addiction to pain killers

[mlg2911]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum. I'm writing to ask if anyone has had success trying the Thomas method(I think that's what it's called), started using vicodin after a c-section to deliver my son. Due to further complications they kept me on the meds. Now two years have gone by and i don't want to take them anymore, trying to do it myself by slowly tapering off. 4/ 7.5mg per day. Didn't think it would be that hard, I'm on my 4th day of taking only 2 pills a day.  I'm having a really hard time with withdrawl symptoms. If anyone has had success with this method I would really appreciate any advice that can be given.  Thanks.

[Mamaj0322]

I have been addicted to pain killers for years, the last couple I only took tramadol. However was taking 2-3 at a time and multipal times a day! I finely decided enough was enough. Today I'm at 1 pill 50mg once every 25-28 hours. Trust me this is a HUGE step for me. I hope to be done totally by next week. The withdraws are not as bad as I've tapered myself back, except for the restless leg sy. That's when I end up taking one. Thanks for letting me vent!!

[jamielee55]

I haven't heard of that, but I was on oxys for years and I got on suboxone, and it saved my life. No withdrawls and no craving. You should think about this as an option.

[catchiec]

I have helped several people that have listened to me please try this.
You can detox in 5 days. Take 25mgs of methadone the first day, 20 the second 15 the third, 10 the 4th and 5 the 5th. This will help you to skip all withdrawal symptoms of  the oxys and after only 5 days you will have no physical dependence on methadone. after day 5 you have to stop taking the meth and after 5 days you are off of both pills with no withdrawals whatsoever and Bam toy have your life back.

People will tell you not to mess with Methadone because it has the worst withdrawals lasting weeks and months. This is true if you become dependent on it but it gives people no high inless they take a shitload of it so if you really want to get off pills there is no reason you should want to keep taking methadone. This has worked for myself and several people who could not afford to take time off work. As long as you do not take the methadone more than 5 days you should be totally safe.
If you go to a clinic they will try.  to keep you on methadone a long time and you will become hooked. I know from experience the 5 day detox will work. But you can not take it more then 5 days after 7 or 8 days you might become physically dependent on it. after only taking it a month you can have long horrible withdrawals but at that low a dose and lowering it 5 mgs for only 5 days each day I have never seen this not work perfectly and i've done it and so have 5 other people I know to get their life back. I really want to help which is why i'm telling you this. I could have never taken time off from work.

Now before you disregaurd my advice since people will try to scare you away from methadone please read how I explained it carefully and you can decide if it makes sense. Oh and dont take oxys well on methadone again the methadone is only to mask the withdrawal symptoms of the oxys you wont feel any while on the methadone but if you do this remember it works but you must not take it longer then 5 days and you must lower the dose each day. 25mgs is a very low dose people in clincs are usually on anywhere from 80 to a 120 when they start but you dont need anywhere near that much anyway you decide the best way to detox for you but I am being honest in telling you how well the 5 day detox plan worked. If you have questions feel free to email me I will be very honest.

[feohmoon]

Congratulations!  That is an awesome achievment - I cannot wait to post day 24...
Best of luck!!!

[mlg2911]

Hellos everyone, I know it's been a while since I last posted.  I'm happy to report that I'm absolutely over the worst part of the w/d.  I haven't felt this good in sooo long.  I'm at the end of day 24 and things are definitely looking up.  I can't believe how things have changed.  A few weeks ago I didn't know how I was going to make it through the day, now  I'm back at the gym and going about my day like I used to.  I think back to the days when my body was hurting so bad and I couldn't stop crying ,seems like a life time ago.  You're definitely right Sancho26, it did help to have my family around.  I found it rather annoying at first, but after the first couple of days, I was so happy to be around them.  I was sad to see them go, but I knew I had to focus on my recovery.  I hope everyone is doing well and please take it from me, It does get better...  Oh, does it get better.  :}

[1911]

Keep going you are doing (almost) all the right things.  

I went through hell Jan-Feb 07 and have been clean since. I was afraid to tell my wife during WD, but soon realized I was kidding myself.  Once I told her, she pitched in to help because she wanted the "old me" back.  

My suggestion is to tell  your spouse.  You need his help getting through withdrawl as well as in maintenance.  

Good luck.
GEORGE

[sancho26]

sorry i said "going good" in the last sentecne i meant going "well" but I do it all the time lol

[sancho26]

Thank you, it is a HUGE difference isn't it? You know I think that's probably one of the best things you can do have good friends or family with you and you'll find yourself being distracted and you'll enjoy yourself believe it or not. I know it's hard since I can imagine everyone just kind of wants to be left alone but it helps to have someone make you laugh. I'm happy to hear your doing so great and i'm pretty sure it's all just going to get better and better from here on out. I agree "the grass is greener on the other side" and you will feel the difference even though you think it will never happen when you're in your first days. ANYONE please if you're going through this stay on this forum it WILL help and if you need any help please write. Take it from mlg2911 and me your life will be better when you decide to quit, it wont be easy but it will be worth it. Good luck mlg2911 and I hope everything is going good with your new baby and your husband.

[mlg2911]

CONGRATS!  So happpy to hear that everything is going well.  I'm just now reaching the end of day 14, WOW what a difference!  My family came to visit, and at first I thought I was going to freak out, but little by little the distraction of having them here started to help.  We were out and about all week, and by the time I knew it, 4 days had gone by, and everything was great!!  Just a week ago, I was in pain and didn't know if I was going to be able to get past this, but I did, and so will you.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed and wishing everyone out there the best.   I can't thank you enough.  I don't know how I could have done this without this forum and all the great advice you posted.  Please believe me when I say, "Things really do get better".  It takes time and dedication, but believe me, in this case,"The Grass is Greener On The Other Side."  Hang in there and I hope to hear that everyone is still going strong.

[sancho26]

I think the worst is behind me (i hope). I took my last painkiller on Friday so i'm on day 5 and I feel fantastic. Day 4 and 5 for me have been reall good. I even went to the gym yesterday and i'm planning on going today as well. Who would of thought that I would have energy to do that a few days ago but I feel pretty good. I thought the RLS would never go away but it's pretty much gone. I had a hard time trying to sleep every night because of the RLS but I haven't had it these last two days. Before I went to gym I took my doog out for a run. I've been taking some products from Herbalife (my parents sell it so I get it free LOL) and it's worked wonders so far. I don't know if it'll work for everyone but they have a product called "Relax Now" which I take 3 times a day and I think it's what's getting me by. I also take "Sleep Now" when I'm going to sleep but I haven't needed it the last 2 days. I will say this I felt a HUGE diffence when I started taking Herbalife, don't know if it'll work for everyone but just trying to help someone who's looking for something to use that isn't addictive at all. Not sure how much it costs because my parents gave them to me. My parents told me that what worked for my RLS was the some pills called "Xtra-Cal" and "Joint Support". If you can't stand the RLS you might want to try them because it worked for me. I wouldn't even know where you can buys these but you can probably get them online or someone probably sells Herbalife where you live? well anyways YAY!!!! I finally remember what it's like to get some sleep without any meds!!!!! That's 2 days in a row!!!! let's keep it going. Oh and I had a friend who offered to give me vicoden 10's and i said NO!!!! lol it was nice to not give in a few days ago I probably would of taken them...

[mlg2911]

Mimi1313, Thanks for the info.  I didn't know it was an addictive drug, but I guess I should have figured that much.  Seems like everything out there has some kind of dep. attatched to it. They have so many commercials on drugs for RLS.  I see one at least every two hours.  My mom is on Lyrica and it has done wonders for her.  She's no longer in pain due to RLS.  She's been in pain for years, she just never wanted to take anything, but she finally gave in.  However, she's on it for that specific reason, not because she's trying to get over something else.  I thought of taking it for the w/ds, but I'm happy to say, the RLS is gone.
I have a little less energy today, than I did yesterday.  WHAT A ROLLERCOASTER!!!! Still, I'm not looking back.
Hope everyone is staying strong and thinking about all the advice they have read from others either in, or past the stage of w/ds.  Still can't say i'm 100%, but I'm closer than I've been in a long time.
                         Take Care

[mimi1313]

Hi,

First Congratulations on day 9. It will get better from here. If you can try to exercise. It really does help, especially with the rls.
I'm glad you decided to do more research on Lyrica. It can cause dependence and have withdrawal effects if you suddenly stop taking it. It is also a class 5 controlled substance.

Melissa

[mlg2911]

Good morning to all.  Hope everyone was able to get a bit of sleep last night.  Sancho26, thank-you for taking the time to do the extra research on the "Lyrica".  I tried to see a neurologist, but they had a 2 month wait, so I didn't push it.  I'm glad I didn't because, I no longer have RLS.  Today is day 9 for me, so the last time I felt it, was on day 7. Yesterday, I went the entire day without feeling a thing.  Haven't even needed to take a hot bath.  By the way, that really helped relax my legs before I went to sleep during the worst of it.
Today feels pretty much like yesterday,  I have a good amount of energy and no RLS.  Looks like I'm getting back in my car and not coming home for a while.  I need to keep myself busy, so that I'm not watching every hour on the hour go by.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but I think I'm over the worst part of it.  Now it has to be pure willpower and a lot of prayer.
Please write back and keep me posted on how you're feeling, it's great to know that we are not alone in this!!!

[worried878]

BTW...oneeagle is great! (I hope you read this)  I am on day 5 and he has helped me every step of the way!  he is supportive and knows lots of tips to help...I was a 80 mg a day lortab user for 2 years...used before that but not heavy use...I am fortunate in that I have felt better each day with day 1 being my worst day...like they say...everyone is different...but I prepared for the worst...and was pleasantly surprised...I found exercise to be my key and the recipe...by no means do I want to say this is a piece of cake and I could wake up tomorrow feeling awful...but I have been on pills and feeling awful anyway for quite a while..they did not make me feel good anymore...they made me feel weak...etching away at my self esteem...at the person I used to know...I feel bursts of happiness here and there today....it is truly unbelievable how good I fell about myself and i did it alone...with this forum

[MEECHI33823]

I am coming off 18 to 20 vicoprofins a day. After a 3 year addiction. It did not start that way it was 1 3 times a day. I am clean 8 days today. Cold turkey. It was flat out miserable I was watching the hours go by. I hate to say it but if you can have a mini vaction of 3 to 4 days the hard part of withdrawl will be over after the second day it stops being your main focus and then the pain lets up a little at the time. I was a hermit for 4 days loaded up on junk food and babied myself. No cooking, cleaning, only computer stuff t.v. and journaling. journaling helps a lot. good luck and God Bless. My husband had to fin for himself and I am sad to say I was suffering and still am over the loss of my grandmother who I lost January 20th she lived with us as we cared for her for 6 years.

[sancho26]

nice to hear you had a good day and I hope they're all like that from now on. Hey You said on an earlier post that you were thinking about taking Lyrica. Well I've been doing a lot of research on it and I'm not sure if that's the way to go. There's a lot of people who actually got addicted to it too and I don't think you want to trade one for the other so just thought I'd let you know what i found out but who knows it might work for you. I was thinking about taking the Lyrica that I have but I'm not taking any chances of going through more withdrals when I quit that too. They say it's not as addictive but it can still cause dependancy. I'm sorry to hear that you can't tell your hubby but you still have us to talk to and it sounds like your getting better so it'll be ok. This will all be behind you soon...

[mlg2911]

what can I say, but THANK-YOU sooo very much.  It's been about 5 hours since I last posted, the morning started out a little shakey.  I was certain I was going to have another bad day. Well guess what???? It didn't happen... Can't explain why, other than the fact that I ate a bit.  I got up, got dressed, and out the door I went.  I was fully expecting to turn right around and spend the rest of the day moping around.  I said a little prayer, put on my seat belt, turned up the radio and off I went.  I can't explain what a great day I had. I was able to do just about everything I had told myself I wanted to do. HA! I even went and bought groceries. (Groceries were the last thing on my mind, a few days ago) I picked up my baby from daycare (earlie) and took him to the bookstore.  I had total control.  Something I haven't felt since I started on the meds.  It was giving birth to him that started this mess, and the fact that I have to be here for him that's going to end it.  I hope to have more days like this one ahead, and i definitley hope to hear more  of the same from you guys out there.  I will keep posting until I feel I am completely out of the woods and will stay around and help anyone who needs to talk.  I have done this without being able to talk to anyone.(Too many people in my family in the medical field, including my husband).  They would be heartbroken if they knew how close to home addiction or dependency really is. So, I'm on my own, so to speak, but at least I know I have you guys and this forum for support.  Thank You Everyone.
   Hang in there, I think I see the light.!!!!!
Please forgive all of my spelling mistakes and bad grammer, I have somehow forgotten how to spell and speak in correct sentences.  Is anyone else having the same trouble?

[sancho26]

I know that w/d are supposed to be different for every person but sounds like we all got about the same things, maybe some stronger symptoms then others but it sounds like most of us have the rls, lack of appetite, and mostly the same effects. It doesn't sound like anybody here should be labled a "Drug Addict" because we all have legit reasons for taking them and the best thing is that we're all trying to stop. Even if you don't have legit reasons I hate that label now and all that matters is that we're all going to quit. I know we'll all make it sooner or later. I hope in less then a month or whatever we'll all be here posting about how great life is without the meds, so please don't quit posting if ya made it lol because we all need the inspiration and we want to know how everyones doing. This site has been a lot of help and it's nice to know there's people to talk to that are going through the same thing, even though I wish none of us was but hey let's get through this... I'm 21 years old and been married for 4 years with the most perfect wife i could ask for and anheleyez you're right it helps a lot when you have someone at home that supports you but it's still hard because i've been taking the meds for half my marriage and I'm ready to get over this part of my life. I have a 12 hour job (nights) and my own landscaping business in they day that I run and also I go to school full time so yeah it's not fun but I got to get through this for my wife and myself...sorry if anything's mispelled i have to type pretty fast because time is money lol... keep posting everybody

[Angeleyez28]

Kinda ironic-that's EXACTLY how I got addicted-after my C section-been on em for about 4 yrs. & I'm currently on Day 9 & it's still hard!! The physical w/d symptoms are gone-but not the mental effects (cravings, dreams, NO energy, no appetite). However, it was harder 4 me bcuz I went c/t. I just got soo sick of depending on those 2 get up in the morning-the pain is still there-but not as bad. U HAVE 2 be ready 2 do this-it's soooo hard!! I wish I could tell u it's easy-but ti's not-at all. The only thing that helped me through this was my VERY supportive & helpful fiancee (u have 2 have someone 2 help out), my prescribed Xanax, & a little pot. Not condoning that-just telling u what worked 4 me. I am really rootin 4 u-I KNOW u can do it!! If I can-anybody can!! This site will REALLY keep u motivated-it's helped me sooo much!! Plz keep us posted-I'm right there with ya!!! Keep your head up, hon-we can get through this 2gether!! *Angel*

[Jacqui805]

sorry, the above post, I meant to put your name.

[Jacqui805]

While on day 23 I'm still in w/d, I will tell you that not being able to eat ended for me at about day 7, and I was able to force down some small bits of food over the next few days.  After that, it was gone, and I became super hungry and still cannot get enough food.  I cannot seem to hydrate myself despite drinking something all day and all night long, but I'm not in danger.  The rls thing took me by surprise and at first really drove me crazy.  I still have it, a little in one leg only.  That definitely improved, and is improving.  I still sneeze, in three's.  I have a weird cough.  Those two things are the same.  The wicked headache I had is SO much better.  The wicked body aches are better too.  I lost the diarrhea, nausea and vomiting after 7 days too.  I can relate to your comment about not getting high from the med.  Mine (fentanyl) did not do that to me either, so I never became addicted, but did become dependant.  Either way w/d sucks.  The anxiety/sleeplessness/restlessness is the worst for me.  I have heard from others like me who're going through this on a much longer basis than some.  The length depends entirely on the drug that was used, the length of time on it, the dose, and the person.  It's hard to say how long you'll be going through this, but you're heading in the right direction.  Bravo!!!!!!  We're here for you.

[mlg2911]

It's been about 2 hrs since I last checked in.  My hubby is off to work and my baby in daycare.  I've got the whole day to  think about what I've done to myself and my family.  I have never been addicted to anything in my life and always prided myself on being a strong indep. woman. Realizing that I had a problem was a big step.  I thought it would take little to no effort to stop the meds.  I don't get a high from them, they don't make me feel euphoric in any way.  All they did was stop the pain I was having.  I've had friends tell me how good vik. makes them feel. I don't get that. Never did, which is why I think I didn't see this as a problem in the first place.  Well, high or not, now I'm dealing with the horrible w/ds just like everyone else.
I don't know about anyone else, but I have not had much of an appetite.  I just realized I've had almost nothing to eat for 2 days.  Is anybody else having this effect?  I forced myself to put down a piece of toast, and I do mean FORCED.
I am now off to enjoy a little bit of the nice weather we're having.  Just reading everyone's advice and experiences is more help than you will ever know.  I have to say my mood gets a little better every time some one posts a new comment.  
Thank you all again, for EVERYTHING. Can't tell my husband, can't tell my family, so this forum has truley been a blessing.
   Stay strong and hang in there.

[oneeagle]

I am so sorry that no one could tell you that it was easy - but remember now, you put a couple of years effort into getting here - it wont be over in a few days. I had a long (back to nam) habit and it took me longer than most to take care of business. Glad you peeled yourself out of bed today! Congrats on that and your effort - you are so very close you gotta stick with it - yesterdays anxiety will be subsiding bit by bit also - and tomorrow will just keep getting better. Good luck to you

[mlg2911]

Well, as you read yesterday(day7) was a nightmare for me.  I don't know how I made it through, but I did.  I think I'm going to hold off on the suboxone, I was feeling so desp. yesterday I didn't know what else to do.  I'm feeling a little better this morning, but I'm still somewhat feeling the hot/cold w/ds.  I woke up this morning and realized that I was putting my needs and wants for the meds. in front of my family.  I couldn't believe how horrible I was treating my husband, but I couldn't help it.  Everything he said or did rubbed me the wrong way.  I ended up calling my in-laws and they came and took care of my baby.  I locked myself in my room and didn't come out until this morning.  What in the world am I doing? This stuff is taking over my life.  I'm going to end up without a husband if I don't straighten up.  Well, on to dealing with day (8).  Not having the best start, but at least I managed to peel myself out of bed.  Please write in with any advice, I could really use it.  I'll be checking in during the day, so that I can see how everyone else is doing.
                                                                      Take Care