Vicodin/Soma user 7 years Dr. stopped prescribing

OK just got my RX for my soma/vicodin that the Dr. has had me on for 7 years. Along with it a letter telling me he will no linger prescribe these meds. to me??? A list of "pain management" Drs. all over the county. MAN does this make me mad. HE is the one who put me on this stuff and now this. I am going to try and C/T BOTH after the first of the year. Has anyone out there C/T vicodin 5/5.00mg and soma 350mg 3-5 per day each lately? Just wanted to know what to expect. I went off the vicodin once for a month but something happened and I had the RX so I filled it. NOW I won't have ANY to fill so guess I NEED to do this. The nurse told me NOT to go off of them but to just call the other Drs. on the list??? Have to say since I am not working for over a year my pain can't be so bad but I won't know until I totally get off of these drugs, right? ANY help will be appreciated...Precious

[IBKleen]

Welcome back. Haven't seen you around.

Your doctor is doing what a lot of doctors are doing. The DEA is cracking down for one, and they are running scared. A lot of people are doctor shopping and these doc don't want to be involved in it.

In any case, I remember when you stopped. I don't remember why you went back?

You pretty much know what to expect since you went thru it already. There are a lot of things that you can get..supplements for example, to help make the withdrawal a little easier.

After 7 years..it is time!!!! I also suggest after you detox, that you go for a complete physical, including blood work.

Stick around. There are good people here to help you through this.

[Precious Pearl]

Thanks for your support. And yes I have been on here for several months. I stopped the vicodin for a month but had some things happen at home and went back but had the scripts handy so it made it too easy, I guess. BUT you are right. 7 years is LONG enough to be on this stuff. I am ready to be DONE with both. Do you think I can C/T BOTH at once? I only have one month of both left so wish me luck. Thanks for the support. Precious

[notmenow!]

I got your email and I am waiting for a responce from you. what state are you in and what is your diagnosis?-------NOAH

[mbradyc]

Did you say 3-5 5 mg vicotin a day. After 7 years your only taking 15-25 mg daily? Wow

[uvlvrebel]

I can attest that it is possible.  I am c/t day 9 from lortab 10/500's  +soma's (350) and a few xanax.  the physical w/d's are pretty intense for days 1-4.   Then, for days 4-6 it starts to feel better.  Days 7-8 I had feelings of who I used to be (I miss that girl).  And today I felt like her again.  I still am not doing much around the house, and today was the first day I actually went outside my home (but, that is a personal -me- thing , I believe).  My husband is doing the same, minus the xanax (to the degree I was consuming them) and he did go out, to the store, to town, etc...  

We had been using for about 2 years, but intensely for at least the last year. 2 tabs to 4, sometimes 5 at each dosing every two hours to every 4 hours.  It was an insane way to live.  I have an extemely high tolerance, yet to look back it seems almost un-natural.  Someone posted in regards to the soma, "there's a fine line between 'high' and 'die'"  They are not worth the risk.  When I seizured from too much, it affected my speech, I could hear myself talk, it sounded like I had a stroke.  Plus the lost time.  Oh my goodness, to think about it.  I blacked out in a store and have no recollection of the following few hours.  Luckily a friend was with me.  Oh then, don't mix it with alcohol- bad idea... more blackouts.  And not fainting ones, I was there but it was not me.  A friend told me in the convienience store I actually walked in and asked my friend if it was "ok to kick another person's bu##"  This behavior is not me- I am not violent.  Yet, I was (apparently) ready to engage another person in a fight. WOW.  And this behavior still didn't tell me it was time to stop.  Those things had thier hooks into me bad.  But today is a great day.  I am proud of what I have done with today.  I am looking forward to tomorrow for the first time in a very long time.  When I was abusing- I never "looked forward to another day"- Hell, I was living one pill to the next.  I am glad that person is gone, I am glad that the "me" I remember is coming out to play, finally.

[Precious Pearl]

WOW day 9 CONGRATULATIONS on that. So you are telling me you C/T off of the opiates and the soma and the xanex at the SAME time? I NEED to do this. Actually, my Dr. gave me one last RX for the soma/vicodin but can't fill it until next Monday and only have like 3 somas left. UGH My friend was going to get me some of hers but called last night and said her Dr. hasn't called it in yet. Been trying to get them from her since the weekend. I am thinking she's afraid to "enable" me or whatever you want to call it and she's my best friend so I don't want to push her into something she's not comfortable with. I will just go without the soma after today. UGH easy for me to say now after I just took 2. So you said you were taking like HOW many a day? I am thinking the past month or so since I went back on the vicodin I have done more than ever. For YEARS I ONLY took the 4 per day of each. I would split them in half and they got me thru the day. NOW it's TIME to STOP: this merry go round. I know what you meant when you said it felt good to have "YOU" back. I was starting to feel that way just being off the vicodin but ended up taking more soma and slept TOO much that month. Who knows what will come of all this. But I KNOW you guys are here for me and I will be on here UNTIL I DO IT...It's good to hear it IS DOABLE. I mean the C/Ting BOTH the vicodin and soma at the same time.  Also, to Notmenow, I don't remember emailing you but I could have. NO memory. lol So what are you saying that I wasn't taking that much vicodin/soma for 7 years? Please explain the "WOW" at the end of your statement. :) Just trying to absorb as much as I can on this sight. OK Another day in "paradise" . Thanks for any info you guys can give me on this detoxing from BOTH. I KNOW I CAN DO IT. :) Precious

[troubleinohio]

My husband just went to the doctor the other day. He said there are signs posted everywhere there now...on the door outside, inside the waiting room, back in the office areas and patient exam rooms stating no more controlled subtances will be presscribed except in emergent cases and only then with a consult to either pain management or psych, or both. crazy! He said he thinks the doctor might be iunder investigation for having too many patients on narcs, but I dont know,i hear so many other people say their docs are doing similar things, so it may be the new way of things. I mean if you look around you, there seems to be more pill junkies out there than any other type of drug users. We are the pill popper generation i guess, and the DEA is getting savy to this i guess. Dr's are getting too nervous and dont want to lose their licenses... good luck to you. I never used soma, but I had been on heavy doses of vicodin for a couple years, and still do use xanax, but not to get high. I have it for anxiety and RLS (restless leg syndrome). Im on day 10 now of vicodin WD for the second time.  

[uvlvrebel]

I know frompersonal experience that the somas seemed to intensify the lortab effect; so I would always compliment my lortab with a soma or two.  For me is was quantifyable: 1 soma per every 2 lortabs.  I think it is amazing how tolerance can build.  I was more than functional: held a GREAT job, mom of two, wife, friend...  I would take every 2-3 hours (at my darkest times- past year?) and I am sure I would also forget and re-take, only to realize I had done this when my body would re-act poorly.  The interaction of soma and lortab is crazy.  when i took soma alone, it would knock me out; unless i took more than prescribed.  It's just good to be free.  The $$ we will save is wonderful.  Our children will have thier mom (and dad) back.  I will be able to do everything without the aid of anything- very impt. to my independent thinking...

[uvlvrebel]

going without the soma for the rest of the week isn't a bad idea.  just think the really BAD soma wd's will be supressed by the lortab intake... just be careful. remeber that you will not be getting that same feeling- unless maybe consuming a mass qty. will take you there... But there exists that fine line between "high and die."  If i were you, i'd use my last script to TRY and taper- if you are anything like me, telling myself i tried, was a dissapointment, so i stopped trying and "went on a binge" then stoped c/t when the pills were all gone.  I think that may have made my first day harder.  But that  is the past.  I am lad i had a hard time with the first few days because it made it so i wouldn't soon forget the experience AND it gave me something to be angry about.  I am angry towards those pills and their addictive properties.  Reading this forum makes me really wonder who the evil people are, is it the humans who prescribe this stuff, the one who refuse to see you after they introduced you to the addiction, or is it the personified Pill, itself, rearing its ugly head; passing from one prsn to the next, and infecting an entire sub-culture.  I hate the narcotic monster.

[Precious Pearl]

Yankee: did you mean me taking 4 somas and 4 vicodin daily for 7 years was a lot? That is what my Rheumatologist prescribed to me for chronic back pain and fibromyalgia and a bad left knee.... I have to say it sure helped me do my job which was VERY physical. But since I have been not working for 1 1/2 years now I am wondering if I even NEED these drugs. I am sure my body is addicted to them by now. That is why I would like to C/T off of them. My Dr., I think, has been dishing these narcs. out to A LOT of people and I do believe he might be in trouble and that's why he is passing us on to the "pain management" Drs... Actually, I got a call today from the "pain management" Drs. office wanting to make me an appt. I told the nurse I was going to try and go off the drugs after the first of the year BUT if for some reason I couldn't, could I call them for an emergency. :) She said "sure" so that was a relief, anyway. BUT I AM GETTING OFF OF THESE DEMONS...My best friend told me today I haven't been myself for a long time so I just want ME back.  OK uvlvrebel: When you said I should try and just stay off the soma for the rest of the week and just take the vicodin. Is that what you meant? I guess vicodin is about the same as lortab, huh? Both are opiates, right?  I am trying to Psyche up for this "endeavor" which NEEDS to be done. Please keep the POSITIVE posts coming. I am really NEEDING to do this for me and my family. Thanks Precious

[uvlvrebel]

Yes.. it was my intention.  Vicodin and Lortab are both opiates.  The somas have their own inherrent addictive qualities.  "the soma produce an indescribable euphoric high.." A quote from a post inthe arhives I read once.  How true that is.  Never realized it until one day when I ran out of Lortab and tried to compensate by stacking up on the xanax and somas- only to discover that it is life threatening.  Of course that warning was not enough for me to stop...  

I think you might be setting yourself up to fail.  You asked the pain mgmt clinic "if it doesn't work, can I call..."  you may have substituted  "if" for "when"... not trying to rain on your parade, but if you commit to quitting, you might want to cut-off all sources, not open a new one.  Just food for thought.
-Rebel

[Precious Pearl]

Thanks for your input. I REALLY hope I don't fail. Really need to do this. Maybe you are right I should have never even answered the phone when the "Pain Mgmt." nurse called. OK so we shall see. Thanks for your input, though...Precious

[Precious Pearl]

OK I am TOTALLY out of soma as of this morning. Took my LAST one and my RX is not refillable until I think Tues. Still taking the vicodin 5/500mg 4 a day is all I have left of those for a week. SO what do you "suggest?" STAY off the soma? I have a pain in my stomach as I type. OK let me know your thoughts on this. Precious

[Precious Pearl]

I am on day 2 without ANY soma and feeling a bit cranky and lethargic. Still taking some vicodin. How long will it take to feel better off ALL the soma? Anyone know the answer to this out here? I need support! :) Thanks Precious

[Precious Pearl]

WOW THANKS for the GREAT support xyborx....I thought this site was FOR support. WHAT a MEAN thing for anyone to say to someone struggling. You know what they say "what goes around comes around" So, thanks again for all your help....By the way I AM helping myself...AND YOU just helped me by saying that MEAN statement to me...It could push me back to taking the soma but I  NOT going to LET YOU stop me now. HAVE A NICE EVENING Precious

[Savas]

Y'know, i saw xyborx's response and thought "hmm...THAT should get a rise out of someone!" :)

Try not to let it bother you. This kind of thing happens on here from time to time.

[dfiance]

I thinks this guy has nothing better to do, or in a weird way needs help but doesn't know hot to ask for it. He got me earlier. Don't feel bad. Try not to let it get to you. Keep doing what your doing. If we respond to his nonsense, then we're giving him what he wants.

[Precious Pearl]

Thanks for letting me know he "got you" earlier. lol lol I figure it's just a "kid"....I HOPE so. :) I do plan to continue with my W/D as my Dr. has stopped my 7 year rx's for soma and vicodin for various rheumatology problems. I will just HAVE to do it now...Actually this person may have TICKED me off enough to make me NEVER go back to the soma at least. :) This is day 2 for me C/T off of it and already feeling a bit out of sorts and to top it off am going for a consultation tomorrow for skin cancer they found and the surgery is set up for Wed. so I REALLY didn't need that "mean" comment. BUT you are right. I'll let it go. He's a JERK...and needs MORE help than I do. :) Thanks for you response. Precious

[xyborx]

I appologise for being honest about my feelings, I was actually trying to help. At least when I insult someone it is for a purpose.

[xyborx]

So you are calling me a meany? How cruel. It actually was my intention to help you... and no, I am not a kid, you only need to look at my photo to see that for yourself.

Afterall, the xyborx are here to help.

[kkdt]

I really don't think 3-4 soma's is a lot, coupling with that type of pain medicine is kind of strange.  I was prescribed soma's with tramadol...  I have taken up to 20-30 350mg soma's a day and have been able to come off with minimal symptoms.  However it is not the same with tramadol, its a plain ***** because normal opiates won't cure the w/d that you get from ultram.  If you're aware that you have to come off the meds, I think you are doing the right thing, I'd probably go see another doctor, but I'd get slammed for saying that on here...  W/D is no joke, and you're going to get some of it....  but I doubt it will be all that bad seeing that your dose IS LOW.

kkdt

[Precious Pearl]

Thanks for your input. This is day 3 starting up and so far a little edgy last night but feeling pretty good so far but still taking the 3-4 vicodin daily. I have NO soma and I can sure feel it in my muscles. :) It's a muscle relaxer and with the fibromyalgia/chronic osteoarthritis pain it DID help but I think it is time. WOW you have taken 20-30 somas in ONE day? I would think that would almost kill you , no? My best friend is so worried about me because I would come to her for more pills if my RX ran short. She's so happy I am stopping taking them. OK thanks for the input on the Dr., too. I am just SO tired of Drs. and their prescribing stuff for this and that. I just want MY life back if you know what I mean. So are you taking anything right now? Just curious. Thanks  Precious