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When Will this ease up? Vicodin Detox...
Can someone roughly give me a "timeline" estimate of how the detox progresses and where many people begin feeling better? I'm on day 4 right now...I really feel it has been one of the worst days out of the whole detox so far. I woke up at 6am with a migraine. It felt like nails were being hammered into both of my sides of my forehead. I thought it would go away after more sleep but I woke up around 1:30 pm (almost 7 hours later) and it still felt the exact same. Almost like a hangover. This is the first headache I've had this week. I have also been incredibly weak and tired. All I could think of is laying down or going to sleep and it's been that way the entire day. I got up and ate, took a really hot bath, some tylenol, and went back to sleep. I still didn't even feel any better after that nap.
I just want to know what else to expect. This is all new to me because I've never allowed myself to go this far without Vicodin before. I never went more than one or two days.
My back pain seems to spike every other day. And my mouth is really dry, no matter how much I drink.
Thanks for taking time to read this...
I just want to know what else to expect. This is all new to me because I've never allowed myself to go this far without Vicodin before. I never went more than one or two days.
My back pain seems to spike every other day. And my mouth is really dry, no matter how much I drink.
Thanks for taking time to read this...
Best Answer
My detox lasted about a week. It took me about a month to get my energy back. I am 3 months clean & I still have days where I have no energy. Vitamins help a lot for energy. Make sure to have a good support system after your done detoxing like NA or a counselor. It will help you so much to stay clean. Hope you get to feeling better soon.
I want you to know your posts have given me the courage to start my own tapering off of a 7 year Vicodin addiction, I see it is possible. Hang in there.
Thank you =) I'm very proud of my progress so far. Some days I'm sure it will change and I'll be down on myself but from everything I've read on here, I guess that's normal. Thank you for all of the encouraging words and advice.
I am following your advice and staying on Effexor for now. I have nothing against ADs but it scares me because of how I feel when I stop taking it. Like what do I do in the event the pill isn't available to me anymore? I'm only on my mom's insurance till 26 (this december) and I'm not sure what to do about insurance when I get to that point. I'm not sure where my life will be in December...I could be in a University, a new job, the same job...I don't know. So if my insurance expires I'm in a really bad spot.
I do agree, though, that it is helping with my Vicodin withdrawals and detox. I probably would have much more severe depression without it, during this time.
Thanks for everything =) I appreciate it.
I am following your advice and staying on Effexor for now. I have nothing against ADs but it scares me because of how I feel when I stop taking it. Like what do I do in the event the pill isn't available to me anymore? I'm only on my mom's insurance till 26 (this december) and I'm not sure what to do about insurance when I get to that point. I'm not sure where my life will be in December...I could be in a University, a new job, the same job...I don't know. So if my insurance expires I'm in a really bad spot.
I do agree, though, that it is helping with my Vicodin withdrawals and detox. I probably would have much more severe depression without it, during this time.
Thanks for everything =) I appreciate it.
How are you feeling on day 4? It was the worst day for me. Well, it were the physical symptoms and the lack of energy/fatigue that were super intense that day. The other days were physical here and there but mostly extreme depression.
I haven't been to therapy yet, but I'm in the process of looking for a therapist and a psychiatrist. I know it can only do good. I'm pretty much willing to try anything that will make me feel better and like myself again.
Thanks =)
Thanks =)
That's how I feel about Effexor...If the withdrawals when I stop taking it are that intense, how can it possibly be good for my body? It's really scary.
Hi there buddy!
Let me just say...you are doing AMAZING!!! You are doing everything you can do to help yourself..THAT is sometimes the biggest battle! Way to go, you should be SO proud of yourself, and you've gotten so much good info to keep using...keep up the great work!
JUST my opinion, but hold off on the Effexor cessation for right now...I would actually say wait a couple months. Reason being is..there is such a huge component of detox and recovery that is emotional...the depression can get bad. I just don't see the need to be a hero, you know? You can explore your "true self" soon enough...IMO, coming off the Effexor is just going to make things harder on you right now.
Also, everyone has a different opinion, but there is NOTHING wrong with treating depression (or anxiety) with medications. There seems to be this feeling like "I shouldn't NEED the meds to feel normal"...in a perfect world, yes...but depression is a very real problem, and if meds help, then that's perfectly fine. Especially in a person with addiction, a lot of times (most I would say), a person with a history of depressiin and/or anxiety turn to opiates or other drugs/alcohol as a way to self medicate. It happens all the time. That's why it's SO important to manage the underlying disorders as best you can, and IF meds are a part of that, it's okay. Therapy is vital, no matter if a person is on meds or not. In the very least, just hold off for a few months, let your brain and body heal a little, as I said, people report some wicked depression during and after detox.
Just some food for thought okay? I see this kind of thinking ALL the time on the anxiety and depression forums...people just think they shouldn't have to take a med, and I just don't agree. Anxiety disorders and clinical depression are real disorders, and a person needs to do whatever it takes to address them. I know it's a bit of an internal struggle for someone who is an addict to take a pill for a mood disorder, but treating a chemical imbalance with meds is, IMO, no different that treating hypertension with BP meds.
Best to you...keep up the AWESOME work. You really are blowing me away...I thought to myself, "man, if everyone actually put forth this kind of effort, people would get through w/ds a lot better". Be very, very proud of yourself.
Let me just say...you are doing AMAZING!!! You are doing everything you can do to help yourself..THAT is sometimes the biggest battle! Way to go, you should be SO proud of yourself, and you've gotten so much good info to keep using...keep up the great work!
JUST my opinion, but hold off on the Effexor cessation for right now...I would actually say wait a couple months. Reason being is..there is such a huge component of detox and recovery that is emotional...the depression can get bad. I just don't see the need to be a hero, you know? You can explore your "true self" soon enough...IMO, coming off the Effexor is just going to make things harder on you right now.
Also, everyone has a different opinion, but there is NOTHING wrong with treating depression (or anxiety) with medications. There seems to be this feeling like "I shouldn't NEED the meds to feel normal"...in a perfect world, yes...but depression is a very real problem, and if meds help, then that's perfectly fine. Especially in a person with addiction, a lot of times (most I would say), a person with a history of depressiin and/or anxiety turn to opiates or other drugs/alcohol as a way to self medicate. It happens all the time. That's why it's SO important to manage the underlying disorders as best you can, and IF meds are a part of that, it's okay. Therapy is vital, no matter if a person is on meds or not. In the very least, just hold off for a few months, let your brain and body heal a little, as I said, people report some wicked depression during and after detox.
Just some food for thought okay? I see this kind of thinking ALL the time on the anxiety and depression forums...people just think they shouldn't have to take a med, and I just don't agree. Anxiety disorders and clinical depression are real disorders, and a person needs to do whatever it takes to address them. I know it's a bit of an internal struggle for someone who is an addict to take a pill for a mood disorder, but treating a chemical imbalance with meds is, IMO, no different that treating hypertension with BP meds.
Best to you...keep up the AWESOME work. You really are blowing me away...I thought to myself, "man, if everyone actually put forth this kind of effort, people would get through w/ds a lot better". Be very, very proud of yourself.
Congrats on your clean days you are doing awesome. Have you been to counseling? There are definitely others ways manage. An exercise program helps release the natural endorphins, serotonins and dopamines.
Do you work? If the muscle relaxers aren't working stop taking them. The opiates actually increase pain after you are on them awhile it is called hyperalgesia. It will take a few months to re-evaluate your pain when you stop the opiates.exercise also helps with the back pain.
Keep moving forward. One day at a time.
Debbie
Do you work? If the muscle relaxers aren't working stop taking them. The opiates actually increase pain after you are on them awhile it is called hyperalgesia. It will take a few months to re-evaluate your pain when you stop the opiates.exercise also helps with the back pain.
Keep moving forward. One day at a time.
Debbie
Thanks Barb
I have read that and you just reminded me. I will discuss that with my doctor today.
I totally agree with coming off the AD's. Who knows what effects they are having on us. If they are this hard to come off of I don't think they are great for your body. I will be so careful if I ever have to go on any meds again.
The Cymbalta was horrible. At first I didn't know if it was Effexor withdrawals so I kept taking it. I finally realized that I felt like I was being poisoned. I was so jittery and nauseous. It was like the worst flu ever and on top of that my whole insides were shaking. My legs were like rubber. Still far from better but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel lol.
I think I am just going to deal with the pain and not let him try me on anymore meds.
I have read that and you just reminded me. I will discuss that with my doctor today.
I totally agree with coming off the AD's. Who knows what effects they are having on us. If they are this hard to come off of I don't think they are great for your body. I will be so careful if I ever have to go on any meds again.
The Cymbalta was horrible. At first I didn't know if it was Effexor withdrawals so I kept taking it. I finally realized that I felt like I was being poisoned. I was so jittery and nauseous. It was like the worst flu ever and on top of that my whole insides were shaking. My legs were like rubber. Still far from better but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel lol.
I think I am just going to deal with the pain and not let him try me on anymore meds.
I have been on many AD's and Cymbalta made me very sick too. It's the only one that did. I would throw up within a half hour of the dose.
I quit my AD 2 weeks ago, but I am lucky and haven't ever experienced wds from AD's.
I was on my ad quite awhile, but decided to quit it two weeks into quitting my opiates. Reason being, I didn't think it was possible to get any more depressed than I already was, and my anxiety was through the roof. I wanted to test a theory that my AD may be making it worse. So far so good.
Have you all read about single dose Prozac to come off AD's? I'm not sure how it works, except it has a very long half life. It's a month before its totally out of your system where some AD's are as little as a day. It's an off label thing, but something you both may want to read and discuss with your Dr. The stories I have read makes it seem very effective for a lot of people. And unlike going from opiates to Methadone, I don't think taking 1 single Prozac to skip or minimize ad wds is a big deal. Plus if you find the single dose Prozac doesn't work, you can safely resume you taper of the original AD. Just a thought for you all.
Have a great day!
I quit my AD 2 weeks ago, but I am lucky and haven't ever experienced wds from AD's.
I was on my ad quite awhile, but decided to quit it two weeks into quitting my opiates. Reason being, I didn't think it was possible to get any more depressed than I already was, and my anxiety was through the roof. I wanted to test a theory that my AD may be making it worse. So far so good.
Have you all read about single dose Prozac to come off AD's? I'm not sure how it works, except it has a very long half life. It's a month before its totally out of your system where some AD's are as little as a day. It's an off label thing, but something you both may want to read and discuss with your Dr. The stories I have read makes it seem very effective for a lot of people. And unlike going from opiates to Methadone, I don't think taking 1 single Prozac to skip or minimize ad wds is a big deal. Plus if you find the single dose Prozac doesn't work, you can safely resume you taper of the original AD. Just a thought for you all.
Have a great day!
Yeah I have no doubt the Effexor is helping me, but I want to know my genuine self again and now that I've been through a few life lessons (major ones) see if there are other ways to manage my depression and anxiety that don't involve a pill. It would just suck to go through life not living fully and then learn that it was that medication the whole time. If I learn that it really was helping I'll go back on it. I'm still on my mom's insurance though and it ends when I turn 26 in december. So If I'm dependent on any sort of medication, I'm screwed. I kinda have no choice.
That ***** that you are feeling sick and have to stop it again. I'm sensitive to those medications too. I had all sorts of bad side effects with the list they tried to put me on so i was always "on to the next"...Then I finally ended up with Effexor.
That ***** that you are feeling sick and have to stop it again. I'm sensitive to those medications too. I had all sorts of bad side effects with the list they tried to put me on so i was always "on to the next"...Then I finally ended up with Effexor.
The Effexor is probably working much better now that you are off of the Vicodin and is really helping with the depression. Don't be in a huge rush to come off of it. I know how much you want to be off of it but allow yourself to heal first. You can do a very, very slow taper of of the Effexor. I had to go back on it because Cymbalta made me really sick and I couldn't handle how sick it was. The Effexor has eased my symptoms quite a bit but I am still suffering from the Cymbalta. So now I am back to where I started over a month ago only I feel so sick.
I am going to my doctor tomorrow and start a slow Effexor taper.
I read where people count the beads in the capsules and then remove a few at a time. I am not going to suffer like this again. The slower the better for me.
It will be so nice to be totally pill free some day. You are doing great.
I am going to my doctor tomorrow and start a slow Effexor taper.
I read where people count the beads in the capsules and then remove a few at a time. I am not going to suffer like this again. The slower the better for me.
It will be so nice to be totally pill free some day. You are doing great.
It's so great to know that people actually take time out to keep up with posts, especially with how many people use this site. It means so much!
Your right, the light is a great feeling and I'm excited to see more every day.
I'm thankful I'm not feeling that intense depression anymore because life was so dark for a few days. I'm just hoping it stays pretty neutral and doesn't get really bad again. It wasn't fun!
I don't want to go through that again but I know I'm going to have to with Effexor and it *****. A different experiencing than a Vicodin detox for sure. NOT excited.
This is at least a start. =)
Thanks for the support!
Your right, the light is a great feeling and I'm excited to see more every day.
I'm thankful I'm not feeling that intense depression anymore because life was so dark for a few days. I'm just hoping it stays pretty neutral and doesn't get really bad again. It wasn't fun!
I don't want to go through that again but I know I'm going to have to with Effexor and it *****. A different experiencing than a Vicodin detox for sure. NOT excited.
This is at least a start. =)
Thanks for the support!
Also, I tried L trysone but it led to anxiety. I switched to D Ribose. It's safe, found naturally in the body, but our bodies have taken a hit.
It has shown promising in some studies for treatment of fibro, chronic fatigue syndrome, and to help with energy specific to exercise.
It has helped me, as physically I'm unable to do more than just walk due to a heart problem.
You may want to look it up. It's ok to take with AD's. The only people that need to take under dr supervision are diabetics.
It has shown promising in some studies for treatment of fibro, chronic fatigue syndrome, and to help with energy specific to exercise.
It has helped me, as physically I'm unable to do more than just walk due to a heart problem.
You may want to look it up. It's ok to take with AD's. The only people that need to take under dr supervision are diabetics.
It's wonderful your seeing light! It's there, it's like the sunshine is behind and eclipse, and comes out a little more each day.
I had the dry mouth you speak of. I still do on day 31. ( it's after midnight)!
It made chewing rough. So I bought Biotine toothpaste and mouthwash. It's for dry mouth and was a life saver.
Your headaches are prob coming from caffeine withdrawal. That will pass too.
It's amazing you have no depression! Be blessed. I think that affects a lot of people at first.
The muscle milk, did you buy powder? If you buy it pre mixed, the texture is fine. It's just expensive that way. But it's so good for you, 3$ a day for one isn't really bad in the scheme of getting well.
I have been following your posts. Congrats on your days so far. You're doing great!
I had the dry mouth you speak of. I still do on day 31. ( it's after midnight)!
It made chewing rough. So I bought Biotine toothpaste and mouthwash. It's for dry mouth and was a life saver.
Your headaches are prob coming from caffeine withdrawal. That will pass too.
It's amazing you have no depression! Be blessed. I think that affects a lot of people at first.
The muscle milk, did you buy powder? If you buy it pre mixed, the texture is fine. It's just expensive that way. But it's so good for you, 3$ a day for one isn't really bad in the scheme of getting well.
I have been following your posts. Congrats on your days so far. You're doing great!
Yup! Lots better. Not as fatigued and no depression. I'm trying to hold on to that by not doing anything that triggers it. My back pain is still KILLER though! I don't know what to do about that. The hot baths kind of worked. But I've been taking tylenol and then before bed I combine that with a muscle relaxer and my back pain is still there. Other than that, I'm so much better than all the other days!
Finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel!
Thanks =)
Finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel!
Thanks =)
Thanks everyone I am going to take all of the amazing advice to heart and exercise more and force myself to be more physical. It's tough because I was on so many energy enhancing things like Vicodin, Adderall, and HIGHLY addicted to caffeine. I haven't really had caffeine during this detox so I'm sure that's made everything feel a little heavier. I'm basically getting off of two drugs at once!
Thanks so much for the support.
Thanks so much for the support.
Hang in there...you are about to be free from the physical wd symptoms. The energy and fatigue hangs around for a bit, and as others have said, you have to force yourself to go for a walk, shower, go to store, etc. Sitting around actually increases your back pain. Consider it like bed sores. Your muscles start to go into atrophy from not using them. Try turning on some music...it always seems to help lift my mood and get me going. Try B12 for energy or some Gingko. Gingko helps increase oxygen and energy levels.
the more you force yourself to get up and move around the better, your muscles have been numb for so long they have forgotten what it feels like to be normal. ive found just a lil exercise brings energy back, i know it sounds rough, but just imagine how you feel before the pain pills if you just laid around for 4 days straight, heck i get tired if i sleep in late and my back hurts just from that, get some blood pumping in those muscles, GOOD LUCK!!!
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Maybe a B12 vitamin will help. There is also something called L-Tyrosine that is supposed to be good for energy. You should research it first and also don't take it if you are on anti-depressants. It is discussed in the Thomas Recipe. I couldn't take it because I am on AD's. If you do decide to try it, stay away from caffeine or chocolate because apparently it can cause jitters.
As hard as it sounds, force yourself to go for short walks. The more exercise, the sooner your energy comes back. It will come back but it does take time. We abused our bodies for so long and it' like it's in shock now. Every day will get better but the first week is pretty bad energy wise or it was for me. I did feel better after FORCING myself to go for a walk.
I would get dressed and then rest from that and then drag myself outside. The fresh air felt so good and helped me so much.