help with vicodin w/d

[hubbyshelper]

Hi my hubby has decided to come clean off of vicodin after using for 5 years.  It has been 8 days since his last pill.  I was wondering if the severe sweating is normal and will it ever stop. This is all new to me so any help would be greatly apperciated.  Oh and how long til he can sleep for more than an hour a nite?  The sleep depravation is getting pretty bad

[beachtowel]

You probably won't like my words but I know your looking for honesty and personal experience.
He is getting close to being ok from withdrawls but sleeping will be a big problem.
I am afraid to give you another bit of news. It is probably inevitable he will relaspe and probably do it behind your back.

If you have any questions to ask I'm here today.

good luck

[beachtowel]

If you have insurance I would go and see a doctor who deals in addiction and get some subutox.
I commend him for going cold turkey and dealing with the sweats did you leave out the terrible diarrhea?

Subutox will last for five days, you can work, sleep and ween off like a patient instead of a junkie.

M

[hubbyshelper]

thanks for the honesty.  yep i left out the other systems since I know they are par for the course.  He tried a detox center and that lasted one day cause he said they were putting him down and making him feel worse than he already does.  I am pretty sure he will relapse too so I am keeping an eye out for that to come around.  he keeps telling me all he needs is just one and he will be able to live again but i refuse to fall for that.  I just wish i knew how long til he stops complaining about how bad he feels.  He has said its killing him and I feel real bad about that

[beachtowel]

That is very sad to hear about the detox center that he went too.
If they know your detoxing from oppiates they either use subutox or suboxon.

This can be perscribed for home use by a addiction doctor.  You will recieve a five day supply.

Don't forget he will be a handful to help and a terrible patient.
I hope your ready for a long haul its only beginning.

Sorry for my honesty.....

[hubbyshelper]

So far i have realized that he is a terrible patient but am running in circles to try to help him out.  I keep telling him not to take any more pills because then all the pain would have been for nothing. And please stop saying you are sorry for your honesty thats what i was looking for

[oxysbliss]

Well my dear, it can be a really tough road. I would honestly suggest couselling for yourself...or the board, whatever will work for you! Its really tough living with someone going thru wd....Ive done both...and am still on the other side of the fence.

Five years is a long time to go on a drug, and then just come off.....even more so, when it has been used for pain. There are many vitamins out there that could be of service. Just for myself I smoke weed, to help me sleep. It works for me!! And cuts on cravings sometimes...as did my shots of vodka or a cold beer throughout the day....Mind you that was daily...at least the drinking.....our livers are going to be going thru enough getting off pills....I can understand that...

I am doing a tappering...I have allowed myself 4 per day.....and right now...Im doing 2...so Im keepin the other 2 for antoher day lol i guess...I am having help with that! As I cant control it myself. I think it would be good for your husband and yourself see someone in addictions and a doctor...or perhaps a nurse if you have coverage...There are tons of people here that know alot...its quite resourceful and I have to say, i think Im doing alright...considering...

Please dont use any of what I have told you as advice...mer personal experience!!! It doesnt and wont work for everyone....I do understand that....but I hope hearing from others will help.....Help paint a picture of our lives...to perhaps understand whats going on in his....to some degree.....

[CATUF]

The severe sweating is normal and so is the lack of sleep.  The sweating is removing the built up toxins that come with active addiction (I used to be able to literally wring sweat from my t-shirts).  The lack of sleep is a function of his brain chemistry being AFU, also something that comes with active addiction.  You may be able to immediately do something about the sleep issues with a combonation of melatonin and 5-HTP, both of which you can get at GNC, Wal*Mart, etc.  Check out the site: www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/Sleep/sleep_ins_melatonin-and-5HTP.htm

His best bet would be to go back to detox and just follow their directions - whether he likes them or not.  Learning to follow directions is an essential part of recovery.  If he could follow detox with rehab (the longer the better), it would increase his chances GREATLY.  I went to rehab twice - first for 28 days and then, less than 5 months later, for 122 days.  The first one obviously didn't take.  The second one got me into sustained Recovery, which is now over 600 days.

If detox/rehab is not an option, then there are still some things you can try to get him through this acute crisis.

1.)  Look up the Thomas Recipe (in the archives of this site or on Google) it will help a lot.  However, I would avoid the Recipe's call for Valium or benzos, because: a) he shouldn't need them if he's 8 days down the road; and b) a medical detox should be done by a medical professional.

2) Check out one, or all, of these books: a)"End Your Addiction Now," by Charles Gant; b) "Staying Clean & Sober," by M&D Miller; and "The Mood Cure,"0 by Julia Ross.  I would start with "a," but they will all help.

3) Get him to some 12 Step meetings - as often as possible. I prefer AA even though my most recent problems were exclusively with drug addiction, but NA is basically the same and both are in the fight against the same disease.

Good luck

[beachtowel]

Ok, one more thing.
Your hubby is also going through this detox the hard way because of guilt.
He knows your one of his victims and he feels terrible but that won't last the calling for pills soon will come in a strength like you can't believe. I wrote this at a rehab I was at and it is posted maybe it will help.


Meeting the Devil

   Addicts are loathed and ostracized by most, they are thought of as a social stigma that walks the earth. Some people may have pity or compassion, where a very small minority of people may truly believe that addiction is a disease. Addicts live in the insanity amongst demons and a calling only heard by the addict. Sometimes considered psychotic but no anti psychotic medicine can stop the voice telling the addict to get high you will feel better, go get some heroin your pain will all go away or a prescription of heavy narcotic pain pills to get rid of the loneliness or depression while drowning in self pity. Another voice will tell you to go and steal money if you don’t have it, there your parents they will understand. The voice may say go into the department store and steal a CD player then take it back into the same store for a refund moments after. The voice may say steal it out of your wife’s purse she probably won’t notice. The voice will always say don’t worry about getting caught or loosing everything even though your conscience will tell you its wrong, you can always fix it later. Addicts are great Actors and will tell a thousand lies to get what they want because they have to! Most people including family members, friends, policeman, and Judges all think and believe the Addict is a choice and so are their decisions they make but I am here to tell you you’re wrong. The insane mind of an addict is a very scary place! It is a place where monsters are alive and breathe fire, it is a place where Satan himself dwells in all his glory.

[kcg]

Hey everyone this is my first time on this site and I was looking for some advice.  Where do I begin. I was using vicodin (20+ pills a day)for a little over a yr. Well I would say for the past 6 months I was doing kriya yoga and I was able to stop w/out the withdrawls, however there are cravings that come at me from time to time. I need suggestions. I'm currently trying chanting, but again today I fell. I know I don't need it and I don't want to hurt my family or friends. But sometimes the cravings are strong to push me to choose to do the unwise thing. I do have strong support around, however whenever I fall I feel really embaressed and keep it to myself. I had quit for over two weeks then I went and popped a pill here and there. Then again the same cycle. I thought that since I don't have physical withdrawl symptoms I was over this, but at times I still do it. I hope I can get some suggestions that are helpful, and if I can help please let me know.

[hubbyshelper]

I think i will try the melatonin tonight thanks hopefully that will help him get more than an hour sleep.  I will probaly be posting on here trying to get all the help i can get and you guys seem to know what he is going through since i have no clue.  Thanks for being so helpful

[lostmemaw]

I know just how you feel.  My Husband is trying to quit a 6 month crack addiction I just found out about.  I know nothing about this!  This forumn has been a wonderful help to me.  They have been there & we haven't.  They will be here with answers & support.  Good luck to you & hubby.  If I can help just post & I will reply

[kcg]

Try having him chant shree gurudev datta. I know it sounds crazy but try it for a few days it can't hurt right? Have him chant it at least 108 times a day. Within a day or so he'll notice the effects. Please let me know if this suggestion has helped.