Vicodin dependancy .......does it get any better?

[cantstandthemanymore29]

I just wanted to ask if it really does get better? I've been taking Vicodin 10mg 8 - 12 a day for a year for my arthritis and degenerative disc disease.  I'm 29 years old and DO NOT want to be on these for the rest of my life! I tried stopping a couple of times but the twitches in my body and the 'RESTLESS EVERYTHING" syndrome made me keep taking them.  I'm scared to do this but I know it's for the best.  Please tell me what I should do or how to ease the restless part. I can't stand that! I have 3 small children that I need to take care of everyday and I cant go through wd's and take care of them at the same time. It's been 12 hrs since my last dose and im doing okay, but i've done this before and the worst has yet to come. My fiance thinks that I can just stop and everything will be fine. He's crazy to think that. I was crazy to even start these things to begin with, I wish I haden't.

[NewLife_NewMe]

Hi, congrats on deciding to quit! I recently quit cold turkey, I also have a 3 year old, 2 year old and babysit my 1 year old brother and I was absolutely terrified of going through w/d's while having to care for them and it was always my excuse as to why I needed to just wait til a "better time". I am now 14 days clean and detoxed while caring for all 3 of them so it IS possible and honestly, I feel SO much more accomplishment being able to say I made it through while caring for them. YOU CAN DO THIS. Us moms are some of the strongest of them all :)

[cantstandthemanymore29]

Thank you, I appreciate that : )  Still havent taken anything though. That's a good thing. So far, I really haven't felt like I needed to, which is another good thing. I think this forum has helped me a lot through the day : )  Thank you for the compliment!

[laurel453]

I didn't want you to feel different... i just didn't know that you were tapering down your doses, thought that you have quitted so thinking about taking one was a setback, sorry. You are doing a good job, keep it :)

[cantstandthemanymore29]

You can do this! My sister is on oxies rxed and morphine as well at night to sleep. She's trying to not take them too and it's hard but she's doing okay for now. Opiates are evil! They mask there way into your life because you're vulnerable and in a lot of pain and then thats where it starts. They take hold of you and bring you down!! This forum is honestly where I've gotten most of my advice about this stuff. It's helped me out a lot. My children are my life so with it being the holidays, I think I'll be able to do just fine. I think you will too : ) A lot of it is mental. Stay busy and focus on things you love to do or people you love and you'll get through it. One day at a time : )

[cantstandthemanymore29]

Well since I told myself I was going to taper off of them and haven't had any at all I think I'm doing a pretty good job. My last one was 11:30pm last night and havent taken any all day today. So do I think I'm setting myself up for disaster? No I don't. Originally I was going to taper from 4 to 2 a day and I've done good by not taking any. Will I take one tonight? Hopefully not, but I can't be a utter mess in the morning when I'm the only one here to take care of my son, and get my other 2 children off to school. So should I take it since I've been doing good? No, but do I absolutely need my sleep? Yes. So I don't think one will be a big deal. If I can come down from taking 80 to 120 mgs of these a day to taking a 1/4 of a 10 mg at night then I think I'm doing good. It's not to say I'll always need them at night but for now since i'm just starting I don't think it's a big deal. Going from @ 100 mgs a day to 2.5 mgs is a huge accomlishment and no one will make me think any different.

[bama88]

I'm detoxing from oxies. I feel your pain. I completely understand. I'm on day five with no oxies. I was at 100mgs a day. All.rxed. its hard to detox but we can do it.I've only admitted I'm addicted last Friday. Not this past one but the 20th of Nov. It's so so hard. But I know it will get better. I'm starting to set small.daily goals. I let my house get way dirty from being numb and depression. Think of your kids and Christmastime. Think how good we will.feel. I found hot bathed with Epson salt with bubles saved me. You have the power now.

[laurel453]

* mean.. so that you can't have them ?

[laurel453]

ok, lets be honest.... not being able of sleeping is what probably will happen and you have already set yourself to use again... much more if you have the pills near... Why don't you try all the natural stuff and give the pills to your husband so that you can have them ?

[cantstandthemanymore29]

So far today I havent taken any at all. I honestly don't feel too bad. which is good because the last time I tried, I got depressed, I got anxiety, and i was very irritable, along with the restless everything lol I feel good right now. My children have helped me today and I love them for that. They don't really know how much they have helped me through this so far. I feel as though for the past year I've been chasing pills and it isn't a good feeling.  I never spent any money on them because I had my own script but ultimately it still feels the same.  I'm hoping that I can sleep tonight, that is the part I hate the most.  If I end up not being able to sleep I'll give in I know I will. But if I do, I'm only going to take 1/4 of one just to make the restless feeling go away. I hope I can do this I really do. I know I can, It's just having the will power to not take them since I have about 20 left in my cupboard. I can do this, I can do this!! I WILL do this.

[laurel453]

Hi... things that can help you with the restless legs... Hylands restful legs, tonic water has quinine on it and this helps....  mineral supplements, magnesium chelated+calcium and potasium will help with muscles ( eat potasium rich food like bananas, i ate a lot of them ! ).... hot baths with epsom salts will relax your muscles and you will feel better... i also took valerian root for my anxiety and i think it helped with  my stomach cramps too !...

after detoxing, try following an anti inflammatory diet to help you with arthritis..balancing your intake of omega 3 and 6,  omega 3 oil caps are good also for arthritis and after opiate wds.. Anyway, All the best and hope you are not feeling very unwell, good luck :)

[Icntkickit]

The kids to keep you busy is honestly the best thing for you! Good luck! I have 3 kids and a full time job and both times that's what saved me!