help with hydrocodone withdrawls

i've been taking hydros for over 2 years now and there have been times where i've tried to quit but i always seem to go back to it. what ***** is that my husband also takes them. he has extremely bad pain in his back so i could never ask him to stop because its the only thing that helps in function since he works in a factory. but i abuse my prescription. the last time i tried to quit i went a whole month clean. the body aches went away after a week but my mind was never the same, even after a month. i was extremely depressed and had no motivation what so ever. i just hated being alive. i'm already on antidepressants. i've been on them since i was 16 and i'm 27 now so its not like i can ask for more antidepressants. my question is that how can i detox as fast as possible? are there herbal medicines that i can get from walmart that would help with the depression, sleeplessness and lack of motivation? i just want the old me back. even once my withdrawls are gone i'm not the same person. i just dont care anymore about anything. any ideas would help. maybe exercise or drinking lots of water? i dont know anything about detoxing from a pain reliever so any ideas or comments would be greatfuly appreciated. thanks.

[bellabo]

hi.  there is no quick way to detox.  i quit cold turkey and it was hell.  i thought about checking into detox but i am glad i didnt.  i want to remember every minute of hell and it was hell physically and mentally.  if you ride it out it will get better.  my husband as well uses pain medication but does not abuse it.  i took my  pills, threw them in the toilet and said you have no power over me.  sending you power and strength.  bellabo

[ducky406]

As far as your depression goes, exercise can definitely help. However so can the antidepressants. It's possible to need a larger dosage after being on a medication for a while. I would talk to your doctor about possibly changing or increasing your antidepressant, even if it's just to help for a little while.

Also maybe your husband can lock up his drugs. It may be a little easier on you if they were out of sight.

[Luckytwice]

When you quit taking these opiates, your endorphins and neurotransmitters that produce and distribute amino acids are all out of balance and not functioning to normal capacity. It is this imbalance that causes you to feel tired, get angry, sad, depressed etc.

You are taking anti depressants, and what that does is block the reuptake function  of serotonin neurotransmitters, which in turn keeps more serotonin available at the synapses so you don't feel depressed.  
But that's only one of several amino acids that are out of balance, so you still are going to feel like crap until your neurons,and neurotransmitter system slowly returns to normal, which as you have already found out can take a very long time.

On average, it take a month for your endorphin and amino acids to return to 50% of normal, and 9 months to a year to return to 100%.  

What you can do to help your body along is take a good multi vitamin with the complete b complex vitamins, especially b6; take  vitamin C, 1000mgs. Calcium and magnesium as well at bedtime helps with rls, relaxation and sleep. The  multivitamins and b6 help with amino iacid absorption, and a protien shake supplement helps your body produce and regenerate the neurons that produce those neurotransmitters.

Some of these neurotransmitters/amino acids are:
Dopamine-  controls feelings of bliss and pleasure, euphoric, appetite control, controlled motor movements, feel focused.
Acetyl-choline- controls alertness, memory, sexual performance, appetite control, release of growth hormone.
Phernylethylmine (PEA)- controls feelings of bliss, involved in feelings of infatuation (high levels found in chocolate).
Enkephalines: Restrict transmission of pain, reduce craving, reduce depression.
Gaba(Gamma Amino Butyric Acid): Found throughout central nervous system, anti-stress, anti-anxiety, anti-panic, anti-pain; Feel calm, maintain control, focus.

Since you are taking an anti depressant, you should be careful of taking anything else that can increase serotonin levels, but otherwise there are  amino acids you can take that will help improve how you feel while you are waiting for your body to "heal" and return to normal.

You should check out  the amino acid protocol, there is a link at the bottom of the main  page to it. Also check out the Thomas recipe there as well.
There really is no need to go through a lot of this misery, when all you need to do is take a trip to  walmart or where ever  else they sell vitamins and supplements.

All these amino acids depend on a healthy diet as well, so it would be a good idea to check out a few links at the bottom and side of the main page for foods and diets that help promote  neurotransmitter production and maintain healthy balanced levels.

I hope this helps you find your way towards feeling better, Good luck!

[Luckytwice]

P.S.  This means yes, there is a quicker way to detox, and natural supplements that that you can get from walmart that would help with the depression, sleeplessness and lack of motivation.

Check out the amino acid protocol link at the bottom of the page for a list of them.
Again, DO NOT TAKE anything that increases serotonin, because you are on antidepressants. The page identifies which ones they are.

[Luckytwice]

Sure anti depressants can help with depression. But better yet, so can taking an amino acid supplement and correcting your diet so  your serotonin levels are were they are supposed to be in the first place.

Isn't it the American way however, to run to the doc for a magic pill to solve all your troubles??

Sometimes these pills are necessary to be sure, A person could have  genetic problems that effects the neurons and neurotransmitters and causes abnormal serotonin or other chemical imbalances,  but not if the problem is easily corrected with a simple diet correction and natural supplements.

It isn't always the persons fault either, Doctors shouldn't be so quick to hand out pharmaceuticals  for every little thing, and take more time to determine what's causing the problem in the first place.

[akitagirl11]

I can totally relate to you.  Maybe you need a different antidepressant?  However it might suck to try to switch antidepressants on top of quitting vicodins because they can have some w/d symptoms too.  
For me, I actually think the hardest part of all this so far has been making the decision to stop.  I was so afraid of the w/ds.  I spent days reading and rereading all the symptoms I was going to have once I quit & I searched desperately for some sort of timeline.  All this fear started building up & I think it made it alot more scarier then it needed to be.
This quit may be different then your previous quit, it could even be easier.  Good luck to you & keep posting:)

[ducky406]

I don't know about the "American" way, the doctors I had in the US were very very hesitant to give me anything. But I'm sure some Dr's are pill happy. I just know that my mom recently had to increase her antidepressant after being on it for 8 years because they weren't functioning as well as they used to. So I think it can be something to look into, especially if already on antidepressants and the depression is still lingering after the withdrawals.

[sunshower21]

thanks to everyone for all of your comments. its nice to know that there are so many ppl out there that have gone or are going thru the same thing i am. i will definately check out the supplements you mentioned tomorrow at walmart. as of right now i'm trying to ween myself off of them. when i was taking them regularly i was taking about 6 10mg each day. today i only took one 10mg and a 7.5. needless to say i do feel like poop but not as bad as if i had nothing in my system. i don't know if this is a good way to get off of them but i'm actually doing good at cutting back how much i take. would it be a good idea to take these supplements while i'm still taking small quantities of hydros? i don't wanna mix the wrong thing and mess it all up.

[workingonmyself]

I have been went cold turkey Sunday and my muscles seem to be crawling out of my skin.  it is driving me nuts.  i have been having war with my mind.  Part of my mind is like hell no you can not take any more and the other half is like i need to take some so i won't hurt and so i can function everyday.  Can anyone tell me how long with this go one.

[littlebit667]

Post on your own thread...then you can get answers as others will see it and know it has not been addressed.  I hope you get the help that will make a difference for you.