Won't give Me anymore

[ForcedToWithdrawl]

I have been taking 6 vicodins for the past 2 years due to a severe leg mangling accident and sciatia that resulted from that. I also now have severe nerve damage to my toes on the leg that was damaged. Went through an ankle rebuild and also and plutonium rod leading from that to my knee and the tendons are not healing at all and I am full of pins and screws but no hope of getting them out until my tendons heal
I have been taking the 6 daily 500mg APAP vicos I was prescribed religiously and I do need these to maintain the pain Last month I developed the toe pain and numbness and was refused an appointment until the 29th of April....Not thinking it would ever be an issue there were quite a few times I took 8 vicodines and when I ran short I was refused any more. this is my first day without and I am just trying to find out more about what is the big deal about not being able to get an extra weeks worth of pills. I feel crappy already and it is hot here and I am worried about taking care of my dogs and cats. I am having a couple beers (my first alcoholic drinks since 1986-seriously folks) and wondering how I am going to be able to manage for the week ahead of me.I feel crappy and my legs and feet hurt tremendously and after 2 beers already I can feel the effects.
I cannot drive for I have been drinking, and wondering if I should call a squad to come and get my sorry *** and cart me to the hospital? What should I do? I am pleading for some opions.TY I am a 53 year old female professional with an opiate addiction.but really I need them and do not want to give up the drugs just need ideas on how I can make it until the next prescription arrives thanks and good luck to all those in recovery and thinking about it I admire you!

[chloe802]

I understand what you are going through- it really *****, but you never know what an eye opener it can be. Your body can get naturally dependent on the pills. It happened to me and when I was forced to withdraw, it was awful. But- Does your Dr plan to keep you on the pills forever? Running out early is not good. If you can keep your dose low- fine, but most ppl who get addicted go from 2 to 4 to 6 to 8 to 10 and up a day. Its a horrible rollercoaster. Do you want to stay on the vics?

[ForcedToWithdrawl]

There is a part of me that thinks that if I can make it through this next week, then I need to look at alternative non-addictive medicines wow---this is so hard I put a head halter on my rottweiler and was able to walk her easily and felt so much better but when I first started I was afraid to leave the yard..She is a young rottie but big and strong and she pulls still but all a part of learning.Got down some yogurt and cheese

I just wish I did not hurt so bad.and that my my head and arms and all did not hurt.My back is spasming off and on and I am nervous and without much gumption to do anything. A bit freaked out by not having anything that helps the pain but staying away from the darvos. They are for emergencies but then again if this is not an emergency, I do not know what is. I never found them much more useful than plain tylenol for pain anyway. It would be useless to prolong the withdrawl without helping the pain.
I believe I am a bit more rational about it allnow and even researched NA a bit ago. Since I am forced to be without vicodin possibly a support group would help me. No idea if I can get there or not because hard to drive with my leg on fire
I guess forced to be without was a big eye opener on how much this prescription drug has affected my body. Thanks.

[Jimmy1975]

I agree with avisg 100% I was taking just about the same amount of vicodin as you . 25 or 30 mils is not that heavy of a habit if you were taking 5/500 pills . I have to say I feel very lucky that the physical withdrawals for me were not that bad , a few days if memory serves ! But the phycological effects were not much fun but I was pretty much back to normal in a couple months . Peace Jimmy

[avisg]

I will say this running out early and considering going to the er for more are both signs of abuse .I never took more then 8 a day but I was an addict .So you can't always go by that many are addicted don't take 30 a day .I would really think about it because if you are not addicted you are showing signs of heading in that direction .It would be far easier to get help now then down the road .

[ForcedToWithdrawl]

I get a monthly prescription for 180 vicodins 5/500 APAP. Been getting them for a couple years and have never taken more than what I was prescribed which is 6 a day. I developed some nerve pain about 2 weeks ago and not knowing I could not get more pills, I started occassionally 8 when I was told I would not be able to see my physician until the 29th. so I simply ran out of pills this month and incidentially my presciption is to be refilled on the 29th also. I ran out yesterday morning and starting to be hellI cannot eat and forget coffee Drinking water and a lot of soda. Feel like my skin is crawling. I do have 4 darvocets that are probably old but trying not to use them in case I really start losing it. I am not happy about my dependence on vicodin and never abused it like taking 30 pills a day I read about which terrifies me. where in the world would someone get that uch and do that to theirselves?I have never ever taken more than 8 because of the tylenol in it and the effects on my other medications. I take prozac and a couple mg of ativan a day. I am afraid to take anything today. I am not dependent of ativan and use it sparingly. My doctor is not very understanding and basically said if I could not keep to 6 pills a day then I need abuse counseling but I have not had a pain conference in a long while to see if maybe I was getting enoughI do not ordinarly get high from the vicodin and I am past that feeling I do not think my use is excessive but tonight my body grieves for a couple tabs. and so does the painI did take regular tylenol and no effect and I am allergic to both aspirin and ibuprophen.
I was thinking if I went to the hospital I could get something for my leg and foot pain whih will not let me rest and hopefully if they give me something it will help with the heebie-jeebies also.Yes whn I prescription finally arrives I will use them again I am hoping this mental torture is short lived I would rather be an addict than feeling awful and unable to walk or drive
Thank you all for your concern and for talking to me

[avisg]

I understand that you only have one doctor but you have a prescription if you get another one and get it filled before the other expires then it would be considered doctor shopping . I just want you to be aware of that before you end up in a mess .I understand you have real pain many of us here are chronic pain suffers it makes it so hard know you are an addict but you have ligament pain .Whether you are an addict or not only you know the answer to that . I can tell you it was not easy but I did find alternative ways to deal with my pain as have many many others on here .If at some point you decide maybe your need to get off them it can be done .Your pain is is going to seem even worse right now because your body wants it fix . Whatever you do we will be here to support you .

[vicki595]

You said you had some darvocet?  

Did the doctor's office say no more ever? Or just not right now.  I'm trying to figure out if you're an addict or just in some pain here or both.  Do what you can to help yourself.
Vicki

[ForcedToWithdrawl]

Wish I never heard of vicodin actually where here I am doing 500mg tylenol now three times a day and no opiates It does not do anything at all for my leg and feet pain I do not believe it is just psychological either and just missing my crutch I seriously have pain and withdrawl all at once.  I have only seen one doctor for my leg and have never went to the hospital for it except the time it was first mangled. I do not know what I need and maybe it is just to talk to someone about dependence Thank you for writing me

[avisg]

Getting another pain med script when u already have one is going to put you at risk for being considered a doctor shopper .I know this is hard you have realized u have a problem are u going to contue to use ?

[ForcedToWithdrawl]

Thank you Mike I am considering going to the hospital as I am now into over 24 hours of withdrawl and things are starting to get a bit scary for me  I have read that opiate withdrawl will not kill you but my goodness it can sure make you feel like you were dead I did not feel like I was abusing because I never took over 8 pills a day and stayed the the 4000mg level for tylenol I did not think I was addicted until I ran out. this is so hard...Chances are the hospital will not write me a script for viodin anyway but do you know how they might be able to help me...maybe an alternative remedy for my leg pain and for my withdrawl symtoms? I skipped work today.there was no way I could teach but probably more because of the pain, as my serious withdrawl is just now setting in on me
I think with all the pain meds available these days that people should have a right to a painfree life and if one med is not available then others could be prescribed to help. this all is so depressing and scary Thanks for writing me
And thank you everyone for your suggestions.
I am debating on whether I should be hospital bound or not.

[Mike_B_]

Man, I can feel your pain.  It is so hard when you have pain you have to deal with and a dr that does not want to help.  You might want to consider going to the hospital and letting them know what you are going through.  Maybe they will help.  

About 35 years ago I had cancer and had a couple of real bad surgeries.  I would run out of my pain pills and then end up having to go to the hospital.  My doc told me, don't run out, call me when you get low.  My pharmacy would fill them early and ask no questions.  They knew I was real sick.  That's not the case now.  The pharmacy will not fill them early even if the doctor approves the early refill.  At least that's the way it is here where I live.  Good luck to you.

[ForcedToWithdrawl]

Well, got my act together and stopped drinking beer. It was not helpful for the pain in my legs that kept me up all night long. I called and asked for another pain reliever to help until my vikos come and was told no.they said i could go to mental health to dry out and work towards getting off opiates for good But ,my pain is too great I need them for the painAnyway..went to bed for a fitfull sleep and missing my vike bottle today I feel so crappy but taking ativan, aceptomapjon and prozacnot helping much thanks you for writing.

[vicki595]

Yes,be careful there. You don't want to fall and get hurt even more !
Keep posting  tonight or in the future~
Vicki

[ForcedToWithdrawl]

TY for your comments and I will read about the thomas receipe but doubtful if I can try that tonight
I have not told anyone about my vico addition nor that I am without
I have no support plan and so probably why I turn to the beer.
just an addictive personality like my parents
I am not feeling too bad at all actually but I have had 4 beers and sort of mimic the high from the vicodin I am hoping to knock myselff out and sleep most of the day tomorrow I was able to take out my dogs for a walk exept for the rottweiler she was too anxious and so jumpy I did not dare injure myself and my brother will walk her in a bit when he returns from work.
thank you for talking to me and actually beause I do take prozac too I am in la-la land and doing alright. I have some tranquilzers and darvoet but of course not tonight. I am not stupid.

[cleanmom]

Hi and Welcome,

You may also want to check out the pain management forum as they may have some ideas for you as well.

As for the withdrawals you can check out our Health Pages here. Top right of this page. You can find the Thomas Recipe there which is designed to assist people in a more comfortable withdrawal.

I know this will feel impossible but some exercise will help with the wd's so much. It will get those natural feel good chemicals pumping in the brain for you and will also help with sleep which can be elusive during this. Try some hot baths as well, they can do wonders to calm your nerves and help with restlessness.


And of course, we are here for you for support. You can do this. Keep posting......


Jacky