care of my young daughter and work at the same time,. Any advice??  I have gone out and bought some Valerian root, potassium, some advil PM, and i do have Klonopin on hand. Only if needed. Is anyone else out there going thru this? I really have nobody to turn to bc most of my friends are in the medical field as well, and i do not want word to get around, and in my job, it will. lol.

[Teresa1717]

Hi there and welcome!  I know your scared of the w/d's but the amount your taking is relatively small so hopefully the symptoms will be lessened. When I detoxed I felt like I had the flu. SO if you think of it in that way, and for 3-5 days, you can get through it.

All the supplies youve gotten are great for some of the symptoms, BUt also get Imodium (immodium) and B12 for energy! The Imodium (immodium) tho is a must! I think you can probably understand why :)  

Like I said, I know your scared of w/d's but honestly, most peoples fear of them are far worse than they actually are!

keep posting for any other questions or support!

[josie79]

Thank you and I will for sure. I do have some of the Immodium lol. I guess one of my fears is i do have to work everyday, and i have a 6 year old at home. i am a single mom, and i really do not have any help with this. That is good and bad, i times, i feel i just wanna be left alone, and others, i need to help. I know i take nothing compared to people's stories i have read on here the past few days, so it does get my hopes up. It has just been a total of almost 5 years built up in me. I hope it goes well, and fast. i have tears of fear now as i type this. Thank you for your advice. I am new at this. I just never realized it had happened to me, i deal with patients everyday, and have had many go thru this, i never realized that i had turned into one of them.  ;)

[Teresa1717]

I hear you! Many of us never thought we would be here. Its definitely no fun! But youre not alone at all! Although the amount you take is different and your story is different, we all still have the same need and desire to get off these pills. And There are many here who have successfully done that! SO listen to their advice on how to stay clean :)

I also wanted to mention, you may want to get Hylands restless leg from Walgreens for the RLS. Alot of people swear by it!

[BarbRTR]

Know now you aren't alone. But do you want to quit, or are you panicking just because Dr stopped script?
I am at the end of day 4. It's rough but worth it! People here are great. I doubt I would be this far without this board.

I feel better now than this morning. You do need to take off though. Your job, mine was similar.. No way I could have taken care of patients.

Guess what? I didn't know I was addicted either. Mine was legit, never bought off the streets. But it doesn't matter.  I'm an addict. I feel your pain.

You may need Clonidine, if you can get an RX. But mainly support. Come here. Post your emotions and thoughts, and don't think just 4 a day. Addiction is addiction. Hope you feel better soon!

[josie79]

if it helps with the RLS, i am so there tomorrow lol. I also forgot to mention, it really sux when you do have a BF who is taking the same thing. We do not live together, and i have asked him to stay away for a few days, when i went 24 without, he came over and took one right in front of me. Not cool. hard enough being at work and having to help fill others prescriptions and go over all of their medications. i cant get away from it lol. But i am determined. I want my life back, and to find a alternative for my neck troubles. I do not want to feel depended upon anything. I will keep posting. Tomorrow afternoon i will hit 24 hours. i keep telling myself i got this.

[josie79]

Thanks Barb, i do have some Klonopin, and a few xanax, haha, the xanax are actually my dog's presciption for thunderstorms, but there if i need it. I have actually asked off, but was denied because i do not have the pto hours. so i am screwed in that department. I really do want off of them. I just wanted to be tapered off, so in that aspect, i am a panic. I had not planned on cold turkey. But they say everything happens for a reason, so i am just going with it. They put me on them because i used to end up in the ER about twice a month, my neck would be locked and painful, so i did take them legit as well. And still have a reason for them, but will have to find a different route to go. I am going to search for a new Doc that will help fix the problem instead of covering it up. I will keep posting. I actually have calmed down some just typing this. All in all, i am just mostly scared to go thru this being here alone with my little girl and having to work. but i have no choice. somehow i will have to manage.

[Mintyfresh79]

Hi Josie just wanted to say its a wonderful thing you're doing. It does get easier each day. Like a lot of us here we started taking them for a legitimate reason. Even though you only take 4 a day max it's still something that your body has become used to and expect so you'll probably suck and uncomfortable for a few days. Once you pass those first few days you should start to see some hope and the proverbial light at the end if the tunnel. Doesn't it suck to be at a doctors mercy? That's pretty much the same reason why I had to quit.

Good thing is that you were taking a relatively small amount each day so your wds shouldn't last that long and you have a positive attitude about it. Anyway you can work half ***** for the first couple of days? That might help you recuperate faster. This is my 3rd week off and just now starting to feel kinda normal but my habit was a little out there lol. Wish you luck and keep posting!

[toothfairie]

Hi Josie and welcome!  just wanted to lend my support...just know you are not alone and you can do it....just keep posting here and lean on us....we can help you thru it!  and you're very strong to be working during it all!  i admire that....whether you wanted to or not....lol  good luck!!

[jenjen1966]

Hi Josie. Just wanted to lend my support. My story is similar to yours. I think so many are. Hot baths helped with the restless arms and legs. That and exercise. Hang in there girl! You can do this!

[josie79]

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone. this has been very scarey. I am on my 22nd hour and so far ok i guess. i am taking the Klonopin which i think is helping. really sick to my stomach, and restless. I keep feeling ok one minute, then the next im freaking out. but a lot better than i had thought. i go back to work tomorrow, depending on how i feel in the morning anyways. i have been told the 1st day is the easiest. i do get exercise, i do roller derby, so i go back to practice Wed, i just hope my mind is somewhat more clear by then.  i have laid around all day, feel horrible fatigue and shakes are coming on. i am so overwhelmed with the support here. Really does make things easier.

[toothfairie]

glad to see you are posting!  it really does get easier! i was nervous about going back to work but it helped me get my mind off of how i felt when i was busy....staying as active as you can really does help....i had to MAKE myself get out of the house....but i always feel better when i do....good luck and keep posting for support!  we are here for you!

[jenjen1966]

Hi Josie. Glad to hear things aren't too bad. Hot baths helped me with that restlessness. Toothfairie had to talk me into it, but boy am I glad she did! My daughter also played roller derby. Now that's some serious exercise! Hang in there. Keep posting and let us know how you're doing!