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

[Sandi to "JB"]

Hi,
I unfortunatly was in the same situation with a true real medical problem..I was also taking both of the same drugs but I escalated to 10 lortab/lorcet per dose...Yes they are extremly addicting..After a couple months your body is very immune to them & getting off can be terror..However I finally admitted this week I was an ADDICT...I was caught with a bogus script..(the  script had already been filled & was caught 1 or so later)..I am now going to attend my 1st NA meeting on Sunday, I had to retain a atty but NA is there for YOU...Let me know what state you are in & I can give you a web addr to inquire about meetings...They are your best bet...I also keep a very clean home & am always cooking (stay at home mom)..I know how you feel & trust me you just took your 1st step in seeking advice/help...I fortunatly will not go to jail or face an arrest...These drugs play havic with our minds & we always think of the next dose, & were it will come from...I quit cold turkey & it has not been that bad-clean 4 days today...Hope we can become friendly to help each other through this hard time...
Sandi

[Shiny]

Yes Anne your are abusing them.  I think alot of people do.  It's just hard to be on them that long and not increase your dose.  I get 100 lortab 10m and 60 20m oxycontin every six weeks and I always run out early.  Don't think you can ask the doctor for an increase, he just might cut you off.  I figure I'd rather keep the ones I have then running the risk of becoming cut off, and I have only been getting these for a year.  A good thing to do if you can is take your husband with you.  It really has worked in the past for me.  My husband dosn't know I run out early, but he knows I need them for the horrible pain.  So every now and then (especially when I thought the doctor was going to cut me off because I've been on them so long) I bring my husband with me and for some reason he listens to my husband (is this a man thing) and continues to give me my meds.  Usually though it's  good idea if you let him make the suggestion to increase your dose, just be careful.

[The Dude]

Hello, I think every one who has responded is correct.  You can be abusing them, but don't stop cold turkey, ween yourself away.  Anything in excess is bad for you.  PLease go to a meeting.  I myself have run out of Percocets as of Wednesday and seem to be doing OK, but I feel the addiction kicking in. I was ready to leave my job a little while ago, and go to the hospitel and get some.  i would get fired though so I have to deal with it.  It's really hard to stop.  I know, I hope you get help.  Take Care
Chad B

[Amy to Bob]

Thanks for getting back so quickly, You mean to tell me that there's someone else out there who takes as much as me? Well that's a good feeling!(not good in that way, but i don't feel so alone), My husband knows i take the oxy's and he knows i take the lortabs, just does'nt know how many lortabs i take in a day! I started today to cut it down, after coming in here yesterday and reading all these stories, it really helped!  When i got up this morning i only took 3 lortabs with my one 80mg oxy and have'nt taken anymore since the first dose at 6:30am! it's now 12:09 and i'm about to go take 2 more because i'm feeling a little funny. So Sandi and JoAnn and whoever else reads this, if you guys want to reply it would help. Thanks again, and God Bless you, I'm from New Jersey, not far from Philly

[Amy to Bob]

I took my oxy this a.m. like i usually do but only took 2 lortabs with it instead of 4-5. So how i'm doin? Yea right, like a half a day is really going to matter!  Anyway, I was in here reading a lot and realized that I started feeling shitty, it was at about 12:30pm or so, Soooo i went upstairs and took my other oxy and also 3 more lortabs.  Here i'm thinking i'm doing better already and i've already taken 5 tabs within half a day! Who am i kidding? I don't know how i'm ever going to be able to get to just taking the oxy's???? ANY SUGGESTIONS? THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE! TAKE CARE AND GET BACK TO ME SOON!

[Amy to Bob]

Please will someone get back to me who cares? I'd really like to talk to someone about what i'm going to do and how! I need some advise, but i'd really rather chat private one on one, Please i'm a stay at Mom and i really just would like for someone, preferrably with a lot of knowledge about this ****, to get in touch with me ASAP! i can be reached at ***@****
Sandi, or Kathy, you guys sound like you are/were both like me, please help! Sincerely, Ann

[Ginger]

Hi.  I am sorry to interrupt this thread but the forum wouldn't let me post a new question because it was "full" already.  I've been reading all the posts and have wanted to share this and I know yall are gunna think I'm either lying or weird but this is true. Just because I don't use 10 ES's every day doesn't mean I'm not an addict.  I believe I am. I have not been able to completely go without hydrocodone for any period longer than 4 months. I started liking Vicodin 10 years (maybe 11?) ago when a dentist gave it to me because I had 2 root canals.  He refilled my script about 4 or 5 times, giving me 20 or 30 tab at a time.  Then, he cut me off.  I knew I liked it.  It made me forget about the pain I was going through in my life and I could talk to people and laugh.  I felt no pain.  Physical or emotional.  I have always been aware of how addicting it is so when I started to notice that I built a tolerance to 1 tablet, I would cut myself off for a few days and I made myself a rule not to take more than 2 tablets in a day.  (what a control freak huh?  Is that enslavement or what?)  My habit has been for the past year to use it twice a week.  This is a habit.  I am running out though from the doctor who has been giving it to me (it was in cough syrup the last time when I had walking pneumonia---he gave me 3 refills!)  although I take the med. in the rx'd dosage, I know there are times I took it just to feel better and therefore that makes me an addict like everyone else.  When I look back at how many years I have used this stuff pretty regularly, it makes me sick.  I have not had any hydrocodone in a week now.  I think reading this list has given me support, but I have extremely achy muscles in my back for the past 2 days.  It hurts very bad and not even Advil helps the pain.  I believe this pain to be a symptom of withdrawal and so I do not want to feed it Vicodin. I sort of wallow in guilt and punish myself saying I deserve this pain for being an addict.  I am sick.  But what can I do?  I am not ready for NA meetings because I do not want to be around ANYONE right now.  Thanks for reading this.

[Ginger]

Hi.  I am sorry to interrupt this thread but the forum wouldn't let me post a new question because it was "full" already.  I've been reading all the posts and have wanted to share this and I know yall are gunna think I'm either lying or weird but this is true. Just because I don't use 10 ES's every day doesn't mean I'm not an addict.  I believe I am. I have not been able to completely go without hydrocodone for any period longer than 4 months. I started liking Vicodin 10 years (maybe 11?) ago when a dentist gave it to me because I had 2 root canals.  He refilled my script about 4 or 5 times, giving me 20 or 30 tab at a time.  Then, he cut me off.  I knew I liked it.  It made me forget about the pain I was going through in my life and I could talk to people and laugh.  I felt no pain.  Physical or emotional.  I have always been aware of how addicting it is so when I started to notice that I built a tolerance to 1 tablet, I would cut myself off for a few days and I made myself a rule not to take more than 2 tablets in a day.  (what a control freak huh?  Is that enslavement or what?)  My habit has been for the past year to use it twice a week.  This is a habit.  I am running out though from the doctor who has been giving it to me (it was in cough syrup the last time when I had walking pneumonia---he gave me 3 refills!)  although I take the med. in the rx'd dosage, I know there are times I took it just to feel better and therefore that makes me an addict like everyone else.  When I look back at how many years I have used this stuff pretty regularly, it makes me sick.  I have not had any hydrocodone in a week now.  I think reading this list has given me support, but I have extremely achy muscles in my back for the past 2 days.  It hurts very bad and not even Advil helps the pain.  I believe this pain to be a symptom of withdrawal and so I do not want to feed it Vicodin. I sort of wallow in guilt and punish myself saying I deserve this pain for being an addict.  I am sick.  But what can I do?  I am not ready for NA meetings because I do not want to be around ANYONE right now.  Thanks for reading this.

[ronnieg to ann]

Ann,

Do you still have pain?
If the answer is no then you are addicted to the pain meds.

If you have pain, then you need to stop taking the lortab for breakthrough medication as the tylenol is that many tablets (15) exceeds the maximum dose of 4000mg per day.

If you still have the pain, then ask your doctor to switch you to Oxycontin IR (instant release for break through pain). It is the same pure oxycodone that is in your oxycontin but it isn't a time release formula, it is instant. However, if you are taking 80mg twice a day of the oxycontin, then the oxy IR which only comes in 5mg capsules, will not be enough for breakthrough pain. You would need to take 2 to 4  every 4 to 6 hours for the med to do its job.

If you truly have pain, do not worry about taking these meds (except for the lortab due to the tylenol).

I have been taking oxycontin for three years and I only take 20 mgs three times a day. But I need it for my pain.

Another suggestion would be for your doctor to increase your oxycontin to three doses a day instead of two with no breakthrough meds.

So do you still have pain?

[Sandi to "JB"]

After reading Gingers plead for info & help-I cant believe you "Ronnieg" would tell her to ask for Oxy...This women is in pain as all of us addicts are when we start withdraw, there are other meds including Ultram (not a NARCOTIC) that will help, also Prescription Motrin...I myself am an addict & have been for to many years-quit the 1st time-terribly addicted-COLD TURKEY & now I have also stoppped , for reasons you can read in the postings..GINGER PLEASE LISTEN-These drugs WILL ruin your life..And if you have a family,husband,kids it will be total hell..NA I will be attending (my 1st meeting since being clean 4 days now)will help,Just remember everyone there is an addict of one drug or another...I didnt think I could do it,but I HAVE TO much to LIVE MY LIFE FOR......I myself have had way to many breaks in the same ankle 4 times in 2 YEARS-not only breaking it in 1 place but 2 each time ,plus 4 surgeries to correct the problem, including 1 surgery that was 10 hours in lenght...Please these drugs will & can be nothing but total hell...If you want to reply (post) please do..I am here very very often (10-15 x) per day..
I hope I can help...RONNIEG I did not mean to offend you but you must understand this person is looking for help & you should know the DRUGS are NOT THE ANSWER......
Sandi

[tom to Ann]

I know where you're at very well. I am a recovering Vicodin (Lortab) addict myself. At one time, I was taking 75 to 100 Vicodin per day (yes, I said 100). I was removing the tylenol, but was still taking about 12 to 15-tablet doses. With narcotics, tolerance over time renders dosages pretty much meaningless. You reach a point where no dosage really has the effect that got you hooked in the first place.
At your dosage rate, you're taking this oxy-lortab cocktail just to avoid getting sick. I'm afraid your run on Lortabs, etc. is over -- at least, the relationship you had with the drug has forever changed. But with the amount you're on, Ann, tapering is not going to work. Sorry. You need to be detoxed in a hospital over about 10 days. Do you have access to medical care of this kind? Take my word for it, just from reading your posts I know you won't quit by tapering. You're just fooling yourself to think so. The best way out is at a clinic where they start you on clonidine patches (for narcotic withdrawal symptoms) and a pretty high dose (around 40mg) of Valium, administered on a regular schedule, and gradually reduced over a week to 10 days. They generally give you access to a jacuzzi, which will help with the body aches. While you detox, the Valium makes you eat a lot, which is good, and, usually after the first couple days, you'll start going to AA/NA meetings right in the hospital, which you will have to continue indefinitely after you get out. But it's the only way, Ann. To pretend you're going to taper down on your own, considering what you're giving yourself now, is, frankly, preposterous. Save time and just accept it now: you need the full in-house medical detox after which, if you're smart, you'll continue with daily meetings, the more the better. If you give it all you've got, it will work. There is a way back from all of this.
I was in hell. I absolutely knew I would use until I died. When I went into rehab, I had lost my family, job, freedom, everything. AA brought me back from hell. It's as simple as that. I took to AA meetings, rather than NA, because the "street" environment at the NA meetings just made me uncomfortable. For whatever reason, right or wrong, it's important that you find meetings where you feel you belong and can communicate with the people there. You sound like a candidate for this approach. Don't get hung up on the narcotic thing - it makes no difference what you're addicted to. We're all the same. Find meetings that work. They're all over the place, night and day. AA has a web site which will plug you into the right meetings. But you aren't going anywhere until you detox completely. At your stage, there are no half measures.
Make the call. Use the AA web site to get some numbers and just start calling. But you can't keep it secret from those closest to you and still have it work. Recovery will become your way of life, or, well, you'll just go on as you are until you die.
Life is a precious gift. Don't waste it. Make the calls. Good luck.

[Mary]

Hi everyone.  I've been taking Lorcet for two years since a car accident.  I take between 5 and 8 per day.  I stopped for 3 months in that two year period (went to NA/AA) then had surgery and the vicious cycle started all over again.  In a few weeks it will be one year straight that I've been using the above dosage.  For reasons I will not get into, I can't go into Medical Detox.  My husband knows everything and holds my medication - he absolutely will not allow me to take more that 6 most days - sometimes 8.  He told me if I was ready to taper them down, he will help me do it.  The 1st time I quit was cold turkey and I had insomnia and bad body aches for like 3 - 5 days then I actually felt relieved it was over and was SO HAPPY with recovery that I didn't feel bad after that. Then the surgery and well, here I am again.  For some reason this time when I tried to quit cold turkey I began to have SERIOUS anxiety (felt like running down the street screaming and pulling my hair out), I sneeze, yawn, hiccup, get restless, depressed, etc.... it wasn't like this the first time.  My husband thought I should taper them to a couple a day and then quit - and just deal with it like I did last time.  I'm really suffering - I don't want to take these things anymore but I'm not sure how long and how much to take for tapering...I'm about 160 lbs and 30 yrs old. - does anyone know?  Please write back ASAP - I will be waiting...Thank you and God Bless all of you out there who are still suffering.  Much Love to you all. M.

[tom to Mary]

you're lucky you've got your husband to control your use. The rate is up to you. How uncomfortable do you want to feel? The slower the better, as long as you complete it. Read my post to Ann about the Valium method. I recommend it. 30 mg or so, 4-6 hrs apart, next day 25 mg per 4 hr, next day 20 mg per 4, etc. Have Imodium (immodium) AD handy for the runs, take lots of jacuzzi's or hot baths for muscle aches and anxiety, eat healthy food, remove yourself from stress and responsibility, watch movies, relax, sleep, for about 10 days. Then get hooked up to AA and a sponsor. That's my A-list detox, and nobody knows like me. The voice of all-too-much-experience signing off. Good luck.

[tom to Ann]

on second thought, considering your size, you might start with a smaller dose of Valium, say 20, then 15, 10, 8, 6, etc. Try a small dose, see how you feel. Sleeping through the first few days is the most merciful way to do it.

[tom to Mary, not Ann]

woops, that last post, obviously, was for Mary. The Valium taper method, in my opinion, is significantly better than slow-tapering down with the drug you're trying to quit. Here's why:
At the end of a ten-day Valium detox from, say, Lortabs (Vicodin), you've got ten full days already in with no Lortab (hydrocodone) going into your system. The other way, after ten days, you really haven't gone any time at all without hydrocodone in your system. The fun is just beginning.
I say, get it over with. 10 days zonked on Valium ain't half bad anyway. Also, the eating binge the Valium puts you on really does help you feel better, providing you eat good stuff. Just remember the Imodium (immodium) and take all the hot baths you possibly can.

[tom to Ginger]

did you say twice a WEEK? You know, hydrocodone (Lortab) is out of your system in about 4 hrs. If you were really hooked physically, no way could you just use two days a week!

You may, however, have a psychological addiction to the stuff, but it doesn't sound like you have a physical addiction. To beat the psychological addiction, you need to identify the hole in your life the Lortabs are filling and find something healthier to replace them with. Easier said than done, but I think you know that's what you have to do. Good luck.

[Chad B]

We should all go to NA including myself. I stayed up tonight until three in the morning because I took a Percocet at 1:00 and never felt it.  I didn't want it to go to waste. hehe, damn !! Right?  Well I finally felt it at 2:30, which is very long for me, I usually feel them in about 20 mins.  Maybe it's because I have already taken 8 of them today?  Whatta Ya Think?  Should we all just get together and talk?  You know with as much drug knowledge as we have, we probably could've been chemists, making our own ****.  Take Care

[barbara to pain and lortab]

I finally managed to stop booze for four months after trying for one year this month. I initially became an alcoholic because of a severe pain problem in my joints.

I took Emperin threes way back when about 15 years ago, three times a day and never became addicted and increased dosages.I took it for seven years. Finally, the HMO changed and policy changed and I was cut off. The pain started so I tried drinking alcoholic beverages and it killed the pain although I had to get fairly intoxicated to reach the medicating level.

Now, after four months dry, the f---ing pain is back and the Docs don't want to try the stuff again. I guess they don't make Emperin threes anymore but it is the same as 30 mg codeine and 325 mg asperin. I almost killed myself over the pain last week because it was so severe I felt like tearing everything down that was in my way including any human. I am not a pill freak, never have been but the booze almost killed me with withdrawal from seizures and DT's so many damn times. I had to stop drinking round the clock.

I was forwarded to a pain specialist who prescribed the stuff for me two days ago and I already feel ten times better, but once his three HMO paid visits are over it's back to the same ole run around. My psych Doc gives all the Klonopin in the world but won't prescribe pain killers????????? I am a bit confused.

I go to A.A. for the booze. It worked last night. I have a permanent seizure disorder thanks to the Docs letting me shakedown so much over the past year. I had a seizure last night and almost drank. Seizures are a trigger, because my mind associates it with withdrawal still I guess even though it is partial complex epilepsy from brain damage to my temporal lobe. The aftermath of seizures is like a delerius state of mind, almost like DT's, and it's the time someone can do dangerous things.

I hope no one ever forces me to have to try to endure severe pain ever again. I can understand why some people have to take addicting medications whether us jealouse addicts like it or not.

Yes, many alkies are jealouse they can not drink like a normal person. Well I am sure some drug addicts have the same thinking. Not all people with pain problems become addicted to pain medications. Why should they suffer for the minority that become addicted?

[Amy to Bob]

Hi Tom, thanks for reading my post. Yes, i do have REAL PAIN! Unfortunately, but taking the excessive lortabs is my main concern. I know that oxy's don't really do much damage ( at least thats what i've read and have been told) to your liver, body, etc. But, the lortabs on the other hand do.  You said you were taking up to 100 lortabs per day. How long did you do that for, and did anything happen to you, do you have liver damage?  I don't know if you realize this, but i have no INSURANCE! So that's what the main problem is.  No one is ever going to treat me with out having insurance, that's why i have to try to do this on my own.  Tom could you please give me info, you seem to be knowledgable in this area and i'd really appreciate it!  
Thanks again, Sincerely, ANN    e-mail address is ***@****

[Amy to Bob]

YES< i do still have REAL PAIN, that's the thing!  It's not as bad as it was,due to the pain med's but, I have to do something about the lortabs/perc's whatever!!!! I know it's taking it's toll on my body. To look at me you'd never know I was on anything, at least that's how i feel, i mean i don't have any puffiness in my face, i'm not skinny, not fat, i keep myself nice, as i can anyway, but how can i get into an inhouse detox without insurance. And who would care for my son, i have no immediate family, and my husband works, a lot.  So i'm really stuck between a rock and a hard plate.  Any suggestions?
THANKS AGAIN FOR WRITING BACK, TAKE CARE AND E-MAIL ME IF YOU CAN
***@****

[Amy to Bob]

Hi Lynn, I've read your post's and have to say, that I too take xanax every night to sleep. The same Dr. who prescribes the percs and oxy's for me also gives me 1 or 10mg ( all i know is there blue and i think they're considered 10mg) anyway, i've been taking them for 5 years also.  I have very very bad anxiety, my life was a mess a while ago. What am i saying I've made my life still a mess due to me taking this **** i'm taking! Actually, i have a great life, if i could only stop taking the narcs.  I only take the xanax to sleep also. On the bottle, it says take 1 tablet every 4-6 hours and 2!!!! at bedtime. That's a total of 6 10mg per day if i wanted to legally follow directions!  See what i mean, why cant' i do that with the narc's.  I don't take the xanax in the daytime unless i'm really stressed out or over ampted from the narc's.  You said you would 50 in a weekend to clean for Fall. You sound so much like me Lynn, it's scarey.  How are you doing now, do you still take that much, please write to me so we can talk more. I have so much more to tell you!  Thanks for reading and replying to my post!                  Take care, Amy Ann e-mail address is ***@****

[tom to Ann]

check your e-mail

[Shiny]

Boy are you out of it.  You know some of us do need oxy's and they are a God-send.  Some of us can't NSAID's and the newer drugs either do not give us enough pain relief, upset out stomach, oh it could be alot of things.  So don't be judging us and telling us not to take oxy's.  I don't know how I would handle the pain without them.  Get real.

[ronnieg to sandi]

Sandi,

I have chronic pain that is being treated with opiods. Nothing else will rid me of this pain. Opiods are very safe if taken as directed. The side effects are minimal. I asked Ann if she was truly in pain or simply addicted.
If Ann suffers from chronic pain, then there is no shame in being prescribed opiods from a medical doctor. The reason I suggested oxycontin was that it is pure and does not have tylenol in it to destroy the liver. Ann can not be taking 10 to 20 lortabs a day and feel safe about not hurting herself.
But if she truly has chronic pain, and nothing else will relieve it, then my suggestion was a valid one.
If she takes opiods to get high, then she needs to detox and go to NA meetings..
I totally feel for this woman and many others in this situation.

Ann if you are reading this, I didnt mean to talk about you in the third person, I was only trying to justify why I suggested what I wrote..

[Lynn to Neena]

Amy, I'm so scared. I may have to go back to the xanax again because the unthinkable happened. I ran out of percs and have no way of getting more for at least a week because one of my connections went dry. I never planned on that happening or I would have spaced them out better. I ate them like they were candy and now I am going to have to detox cold turkey and will have no choice but to take the xanax I tried (and sucessfully) quit! My life is one big drug roller coster. I know I sound stubborn but NA won't help because I'll be thinking of how and when I will get more percs. It's 5:30 Sunday morning and I am so uncomfortable right now, I'm used to those morning percs and have the whole day ahead of me. The xanax don't give me the buzz the percs do, but I may have to take them for the anexiety. I am counting the days until my that next phone call comes in, what a way to live. Maybe this was the best thing that happened, but you can't convince me of that right now.

[ginger to Tom]

I'm back.  I've been reading everybody's stuff again and the pain they feel is incredible. Lynn: my thoughts and prayers are with you.  You said, "Maybe this was the best thing...but you can't convince me right now."  I've felt that vascillation of the mind.  That stuff will do it to you.  Tom, you are right.  I am psychologically addicted to opiate.  I know I am cuz I never had diarreah or vomitting.  Just pain that I wished I could have used a vicodin to treat.  I also am in the early stages of an autoimmune disorder that sometimes makes my joints and chest and back hurt and I lose my hair and don't feel good sometimes. (My regular HMO doc ofcourse only RX's Motrin which gets rid of some of the pain but the "aura" is still there) My husband doesn't want to hear about my pain so when it gets real bad and he wants me to ignore it and do something with him, I reach for my hydrocodone to help me through.  It makes me feel calm and "good" and out of pain.  I know I have abused it because I have taken it sometimes when the pain wasn't all that bad just to "feel good". I have a beautiful daughter who is 13.  She is a good girl. I don't want her to turn out like me.  That's why I dont' want to be this way. But our 18 year old son dropped out of school and moved out last month and is using Ecstacy.  He had stolen some of my vicodins when he moved out.  All I could think was, "oh like mother like son. this is MY fault."  I still haven't used any hydrocodone this weekend and intend not to but I didn't flush what I have either. (sick...) Yes, I know, I should get to an NA meeting but I love Cyber space.  Right now I am enjoying this safety.  I tried to quit completely once in 1992 when I had a nervous breakdown and I went to NA.  It was full of kids and people "talking the talk" and smoking heavily.  I'm old: 40 years old Nov. 1st.  And I hate smoke.  Gosh I'm cranky...and looking for excuses, right?!!!  Well, atleast I'm not in pain today and starting to feel better.  Thanks so much everyone here.  I finally found a place to share my thoughts where I won't feel ostracized.

[susanlea]

I'm so glad I heard from you, I've been trying to e-mail you, but I have a cable modem, and somethings wrong with the server.  I wanted to let you know, if you call NA, the number was 888-677-8810, you may need to check directory assistance, they will give you names and numbers for help in your area.  They have a program in Florida that is FREE, it's in Boca Raton, a 28 day in house treatment center, the program runs every 6 weeks.  They will also give you places for outpatient help.  There is also a CATS program (cronic addiction treatment) at every major hospital both incare and outpatient. If you have no insurance, they can also waiver the fee. Call your local hospital, this is all treated annonymously.  I took Oxy's and percocets daily for pain for over 5 years. I never thought I had a problem until my boyfriend became addicted a year ago to Oxy's up to 300MG's a day plus 10 to 15 perc's a day.  Well to make along story short he became toxic, the Drs. said he would have been dead in 6 months. He went to an Addiction Psychiatrist in May, they put him in the Cats program inhouse for 5 days, they used methodone and clonodin to detox him so he wouldn't have heart failure, he went through hell.  After he attended 2xs weekly outpatient meetings.  He has relapsed a couple of times, which is the norm, but you can't give up, he has to take one day at a time. When in went into detox, I took my 80 pills and threw them down the garbage disposal, I don't know if because I never exceeded the daily dose, or because after what happened to him and our family, the lies, the stealing the lack of interest in sex, anything fun and normal. Opiates, deplete the natural dopamine levels in the brain when used in excess, you can't even get up to normal anymore(these are the pleasure zones in the brain). I quit cold turkey, for 4 days I had severe joint pain, insomnia, jitters,headaches,vomiting, all this on 4 pills aday!  But I was determined that my kids would not lose their mother.  It's been almost 5 months, and yes I still would like one, but it get's easier.  I'll tell you, I feel better phycically than I did before I started taking pills. The world seems alot better, food tastes better, jokes are funnier, you name it, it's better.  I attend AA & NA meetings weekly, I have a great sponser, who is always there for me. Just take one day at a time. Unfortunately, the man and I have split, I pray to God he can one day beat his demons, and if he can I will be there for him, but you can't help someone, who doesn't want help.  The pills almost destroyed my life and my childrens lives and even though things are better now, my kids still lost the only father they ever knew, don't let the pills fool you, we all lose something.

[tom to Ginger]

your husband "doesn't want to hear about your pain," he just "wants you to ignore it." And your HMO doctor expects you to live on Motrin. Excuse the expression, but I think your biggest problem is that the men in your life are both pieces of ****.

I hope your husband and your doctor both develop chronic pain disorders very soon.

I have had chronic pain from three bad disks for 10 years. If I didn't have a compassionate, enlightened doctor giving me the pain meds I need, I would have no career, no life at all.

Such insensetivity from spouses and doctors disgusts me.

[Sandi to "JB"]

Whoever you are that wrote a posting to me on Oct 7th really has alot of nerve.I have been "addicted for over 17 years"& would NEVER ever pass JUDGMENT on anyone here.This is a place to be honest with yourself & everyone else here,especially when you are an addict & if you arent an addict why are you here?.If you would have read ALL my postings along with others you would see this is true, and why I was saying that about the oxy's-do you realize what they are & how they effect us?I know for a fact they do effect the liver & other organs from a DR..I AM AN ADDICT!The oxy's are extremly hard to get off of,I have been on them myself.I am sure you know that,because you must also be an addict.Yes they are great for break through pain,but so are other Narcotics.So many people here WANT to get off these dam meds & as all of us know kicking this habit is harder then anything in this world!Why would you not post your NAME? Are you embarrased? If you are,dont be.We are ALL here for support & advice..This is not the place to pass judgment,we all want & or need to feel as though we can make a difference in our lives & help others.I myself felt very comfortable posting here knowing there are many others like myself who have been in my situation & still are,& none here wants to or tries to pass judgment,I am SORRY if you feel as though that is what I have done, but look at the big picture,I care about ANN & dont want her to be in pain & she knows about me & my situation.If you care to post back, please do so..I will never judge you or anyone , who would I be to do that?

[susanlea]

Sandie, I have to agree with you.  Whether someones pain is real or they just want to catch THE BUZZ, Oxy's are extremely addicting.  I've taken everything from Perc's to Stadol with Dilaudid and Morphine, and they say Stadol is the most addicting narcotic there is, it's inhaled and one hit will send you soaring, it's synthetic heroin. I have neuropothy in the brain stem.  But Oxycotin was the only drug that I truly couldn't put down,  if you take too much, you just get jittery and feel sick, but if you don't take it, you feel just as bad. It's like a see-saw, up, down, back and forth, the never ending merry-go-round. At some point you don't even want to take it, but each time you do, you think it will be better.  I agree that there's other narcotics for pain, but Oxy's are the devil himself.  You just can't help but become addicted to it! But eventually, whether over a period of years or a matter of hours, everyone eventually abuses it.  Don't get me wrong, I believe narcotics when used correctly can be very beneficial, and I believe if your pain is severe enough pain killers can be a life saver, but not the Oxy's.  Once your natural endorphines, and dopamine levels are gone from this demon it can take years, and years for your brain to start manufacturing it again, if it does, where as other narcotics, even with excessive use of cocaine, once you stop, after only a few weeks your brain will start making it again. I even had a Dr. in detox tell me,  he considers Oxy more dangerous because it's similar to pure Heroin, it tricks your brain into believing it's making dopamine, but you just can't get enough to feel normal again.  I had a friend who took it for 10 years, medically, and 2 months ago, he took his normal morning dose 2, 20mg and had a massive heart attack at 40, he's alive but now he'll be on heart meds and possible surgery.  He went to a pain management specialist and now he has somekind of nerve blocks, and they are just now starting to relieve the pain.  I also went to a specialist after stopping all narcotics and I've had  2 blocks injected in my spinal cord, yes pills were easier but I can live with this pain, after a series of 6, they say the relief will be very noticable. So it doesn't really matter if it's for pain or fun,  you will, you will, you will become an addict, and we are human too, and nobody deserves to be judged, the only person you have to answer to and be honest with is yourself and God, and he created ALL MEN EQUAL.

[To Sandi from ML]

Sandi,
   Don't let that person upset you.This site is great, and there are some great folks on here.Tom is my hero. He has gotten me through some pretty bad days with advice, tips and strangely enough, humour. There were days of detoxing I was so depressed and in pain that he actually had me chuckling.You have to be careful here in cyberspace.People can help you, but some folks could give you BAD advise, and bad attitude.This site is monitored, I don't know how often. Seems like nobody has been home lately.Some general advice can be helpful( those hot baths Tom ). But don't take anything as the final word here. Most posts are not from Dr.s..but I've gotten help from regular people who have just gone through similar situations.I've only come across a few people here who are judgemental, and you know what sister, scroll right past them.No one set out with a plan to become physically dependent on meds.I'm having serious back problems and it's taking insurance company quite awhile making up there mind what kind of treatment they will pay for.I will have a tough time coming off the meds, but I do not know how I would make it through the pain filled days without them.Sorry for blabbing, but people here wil always lend an ear, you might not always like what they say but...hang in there.

[Shiny]

Look guys, some of you are telling people here never to take oxycontin under any circumstances, yes that's just what someone said.  That is rediculous and narrow-minded.  I have very real pain, cannot take NSAID's and have tried some of the newer drugs out there. To me oxy's are a God-send.  I take them as prescribed and don't abuse them.  Also I was taking Lortab for break-through pain.  I came to this site after hearing about the newest scare about too much Tylenol.  After reading many of the posts, I realized that I was not taking too many Lortab, the amount I do take, according to the label on my bottle would not hurt my liver. The idea that someone would actually tell someone not to use oxycontin ever is what really got to me.  People out there have a right to be informed that that is just your opinion; not there doctors.  Yes, they should be informed about oxycontin, but not be told never to take it.

[ML]

Like I said earlier, if you do not see a Dr.s name in the answer section to a question, you are getting someones OPINION,nothing more.Everyone is different and the disclaimer for this site warns you that DR.s answers are general information.They don't know you or your history.
Peoples personal experiences about mixing certain drugs for example can be helpful.Use it as a support group. But don't go putting your health into Joe Schmoes hands because he says something you want to hear. Hey Tom, what would DR. Steve say? SEE an ad.....finish the sentence for me Tom.

[for ML]

-- iction specialist, say two hail marys, send in three boxtops and belch loudly before excusing yourself from the table.

[Amy to Bob]

Hi everyone, just wanted to drop a note saying i'm doing much better.  I sought help, and thanks to all I'm going to be just fine.  I pray for all in here, and will continue to do so!  Don't give up, you can ALL DO!!!!  Thanks again, Ann

[Cynthia]

I am also detoxing from oxy 40mg 2X, but my MD didn't understand breakthrough additions, some days I was up to 280mg with his approval. I went through a detox progam in a hospital. But it did nothing, but switch my addiction. Now to add insult to injury I walked into dtox with H pylori (causes ulcers), and walked out with a virus. I went through the process for the h pylori, but ..... Over a month a later, I am unable to eat, sweats,constant diarreha, and abdominal pain. Dr and I have tried everthing, including an ER session ending in appy surgery.

I hear and read that there are no "known" long-term, but where we are heading now is pancreatitis- ususally associated alcohol, which I do not use, and I had my gallbladder out.... anyone experience any long term effects? Is it all connected or just coincident.

[dave]

I am three days off of Oxycontin, 20 MG four times a day. I was sweating my ass off and wondering what I would do when I ran out. The doctors don't understand breakthrough pain so I would take an extra Oxy when needed. Now I am taking Vicodin to keep the gnawing in my stomach away and I was referred to a pain specialist that will give me a pain cocktail with decreasing amount of most likely, methadone, over a couple of weeks. This works. I did it once before. You never know what they are giving you, or when the dosage changes. There comes a day when you no longer want the stuff because you are free of the narcotic. I will tell you how it goes. If I am not able to see him by tomorrow, I am going cold turkey over the Friday Saturday Sunday and Monday. I start a new job Tuesday. I make $94,000 a year and Oxycontin could care less. It will kill us all. I am glad to just be on Vics right now. I also have a few Soma for the body aches when they come.

[susanlea]

where areyou? are you ok?

[tom to ML]

thanks for the kind words in your post to Sandi. I can't tell you how good that made me feel. Peace.

[tom to cynthia]

your story is heartrending. On top of the detox, you get ulcers and a virus! And now surgery? I'm stunned.

Are you asking if pain med use long term causes damage? I know that several additives in strong pain meds like aspirin, tylenol and ibuprofen definately can cause ulcers (I got one from taking codeine and aspirin some years ago) and/or liver damage. As far as damage from the narcotic goes, I haven't heard of much, although I've read some posts on this site referring to liver damage from oxycontin/percodan. I've read that, as drugs go, narcotics cause comparitively little damage by themselves. But that's just a generalization. I've been an oral rx narcotic addict for 27 years and so far have only experienced an ulcer from aspirin. I also use a little trick I know to remove tylenol from Vicodin and Percocet, so have consumed virtually zero tylenol for the past 10 or so years. Of course, I'm due for a physical and I will be very interested in the liver test. I must say, though, that after 27 years of constant narcotic use, I seem to be in pretty good shape. I should add that I have never been a consumer of alcohol other than very, very rare social beers, literally one sixpack in the last, oh, ten years. Also, I have never smoked (tobacco). What a good boy I've been! Not ... Don't know how much more I can tell you, but I'll look for your posts if you want to tell me your story or just talk.

[Vicodin Gurrl to Dan]

What is this trick you have (Tom) to remove the Tylenol from Vicodin---All of our livers will collectively thank you for sharing your secret information...pleeeeaaasssse???  :)

[Amy to Bob]

Hello Everyone!
     I know it's been a while since i've been in, but i'm doing very well!  I joined a group who's main objective is to help people with severe pain and boy have they helped.  I was diagnoses last week ( 10/19/00) with Fibromyalgia so at least I know what's been causing all the migranes and sever body aches. My new Dr. is great, he has me on 80mg of oxy 3x's a day and took me off the lortabs 10/500 due to the tylenol and liver damage.  I'm now on oxyir for breakthrough pain and can honestly say that I'm more productive and I'm feeling a lot better.  
     So, I just wanted to say Hello to all and hope everyone is doing ok.  
                     Take Care
                      A.A.

[susanlea]

so glad to hear from you, I was getting worried. Let me know how you are doing.  Please keep in touch.

[very sick w/no more refills]

is there anything to ease the withdraw to oc 20 4xday
plus ?????many vicodin es very queezy shaking diarea (diarrhea)
extreme depression and pain

[tom to very sick]

Imodium for the runs. Valium or Xanax for anxiety. If none available, get some Valerian Root from the health food store (a natural valium), hot baths for the muscle aches. That's about it, I'm afraid. Take care. Good luck.

[debbie]

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.

[Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys]

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

[pill popper(ican help you!!!...)]

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.

[d.r.l.1958]

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...

[Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys]

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

[Linda]

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!

[steve]

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.

[kimdawn]

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??!!

[christakat]

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

[painfully, Sher]

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

[buddyb]

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

[Coopdawg]

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

[yayak]

Just came across this site and was wondering. Did you ever tell how to separate Tylenol from Hydrocodone? How? Thanks....YaYaK

[johnnyo37]

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

[bowyerlori]

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!

[ME446]

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

[doctor_Fased]

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/

[swtden]

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

[ashleyandcaylee07]

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