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addicted to oxycontin and lortabs for five years! Please help!

Ann
Hi, i'm a very happily married woman, 37 with one son 7yrs. and a wonderful husband. I have everything to live for!  About 5 years ago, i started getting severe migranes and had an accident which injured my back and neck. I tried anti-imflammatory's and other med's for my pain to no avail.  My dr. put me on 2 80mg of oxycontin per day, and 1 10/500 of lortab every 4-6hrs. as needed for breakthrough pain.  In the five that have gone by, I've stayed on only taking 2 of the oxy's per day, but have escalated up to 10-15 lortabs per day!  About 2 weeks ago, i decided this was crazy, i'm killing myself! So I cut back on lortabs and now i'm taking about 8 per day.  My question is #1 i have no insurance, so who would help me? #2 How bad is this affecting my body ( liver, etc.)?  I don't take them to get a buzz because it does'nt even do that anymore, I take them when i get up in the morn, just like i'm taking a viteman, then have my coffee and go about a normal day consisting of keeping an immaculate home, make gourmet dinners for my husband and son, and basically I don't feel like a drug addict. I feel normal. I don't even want to think about stop taking them cold turkey, I know I could'nt do that.  I'm scared about the long term affects, but by the same token, am I really abusing them? I'm so confused!!! Please help me!! thank you, Sincerly, Ann
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Avatar universal
first iff you cant get him clean only he can do that and just stoping consumption is not enough you need to treat the desase with some form of aftercare like N/A or A/A or a substance abuse conslor or therapist this will not go away on its own and there is little chance of success without aftercare the desire to be clean has to exceed the desire to get high until he reaches that point he will continue to use for you I recamend alaon look it up on google it will teach you boundary and how not to enable him to keep doing this it will keep you sain threw all this I wish you all the luck in the world but living with a junkie is not living at all you may have to cut your tyes good luck and God bless....Gnarly    
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Avatar universal
I am dating this guy that was addicted to oxy and other pills for 5 years. He quit for 3 months then fell off the wagon in September. What are some side effects? I've read liver and kidney damage. Our sex life, or there lack of is about once a month. Really? Any advice or words of wisdom?
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Avatar universal
My mom one day saw I was feeling exceedingly blue and gave me ONE 5mg pill. It immediately turned my mod around and I was ignorant of the dangers. I was innocent, if you will. My psychiatrist then prescribed them to me on a limited basis ( a few 5s) to help with my depression. I thought they were an anti-depressant. They made me feel like a kid again and I went and got a job as a person working with children - which I excelled at. Then I stopped going to church. The original problem I had was that I was kicked out of a group that only allowed people 18-30 to join in activities. I was in that group for almost 14 years. It was like being kicked into the snow at a ballroom dance. I then found solace in these insidious drugs. I never took more than 40mg a day and it made me feel sick at night but numb during the day. I am not taking them anymore but my psychological scars still remain. I am depressed all the time and I don't know what to do.
So I guess 4-5 years of my life was taken from me with this 'wonder drug'. No drug is a wonder. It does a job and it's up to 'professionals' to understand how it is to be used correctly. I feel betrayed and 39 years old now.
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Avatar universal
i know somene who has been takin lortabs for like 5 years and it takes a lortabs to even get out the bed. and she is takin two or three a day every day. then when she runs out and she sleeps all day or she cant do nothin. she gets sick if she dont have them. her grandson needs lortabs for two weeks so she gives him hers last bit. so she cant do nothin. please let me know what you think
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Avatar universal
I am taking the first step to talking with someone about my problem.  I started taking Lortab about 4 years ago for Gout pain and since being diagnosed with cancer two years ago, I have started taking oxycodone 5mg as well.  I now take 12-15 Lortabs a day and probably 8 to 12 Oxycodone as well.  I was always judgemental before I started taking these for my pain, but now I don't know how to stop it.  I am ready to stop and would like some advice on the best way to do this.  

Thanks,
Swtden
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Avatar universal
Oxycodone is commercially made from thebaine, an opiate alkaloid and minor component of opium. The hydroxy group increases potency by about 50% over hydrocodone.[citation needed]

ttp://oxycontin.ontheinter.net/

Two 5mg oxycodone/APAP tablets
Two 5mg oxycodone/APAP tablets

The chemical structure of oxycodone is the methylether of oxymorphone: 3-methyl-oxymorphone. It could also be described as 14-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-codeinone. It is principally supplied as its hydrochloride salt: oxycodone hydrochloride. The terephtalate salt of oxycodone is present in some formulations such as Percodan as 7.6 per cent of the weight of the oxycodone salts content of the product, viz. 5 mg of oxycodone in Percodan is 4.62 mg hydrochloride and 0.38 mg terephtlalate. There does not appear to be a significant difference in the action of the salts. The hydrochloride-terephtalate mixture appears to be part of the original formulation of Percodan by its German manufacturers from more than 75 years ago.

ttp://oxycontin.ontheinter.net/

Other oxycodone salts used around the world include the phosphate, sulphate, pectinate, tartrate, bitartrate, citrate and iodide.

Oxycodone can be administered orally, intranasally, via intravenous/intramuscular/subcutaneous injection, or rectally. The bioavailability of oral administration averages 60-87%, with rectal administration yielding the same results. Injecting oxycodone will result in a stronger effect and quicker onset
ttp://oxycontin.ontheinter.net/
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Avatar universal
Oxy is EVIL...PerduePharma has a licence to peddle HEROIN to unsuspecting people who are having a REAL medical condition ...Chronic pain is no fun BUT I think this drug is definitly NOT the answer...I think the executives at Perdue Pharma should be strapped to a chair and forced to take this medication so they themselves can experience the drugs effect on your brain!...SICKENED in CANADA
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271792 tn?1334979657
Read the post right above yours........
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Avatar universal
I need help! i have been on 10mg percocets for 4 yrs for chronic back pain and my doc wants me off of them for my becoming dependent on them so she said no more scripts. How do you wean off of this ****? I want to be healthy again!
Helpful - 0
271792 tn?1334979657
johnny.....

You are posting on a thread that is 7 years ago. It will be bounced back to archives. You need to go to the top of this page, hit the post a question button and follow that through.

Hope to see you out in the forum.
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Avatar universal
your story sounds exactly like mine...totally addicted to any controlled substance i could obtain from a doctor...i loved the whole process...the lying, the scheming, manipulating, feeling powerful because i was getting great pills that most people couldn't get...just crazy thinking...oxycontin - 80mgs...would get 60 a month...sometimes my doc would prescribe 40mgs if i ran out early...which was all the time...always had hydro's...loved the actiq suckers and the duragesic patches...those are insane...xanax, soma, klonopin, dillaudid...you get the picture...i lost a great job, an 8 year relationship, racked up about 14 car accidents, totalled my car, and ran up debt...after living like that for about 4 years, i've got over 14 months clean and sober and my life is so much better...but, i always think how close i am to all that medication in the pharmacy when i'm at the grocery store...it's crazy...but my experience can benefit others...thank god i don't live like that anymore...take care and congratulations on your sobriety!!
later
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Avatar universal
Just came across this site and was wondering. Did you ever tell how to separate Tylenol from Hydrocodone? How? Thanks....YaYaK
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Avatar universal
i came across this site and have read many of your posts.  i just want to tell those who feel hopeless that there is hope for us all, and you don't have to be a "glass half full" type of person to have hope when it relates to pain killer addiction.  i was on 320+ mgs of oxycontin/day while also eating the gel out of the strongest fentanyl patches they make.  i interspersed this with 10-20 1mg xanax per day, and ate 10 mg tabs like m&ms just to feel "normal."  i would inject, snort, or eat whatever, whenever...in other words my life was TOTALLY out of control (including my finances).  i tried cold turkey, therapy, meetings, and two trips to hazelden in minnesota at 30,000 bucks a pop.  finally i heard about suboxone and gave it a try.  suboxone allowed me to IMMEDIATELY get back to my life, without the pain, sickness, and anxiety that comes along with withdrawal.  i am of the belief that different people need different solutions for the terrible disease that is addiction.  i applaud those who go to meetings, those on methadone, and those who can go it alone and still remain sober...in my opinion it's whatever works.  yes, i do have to put some orange pills under my tongue once a day to stay well, but i'm not preoccupied with scoring pills, nor do i have to worry about the legal consequences of getting caught with a virtual pharmacy in my car/house.  i pray that all who are fighting this insidious disease will find relief as i have.  i still can't go into my pharmacy without thinking about how close i am to a plethora of pain pills, but my cravings get better all the time.  anyway, that's my spiel...thanks, and all who are struggling are in my prayers.  coop
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Avatar universal
Wow....accidentally stumbled across this website and read your post.  Identical to my life.  I also overdosed, almost died, hurt my famiy , went into rehab.....all of it.  Didn't realize how many other people just like me were out there.  Go to NA and AA sometimes, miss my rehab sisters but im trying to get my life back.. Funny thing I still think of the Lorcets-evil green monsters and the devil doctor who used to give me a couple hundred a month for my neck injury. I dont know if I'll ever not want them but pray I will never go back again.  thanks ....buddyb
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Avatar universal
What is this trick you have to remove the Tylenol from Vicodin?  I have been taking Vicodin HP for over 5 years. I am afraid that I have developed an ulcer and I need to get checked, but I am afraid.
I also have been taking 20 mg. Oxycontin 3x's a day for nearly 5 years.  I have FMS, 7 buldging
discs. in my back and Spinol Stenosis.  I take the meds and I still live with pain everyday, but I know I would be in more pain if I wasn't on the meds. Taking the meds do help me make it through the days at home with my housework and at my job that I have had for almost 20 years, and with taking care of my 2 grandbabies.  I know I would not be able to do that if I wasn't taking my meds to control some of the pain. And then to have ulcers on tops of everything elso would be terrible for me. So If you can help me, even alittle, I would appreciate it.  Thanks!   Sher
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Avatar universal
I have been addicted to pain medicine for about 5 years now. I overdosed on pills in 2006.  My family reached out and tried to help me but i didnt want the help i didnt think i had a problem.  I started into treatment and detox.  Until i relized what i was doing to myself then no one could help me. Recommend NA meetings to her bc it is what helps me everyday
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Avatar universal
Hi. My best friend is addicted to lortabs, or any pain pill really, percocet, oxy cotten, you name it. My question is how do I help her? What can I do and what can she do to stop taking these freakin pills??!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You are the third person for whom I have posted the following, so you are not alone. I agree with people who advise you to slowly wean yourself off. I think going cold turkey might work for some, but for most of us it just sets us up for failure. Best wishes!

I have a lot of personal experience with opiates, and I've been through it. A few years ago I had to have some surgery, and was getting vicodan and lortabs. It only takes a couple of weeks of doing them several times a day to develope a chippy, or minor addiction, which I did. From previous experience (i had a heroine problem in the '70s) I knew that I had to get things under control. If you have a good amount of personal control, you can kick without any real bad side effects. What I did was cut my dose by 1/3rd every three days until I was down to taking single pills. Than I cut to half a pill, than a quarter. It took some will power, but I can tell you that it beats the hell out of even minor withdrawl symptoms. Try some Nytol or other over the counter medication to help with sleep. Within a week of finishing your detox, you will feel fine. If you don't do it yourself, your going to have to have somebody else help you with it, but you gotta do it. There is no darker, lonlier place than withdrawl. The sooner you get rid of this habit, the sooner you can get back to your life.
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Avatar universal
To Amy Anne

I just read that you found out you have FMS (Fybromyalgia), I know how you must feel, now that you know what's wrong.  I found out I had FMS in 1998.  I was so happy to know that I "actually had something"  My biggest problem is like the other people that have stated that their "HMO doctors" will only give them Motrin.  Boy do I know that routine.  Now my neurologist is putting me on Topamax (an anti-convulsant) to treat my migraines but the darn GP's at my HMS (ah heck...its Kaiser, who wouldn't have guessed!) won't effectively treat my chronic pain.  I'm going nuts!  I'm glad for you that you have found a compashionate doctor!
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Avatar universal
Your post was quite impolite and innacurate.  Amy has found a doctor who finally diagnosed her painful condition and appropriately prescribed long-acting narcotics to relieve her pain.  Without them she is unable to live a productive life, with quality of life.  Opiates are not inherently bad.  To the contrary, for someone like Amy they are necessary and a good thing.  Yes, she will become dependent on them.  So what?  Better she should live in pain constantly?  For a true chronic pain patient, where there are no treatments to relieve the pain, opiate treatment is appropriate.  It has allowed millions to live a productive, pain-free (relatively) life.  Please do not attack her or her physician for providing her with pain relief.  You may attack some others who provide large quantities of narcotics for conditions which are best treated without narcotics.  Those physicians are doing their patients a disservice, by needlessly addicting them.  Amy's case is different.  I am happy for you Amy.  Would you kindly provide the name/web address of the group that helped you locate a good doc?  This may help others here who have TRUE chronic pain.  Thanks and great to hear you are doing well!!  Brian
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Avatar universal
Dear Ann,
I was reading your interesting post in this forum...You are like so many including myself.Whom,is taking very strong drugs.IN FACT,the strongest on the the market.I take these same meds as you.I refuse to take 80mg.ones like my friend does.Instead I take 2-20mgs.2-40mgs.and 4-10mg.Percocets each day.But,you take 3-80mgs.and OxyIR for break thur pain.DANGER!DANGER! Cause,get right down to it.It is all full flege opiods.Made from the same thing as and is heroin...Tell me we are not addicted to some crazy drugs.It is the only drug I ever took or found to relieve pain.I wish I was never introduced to such a medicine...Now I know I am on a road of no return.It would take being in a hospital to get me clean.I'm not even ready to face that.I got on them from suffering a broken neck.That I walked around with for 6 years.Before being diagnosed with what was wrong with me.Just last Sept./2000 I was operated on.I had 3 discs removed.3 artificial bones replaced back in there place and a steal metal plate put in to brace my neck.Before my operation I suffered great pain.What I was greatful for,for having the operation is, it did, take away my headaches...Though to this day I am still disabled.I live on 80.00 a month.I wanted to know about this drug.I found all I needed to know on the internet.Then I seen your story...I took a great liking to your way of speaking.Plus this is most likely a one and only place people like you and I can speak straight from the heart.And someone is actually going to listen and reply with understandment instead of being marked as a drug addict,right off the get go.Yes,we are hooked on some very strong drugs.Yet,also it is not on purpose.We were perscribed these medicines by prescription...Do to the severe pains we go thur life putting up with...So what this reply Ann...actually is saying...You"ve found a friend in me.With problems as great as yours.I"ll be waiting for your reply.Because I need a friend too...Thank you...
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Avatar universal
ann who is your doctor hes giving you way to much DOPE ...
since he is giving you 3 80 mg's , i got a new perscription
for you HEREION its the same damn thing so think about it and and let me know i can help you.
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Avatar universal
The simple answer is, you probably CAN'T just quit on your own.  If you could, you would have already.  You don't need hospitalization, although I wonder about a spouse who says flat out that "he won't agree" to hospitalization when you've got a serious problem.  Makes me think you've got much bigger problems than just a drug problem, but that's your business.  As to the drug issue, you need professional help.  There are numerous outpatient programs (meaning you're not IN a hospital)which will use medications to detox you, AND will start drug rehab therapy to help you understand your addiction and stay clean.  Look for one using buprenorphine for detox.  It will help detox you with a minimum of discomfort.  Look in the yellow pages, call around, call hospitals, etc.  Call your local government for referrals.  It's all confidential.  PLEASE get yourself some professional help.  You obviously need it.  Phil
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Avatar universal
I have been an addict for 6years.I have two kids at home and my husband wont agree to any hosptial stay for help.Ihave been on tylox for years and now I have started doing oxys.how can I quit on my own? My life is a mess ,I cant do nothing without a buzz.Any help or suggestions would be great.I'm getting worse every day.
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