Aa
vicodin/xanax
I am a 45 year old woman i have been taking 2-3 750mg tablets of Vicodin every day for about 3 years. Vicodin makes me feel alert and hyper for a while and i liked the feeling. It started for back pain and now i use it for the extra energy it gives me. I never take it at work. I usually don't take the vicodin until about 4 or 5 pm. I take 2 tablets at that time and then maybe later will take another. Then i take a 1mg Xanax to help me sleep at night. I would usually start the withdrawal symtoms around 2 or 3pm but force myself to wait until after work to take the vicodin. I quit the vicodin cold turkey 4 days ago. I am fine in the morning but my usual time of 2 or 3 i start to get withdrawal symptoms of bad anxiety and a burning in my stomach and feel very nervous and it just gets worse as the night goes on. Any ideas of how long this will continue? Then i hear you need to taper slowly off the xanax. Any advice for me to quit both? I've read worse cases and they have done it, but am really hoping for some advice b/c i want to quit all of it and be me again! Thanks!
I read through all these comments and was inspired by how well you were doing despite your withdrawals. Have you spoken to your doctor? How are you doing? Addiction is a painful scary thing, but don't give up trying. Your family, friends and the universe all need you. I'm proud of you.
You could always go to the ER if you're really concerned .. When it comes to your heart its better to be safe I think..
i called my dr today. he hasn't returned my call yet. i am having heart palpatations and it bothers me and scares me. i am hoping to talk to him b/c it's awhile before i will be able to get into see him. seeking his advice until the appt. thanks for asking.
Morning Twinni,
Just wanted to see how things were going with you.
Any problems with the xanax?
Have a great day...
Sandy
Just wanted to see how things were going with you.
Any problems with the xanax?
Have a great day...
Sandy
Hi twinni,
CT is Cold Turkey - no taper at all. Glad that you're feeling a bit better, I hope it continues!
Sandy
CT is Cold Turkey - no taper at all. Glad that you're feeling a bit better, I hope it continues!
Sandy
Feeling a little better today. at least so far. Just waiting til around 3:30, hopefully won't kick in so much today.
Sandy,
In your letter to me you mentioned me to contact my doctor about tapering then said don't try to CT this med, did you mean CUT? thanks
In your letter to me you mentioned me to contact my doctor about tapering then said don't try to CT this med, did you mean CUT? thanks
One other question - did you cut your taper by almost .50 in one day? I'm only asking this because I think its safe to say that cutting your dose in half all at once is probably too much. If you want to send me a a PM with any additional questions you may have, please do so. I used to take benzodiazapines as well.
Take care.....
Sandy
Take care.....
Sandy
Hi Twinni, Yes, xanax has a very short half life, especially when you compare ti with other benzodiazapines that are longer acting. Are you trying to taper off of the xanax now? Your last post indicated that you are now taking just over .50 mg instead of 1 mg.
Tapering is a MUST for any kind of benzo. We can't offer any tapering advice here on the forum - it is against MH policy. This should really be done under a doctor's supervision as well. It's hard to tell at this point if you're feeling withdrawals already from the xanax but it is possible since you cut your dose almost in half. Before doing any more tapering, please consult your doctor; if done improperly you run the risk of having a seizure. And PLEASE don't try to CT this medication. You could very well wind up in the hospital if you do.
Post back so we can find out what your plan is regarding the xanax.
Sandy
Tapering is a MUST for any kind of benzo. We can't offer any tapering advice here on the forum - it is against MH policy. This should really be done under a doctor's supervision as well. It's hard to tell at this point if you're feeling withdrawals already from the xanax but it is possible since you cut your dose almost in half. Before doing any more tapering, please consult your doctor; if done improperly you run the risk of having a seizure. And PLEASE don't try to CT this medication. You could very well wind up in the hospital if you do.
Post back so we can find out what your plan is regarding the xanax.
Sandy
I was just looking up xanax withdrawals and it sounds a lot like me. It also says that it can take up to a year for the w/d symptoms to go away depending on length of taking the xanax, even at a low dose. Oh, wow, i don't want to do this for a year. and i am really thinking it is the xanax w/d not the vicodin any more. i can live with it, but oh i don't want to for a year. yuck! they say the half life is very short and you can feel w/d's even before your next dose. i really think my w/d symptoms in the afternoon through out the evening are from the Xanax. They just get worse until i take my little more than 0.5 Xanax now(was on 1mg) before i go to bed. I am determined, but i have to say this is very sad for me to know this. I hope some one else knows or has better news than this! lol! thanks
Hey i have a question.... As you all know i gave up the vicodin 15 days ago now, but still am taking the Xanax to sleep at night as i have since i started my vicodin habit. Never have taken more, just the 1mg at night to help me calm down from the vicodin so i could sleep. I have for a long time when i was taking the vicodin every day around 5pm would start w/d symptoms between 2 and 3pm and as soon as i would take my vicodin i would be fine. Now i am wondering if i am still having these "withdrawals" from the vicodin or is it the Xanax? was it the Xanax too and the vicodin would mask it? Or is it still the vicodin w/d i am feeling? just curious. if this makes no sense let me know. basically just wondering if the feelings i am having are from the Xanax. Not sure when w/d start with Xanax?
Hey...I get it. I, too am an all or nothing girl! Moderation is key to balance...Everything in moderation including moderation! Anxiety is always going to be there to a certain extent...Life throws all kinds of things at us. It's how we deal with it. Deep breathing and exercise instead of popping pills. Learning to go easy on ourselves. You are doing an awesome job, girl...Just keep taking good care of yourself and making brave choices on your road to recovery...
Proud of you...
Lu
Proud of you...
Lu
thanks for the advice. i have been seriously thinking about getting back into my excising again. I am an all or nothing girl, probably part of my addictive personality. so i am going to work on going for a walk or doing my exercise videos "when i can" and not put so much pressure on my self. Just moderation in everything. Hopefully between the exercise and the moderation in it i can work on my inner balance that is so very much lacking. I had a hard night with my anxiety last night. seemed to go backwards a bit. So frustrating and hard! But i am so determined! I will not go back no matter what! It's not even an option! Thanks LU!!!
Twinni...
I am so happy to hear you're doing better! Remember to take time out for yourself and rest...Be gentle with yourself-it helps with the balance....Believe me, I learn this and work at it every day. As Sandy mentioned-yoga is amazing for balance and one of the biggest parts of my life. There are all kinds of different classes depending on your needs/fitness level. It is the best tool I have found for managing my pain and stress levels...I actually said after class the other night "Yoga solves everything!" (:
Schedule in some 'me' time and keep up the awesome work...
Lu
I am so happy to hear you're doing better! Remember to take time out for yourself and rest...Be gentle with yourself-it helps with the balance....Believe me, I learn this and work at it every day. As Sandy mentioned-yoga is amazing for balance and one of the biggest parts of my life. There are all kinds of different classes depending on your needs/fitness level. It is the best tool I have found for managing my pain and stress levels...I actually said after class the other night "Yoga solves everything!" (:
Schedule in some 'me' time and keep up the awesome work...
Lu
What a great weekend i had. I had lots of important things going on with my kids this weekend. They all got baptized and i got to experience it not high! It was the greatest feeling ever. My anxiety is so much less and it was perfect! As every one says, sleep is the hardest thing. i am starting to lower my xanax a bit. i picked up some melatonin sleep aid. not sure how much it is helping, but i am sleeping. i wake up a lot, but go back to sleep. Just a lot of interrupted sleep. but i will take it! no complaints here!! Just thought i would update since i was so busy with crazy weekend!
Oh, you guys, you always have the best advice. thank you so much. I am definitely going to try the protein "shakes". I know that about protein and am a little disappointed in myself for not thinking about it. lol. i guess mostly associate it to repairing muscle after excercise, but u are right, it repairs lots more.
I am still taking the xanax. Up until last night i have been taking a 1mg tablet to go to sleep with. that has always been the only time i have taken it and no more than that except the first night i stopped the opiates. Then i took 1 1/2 tabs because i was so full of anxiety and nerves i thought i was going to crawl out of my skin. Last night i was doing really well so i broke a bit off my pill and took the bigger portion and slept and did well last night on the lesser portion. I will do this for awhile then keep tapering.
I used to exercise a lot, then hurt my back but i really need and want to get back to exercising. I know it will help me. I am a firm believer in that!
Thanks for reminding me of things i already know and forgot b/c of the "fog" and anxiety i am in. So funny how we can give advice to people then when you are the one in it you forget everything you have been taught! lol!
I appreciate your experienced advice and i am going to follow it. I love the protein idea.
and i am very out of balance. I can feel it within my self. Yes, it is getting better. I seem to notice a difference every couple days. And it will take time to get that balance back.
My tongue tiedness i know will get better. I think it is just everything you have both described and explained. It will get better. We just keep plugging away day by day moment by moment! And before you know it, we are balanced and all this is behind us and just a memory. a memory i will never forget so that i will never go through this again!!
Thank you again for everything. It just makes me feel so good to hear from you and to hear that all i am going through is so normal. I just hope this fog/anxiety thing doesn't last for much longer! i am on day 11. Yay!!! We are all getting there together. thanks for being my friends. i need them right now! Hope your days are good today!
I am still taking the xanax. Up until last night i have been taking a 1mg tablet to go to sleep with. that has always been the only time i have taken it and no more than that except the first night i stopped the opiates. Then i took 1 1/2 tabs because i was so full of anxiety and nerves i thought i was going to crawl out of my skin. Last night i was doing really well so i broke a bit off my pill and took the bigger portion and slept and did well last night on the lesser portion. I will do this for awhile then keep tapering.
I used to exercise a lot, then hurt my back but i really need and want to get back to exercising. I know it will help me. I am a firm believer in that!
Thanks for reminding me of things i already know and forgot b/c of the "fog" and anxiety i am in. So funny how we can give advice to people then when you are the one in it you forget everything you have been taught! lol!
I appreciate your experienced advice and i am going to follow it. I love the protein idea.
and i am very out of balance. I can feel it within my self. Yes, it is getting better. I seem to notice a difference every couple days. And it will take time to get that balance back.
My tongue tiedness i know will get better. I think it is just everything you have both described and explained. It will get better. We just keep plugging away day by day moment by moment! And before you know it, we are balanced and all this is behind us and just a memory. a memory i will never forget so that i will never go through this again!!
Thank you again for everything. It just makes me feel so good to hear from you and to hear that all i am going through is so normal. I just hope this fog/anxiety thing doesn't last for much longer! i am on day 11. Yay!!! We are all getting there together. thanks for being my friends. i need them right now! Hope your days are good today!
Hi Twinni,
I read your thread and thought I would add my 2 cents. Lulu did a great job covering the nutritional aspect of healing your mind and body. This is so important, and as has been said already, it just takes time to get back to 100%.
Physical maintenance is also critical for our cells and our bodies. Exercising, eating, getting enough sleep and sunlight all contribute to getting our minds and bodies back into homeostasis. Based on your most recent post you sound like you're still out of balance,which is normal since you're body is still ridding itself of toxins. Yoga and meditation and deep breathing exercises sound like simple solutions, but they can have a profound effect on relaxing both your mind and body.
The longer you progess through your detox process, the closer you will be to being in balance; emotionally, physically and mentally.
I know what it's like to get tongue tied sometimes - it's usually when I'm anxious because I have to talk in front of a group of people. I've learned to speak very slowly and breathe evenly. If you're anxious, it's hard to breathe normally, and the words don't come as easily. It's frustrating, but all of this will come back to you once you have more time to heal.
Congratulations on your clean time!
Best wishes to you,
Sandy :)
I read your thread and thought I would add my 2 cents. Lulu did a great job covering the nutritional aspect of healing your mind and body. This is so important, and as has been said already, it just takes time to get back to 100%.
Physical maintenance is also critical for our cells and our bodies. Exercising, eating, getting enough sleep and sunlight all contribute to getting our minds and bodies back into homeostasis. Based on your most recent post you sound like you're still out of balance,which is normal since you're body is still ridding itself of toxins. Yoga and meditation and deep breathing exercises sound like simple solutions, but they can have a profound effect on relaxing both your mind and body.
The longer you progess through your detox process, the closer you will be to being in balance; emotionally, physically and mentally.
I know what it's like to get tongue tied sometimes - it's usually when I'm anxious because I have to talk in front of a group of people. I've learned to speak very slowly and breathe evenly. If you're anxious, it's hard to breathe normally, and the words don't come as easily. It's frustrating, but all of this will come back to you once you have more time to heal.
Congratulations on your clean time!
Best wishes to you,
Sandy :)
HI Twinni...
Congratulations on your clean time! I am at 54 days off opiates and the mental fog comes and goes...Pretty sure it's because of my benzo taper and sleep deprivation...Are you still taking the xanax?
It takes the brain awhile to heal from the opiates...You are not producing seratonin, epinephrine or nor-epinephren because the pills were doing it for you and your brain needs to recover...Whey protein shakes help to rebuild the body/brain. You can buy it at walmart or if you can afford it there is a great one at the health food store called Proteins Plus. It has all the amino acids in it that are key. I mix it with almond milk, frozen berries, yoghurt and a banana and drink two a day...I have really noticed a difference in my brain function since I made this a habit(:
I have a high pressure, creative thinking job and am working long hours on no sleep...I am 'punchy' for sure but I just go with it (don't really have a choice) I was self conscious at first, but really? I'm doing the best I can...So are you. Recovery takes time...And you need to remember that you are way closer to your authentic self than you were on the Vicoden. Be proud of yourself and be patient....I know, it's a tough one but patience is a virtue...It's what I keep reminding myself...
Hang in there you are doing awesome...
Lu
Congratulations on your clean time! I am at 54 days off opiates and the mental fog comes and goes...Pretty sure it's because of my benzo taper and sleep deprivation...Are you still taking the xanax?
It takes the brain awhile to heal from the opiates...You are not producing seratonin, epinephrine or nor-epinephren because the pills were doing it for you and your brain needs to recover...Whey protein shakes help to rebuild the body/brain. You can buy it at walmart or if you can afford it there is a great one at the health food store called Proteins Plus. It has all the amino acids in it that are key. I mix it with almond milk, frozen berries, yoghurt and a banana and drink two a day...I have really noticed a difference in my brain function since I made this a habit(:
I have a high pressure, creative thinking job and am working long hours on no sleep...I am 'punchy' for sure but I just go with it (don't really have a choice) I was self conscious at first, but really? I'm doing the best I can...So are you. Recovery takes time...And you need to remember that you are way closer to your authentic self than you were on the Vicoden. Be proud of yourself and be patient....I know, it's a tough one but patience is a virtue...It's what I keep reminding myself...
Hang in there you are doing awesome...
Lu
Has anyone experienced the "thinking fog" i get during withdrawals that i describe in and earlier comment? just curious. thanks
It is so weird, i am so perfectly fine during morning and early afternoon, but at around 3:30pm i start that w/d, not as bad, but steadily gets worse as night progresses. It's not as bad a last week, but that mind fog and hard time talking is really getting on my nerves. How long does that part take to go away? I can't even describe it properly. But it is effecting my conversation and thinking. I feel like people are noticing my "weirdness" b/c of the way i talk and "try" to express myself. I repeat my self and say thing so differently than i remember talking pre vicodin. I am so frustrated with this part! I don't know how to get through this part! But i am getting at my wits end with it!!
i have totally been there, and i think we all have!
congrats to you again - so proud of you!
congrats to you again - so proud of you!
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