Hi. I'm 10 days off of the vicodin 7.5. I was also taking them for 3 years everyday about 8 a day sometimes more. First it takes time. The rls for me is gone but I'm still sleeping erradictly becuz my mind kind of woke up. I've been up since 3:45. But I do sleep on other days. I took a muscle relaxer a couple of days in the beginning. As far as taking any of them you probably need to stop completely. That's a lot of pills to take. I also have 2 kids and I have back pain from surgery and joint problems and I'm learning how to deal with that without the pills. You may not take them to get high but taking that many is a problem. It takes time to get completely clean as I am learning but anything is better than killing myself with these pills especially for my kids. Good luck. You'll find a lot of people helping on here. Dan
Goat,
First of all enough of feeling ashamed. You care enough to get clean and if you think of the number of posts you'll see on this website, can you imagine how many people out there continue to abuse narcotics and never try to get help? Besides, you're human, like me you started taking opiates for a physical condition and it became the norm vs. the exception. From your post it appears you're informally tapering off the Vicodins. I'd been takin 120 mg of Oxycontin for 3 years and I went to my doctor and told him I wanted to be off completely and he lowers my dosage each month. The plan is to be completely off by June 1. I did try the Cold Turkey thing but the withdrawals were so bad and I have to work so I knew that wasn't working. It's my experience that everytime you take an opiate your brain get's it's fix however if you can put up with the lessened withdrawal symptoms and can control yourself enough to take only one every so often until you completely taper off, that's the easiest way to do this. Everyone has their own way however you've made the first step by realizing you need to get off of them and you should feel so good about that. You'l be a better wife, mother and overall person when this is over and you'll have a whole new appreciation for folks who have a hard time overcoming their addiction. I used to be one of those people who thought addicts were lowlifes, little did I know I would be one myself and talk about eating humble pie!! Addicts are generally good people who have an addiction or dependance brought on by a physical problem. Anyway, good luck and continue to post. It always helps me and there are some good people on this site. If you ever need a friend, just drop me a note.
Bionic Man
wow, that is great!
what kind of drug is provigal? anit-depressant? seems to be helping pretty good, huh.
so you had quite a habit there and if you are only taking that small of an amount and never going higher, it is like tappering off the hydrocodone. try to scatter the days inbetween too. alot of people will disagree with me, but even the pharmecutical company that makes them tells you to not just stop taking them. they are meant to be weaned off of slowly and the recovery is not as bad. i weaned for 1 month before quitting completely and there was not much withdrawl when i quit. recovery was good. it is now 15 months off and no problems or cravings or depression.
best to you. it sounds like you are on your way. i felt back to myself within 3 weeks of quitting. like i had never taken a pill ever.
Good Morning I'm glad your posting! I also am a mother of two grow girls and I used vics for 15 years and I always told myself they did'nt know. I was a single mother and I totally understand where your coming from. Today is my 14th day clean and I could'nt taper off I tried I was taking 20 to 25 aday and I thought I had it under control I had back surgrey in Oct 08 everything went great I had a great reason to keep useing and I could tell my girls I needed them! To make a long story short I took to many and ran out,I called a hotline and told them what was going on and I was going to try to go cold turkey . They did'nt wantme todo that but all I couild think of is what will my family think of me! When I took my last pill I lost it! I was so scared to be without them. Then my daughter called and said I'm coming to get you which she did and I will say it was a God sent I went though a med detrox I felt like I was done for. But I'm not I'm still clean and now theirs no pain at all. So please don't feel ashamed keep posting on here because their is great people that will listen and talk you though anything! If you ever want to chat I don't work and my hubby is on all different shifts Coal Mines.So I'm bymyself alot Thank God for this web site. Hang in their your going good!!
please don't feel bad about yourself. There are so many in your shoes right now. I think it is ok to taper of the vicodin, but have you heard of hyland restful leg? it is for restless leg snydrome, and it is OTC you can get it at walgreens or GNC..also if you tell your dr he can prescribe something just for rls that is not a narcotic. also try hot baths and bananas I know that sounds crazy but bananas helped my rls alot. take care and good luck. you are fighting the fight and there is alot of support here just for you...also check out the thomas recipe and amino acid protocol at the bottom of the page. I have heard they work miracles during detox..
take care my friend
Thank you so much for all of our words and support. One of the hardest things to deal with is the secretcy. My family does not know this. I have been blaming all of this on the flu and pms. I feel like I have gotten this far, why upset anyone. I am going to try the Hylands today. Hopefully it will work right away. I am overwhelmed by the support that I have received from you guys. I will keep checking back for more advise.
I'm a 32 year old mom of an 8 yr old lil man && a 19 month old baby girl... I'm a PTA mom soccer && baseball coach for my sons team. I'm a stay at home mom who has been taking vicodin 10 on n off since I was 23... I have stopped so many times but by the 3rd day I can't take it.. My husband knows I take them but does not understand the addiction... Once again I am trying to stop I am on day 2 n the RLS is driving me freakin crazy.. I have tried the bananas n the hot baths but nothing seems to ease it.. My best friend who also is a hydro addict tries to help but is to quick to give me one because she can't stand to see me this way... I took a Xanax while ago n am praying it will chill my legs out enuff so I can sleep.. Trying to do this n still be miss suziehomaker is so not working... At a loss sometimes I wonder if quitting is worth all this... If I can find the will power to quit will I have a normal life will my natural energy ever come back... Please tell me I'm not doing this for nothing
Yes...everything will come back. And it will feel wonderful...
For the RLS, try Hylands Restful Legs...you can pick it up at just about any drug store. It helped me a ton...
May I suggest that you Post a new thread for your story. You have posted yours to an old one and it may get lost in the shuffle. There is a green button at the top of the page entitled "post a question"...just hit that and post away.
There are many wonderful people here to help you through your journey. It will be hard...but the rewards of a clean and sober life are limitless.
Stay strong and keep fighting...
~ Free
I commend you for sharing your stories and hope the best for all of you. I have someone in my life right now who is struggling with a vicodin addiction and it is a horrible thing to watch. I wish you all the best, but I am concerned for some of the things I've seen posted. If you are caring for your children under the influence of vicodins you are endagering their welfare. Some of you are talking about this medication like it doesn't do anything to your ability to function- reaction time, staying awake, etc. If you are driving a car or caring for your children you are putting them at serious risk. I hope you seek help to get clean before you hurt yourself or someone else.
Your story is a lot like my mom. I haven't personally been addicted to pills but I have watched my mom eat them like candy for years. She jus recently ran out and the with drws for her were so bad she wud call me cryin that she felt as if she was goin to die. I'm a meth addict and almost have 2 yrs clean from it. After a while the with drws go away but u will still feen once in a while. It doesn't ever go away all together it will always b in ur head but u jus have to have the will power and say no.