Withdrawal from hydrocodone

[Brie1966]

Hello,
  I have been on pain pills off about for about 2 years.(mostly Loritabs). Two weeks ago I was taking up to 12 pills a day. I have now weaned myself down to 3 pills a day, and I feel pretty good, not great, but pretty good. I plan to go down to 2 pills a day tomorrow and the next day, and then see if I can stop. Can you tell me if my withdrawals will be very bad since I will be down to just 2 pills? Im scared and concerned about this. But, I have never been more determined in my life to get off of these pills!
Thank you,
Leisa Tuck
Brie1966

[kurtk82]

once you go a couple of days without these pills , that will go away....all those symptoms are side effects of hydrocodone, and could be a small allergic reaction...I say get some melatonin from your local grocery store to help you sleep and stop taking them right away....it sounds like they are a lot worse for you than good.

[kurtk82]

hey, it is definitely normal that your heart beat is off when your body adjusts to just taking the pill.  Restless leg syndrome is probably what you have. Just incorporate bananas into your life style, or potassium. good luck! 16 is way to early to start this vicious cycle.  I am on my 2nd day without any hydrocodone and I don't like it, but i will like it much better when it is all out of my system and I don't have to worry about polls anymore.  You are more powerful than them!

[claireparker]

Can someone please help me? I have been taking Hydrocone for lots of spinal and neck pain ( chronic) since about FEB of this year. I have gotten down to where I only take one pill a day. I am trying to get off of them and feel like I am losing my mind.  Is it possible that you can have withdrawals from that small amount?  I am exhibiting so many neurological symptoms.. and to be truthful.. they started before I started trying to get off of them.  

I can't explain it but I feel lightheaded, out of control,  slow.. weak... tired... and its difficult to smile I am always smiling and its always so natural but now it feels forced.. like my body doesn't want to let me. . Its so hard to express my thoughts but No i am not depressed. Its like I push my lips upwards and make the smile but the rest of my face doesnt' feel right? It feels neurological. This started about 5 days ago.. There feels like a lot of anxiety too.. even on days where I just want to be as Happy as I can.  I can't be happy because I feel completely out of control of my body and so floaty that this must be what dying feels like.

I have nothing to be sad over. I love my fiancee and my kids and my job. I make great money.. and I have hardly any stress at all so it simply can't be stress related.

Can hydrocone build up in your system and start making you feel this way even if you are only taking one a day?

I also have a pituitary tumor that i have not had MRI'd since they found it in FEB so I am wondering.. could this have ANYTHING to do with how I am feeling at all?  I am going to get  it MRI'd tomorrow but seeking answers on the hydro tonight.  

Thank you

SPACED OUT

[234567]

HI everyone i have been on Vicodin 2006 they where giving to me by the hands full than i like them i want off of them tired of chasing them down they are not fun no more stomach so upset today is my last day on them going to the doctors tom i want help been taking 6 a  day for awhile starting on 7 to 8 that is to scary for me i have a niece just died from hairon a brother who killed him self 4 years ago alcoholic i want my life back i have will power but it got lost i will get it back in time , the stories i have been reading are a big help thank you everyone.

[234567]

thank you for the stories i will be back tired of being sick so glad i found this sight, thank you all.

[krismac]

emmy, i have came off lorcets many times but its like a kid at the candy story if u see them or they r in ur hand u will want them.. the heart thing mine does the same thing, i am trying as we speak 2 come off them, i go 2  my dr now 2 see if he can help me in any way good luck and i will be keeping up with everyone.....kris70

[Hitter702]

ATTENTION!! I REALLY NEED HELP WITH THIS TO EASE MY NERVES!!!.  I had been taking Hydro twice a day for a tooth infection.  After my tooth infection i had some left over so i began using them for a few weeks (1 a day).  Then I ran out.. About a month later got them again once my tooth was extracted.  I didnt finish all the pills once again and i began using them for lesiure (1 every other day).  Then shortly after, I hurt my back at my new job and i took them every day for about 2 weeks.  For a total of 4 months i waz basically using the pills.  Now i am out and on day 12... My anxiety is still a ***** (Heart rate and panic attacks) but most of my symptoms are leaving.  The anxiety is enough to drive me crazy and increase my depression.  I am wondering is this the withdrawal or just anxiety..  I had the cold sweats, *****, shivers, muscle aches in my back, arms, chest, and etc.  Im on xanax but i dont want to get into to that.  How much longer may this last.  The anxiety is really my only issue.  Please Help!!!

[derick5710]

hello i myself been on vikes 4 20years love them so much its very hard to kick i get 120 pain pills amouth of 750 es gone in 15 days then buy on the streets with draws suck...........   email me ***@****

[TAMAMAN]

I just wanted to share with everyone my little story.  Have been a chronic back pain sufferer for several years getting different treatments mostly physical therapy for 3 years.  Finally my doctor put me on Hydrocodone 6 months.  I thought all was going to be well.  I was truly enjoying life again virtually pain free.  But it didnt take long before 1 pill every 6 hours turned to 2 then 3 until I was up to about 12 a day.  Well last week I told my wife that this is really getting out of hand and I was quitting after my script ran out.  I went cold turkey.  It was pure Hell.  I could not believe the suffering we put ourselves through.  I had restless leg syndrome, 102 degree fever and ached all over my body.  Anyway,  this lasted for around 3 to 4 days.  I am on day 6 clean and little by little I am feeling much better.  I just wanted to thank everyone in this forum because you all inspired me to quit and I feel liberated now.  Thank You all very much.

Tapia

[drummerman7032]

I can see what you are saying about going back on them each month but my goal is to stretch the lenght out each month I am not on them , I can deal with the pain and thats at my wits end but I figure if I can get less time on these meds before I get the surgery . I can be on my way to when if the surgery is successful get off these meds . I have talked to me doctor and he keeps telling me "there is no need to be in oain take them if your hurting ."The only reason why i get the full presciption is the feeling I get when I fluch them down the toliet it's a feeling that I know I can get rid of them and deal with it . but thanks for the post it has made me think even more . I just hope it all works out and the surgery works and I can be free of meds . The only thing that makes me go back on the meds is the pain. if the surgery works and the pain is gone . I love the feeling of being off the meds after the 5 th to 6 th day , I would love to continue that feeling of being med free but the pain is what makes me go back but if the surgery works the poain won't be there and I will not look back thats my plan god willing it happens






I thank you for your post Keeping on my mind of what can happen keeps me vigilent and always watchfull thank you again for your post

[iwant2bhappy]

i dont know if you were talking to me or just in general, but i took in all that was said and thanks for your comments, i do abuse but i want to get to a point where the meds are taken correctly and not abused cause they are defenitly needed. are you slowly tappering or are you playing a game with your body? there is no need to do that to youself every month you are doing more harm than good. if you need the meds take them, if you are worried about being dependent on them i am a true testiment that stopping for a short while does nothing as far as lessening the chances of becoming addicted. try asking for less pills a month if that will help you feel better but dont throw your meds in the toilet, that contrary to what you said earlier is not taking your meds as prescribed and makes you no different then us addicts if you go right back to them every month, either you need them or you dont be real with youself and quit putting your body through that every month. you sound smart, and i know you are saying people in glass houses shouldnt throw stones, but it is easier to mentor others than it is to mentor myself, thats why im here to be mentored by yall. thanks drmmrmn

[drummerman7032]

I am now on my 7 day without vicoprophen . I have to go to the doctor tommorrow to refill my presciption if you read any of my post before . How I take my meds for my hierniated and degrenerated discs is as recommended and I make myself withdrawl every month by throwing 5-6 days away in the toilet i have been taking 6 7.5/200  a day for 3 years and refuse to up any dose and from reading your post I have instilled I will never change that dose "except pain permit to lower it (this board has helped me temedously to make that vow)(I thank you all ). Well each month I do this it becomes easier this month wasn't that bad . I wasn't feeling myself and was a little depressed and had the runs and felt out of it but less each time I do this . Today is my 7th day . And the lights are on and I feel great . If only the damm hellbent pain in my back could be kept at bay I would never pick them up again and take another one of them . The last 6 days I have been taking the max I can of advil and excedrin quick tabs for the pain to stay at bay the only reason I am going back tommorrow to get a refill is as you see I am up and can not sleep I am in massive pain but my mind is clear , I am not jonesing to take a pill as a matter of fact I will be pised when I do take one but if I have to deal with this pain any more I am going to punch in my computer screen in next month I am going to try for 10 days at the end of the month . I figure maybe I can trick my body to let the advil and the excedrin do most of the work longer each time and hopefully I can keep doing thst till one day I will never have to deal with these pills again


P.s I sawa movie a while ago about people stranded ina plane crash that were in th wilderness . and had no cililization around them . One of my mental tricks I use during those 5-6-7 days and 8 this month is I say to myself if I was one of those people and needed to stay alive I would have to do it without pain meds . So I phyche myself out thinking that on am in that situation and there is no vicoprophen there so I just have to go on even in pain . For some reason that movie stuck with me and it's one of my mental tricks . I realy do not think I am addicted in the sence of addicted , I use my meds as prescibed on the label .I even throw them in the toliet before i get the next refill  I have one doctor and thats it . I have never purchased them illegally . But I find this a great place to talk to people and find out what would happen if I do get addicted . I think for me it theraputic and I get to see the train coming at me and reading these post from everyone lets me know I should always be on te look out . And if I can help in any way feel free to ask .I used to be a emt and paramedic for years I always liked to help people if being here and one of my post can help one person That alone is worth all the money in fort knox to me




P.s.s also As from my screen name you cn see I am a drummer and getting ona drumset and playing for hours during my pre planned withdrawls each month helps alot and music is agreat therapudic tool to I listen to songs we wrote and recorded before this injury happened to me and think of those days and god willing one day I will be back there again. And I always said I will never let this injury stop what I can do I will always do everything i did before even if I am in pain . God willing I go for final test this week to find out what surgery is in store for me and if they even want to touch the problem . I hope in my prayers tha I can be fixed .


You people have no idea how much reading all you post have awaked me to seeing what can happen if I am not onstantly on the lookout and because of that I thank you all

[iwant2bhappy]

hi guys! thank you sooo much for being here. i have had the easiest time detoxing just reading all the comments. i didnt get a chance to read the recipe before i had done already detoxed just about. its been 2 in a half weeks now. this isnt the longest time for me though. 1 month is the longest clean point since i took the first pill 5 years ago. see i have pseudo tumor cerebri and have had to have2 head shunts placed and 2 spinal shunts placed. the head shunts were ok i recovered effortlessly, but the back surgeries were the ones that have left me depending on pills. i am 27 years old with 2 kids and it makes me sick to think of all that they have missed out on because of me either hurting from back pain or to spaced out to even care. i have a drs script for 120 pills every month or 4 a day. every month when i get those pills i binge on them in about 5 days. then im left looking crazy cause im like a mad woman w/out my fix. thats why im detoxing now, i guess waiting for refill day. i think i can do it this time, take it how it was prescribed. nobody understands, i was molested from 7-18 years of age by the man i call dad and my mom actually took him back so everytime i go to see my sibs i see him. i need somthing to take the edge off of that encouter. not to mention the painfull back pain i endure every day. what to do what to do what to do, anybody!!!

[alone]

Hi. I just read your comment. I am so sorry. I don't know anything about Methadone withdrawl. I'm having trouble with just the NORCO. I thouht I was possibly "Tapering" down as a result of circumstances (posted elsewhere yesterday under "Physical Withdrawl"). But I don't think so any more. Today has been HELL! So, I consider this "DAY 1". I have read elsewhere on these boards of people talking about Methadone withdrawl. Have you talked to your DR. about withdrawl from Methadone? I'm sorry sweetie, I don't know what to tell you...But if you will search around on these boards, you will find some info. Also...(as I found out by mistake) you should go back to the first page of this topic (addiction) where the forum lists begin and post there on the top thread(weather or not your question corresponds). It seems everybody stops there first. Someone with knowledge will answer you. They may not have scrolled down this far today.  God Bless...Just Hang On.

[sharonver]

Someone please read and help..

[sharonver]

Back again,
Checking to see if anyone sent any suggestions or answered any of my questions. Please someone show me the light!

[sharonver]

Hi All...

I see that I am not the only one having a hard time coming off Methadone!  I have been on for more than 15 years and I finally have the nerve to try and get off! I started at 65mg, after a few years went down to 30mg. tried detoxing once 5mg a month got to 15mg and had to go back up couln't go to work.  A few years later in a better frame of mind (that helps!)I tried going down 1mg. every other week, I am down to 6mg.It was ok until now. Starting familiar withdrawal symptoms-hot & cold flashes, no energy, headache, aches, not sleeping etc. I would really like to see this through to the end, any suggestions on how to cope? Do you think that seeing I am going down so slow that it will get worse than this?  And what will happen when it gets to 2mg and then stops? Help me please!

[CosmicCharlie]

Hi all!
First, let me say that boards like this really do help.  Support from your fellow humans is more than anyone could ask for -- it shows you that you are not alone.

My story is as follows -- I'm a young one, 17 to be exact.  I've dabbled in various intoxicants, but found hydrocodone to be the best.  At first, my friend gave me some of his moms, and I loved them!  The first time I was just all warm and fuzzy; the euphoria was incredible, but I had no steady supply, just every couple of weeks he's give me 3 or 4.  Than I started working at a place where 3 of the waitressess would always have a steady supply.  I was around 15 at the time, and I figured "well, if they're popping them recreationally, it must be ok" -- big mistake.  Over the months, I started getting more and more, and much more regularly.  It got to the point where I would sneak into the back room when no one was around and take a couple for myself.  I just kept thinking that if they did them (I had the utmost respect for these people), it was ok to.  Once I took a sandwhich baggy full of them, which got me fired.  I thought she was a friend, but all she did was yell at me, she didn't understand (even though she was addicted by this point too).  Than I started taking pain pills from my friend's grandmother, who had large amounts.  Zydones and Vicodins, and once Percodans.  The Percodan has aspirin in it, not tylenol.  I was taking so many so regularly, my stomach started bleeding.  I knew I had to stop.

I still get my hands on whatever I can, but I'll tell you this...I'm also a very spiritual person.  I know a great deal about all the religions, and found that Buddhism (not really a religion, more a "vehichle") has much to offer to you, no matter what religion you are.  A part of Buddhism is MEDITATION; you learn to take control of your mind, which in turn gives you more control over your body.

I've found that meditation is an invaluable tool in helping with withdrawl -- it's amazing what one can train one's body to do.  Note that it does take some practice to get the hang of (once done, you'll have incredible powers of concentration, calmness, and control over one's self, especailly with willpower), and you only get out of it what you put into it.  But if you stick with it, IT HELPS GREATLY.  Prayer will also help you seek the willpower needed to overcome.

I'm not trying to convert anyone to anything, nor am I saying that religion is the lone tool to fight off addicition; it's a tought thing, I know.   But it does help, and if anything, it'll brighten your day!  If I can help anyone at all, please IM me (Butnik2000) or email me (***@****)

Seek peace!  And thank you all for the help you've given me.
--Cosmic Charlie

[oxic]

Hey Welcome
At your doseage of 6 grams tylenol/day, you could be on your way to damaging it; however, the good news, the liver CAN BE an amazingly resilient organ(and luckily one of the few that regenerates itself).
The general rule of thumb(not engrained in stone)is exceeding 4 grams(4000 mg.) is potentially dangerous and toxic to the liver.
You run the risk, as you are injesting an amount that exceeds the "cutoff" DAY AFTER DAY.
During this time that is so difficult to cut back, at least pick up some milk thistle, which can be a very effective antioxidant.
Hospitals in Germany kept an abundance on site, as their were so many problems with poisonous mushrooms, and in turn liver damage.
Read up on it.....it is an amazing product. Maybe consult your Doc. also.
As far as what is normal for an addict.....it is all over the map.
You definately don't stick out as an anomaly; however I don't say that to make you feel as though you should continue using at your doseage. I know people hooked on a few/day and people on 20, 30, plus/day.
The fear you have is all to common about given up the pills; but the one thing I can Guarentee, it will only get worse, so now would be a good time to try and give it up!!!!
Post more, and good luck.
Percs No More

[teeitup]

Your not bothering anyone, we are all in the same boat. To say if you have caused liver damage is tough but at your dose and length of time probably not. You need to read all he post under each question, there are sevral methods for either tapering back or going cold turkey. Also post your comment under one of the top questions even if it does not pertain to that question. That way more people will see it, and everyone cuts in that way. read the post, try taking less today than yesterday, tell someone you can trust that you need help and come here often. Merry Christmas!

teeitup!

[very afraid]

Hi, I would really appreciate some information if anyone knows. This is a brief summary of my situation I really don't want to lay my problems on anyone else, I have been taking hydrocodone 10/500 for about 18 months. I take approximatly 12 a day (taking 2 every 3 hours) before that I was taking any kind of cough syrup I could get my hands on that was a narcotic. I am very concerned about my liver, does anyone know if this is a doseage that is sure to have caused liver damage, what I mean is would this be an unusually high dosage for a lortab addict? I want to quit but I have not been able to. I am very afraid but I sometimes feel it is to late to quit, other times I think I am just worrying for nothing. Please any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am so afraid of trying to quit. When I run out for just a little while (a few hours) it hurts so much. I just don't know what to do anymore.

[teeitup]

Taking them after surgery for true pain is not bad, Drs. will tell you the stress your body is under for real pain is not good for you and pain relief is okay. See the pain management dr., try and get off the meds. as soon as the pain allows, read these post to remind you what will happen if you do abuse them and work on getting your back stronger. Good luck!

teeitup!

[whybeme]

I'm so glad I'm not alone.  But the problem for me is, I had major back surgery last year, they have referred me to pain management, and they tell me I will be on these even longer.  I'm not only afraid of what it's gonna be like when I have to get off of these, but what it is going to do to my body within the length of time I still have to take them.  I have tried only taking one a day, and the pain is just too much for me to try and stop now.  Should I ask the doctors to change me to something else???  My pharmacist tells me it can cause liver damage.

[teeitup]

Top post on top just click on any question, go to the bottom and post a comment just as you did here. You can email me @ ***@**** and I'd be glad to give you a number where i can be reached if you like! Keep trying!

Teeitup!