is the worse really over in 3 to 5?

My husband has been taking pain pills from a work injury for aout 2 yrs. Now he does not need them but he was at about 10 10's a day. He works so hard and now his body cant function without them. He could not even get out of bed without them. As time goes buy the amount does not help anymore so thats how he got to 10 a day. Well Monday he said he was done he took time off work and said he was ready to stop. We are at almost 48hrs. I have goggled alot and read many differeent things he is having a hard time right now as I type this, he has lived in hot baths he is drinking alot not really eating but i figured we are ok with that for another day. He is still firm he has not once said he wanted one if anything he hates them and that they have done this to his body. I dont know what he is feeling besides what he tells me so I have many questions. First of all I looked this up and for the most part i saw that cold turkey is not life threating is that true? If not is there anything I should look for to indicates trouble? I know it will be awhile beforee the energy is back but when do the W/D's go away? When shoulod he start getting out of the house? Go back to work? How did you handle people who also might encourage this? Do you wash your hands of them? He has told me he made it this far that he wont let this happen again but I still worry about someone saying here one wont hurt you.

[Clare Waismann Kavin,]

I just read your post and I pray to God your husband made it through the withdrawal successfully and is doing well.. When you posted , he was on his second day usually the hardest to endure. In most cases the fourth day is the turnaround day physically. The craving can linger for a while. I really hope he succeeded, is worth it.

[littlebit667]

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! ((gatorade is good) Even if it is just a little every hour or so.(boost or ensure might work for both food and drink)  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.  Benedryl or OTC Alteril helps some with sleep issues and you will have them.

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.

The hardest part comes after the detox.  Your brain will be all over the place and will try to get you back on the pills...It is having to work and not depend on the pills to help.  

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!!!!!

[overopiates]

Its not physically dangerous to cold turkey at all from those.Yes the time frame u have is right.Ibwas taking that amount to more daily for2-3yrs I was through the worst after day4physically but I still hurt but that really dropped dramatically by day10I was shocked how much better my body felt but he needs aftercare to stay sober the mental is way worse.I hated them all that too but after a few days,weeks etch he will crave please make a plan if u haven't

[littlebit667]

I am 60 and cold turkeyed about the same amount.  I have no major health problems.  Hon, the pills were needed for pain.  What happens is we move from dependence to addiction pretty easily.  Does not take long.  The body gets used to the amount and we have to take more to get relief.  POW..comes addiction.  The addiction is bad, the addict is not.  We get sucked in pretty easily.  My doctor thought she was helping me with my back pain and before I knew it I was hooked.  With her help, I finally got off of them.  (Her help and the help here was amazing).  Now that I am off almost 100 days...I have very little pain.  The brain does lots of stuff to keep us hooked.  The pills do all the work and the brain gets a vacation.  
He is lucky to have you.  Give him time to get thru this.  Keep posting!