Tension headaches from withdrawal

I am coming off of about 2 years abuse of vicodin and percocet abuse. I am on day 5 of nothing in my system. But Ive had this tention headache since the 1st. day. Ive tried excedrine 800mg..ibuprofine..robaxin..   What ele could work? Hot baths help while Im in there but I cant stay still for to long of a time! I did get better sleep last nihgt. But its back again...Please help if you can.                         J.E.W.

[suzieneedshelp]

Be careful that u r not getting rebound headaches.  Cant take ibuprofen or aspirin or acetomeophen every day or wammo.. you get headahce cuz u need the stuff!  AS it wears off.  I put ice bag on my head a lot, it helps deaden pain.  MAssage helps, (if you got someone to giv e you one!), progressive relaxation helps..
Kava Kava really induces sleep but u got to tke a lot more than on the label.  I use about 55 or 60 drops of the liquid.  Someons else was asking about it but i forgot who...They needed sleep but prolly did not use enough.  It is safe.  But kava only works for a few days and then it wont so cant use it every day.  
Drink lots of water too for headache.  You may be eating bananas for your  rls..amek sure they dont have brown spots or are not ripe at all or they get a chemcial that induces headaches!  
Peace!
Suzie

[hellbent]

If you are like me when I was in withdrawal, your insides are liquid. I spent alot of time in the bathroom. Diahrheea dehydrates your body terribly, and alot of headaches are caused by dehydration. One thing I did when in withdrawal was drink fluids all the time, constantly. It might help with the headaches, but even if it doesn't it is a way to helo flush your system of toxins.

[suzieneedshelp]

Yes Hellbent is correct.  Drink plenty of gatoraide to replenish electrolites and drink water too!
Suzie

[J. E. W.]

Thanks for your suggestions. Ive been drinking & peeing the whole time. My problem is I hate water!!!!! I always have my diet pepsi beside me!!! Maybe this is another addiction!??? I get worse when I dont have my pepsi though. So I will tacle that next...I wonder if theres enough caffine in it that is not helping with these headaches? I can tell their coming out of my neck. But Im hanging in there and will not give in to them and pop a vicodin!!!!! THanks again for all the support from everyone. And God Bless us ALL!!!!!!        J.E,W.

[suzieneedshelp]

Be careful about caffeine too!  Geezzz.  If your like me i loved my diet coke and coffee.  Drank it off and on all day.  but Dr> took me off all caffeine due to headahces!  what a drag i miss those drinks sooo much!  Did u get some gatoraide?  You need it in detox although i dont like it!
Suzie

[J. E. W.]

No I dont have any. Im like you yuck!!! I guess when I get alittle bit of strength up I will go to the store and buy some.. It taste like watered down juice or something.. {what I dont know!!!} It has let up a little for now...    Thanks for being a friend...              God Bless   J.E.W.

[afriend]

Do you have high blood pressure? Clonodine is suppose to help withdrawls and is a BP med . Correct me if im wrong people...good luck on the H/A....

[J. E. W.]

No high blood pressure.. I think its just the wds. And stress of the future without my evil enemies!!!! [Pills that is] I just want my life back.. So I stress to much. But with the help and support of everyone here I know I can make it!!!   J.E.W.

[Kat49]

Saw your post on the Fioricet thread and read the ones you've submitted on this one.  Believe me, I'm the tension headache Queen!  That's why I'm addicted to fiorinal - a medication specifically for that and horribly addicting!  Have been clean for 5 days now after 3 relapses in 27 yrs. and can honestly say (I'm not a doctor) that MAYBE you have a banger of a migraine that Imitrex or Amerge could zap in 15 min. by injection or 40 min. by pill.  It's totally NOT addictive and very comforting to know that it really is effective.  Call your doctor and get at least 50mg. tabs or injection form.  Unfortunately, he may want to see you first because rule of thumb is that you should be monitored in the office while taking the first dose due to an underlying heart problem.  It's worth a try!  Do it ASAP and don't suffer needlessly.  Lots of hugs and hope!  Kat

[J. E. W.]

Went to doctor he gave me toradal. But I have to get to the phamacie to fill it. The way I feel at this time I dont trust myself to drive!! And have been told toradol is hard on your stomach.         Thanks      J.E.W.

[Erika_Ann]

How are you doing? Havnt heard from you in a few days. Hoping your okay.... My thoughts are with you.... Erika

[hippy]

hey , how are you doing.
my name is michael and i am an addict .
ive been here at the fourm about a year.
got clean off the vikes last march
useing thomas's receipe.
the reason i am posting is to answer your question.,
regarding tention headache.
it may seem silly but it works great for me
is  ALKA-SELTZER PLUS COLD MEDICINE.
any time i get one of those nasty headaches
i get a half glass of luke warm water
and the cold plus alka-seltzer
and the headache is gone in 10 minutes.


good luck.

peace !!!!!!!!!hippy//////michael

[J. E. W.]

Thanks for the advice. Iwill try it. But I will have to use regular alkaselzer the cold ones give me the shakes!!! Which I have enough of right now. Im an addict too! Been clean for four and a half days this time. But Iwill make it this time with all the help Im getting from you my new friends..        J.E.W.

[hippy]

there are 3 main types of alka selzer.
one is really strong that is the green packet
i think it is night time cold and it is too strong.
then there is the plain alka seltzer.
then there is the one i mentioned plus cold
in the dark blue packet it is not  strong
at all and that is the one i use,
in any event , good to herar you have 4 days clean.
that is a tough time, we all here at the fourm
have been through it and some of us will be going through it.
i hope you feel better.
i am sure you will get some more in put  on the
situation.
keep [posting,
peace, my prayers are with you.  michael////////hippy

[J. E. W.]

Yes they are my initials. Im not Jewish but the periods inbetween make it different than that.. Sorry if I offended anyone but Ive had them for almost 48 yrs. now. Cant change that..Im just here for support though my recovery like everyone else. Again sorry to offend anyone.                                  God                          Jerri        Bless and Thanks

[hippy]

hey tom , how ya doing these
days,
the alka- seltzer is a real wonder
drug, for headaches.
for over the counter.
but on this fourm it almost seems silly.
for me tho it is always the simple things
that mean so much.
like i was having severe pain in my knee
then it dawned on me after a month that
nmy hamstring was super tight  and all i had to do
was sretch the hamstring and take the pressure
off the knee, then the knee pain was gone.

alomg with a little ice. and advil.

peace!!!!!!!!!!!hippy

[J. E. W.]

If anyone has that tention headache Hippee knows what he is talking about 10 mins. and zap its gone!!!!!                     Thanks and God Bless                     J.E.W.

[theGolden1]

I know that "J.E.W. are probably your initials .... but it could be offensive to some people.  Even if you are jewish .... it's kind of disrespectful. I'm just being honest ... no harm intended ... G

[Hinkster]

Hi hippee this is Tom. Thanks for the info on the alkaselza. I am
heading out the door to the drug store right now.

[J. E. W.]

I dont know how to change them anyway. Im new to this computer stuff. I type one fingered too!!!! KInd of funny at my age huh.                     Jerri

[saveyourself]

Hey All,

Just checking in, cold packs worked pretty well for my WD headaches.  Fotunately my wife is a massage therapist and was a huge help for the leg cramps and that wrenching neck pain.

Hippee, thats the first I have heard of the alka selzer, you would have made a great Doctor.  Hope all is well, brother.  I have an important meeting with the bank tomorrow, could use a little prayer my way.  Just got back from Weds. church, I went by myself, Joy and the kids were busy with school work.  I fought going, still not feeling myself.  WD symptoms still with me, this reminds me of coming off the methadone in 88.  Anyhow, I am glad I went, definitely needed to hear what was shared.  I am going to start applying an NA saying to church.  That is " there are only two times you need to go to a meeting, one when you do not want to go and two, when you do want to go.  Take care.
Strength and Honor
Greg

[DubeMechanic]

That saying definately applies to church too. Ive noticed the times I didnt feel like going were when the best music and sermons were held. I run sound and lighting (part of a team, not every week). Nothing beats getting really involved in church, IMHO.

Did you sight your AR in yet? My AUG likes the 63 grain .223s better than the 55s, probably the 1 in 7 barrel twist. I notice we like the same toys :)

How goes the WD?

DM

[suzieneedshelp]

Yes i was talkin to you!  Although i like body Mech also!  
Geezz. all that talk of headaches yesterday and now i have one of my doozies today.  Woke up again at 4 a.m.  This is getting to be a habit.  No vomiting today but the runs in full force and my head is absolutely killing me.  Starting day 7.
Peace!
Suzie

[suzieneedshelp]

There were several people asking about ultram.  I told the littel i know.
Peace!
Suzie

[FINISHED!!]

Hey Suz,
I hope that headache gets better. CONGRADULATIONS on day 7. You sound close. I went ahead & flushed all of those ultram down the toilet. Even though I'm pretty confident I wouldn't use them, I figured, "why risk it?" The withdrawls sound pretty awful. I'm praying for your relief to come SOON!!!

FINISHED!!

[saveyourself]

Hey Brother,

Dube,  We are going this sunday.  I have collected 12 2002 calenders and 4 pill bottles to use as targets. I threw away so many of them 39 days ago. I am bringing the Ar 15, 12 gauge win defender, marlin 44 magnum lever action octangular barrel, the marlin is the most accurate gun I have ever shot.  I am hoping to get my ar as accurate.  It turns out 4 of us are going, so I will bring the glock pistols, 9mm, 45 cal.
Everyone that is going is very clear about leaving nothing remaining of the calenders, I swear I am so grateful 2002 is history.

You are right about church, I so needed to hear the message, it was like I was the only one in church, because everything he said applied to me. We have great music at our churh too, WD are getting better, I actually worked a full 8 hours today.  Using the oxys and the percs together for so long at such high doses, it really is like meth WD. The good news is I am on day 39, so I can handle whatever and howeverlong the WD last.  It feels good to be feeling human again.  God Bless
Strength and Honor
Greg

[FINISHED!!]

More bad news. I WILL be going in for surgery on my ankle tomorrow in the early afternoon. They cannot repair the damage arthroscopically like I'd hoped. Looks like I'll be adding some more titanium to my collection of 4 pins, 32 screws & 2 plates. Sounds like LOADS OF FUN. I'll let you all know how it went asap. Thank you all for you support, concern & prayers.

FINISHED!!

P.S. An update on my Loracet 10 use. Yesterday I only took 3. Today I've only taken 1 1/2. I denied the offer to go back & get another shot of Demoral...though there were times I thought I'd cave. I'm pretty proud that I'm not risking my 150 days clean streak by over taking the meds.

[teeitup]

Erika_Ann - No need to trash yourself, most of us backslide a little. Your only human, if you truly hurt get some relief. The only person you can't fool is the one in the mirror, you know if it's justified or not. Just keep trying, you'll be alright!

Finished -  You sound like a walking scrap metal pile, luckily I only have hundreds of stitches to show for my efforts. Good luck on your surgery tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you!

teeitup!

[hippy]

hey greg, my father in aa , 37 years sober.
always says IT IS EASIER MAKE CONSTANT ATTENDENCE
OF MEETING'S THEN REGULAR.
it sort of go's with our presonalities of all or nothing.

if i am no the problem there is no solution,.

peace your brother addict and freind hippy///michael

[J. E. W.]

I feel pretty good right now! Got out of the house for about an hour. I drove to Walmart and even talked to a few people in the store!!!! Everyone take care of yourselfs. And keep your minds on the right track and WE CAN AND WILL MAKE IT!!!!!!!                   God Bless All        J.E.W.

[Erika_Ann]

God, what is going on with me? I called my dealer and got 16 strong vicoden. Im gonna have to start all over again. My arthritis has been killing me and I couldnt take it anymore. What am I going to do? I feel like a looser. I came so far and just messed it up. Help!
Erika

[FINISHED!!]

Hey Tee,
  Thanks!!! It's my first surgery on my ankle so I'm not quite sure what to expect. I have a feeling it's gonna hurt though. Supercross is in Anaheim, CA. tomorrow night & I'm hoping to load up my wheelchair & hang with my buddies & watch the races. My beautiful fiance already said she'd wheel me around. That means she'll have to drive my truck & she HATES that. She says it's WAY TOO BIG. I know she loves me if she's willing to drive me around in my truck & go to Supercross. She's not much into that side of my life. She says that she worries too much to watch me ride...though she's always been there. She says she just watches until something I do makes her nervous. Then she waits for me in the pits.

Hows your taper doing?

FINISHED!!

[teeitup]

If you can make tomorrow go, I'm sure you get a good rush watching friends ride too! Maybe that will take your mind of the pain a little and help not take so much pain med. Been holding a 1-2 a day for the last 3 weeks, thats about as good as it will be unless the docs come up with some miracle. I get to drive 5 hours to New Orleans tonight with my daughter and four other 13 year old girls for a dance competition, pray for me! I'll be thinking of you!

teeitup!

[FINISHED!!]

Boy...I thought I had it tough. A 5 hour drive with 5 teenage girls? That's tough. My cousin just turned 14 & she's staying with my fiance & me for a week. She just has WAY TOO much energy. I can't imagine what 5 13 year olds in a car for 5 hours would be like. I'll be praying for you my friend.

Congrats on your holding pattern. Sounds like you've all but totally conquered this thing. As it's been said a million or so times before, some us need pain meds for legitimate pain. There's nothing wrong with that as long as we stay totally honest with ourselves in the fact that we're addicts. I've done really well with the pain meds myself since the crash. Took 3 loracet 10mg the first day, 2 the second & 1 1/2 so far today. Funny thing is, I don't enjoy it like I used to. The feeling isn't the same. Maybe because these drugs can no longer fool me. I know they're evil & will do anything to weasel their dirty little selves back into my life.

Looks like no golf for a while. Good thing is I've got a cast on my wrist but can still play the Playstation 2. There's a game called Hot Shots Golf that's a BLAST!!!

Thanks as always for the kind words Tee & I'll be thinking of you as well.

FINISHED!!

[lifeisbetter]

Your suggestion about the banana reminded me of a story only a true addict will understand.  In rehab we were locked up and at this rehab its really hard to smuggle drugs in (it does happen alot believe me but not here) I will never forget this young guy 18 years old. His parents made him go for 6 monthes because he smoked pot! Can you imagine?  There were actual drug dealers from the Columbian Cartel in this rehab for major Coke addiction and he was there for pot!(remember, I went to rehab in South Miami and it was pretty exclusive to the upper class latin addict...of course I went on charity care, but thats a whole other story!) Anyway, it made him quite rebellious, so he decided he would get high no matter what. We were allowed to go to the grocery store every Friday so he bought alot of bananas, I mean like 10 bunches. The plan was to somehow dry the peels and smoke the burned stuff that gets scraped off and you could get high. He told his roommate, word got around and some of us decided we'd watch him smoke it.(We had our own bungaloos with our own kitchens.)  We planned to meet there that night to see if it worked, everyone hoping it would, since we all had bananas at our own houses you know just in case...but not me of course. :0)  He somehow used the oven to cook them and used some of the peels as rolling papers (no contraband allowed in rehab you know) and he did actally get some smoke. With about 6 other addicts we watched in hopeful anticipation as he took the first puff. It looked as though it may actually be working because he got that dazed relaxed look...for about one minute, then he said he got the worst ice cream headache of his life! That was one set of extremely dejected addicts who looked as if their puppy just died. How pathetic were we? Once we got over the fact that we weren't getting high in rehab, it was pretty funny. What a picture, even the therapists were laughing about it! Although I have to be honest if it worked I may be posting on here asking how to detox from banana smoke!

[suzieneedshelp]

That  is histerical!  What desparation we addicts can emulate!
Peace!
Suzie

[oxic]

That made me chuckle also; as well as think of when I was jonesing down at my office....scrounging around looking for any sign of a percocet.

Well my buddy and I, after almost giving up hope, as my desk drawers revealed nothing,  looked down on my floor and found a miracle....  Right before our very eyes were what looked like broken up pieces of percs.  I said it must be, cause I thought i had dropped one or two the preceeding day, and that it must have been run over by the wheels of my chair.
After eating every last piece, we both knew something wasn't quite right....didn't have that awful bitter perc taste(when chewed); and then we noticed more pieces on my desk, cluttered amongst the maps.  Well we both looked up at the same time, to find the maintenance people were changing the drywall/plaster ceiling panels.....so we were eating ceiling.

Percs No More (THANKFULLY.....who knows what I'd be eating)

[hippy]

that is funny. im still laughing

[J. E. W.]

What a hilarious story!!! I can just see you all waiting.. When I was in a 28 day in house we couldnt have perfume,wipes that have alcohol in them, just to name a couple. It was a 12 step program. Im back on my way to freedom for third time. Take care            J.E.W.

[J. E. W.]

You guys are tooooooooo funny. I can just picture the two of you and then your faces when you realized what you were chewing on.... Thanks for the laugh.. It really make me feel great..           God Bless !!!         J.E.W.                          I think     im going to bust my gut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111

[minime]

Those are some funny stories!  I have a bunch of those (now funny) stories of desperation.  It is amazing what we will do for a fix.

[peaz]

Tomorrow is two weeks off the ciggs!!! I'm hangin' in there.  Still have some cravings but they're getting fewer and farther between.  I got my jaws wired shut, so I'm actually LOSING weight.....:-)  I'm gonna make it.  Peaz

[peaz]

Hey you---A sheet-rock high, eh??  I hear it's an awesome experience....LMFAO!!  I laughed out  for the first time today! I have snorted God-knows-what off of carpets, just POSITIVE it was part of somebody's line that dropped off the mirror....Ah, yes--Addiction Desperation!!
   I wanted to send you a big congratulatory hug on your 5 MONTH ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!  That is fabulous.  You sound wonderful. (and I know you LOOK great, too---don't you???Where is that pic???) You are always so positive to the newbies (and everyone) on this board, and I hope you realize how much you help them.  At the same time, I hope you can look back and see HOW FAR YOU HAVE COME in your own personal endeavor!! Did you ever think you could do this when you were deep in your addiction?  And now you can be so proud and happy that you have your life back, your wife and kids have their husband and daddy back; all because of your courage and tenacity!!  
    I wish you continued success in your recovery, but I have no doubt that you will stay on track.  Keep up the great posts and  optimistic outlook.   LOL--Peaz

[percsnomas]

Good Morning Peazy!!

Thanks for the congrats....and Great job back at cha, for the cigs!!!
I don't think anybody thinks there is a way out, when you're in the depths of addiction...me included; BUT that's why I continue to post, as CLEARLY IT CAN BE DONE!!!!!!, and I just need to tell as many people as possible that they can do it also.
The old addage "Where there's a will, there's a way" rings sooo true here. Maybe it should be added to the list of ingredients in Thomas' famous recipe.

Wassup with the jaw?....or should I be afraid to ask??

LOL, Percs

[peaz]

The jaw comment was a weak attempt at humor.  I had told you how I was afraid of gaining weight after I quit.....I haven't gained any, though--even without the wiring. :-)
   I forgot to ask you about your MIL. Didn't you say you were possibly going to make other living arrangements for her?  How's that coming along?  So you can get out the whips and chains again, huh?  What's her timeline, sobriety-wise?   Three months or so?  Hope she's doing well.  Peaz

[percsnomas]

I figured you were joking, but I wasn't sure(cause you and I have talked about TMJ before)....

MIL is rapidly approaching 3 months...just about done the 90 (more like 100+) meetings in 90 day gig.
We are getting all our ducks lined up in a row...Immigration appilication has been filed,etc. So she can work. If our money tree ever takes root, we'll get an apartment for her, but until then we will just have to wait it out.Unless her car sells back in Washington, which would speed up the process.
HEY 3 months with the MIL, and still not that bad....probably cause I expected the absolute worst.

Unfortunately, the only whips and chains in my house are in the form of Miracle Whip and Chain-Link Fencing for my dog......

percky

[ursunshine]

I know this post was almost a year ago......maybe you will still get this.....if you are still struggling I would reccomend SUBOXONE...it saved my LIFE

[el_em_en_oh]

Uhhhh... Suboxone is FOR SURE not a life saver, for addicts anyway, which is what this forum is full of.

Ask anyone here about their experience with Suboxone, and they'll tell you the same thing... get it the hell away from me.

If you're taking Suboxone, I challenge you to try and stop taking it, even for a few days. I'd be willing to be that your med-dependent on a level that you're not even aware of.

Or am I completely off base?

[rara007]

Okay, i have been taking vic now for 2 yrs and, then friday night i was like ok im DONE!!! sat eve i started to get a small headache, now almost 6 days later my headache is sooooooo bad my dr thinks i have meningitis. i have stoped taking vic for a couple a days a week off and on but i have never had headache am i going crazy??? my md gave me some headache meds and i have been taking advil but its not helping me at all. anyhelp would be great!
rara007

[gnarly_1]

HI......withdrawal headaches are brutal and theres not much you can do for them I though my friggin head was going to explode try a cool rag on your forehead in a completely dark room
it might bring you some relief most pain meds wont touch it just know they will go away I went threw then for about 2 weeks then finally they let up.....wish I had better news but its what happens when we abuse our bodys.....good luck and God bless.....Gnarly

[wolfeman871]

hello all...I AM A DEPENDANT....I have spinal stenosis and I depend on Vicodin and Percoset. I am in tears writing this to you all and am finally fed up with wondering if I will be around for my 3 kids in the future. I have increased my intake of Vicodin to 3-10MG Pills ever 3 to 4 times and day and that doesnt even phase me. I only get percoset once a month and blow through that just to not have pain. Surgery is not an option yet since it will get worse. I currently have 3 bulging disk and can have pretty bad days and the obly way to cope and stay steady at work is to medicate ALOT. this looked like a good forum to begin a new life. I just received a script for tramadol but it does absolutly nothing but was wondering if it would help once I started to go through withdraws. I know that am not an addict but I am a dependant because I have much pain so that is my story! I am glad to be here with you all and I know that I finally have the support I need to turn a new page. I cant wait to be again pain free and med free! I have a 10, 8, and 4 year that depend on me to be there for them forever! I look forward to reading all of your comments. BTW I am male 215LBS and was a professional snowboarder until I flew off of a 50FT cliff and landed on my feet hense the spinal stenosis....God has got a way of grounding you! take care!

[gnarly_1]

Hey dude you posted on an old thread you will get more respoces with your own so go to the top of this page theres a green box marked post a question you could just copy and past what you already have wrote....obviously your dependent I agree with you on that but once we take it into our own hands to dose ourselfs as we please and not according to what it says on the bottle you have enter in to the world of addiction or should I say addictive behavior I to suffered terable back pain and started doing the same thing your doing doubbling up on the mers looking for relead the next stage will be chasing the euphoria from all the pills addiction goes in stages ...if your ready to take your life back and get off the stuff we can help just let us Kmow when you want to start good luck and God bless......Gnarly  .