help! pill addiction

I got addicted to pills after having my 2nd child.  Never in a million years would I have thought I would be addicted to pills. I use to be scared to even take tylenol. I've just never been a pill person until now : /  
  I have had several surgeries in the past year that also contributed to my addiction. They were surgeries that I had to have but i drew out the pain longer than it was really there. Anyhow , it's now all caught up with me .  Ive gotten in trouble and my  insurance companies contacted all the doctors who ive gotten narcotics from and told them about how many pills i had gotten.
I would go to the ER for the problems i was having just about every other weekend and get a shot of whatever they would give me and they would send me home with something stronger than i already have. Not only am i scared of what kindof legal trouble i am but now im facing detoxing alone .
  I am out of pills and ive been taking Hydromet cough syrup to ease the withdrawl (withdrawal) . I am not getting high off of the hydromet and i know i shouldn't be taking it but it's the only thing that is helping with the withdrawl (withdrawal).  Please any advice ..im all ears!! I need help !!!

[marycarmel]

You're not alone in getting caught on this slippery slope.  I'm sorry you can't have a doctor help you through this.  It ticks me off so many doctors put patients on pain pills and then walk away if things get out of control.  You'll get a lot of support here.  Try not to beat yourself up over this; it happens to so many more than you can imagine.  I've been in pain management for 5 years and have tapered myself off a lot of things they put me on.  (I'm dependent rather than addicted; no cravings or misusing meds or anything.)  I've experienced the physical part of withdrawal and it is miserable.  You'll get a lot of great suggestions here and one of the most important things is to stay hydrated (and it can be hard.)  Best of luck on moving forward and getting back your life.

[kyle505]

Welcome:
I've been abusing for over ten years. And I have to say that I'm an addict - I did many of the things you've described just go get pills. Long story short, I'm 42 days clean and life is wonderful! I used to think that I could never enjoy a day without the meds - impossible. That's one of the fears that kept me abusing. I can tell you, without hesitation, that the natural high from daily living is much better than the one or two hours of the fuzzy feeling that you get from pills. If you haven't already, take some time and read the stories on this forum - lots of successes. Others will be along soon to offer their advice and support. You aren't alone in this. We're here to help. And I can promise you that it does get better.

[tomskat]

Hi there and welcome!! You are stuck in an unfortunate situation,for sure. But we can try to help you through this. Exactly how much have you been taking per day? I assume you've been mixing opiates-basically whatever you can get your hands on,is that a correct assumption? A lot of us have become addicted due to legit issues. SO you've recognized that you need help,and that is the first step to help. You know that you shouldn't be taking the cough syrup-please stop this as it will only lead to another dependancy,unintended. Yes,you will experience withdrawls. The worst of them usually last a couple days,and start at about the 4th or 5th day. Everybody is different though. Stock up on Imodium (immodium) as well as Gatorade or other fluids to keep you hydrated. Stay strong!! You can do this o.k.? Here to help...

[littlebit667]

Please stop the syrup.  It will lead to another addiction.  I have struggled as well.  I hope this helps.

I kept telling myself...YOU HAVE the FLU!  It will be over and I will feel so much better.  My brain seemed to get that and settled down a little.  It is hard, but doable!  The Thomas Recipe (bottom of the page under Health Pages will help.  I did not to the tranquilizers and had to cut back on the Ltryosine, but the rest really helped.  Imodium (immodium), Imodium (immodium), Imodium (immodium) (liquid or pills if the liquid can't be found or you can't swallow it) will help.  I took double the dosage for a few days (personal choice) and it helped so much..even with the withdrawals in general and the opiate trots which sucked.  

Hydrate and eat!  Even if it is just a little every hour or so.  You have to eat something to keep your energy up as much as possible.  

If you have Restless legs..it is hit or miss what works.  Walking seemed to help me some.  Hot bath with epsom salts..a little.  I finally had to get my doctor to refill my restless legs meds (non addictive) to get some sleep.  If nothing works,your doctor might help.  

One hour at a time is all anyone can ask.  After 2 weeks it gets a little better and I started to say, One day at a time!  Your brain will do all sorts of things to get you to take a pill.  I found if I was hungry..the cravings got worse.  I would try to eat a banana, a few grapes or a few crackers to get that under control.

Good for you.  I hope all goes well.  You have made a good start coming here....this site has helped me so much!!!  Keep posting!!!!!

[lynnalb15]

Think of that as a blessing. Now you can't fool anyone into getting pills. And seeing they you have kids I assure you the last thing u want to do is buy off the streets. One time getting caught your kids are now in jepordy and I know no mother wants that. Detox will suk but it's something all addicts including myself have to go thru. Take it one day at a time and soon you will be pill free. I was at one point but slipped up. I have a beautiful 6 mo daughter and I am now Ina detox facility. I have not seen her beautiful face in a week and a half. And that alone is WORSE than the detox. I used for a week while pregnant and scared myself stupid thinking I was going to get her taken or she would be born addicted. I had to come clean to my dr and it all worked out amazing. She's healthy and happy. But that didn't stop me from going back. I am kw detoxing off of 5 months of using god knows how much methadone a day. I wasted that precious time that I will never get back. Yes I was there thru it all and
Thought I was still being the best mother I could. My spouse had no clue I was using. But I saw myself getting deeper and deeper and finally I ended up in the hospital from a seizure due to me trying to taper myself. My wonderful husband out me in detox and is behind me 100%. But the pain of being away from my daughter kills me daily. I have about two weeks left and I am still feeling like I have been hit by a bus. Not sure if I will be stable to go home in two weeks but we will see. My point is sometimes things happen for the best. I'm in no way saying detox on your own.  You need to ask for medical help! But justo u know using never ends good. But getting sober always does. You have to so this for your children and most of al yourself. Please think of this as your chance to get your life back. Not as a terrible thing that has happened. Cause in the end you will be just fine. Living life with no pills is a blessing and you will soon see that. Those babies of yours deserve a sober mommy just as mine does. And I'll stop at nothing to give it to her. Just as I assume you will yourself. Good luck mama. I'll be preying for you. Stick around here. It's an amazing place to be for support.

[0421Help]

Does anyone have any advise? I really want and need to get off these pain pills.  I have really bad endometriosis and have had several surgerys. Well you can guess what happened from there. At first I never would take the meds but now I'm addicted. I have three amazing kids that need me here. I have been trying to taper off but then the pain from my endometriosis gets so bad. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO anymore. I'm so afraid that I'm going to die if I don't get away from the pills. I feel so guilty all the time you would think that just looking into my angels eyes I could just freaking stop but I CANT seem to. Please please please I really need advise. I'm afraid if I go to a doc that I'm gonna get in trouble and my kids will be gone. They are my world and I NEED to do this for myself and fort angels. I don't know if there is anythingaybe at a health food store or something that maybe I can try. Please!!!