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Pain med addiction

Hello, I am looking for some advice to help with my pain pill addiction.  I am currently 39 years old, I take anywhere from 15 to 20 pills a day of hydrocodone or anything I can find.  The dosage is 10 mg and I have been on them for about 2 years now.  In the past two months it has gotten very out of control and I WANT to quit.  I want my life back.  It started out as going to the doctor for a herniated disk and has grown uncontrolable.  I have tried to quit cold turkey and the tiredness kills me.  I will start sweating off and on when not on them.  Is this something I need to tell my doctor about or can I try on my own.  I would greatly appreciate any advice you may have.  PLEASE HELP.  I want my life back without pain meds
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1845824 tn?1333374427
DR...... talk with him with a open heart.... Tell the Truth to him... and hang on here... Everyone here is great support.  Bless you
Helpful - 0
1801781 tn?1461629469
I am 60 and quit in Sept.  I relapsed and am back doing it again and am 38 days clean.  I quit cold turkey..could never taper, but do it if you can.  Yes you will be uncomfortable for a few days, but it has to be endured to get to the other side.  The fear of withdrawal seems to be worse than the actual thing.  Here is a helper post I tend to share. hope it helps!

I kept telling myself...YOU HAVE the FLU!  It will be over and I will feel so much better.  My brain seemed to get that and settled down a little.  It is hard, but doable!  The Thomas Recipe (bottom of the page) under Health Pages will help.  I did not to the tranquilizers and had to cut back on the Ltryosine, but the rest really helped.  Imodium, Imodium, Imodium (liquid or pills if the liquid can't be found or you can't swallow it) will help.  I took double the dosage for a few days (personal choice) and it helped so much..even with the withdrawals in general and the opiate trots which sucked.  

Hydrate and eat! ((gatorade is good) Even if it is just a little every hour or so.(boost or ensure might work for both food and drink)  You have to eat something to keep your energy up as much as possible.  

If you have Restless legs..it is hit or miss what works.  Walking seemed to help me some.  Hot bath with epsom salts..a little.  I finally had to get my doctor to refill my restless legs meds (non addictive) to get some sleep.  If nothing works,your doctor might help.  Benedryl helps some with sleep issues and you will have them.

One hour at a time is all anyone can ask.  After 2 weeks it gets a little better and I started to say, One day at a time!  Your brain will do all sorts of things to get you to take a pill.  I found if I was hungry..the cravings got worse.  I would try to eat a banana, a few grapes or a few crackers to get that under control.

The hardest part comes after the detox.  Your brain will be all over the place and will try to get you back on the pills...It is having to work and not depend on the pills to help.  

Good for you.  I hope all goes well.  You have made a good start coming here....this site has helped me so much!!!  Keep posting!!!!!
Helpful - 0
2060290 tn?1331001033
Hi buddy. Yes it can be done. I'm 43 and have been taking Norco 10mg for 2 years. I would take 8-9 a day. 3 weeks ago I started tapering down. I actually got to 10 mg a day for about 4 days and I jumped off the crazy train. I've been clean 7 days today and feel like I've finally turned a corner. I no longer have that heaviness in my arms and legs. It was like my arms and legs weighed 100 pounds each.  The fatigue is so so bad. But tapering takes tremendous will power. I tried so many times in the past but this time I really wanted to quit. I couldnt live my life wondering where my next pill was coming from. It was madness. It does get better and easier. The mental part is the hard part. Sometimes I feel like I'm gonna have a nervous breakdown but I'm coping. At least the physical part is just about over, now I have to deal with the mental part.
You can tell your doctor and maybe he/she can give you something to help cope with the withdrawl. I just toughed it out on my own, well with my husbands help. I couldnt of done it without him.
Just make sure you eat well and stay hydrated. Take hot baths for the leg pain and muscle aches, also a heating pad works great too.
Stay strong and dig deep. It can be done!!!!! Good luck to you!!!!!
Helpful - 0
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