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Vicodin Withdrawal--Can I do this alone?

I've been reading past postings re: Vicodin withdrawal, and I find this forum to be a wonderful help and inspiration to kick my habit and "get my life back" (quote from someone's post). I've been taking 2-3 'low-dose' Vicodin daily for about seven months. Until recently, I convinced myself that I didn't have a problem because my daily dosage was so low, plus I've been able to "resist" the urge to increase my dosage, although I have built up a tolerance (ie, the "high" is not as great now as it was seven months ago). But lately I've realized that I am quite psychologically dependent on my daily "fix." And I am tired of planning my life around the ups and downs of these pills--worrying about my next script, resisting the urge to take more, etc. My questions are: what can I expect physically re: withdrawal from this low-dose, seven month addiction? Psychologically (I've already gotten panicky over the mere thought of eliminating my daily habit)? Am I better off going "cold turkey" or tapering (with such a small dose, would tapering be ridiculous)? Should I have a substitute med (what's this buprenorhine I've read about--anything I should consider)? I'm doing this totally alone, while working a full-time job, so any words of wisdom / encouragement would be greatly appreciated.
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Avatar universal
I have been on Vicodin (10/325)for over a year.I take 2 of them every 4 hours.I have really bad back pain and my dr just decided to send me to pain management.I tried before to stop and honestly I wanted to kill myself.(not really but Im sure you know what I mean.My question is this.Will this report on anything?I want to go to school for my RN for labor and delivery and Im scared they can find that and would hire me. Im wondering what the pain management dr will give me.My dr said the tylenol is going to kill my liver and he knows Im in serious pain but doesnt want to be responsible for doing that to me.If Im still in so much pain,will I just have to suffer.I dont feel HIGH when I take it anymore and that was NEVER a reason I took it.HELP!!!PLEASE.Not just help with the question on becoming an RN but all my questions but no offense Id like someone who has been thru pain management and not just what they heard.I heard those drs treat you like a crack addict too.IM SCARED.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
To the contrary of what that doc said i have stopped cold turkey over 5 times, and its absolutely miserable, no question, but if you can just suck it up, lay down and play sick for a few days you will be OK. My average dose was roughly 12-14 10mg per day, and yah, when you just hit the brakes suddenly, your body is like wtf? and it kicks your as$. I Have a question though, if i have taken that down to 30 mg per day at the most for over a week now, do you think that saves you the horrible withdrawl symptoms? I figure i will still, but nothing like what ive experienced before. To be honest, this is one of the worst mediations to start liking, if you dont have a perscription they are very expensive. They control you. You dont even want to do anything if your not on them, idk. Ive payed for this habit over and over again, and im really at that point where you are honestly sick of it. I Would strongly recommend anyone with a drug abusing history Stay Away from these. Extremely addictive, and so many people struggle with it. Good luck to all of you with kicking this habit.
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Avatar universal
I too am getting ready to get off these evil pills. I was a daily drinker and the Vicodin ES was the only remedy that got me from craving booze. Since I was 16, I never could get 30 days from Alcohol until I found my vics. Being an alcoholic/addict-the booze still creeps into my life along with these bad boys.
But I don't drink like I used to. These posts really help me. I didn't know so many people take these too. I don't feel alone, even though I've tried NA and AA before without success.
I am up to 8 a day which is peanuts to some-but enough to get a nasty withdrawl. I would like to get more info on tapering off Vics. I can get a 120 bottle-which I will use to taper.
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Avatar universal
I broke both my arms before i ever took pill's. In fact i regarded people who became addicted to pain pills as weak and
unintelligent. I was the one who was unintelligent if your in pain long enough you simply have to have them for relief. Then
there is a line you cross where you are no longer using for the
pain but just to feel normal.The next stage is everything revolves around never running out because it has such a hold on
you, and your afraid to what limits you might go if you run out.
I became the person who in the past i had ridiculed.I myself after 16 months of 6 to 10 hp's a day or 10 to 15 es's made my
family leave our house for one week while i faced the unknown
withdrawl cold turkey it was no more than a bad flu physically
i am still dealing with it mentally.I took my last vic august 2,
2000. I also did this with a medicine cabinet with 60 vicodin
in it.You have to want off the merry go round really bad before
you can do this. But it is now so sweet to leave my home without
feeling in my pockets to make sure i have my vic's!!!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I broke both my arms before i ever took pill's. In fact i regarded people who became addicted to pain pills as weak and
unintelligent. I was the one who was unintelligent if your in pain long enough you simply have to have them for relief. Then
there is a line you cross where you are no longer using for the
pain but just to feel normal.The next stage is everything revolves around never running out because it has such a hold on
you, and your afraid to what limits you might go if you run out.
I became the person who in the past i had ridiculed.I myself after 16 months of 6 to 10 hp's a day or 10 to 15 es's made my
family leave our house for one week while i faced the unknown
withdrawl cold turkey it was no more than a bad flu physically
i am still dealing with it mentally.I took my last vic august 2,
2000. I also did this with a medicine cabinet with 60 vicodin
in it.You have to want off the merry go round really bad before
you can do this. But it is now so sweet to leave my home without
feeling in my pockets to make sure i have my vic's!!!!!
Helpful - 0
17567 tn?1276202029
Sharon: Since your request was posted in March, and this is September, you probably have gone of the Vicodin already.  But, in the outside chance you still have a problem, here are my answers and my experiences.  Yes, you can do it alone, but it's better if you don't.  I have gone off Vicodin at least 6 times  (it has incredible power to bring you back).  One time was with medical support--the other 5 times were cold-turkey by myself.

My habit was worse than yours.  My most recent withdrawal involved a habit of 6 to 10 Vicodin ES' per day.  I realized for the 6th time that it was another dead-end.  The highs were becoming non-existent, at worst, and about 10 minutes at best.  That was with 1 1/2 ES' at a time.

Day One:  Easy.  Your body isn't convinced you're off, so it just coasts along, waiting for the next dose.  Toward the end of the day, you (with your smaller habit) may start to experience watery eyes and a runny nose.  You may also experience some mild abdominal cramping.  None of this is too bad.

Day Two: Not terrible, but worse than day one.  Your body now knows you've taken away its toys, and it is going to let you know it isn't happy.  The watery eyes and runny nose get worse.  So does the cramping.  You probably have been somewhat constipated, but that all comes to an end in spades on day two and beyond.  Your system will be playing serious catch-up in this area.  Toward the evening, your body will experience some malaise, combined with restlessness and, very much depending on your habit, it feels like your body wants to crawl right out of itself.  The temptation to go back on is great, since you will be incorrectly thinking that "even the addiction wasn't this bad."  But you will be wrong.  Hang in there.

Day Three:  A repeat of day two.  If your habit is not excessive, which yours does not appear to be, it is not worse, possibly even a little easier than day two.  You will still be struggling with the emotional attraction to Vicodin, but this RX drug, when abused, is so bad, all of the withdrawal symptoms are worth it.

Day Four:  You're almost there.  You will feel 90% better physically, but now that the worst is over, your mind will concvince you that the withdrawal wasn't all that bad (Vicodin has a way of shortening our memory)you will start to think that
since the withdrawal wasn't like what you see in the movies (those are heroin addicts) that perhaps you might use it "occasionally", and that's when you become as stupid as I have been.

Day Five:  With your minor habit, you should be completely through the tough stuff by now.  The only remaining symptom will be sleeplessness and temptation.  The sleeplessness will last, unfortunately for a long time--it could be years.  The temptation will be as strong as you are weak.  Fight it.  You don't want to do this again.  WHY?  Because IT GETS WORSE EACH TIME YOU GO THROUGH THE WITHDRAWAL, EVEN IF YOUR HABIT STAYS THE SAME!  Believe me, I know.  Each of my withdrawals was progressively worse.

Can you do it alone and continue with your job?  Absolutely.  I did it 5 times.  Is it easy?  No, but it's possible.  It's like going to work with an allergy and a mild case of the flu at the same time.

Truthfully, with your small habit, I think you can reduce everything I said above by 20-30% or more, if you're lucky.

Hang in there.  Do this, and do it now, before your 2-3 becomes 5, then 7, then 18.  It happens.  I read one true admission of a woman who claimed to be on more than 100 per day.  I believe her.  I know how this disease takes control of you.  

The ideal time to do this is on a week-end, or better yet, on a long week-end.  By the time you go back to work, you will be a new person.  I hope you only have to do this once.  Good luck!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm currently at 72 hours of vicodin es withdrawal, only because my script ran out, thats ok.  I'm facing sinus surgery this thursday, which the reason why I started this stupid habit in the first place.  I really want to get off of this stuff especially to see if my recovery from sinus surgery works!  How do i know if the pain and discomfort of a terrrible sinus condition is reduced from surgery if im high on vics.  I hope to continue my recovery from these devil pills, but we'll see.  Current symptomes include: tiredness, yawning, pain in my face(location is where the sinus surgery is to take place)mucsle aches, and depression, how optimistic huh.  I've been through this before and believe if one wants to get off these devil pill, one can, just make sure you drink alot of water go swimming and watch alot of the history channel. Good luck to all!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Tim
I've been going cold turkey for the past three weeks and still have the psycological problems.  Yes, I'm getting better a little each day, but really believe that one needs help when coming off these types of drugs.  Neeedless to say, I've been totally honest with my PCP and admitted myself to hospital.  They placed me back on the drug.  I'm really getting desperate.  Does anybody have suggestions?

Thanks.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been taking 6-10  20mg oxycontin and crushing them up and taking 1-2 somas with them for three monthes now. Occassionally I mix in a few zanax too. I also have been on Paxil for two monthes. I take the paxil in the morning then do the pills in the afternoon. When I can, I get all the Norco or all the other low acetominophen combo pills I can get. But sometimes the pills just run out and I am left going cold turkey untill I can get a script again a couple of weeks later. I'm hooked (hook,line and sinker)
I know it, but dont want to quit just yet. Cold turkey is no fun!
But I do it, the paxil helps the depression.
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Avatar universal
Great to hear you're going to find a program.  Please keep us posted on how you're doing.  Good luck!  Brian
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Avatar universal
Thank you Brian!  I have finally come to realize that I CAN'T beat this thing alone...I DO need to join a program and will be looking around for one near me as soon as (I hate to say this) but as soon as my pills run out!
Thanks again for your support.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Been there done that.  Suzi, you need professional help to kick this thing.  Spend a little of that money on a decent outpatient program and get your life back.  Life sucks when you spend all your time thinking about the pills, trying to get more, counting, etc.  I know because I've been there.  I can honestly say that although I have occasional cravings I love life again.  All those things I made excuses not to do before I have a zest for again: socializing, exercising, just plain living life.  You can beat this thing but you will need some help.  Good luck.
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Avatar universal
Yesterday was my third day going through withdrawl and my first visit to this forum, after reading these posts for hours and hours I started to feel really hopeful that I too get through this and clean up for once and for all!  Well let me tell you that as soon as I heard a very familiar voice (my Vicodin connection) on my voicemail at work I was hopeful no more!  Just that fast I decided that maybe I was not ready to kick my "happy pill" habit quite yet.  I have been hooked on Vicodin for about 3 years now and they have completely taken over my life.  My whole life and every single thing I do revolve around how many pills I have in my purse.  I get so paranoid about running out that I dump out the entire bottle several times a day and count and plan my whole day around how many pills I've got.  I started off taking about 3 a day and now I am able to take between 40-50 a day.  A bottle of 100 lasts no longer than 3 days.  I spend about $1,000 a month on Vicodin.  I could have such nice things but instead I spend all my money on this ****.  
Does anyone out there actually think there is hope for me to get off the pills and live a normal, healthy life?
It's only 8:30 in the morning and I have already popped 18 pills... :(
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Avatar universal
Please seek help from an addiction medicine specialist who is using buprenorphine for detox.  It will detox you in a nearly painless manner.  Alcohol does not help withdrawal, although Soma may calm you somewhat, keep muscle tension and spasms minimized and help with sleep.
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Avatar universal
BEEN TAKING 10 7.5 VICODIN DAILY FOR 5 YRS. NEED HELP TO WITHDRAW. DEPRESSION IS TERRIBLE AND HAVING SUCIDAL THOUGHT DAILY. DON'T WANT TO BE THROWN INTO DETOX AND SUFFER. TAKING THE DRUG FOR PAIN IN BACK AND KNEES. NEED HELP NOW.
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Avatar universal
I ALSO NEED HELP. BEEN ON 10 7.5 VICODIN FOR 5 YRS. PAIN IN BACK AND KNEES. WANT TO GET OFF MERRY-GO-ROUND. HAVE MED. INS. THE DEPRESSION HAS ME NEAR SUICIDE. WILL ALCOHOL OR SOMA HELP WITH WITHDRAWAL.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sharon, go ahead and do it alone. I am withdrawing from hydrocodone as I type this. I am at the 73'rd hour and the worst has appeared to pass. I was taking at least twice what you are taking for about the same period of time. It is like having the flu, not very pleasant but also not severe. Drink a lot of water, get something for your stomach, and force yourself to eat. The second and third days are the worst. Try treating yourself as if you just have the flu and don't start swallowing other medications as a crutch. This is the second time I have been through this ( in three years ) after back and neck problems. If I can do it, you can do it! Good luck !

Mark

***@****

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Avatar universal
OH MY GOD!!!! Tom, how did you ever get off of those pills after taking 75 a day I am currently fighting just to quit at about 25-30 7.5/650mg pills a day??????? I can NOT imagine 75 a day!!! Please tell me anything that you think could help me, even though, I must say just knowing you actually did it gives me a little hope!!!!! Thank you for any comments!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I can't offer you any help, but I'm sure in the same spot as you. Maybe someone can answer for both of us. I've been taking about 8 vicadin for alittle over a year. I work full time and lead a normal life except for these stupid pills. I think about them all the time - how many I have and if I will get more. I hate it. I've gone off them a couple of times (had nausea, jitters, and the runs - but all fairly mild) - my problem was the mental part of it. I went back to them after a couple of weeks. Wanted that high - up feeling. Everything is grand feeling. I'm looking for the answers you're looking for!
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Avatar universal
Good for you in trying to get off the Vicodin.  I have been through the same thing, you are right, it gets in control of you.  When you are off it you won't believe how much better you feel!! In answer to what will happen, I was taking low doses also, but even with that, the first five-seven days off the drug are very difficult.  Try to plan to take at least the first four days off work, you won't feel well enough to go in, believe me! You HAVE to go somewhere where you can't get the drug (maybe a friend's house, or trusted relative?) for at least a week, because after being off 2-3 days, you'll be craving it really bad and won't be able to resist it if you have any available.  Tell the person you're staying with no matter WHAT to get you any or let you leave! You want to have some kind of sedative to help you with anxiety, either prescription or over the counter type herbal sedatives, also some Imodium for diarrhea.  I read that 48-72 hours after taking the last dose is the hardest time.  If you know this, you can tell when you'll start getting a little better every day.  You could try tapering off, but that never worked for me, I ended up using more than ever.  Cold turkey IS hard, but you CAN DO IT!!! PRAYER and trust in GOD to help you will get you through!!! E mail me if you need any prayer or support!!
***@****
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Avatar universal
i can tell you that if you have been taking vicodin as long as you
have you will need help.  an addiction specialist can help you.
cold turkey is not the answer.  you should be withdrawn under medical supervision. go to your md and be completely truthful as
to how much you are taking as well as any other meds, especially any sedatives (xanax etc) you can overcome this but do it with medical supervision.  most people that get into trouble
do not tell the whole story ie (meds from different docs)
get everything out in the open for a true recovery.  best of luck
dr white
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Avatar universal
i related to your story. I've posted mine.Simlilar scenerio 2 vic es ,1mg.of ativan, red wine and asleep at 2;00am up again at 6:ooam. I'm a doctor and mom. NEED HELP! where to start? Thanks for any suggestions.
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Avatar universal
I have gone from Lortab to Ultram as prescribed by my doctor for the past six months. Not a day has gone by that I haven't had about four doses of either one. I swore off  it all yesterday. I am tired of the dependency. But I started getting aches, pains and chills last night. I took one Ultram this morning in some sort of effort to "taper off." Can anyone tell me how long all this will last? I cannot join a group because I haven't the time. Thanks and good luck to you all!
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Avatar universal
I am trying to get info on home detox from oxycontin.  I have gone thru the process "in hospital" before and I know the meds I need to do it succesfully at home...just can't remember the dosages.  What is the normal dose if I will be using Clonopin (Catapres) and/or phenobarbital?  Also, I've used Valium in hospital before and it works in combination with the catapress.  Any clonodine experts out there?  Many thanks.
Helpful - 0
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