withdrawls

[cag]

my husband is under a drs care for quitting vicodin/norco. he was prescribed them for migrane headaches about 18 months ago.  he is over thewithdrawls, but is suffering from depression. he was taking about 20 norcos a day. he feels like he just will newer beahappy again, today is the 8th day of quitting, we have 3 daughters and they were everything to him, now it is hard to be around them. He says its not that he doesn't love them, he just can't be happy right now. the psychistric dr has him on tripital, barspiore, and put him on ativan the other day for anziety.  I want to help him, he says that he doesn't want to take another drug but he wants to be happy.  when wll he be happy again.  he's also on prozac for ocd. How long will this last?                              thank you

[Hopefulone]

It will last about 2 to 3 weeks.  Taking supplements can help, but there is no way to avoid the post withdrawal lethargy and depression.

The good news is than in a few weeks, he will feel normal again.

Is he getting support from other recovering addicts? That alone can help TONS, so I highly suggest he reach out.

good luck!

[afriend]

Dear cag, I have been on the ups and downs with opiates for a long time. The times before this time I didn't suffer much depression at all. But this time the depression was awful, so awful that I don't want to deal with it, at this time, so I went to (another opiate). I am in (NO WAY) endorsing (another opiate)! My point is, I am told, his depression will fade in time and he will feel better soon, but don't do as I have (doing it over and over and over), then the depression (for me) gets worse and worse! He needs your love and support and it sounds like your giving that! I have a son I love very, very much and felt the same way he does! There are alot of great people here and will have better posts than mine so , keep watchin and learning. I believe, the people here know WAY MORE than most Dr.s. cause you don't find this stuff in text books, you have to live it! Tell your husband to hang in there cause it WILL get better! Have him/you go for walks, listen to music, try to be active and start doing the things he used to enjoy. He doesn't want to end up like me! Love, hugs, friends,,,,afriend...........He can e-mail me at ***@**** if he'd like to talk!

[suzieneedshelp]

First excuse me.. but once an addict always one and the above was correct...He needs help and support from others addicts as in AA or Na.  However..."to feel normal"(wut is normal anyway??)in a few weeks is not accurate from wut i have learned.Our disease is cunning baffling & powerful & i can onlyspeakabout me.Ihadtogethelptoquitat inpatient Rehab.  I was addicted to prescription drugs.  Once out of Rehab, i needed help from those who best understand my disease, other addicts in NA or AA.  It has worked for millions and that was good enough for me.
Now i have almost 90 days and i am doing very well mentally but still dont feel well physicaly.  Been doing well mentally now for alittel over one week.  This is to save his life...as it was to save mine.

Our prayers are with your family...
E-mail me if you like...
***@****

Suzie

[passenby]

My story is some what like your husbands, 18mo on vikes prescribed for headachs decided to stop and only to find I was addicted and couldn't. My husband and I took off where we could be alone for a week so I could go cold turkey. If it weren't for his love and understanding I could not and still could not do this. I am on day 11 and he has a out of town job that takes him away from mon-fri. This week as been so hard I haven't even been posting. I saw your cry for help and just wanted to add my two cents on how important your patients are right now. This is much harder than I ever believed it could be. Without him  and this forum with all there help and encouragiment I still wonder if I am going to make it. There are a lot of caring people here that have a lot of knowledge.Good luck have faith and I will put on my list for prayer.

[feelsobad]

I haven't posted much since the banning back in January but I have been reading all the posts. This particular thread really hits home for me. In short I was a junkie to hydro and then oxicontin. I went thru rehab inpatient for 6 days. It helped "short term". They masked my wd's with the usual meds, phenabarbatol, flexeril,clonidene, etc. I felt halfway normal when I left the hospital. I do believe since then I am definatly a different person than I was before abuse. That was back in August 2002. I am still struggling w/depression and anxiety not to mention feeling so damn tired day after day.
It gives me hope hearing some of your sucess stories. Maybe there will be a day I can feel emotions again? I feel like I have turned to stone and my heart likewise. I suppose 320 mgs./day of oxy for 2 years and 8 years of 20-25/7.5 hydros will absolutely screw your brain forever(HOPE NOT). My point,I guess, is every one of us goes thru sobriety different. I don't have cravings for pills so much as I crave to be ME again. My wife tries to help but she thinks it's "mind over matter" literally. My poor 13 year old daughter doesn't have a normal father anymore. And it shows in her attitude towards me. Some days it feels like "just **** it" and eat a bullit. No I already know thats not an option. But like others have said here it crosses your mind. I am sorry for rambling on... it's been shitty, rainey, weather here for the whole month so I'm feeling dark. I'am not trying to bring anyone down. I am sorry for such a depressing thought process. I guess I need some answers from some of the looonnngg time abusers that may have expirienced such a prolonged cronic post wd. I just need to know, feel, hope that this crazyness will end. And no I wasn't crazy before my sojourne into opiate blackness.

I hope I don't offend anyone with such a downer post. I just needed to EXPRESS.

my time is up and I thank you for yours
feelsobad

[Hopefulone]

Suzie you are right, when I said he should feel "normal" in two to three weeks I was talking from my own experience with my one time detoxing cold turkey. I felt back to normal within 3 weeks, was sleeping fine and was not depressed. But I excercised every day despite the fatigue, took tons of supplements, including L-Tyrosine and 5 HTP (an amino acid that is a natural antidepressant), SAM-E, and I went to massage therapists, acupuncture etc. I was lucky to have the resources to make all that happen, and I think it might have had something to do with how soon I felt better. Maybe it was also because it was only my first time detoxing, I have no idea. But I was on a huge amount of hydro, like 300mgs a day. The cold turkey was sheer hell.

The one thing I didn't do at that time was go to NA or reach out to any other addicts, even on line.  I kept to myself and believed I could beat it. Then my back pain kicked in and I figured I could handle one or two once in a while to get relief.
Well, you know where that went. Within a few months I was back to my old habit, yet even worse, 'cause this time I got oxy and hydro.

So now here I am, on day 3 off suboxone, feeling mentally mostly ok due to prozac, insanely sleep deprived, and unbelievably fatigued. I know I need to take the vitamins again, and excercise no matter how tired I am but haven't forced myself to do that yet. But I am going to NA at least 5 times a week, and I have a sponsor, who finally is letting me write my first step now that I am off all drugs. She said "no step work till you are clean" which I thought was cruel, but I just trusted she had a good reason, and when I find out what it was I'll let ya know, lol.

sorry to ramble, just wanted to share my experience. Any support sent my way would be massively appreciated, as I need all I can get. I'm really beat, I hate this disease!

Karen

[Erika_Ann]

Dont feel sorry for expressing yourself and needing to vent. that is what this forum is for. And their are alot of caring people here. You made me cry. I am here for you. Your going through a rough time right now. I have been where you are many times. Its not easy by any means. I have chronic pain daily now for 20 years, Im 32 and have had it really for most of my life. I have taken so much pain med im suprised im not dead. You have us to lean on. And yes it will get better. I know right now It doesnt seem like there is a light at the end of the tunnel but there is. Please email me if you need to talk. I will be here for you. Please post to let us know how you are!
Love Erika
***@****

[feelsobad]

You are a very kind person. I have always enjoyed your post. I hate that your in cronic pain. I was just a selfish jerk and ate pills like m&m's. I have to change my mindset. I know posting here is like a relief valve. I wish I had posted more but I got kinda down when Finished, Rex, jeri, teeitup ,etc. left. Thank God for the ones who have hung around like you, hippie, mrmichel, thomas03 and so many others. I have become addicted to reading this forum but not responding when I probably should have. Maybe I would have gotten this far down a black hole.
I will do my best to keep my chin up and post for no other reason than to keep from imploding. It's almost time to call it another day at the office. I have to go to court tomorrow to testify against one of our clients that refuses to pay his bill for engineering services. That should be a hoot the way I feel now.
But tomorrow's another day!

feelsobad

[Erika_Ann]

thank you for the kind post. Im here for you OKAY?
Please remember that! I will keep you in my thoughts and Im so glad you responded. I was worried about you! Good luck tommorow. Sounds like some stress!!!! That you dont need right now!
Take care my friend!
Love Erika

[suzieneedshelp]

The effects of withdrawal can be long and hard or not as bad as expected for others.  The reason that I needed to be clean to work the steps (this is wut i was told)is cuz using I am numb essentially...I start feeling the full range of feelings some time after I get clean.  I need to be clear to expereince true feelings and be able to focus My mind on recovery.  If I am using my disease is in full force...there is a loop in my brain (the pleasure center) that is activated with the first drink  or drug..it loops up to 1200 x's per second saying " i want more".  So my thinking will be focused on getting and using drugs like it has been in full addiction.  That pleasure center also gets activated when addicts do many other things dependant on the individual..i.e., cigs, work, shopping, internet, sex, food, sports, etc.  That is why I must learn new way of life once I get clean to be able to be a functional human being and not turn to ANY addiction to cope with life, to numb my feelings, deal with life's problems, to escape, etc.
I am glad that NA is working for you.  It is not an easy road to recovery but...wut worthwhile in life is easy?  I always want an instant fix to everything or I must fix it... (immediate gratification is the addicts fav) ...well not anymore...so being this patient is a real challenge for me.
The depression and malaise and physical symptoms may last for 1 - 2 years i have been told.  It all depends on how much u took how long and your physical health and age i guess.  the Doc has said some damage we did to ourselves can be permanent...
  U r in my prayers!
Peace...
Suzie

[AmberHunter]

i didn't have the time to read everybody elses post to you. i am not usually awake at the bewitching hour of 9:30! lol! seriously, i have found that i go to bed when it is still light out b/c i think that is the easiest for me drug free, otherwise, my twisted mind thinks of things i might like to do, anyway...

prozac for OCD? why not luvox? you might want to research that one for yourself. i guess an SSRI is an SSRI but luvox is supposed to be good for OCD. (ok,i am a clinical researcher of psychotropic drugs and also an addict, shhhh)

and he is feeling pretty much like he is to because that is just where he is at... eight days? believe me, it does get better but he just isn't there yet... while i am not a proponent of NA maybe it would help if he checked out a meeting or two, or three, or ninety... i myself did get 8 years clean through the grace of narcotics anonymous meetings... lets just say i am walking a different path at this time. but i didn't get those eight years on my own...

i will post this again, ok, i have started a forum for addicts by addicts and if you email me i will gladly hook you up with these good folks... no standing in line to get a word in, lol!
email me at: ***@****

peace,

ambe

[Sturgil]

I had the same drug of choice as your husbands. I did one step ahead and mix Soma (muscle relaxer) with the hydro's.

I must say that the depression lasted much longer than 2 or 3 weeks. For me it was 90 days. However, the worst of it was the first 45 to 55 days. After this point I was on a roller coaster ride of emotions. Pink cloud one day and bottom of the barrel the next. It will even out over time. He can not do this alone. he needs a 12 step group. AA or NA or RxA. When he surrounds himself with other addicts in recovery he will see he is not alone or different. He will find comfort in the experience strength and hope of other clean addicts.

I currently will have 6 months on the 4th of next month. I go to meetings 4 to 5 days per week. I am working on the steps and I do call my sponsor. If I try this alone I will fail. The positive thing here is he is willing to get help. The admission of this to his doctor his wonderful.

Suzie hit the nail on the head in her post. The people here are great and will give tons of suggestions.

God's Speed Cag.

Sturgil Flockin

[lisabet]

Hi Suzie - what a great and informative post!....thanks for sharing what you learned in rehab - it makes a lot of sense. Please keep sharing for us that are still struggling.  We need all the input we can get...smile.  Hope you're doing OK...want you to know I'm very-very proud of you. You're doing it, babe, one day at a time. You know I love you...Lisabet

[bmac]

Hey Lisabet, Thanks for being you a few days back. I wasn't right so forgive me if anything came out wrong. Thank You!

AlexisInTx, Did I scare you off with my forwardness? I really didn't understand your post. Sorry! But hey thank's for the comment as above with Lisabet I wasn't myself I think, so thanks!
            BillInBama

[oxic]

You really weren't right bill; that was actually me cross-dressed as the mangy dog....Lisabet.  doh doh

[bmac]

Hey, is that the kinda stuff they teach guyz guyz up there? Down here we are southern gentlemen! We don't call our women Dogs! Gottcha! Bye ey'

[AlexisInTx]

bmac, you didn't understand my post?  Which one were you referring to?  I haven't even posted in this thread (??)

I remember writing to you a week or so ago about how I felt you were an asset to the board before when I was reading (this was last year I believe), but I don't think I posted to you other than that.  Just curious as to what you're referring to...

Alexis

[bmac]

The Chris Farley thing. I was withdrawing and I had a case of brain fog! I said I didn't understand it. But of course after a few days it lost it's humor, sorry nevermind. I WAS JOKING! LOL

[bmac]

OK now I see. The thread where I posted that reply was closed so I posted it up here so you would see it! Damn that was confusing! LOL

[AlexisInTx]

I see -- sorry for that confusion!  Closed threads can do that I think (and that post I wrote awhile ago was kind of scattered). :)

Alexis

[peaz]

Billy---just DROP IT WILL YOU????   LOL  My head is spinning.........HAHHAH

[suzieneedshelp]

Thank you darlin!   You are always so kind and too kind to me...  I have so far to go...i am takin it one day at a time and so far its workin wonders for my life.  I am learnign how to cope with life on life's terms for the first time in my life.  I am having spiritual growth i never imagined possible and discovering miracles at most turns.  It is not one bit easy though!  I am finally able to take baby steps to walk the walk not just talk the talk!  If wut in front of me (or wut my mind would love to be fearful of and use to get me down over and fricken worry about til i use) in my future seems horrid and unsolvable.. i find that all i need to do is just keep on walkin and then suddenly it is behind me!  Faith and letting go seem  to be the magic elements along with willingness and open mindedness.  For me...i must get outa my mind.. for that is where my addiction lies and where i get into trouble..instead i just act and do wut addicts who have many years tell me to and trust that i will gain the peace, hope , faith and tools they have not only to stay clean one day at a time but to live my life as my God will's me to...It works for me and i pray that each one of you finds your answers...If i spend my time in judgement and worry about myself and others then i certainly wont get it and would be a relapse in progress.  Did you know that relapse happens long before we pick up?  Pickin up is the last element of relapse!
Love,
Suzie

[lisabet]

Hey Suzie - so glad to see you posting again.  You have come such a long way, and the fact that you've almost lost everything (ai: your job, apartment, family, etc) and have came back still fighting and determined to take control of your life inspires me more than you'll ever know.  I don't know if I could ever persevere like you. You are SUCH a strong woman, and I'm so-so proud of you. I always admired you, even when you were using, and I admire you even more now.  You give me strength, Suz, and I really mean that.  Thanks and love, Lisabet
(Keep posting about your rehab experiences; I think we all can learn from them)...God bless your sweet heart.

[ceecee32809]

Im glad that someone else in the world is going through the same thing im going through.Ok well im 25 and ive had chrohns disease since i was 16. Ive had 2 operations so far.Anyway tha point that im trying to make is that i suffer from chronic abdominal pain and diarrhea because of my condition.I started taking darvocet 3 yrs ago then it went to vicodin 5mg then it went to lortab 7.5 then it went to percocet 7.5 and so on.Now im so dependant on the pain killers if i dont have one in the am i literally cant get out of the bed. I have constant diarrhea body aches neck stiffness. I find myself taking more and more just to stop the pain and when i run out im either buying them from people i know or ill go to the er and get another prescription.I don6t want to keep going on this way.I dont want to suffer from pain but on the other hand the pain never use to be this bad. Its like i feel every ache 10 times worse than i would have if i never took a pain pill in my life. Im so confused  does anyone know how to get off pills how long do the withdrawl symtoms last right now i havent had one in 3 days and the first day was ok second alright but today is real bad  i cant eat sleep  anyone that can help please email me at ***@****

[Rodster]

You and your husband must relize what is happening to his body at this very moment. Basicly there have been two parts of him, the addict and himself, the addict took over his life and controlled most his life. The addict is just like an evil twin, it controls and manipulates, but now that addict is starving, and it is doing everything it can to stay alive (the addicts one weakness is it dependence on drugs). Think of withdrawls and the depression as attempts by the addict to get what it wants. After two weeks physicly he will feel better, but sleeplessness and depression could hang around awhile. Also dont let him take ANY addictive substances while in WDs, you would just be trading one drug for another. IMHO drugs to steer CLEAR of;
Ambien
ANY and ALL Benzo's (xanax, valium, klotipin)
Phenobarbital and any other barbituaites

Most addicts are prescribed anti depressants and most take them for a few years after coming off opiates (I use Remeron, it helps me sleep too). Like the doc said deversion will be the key, you need to take his mind OFF drugs.

[bmac]

Well lets just say I was the one a little confused. I bet it was the lack of morphine in my system you think. LOL
Anyway I really understood exactly what you were saying I was just being myself, sorry!
(and not one friggin person say what I know you are thing here, I mean it damn it) You know who you are!

[I just want my life back]

I have major back problems that require sergury. This will happen
within the next few weeks. I have been on Percocet for the pain
for about four months now. Whenever I try to stay off the Percocet, it is to much for me to handle.I am certain I am going
thru withdrawls in addition to the real pain I feel in my lower
back.My concern is after the sergury, I don't know how I am going to handle this when it comes time to get off the pain med.
Whenever I am not taking the Percocet I feel so horrible that I
don't know if I can survive this when the time comes.Does anyone
have some advise for a man that is scared of losing his life over
this problem?

[Rodster]

First thing i would suggest is to see what your doctor thinks, however that being said being addicted is being addicted no matter if you are taking them for legitimate medical reasons and your dope man is the local drug store, or your buying them on the street to get high. If you are using Percocet for pain and NOT taking them to get the buzz you will still go thru withdrawls but probably wont have the other mental aspects and less of a chance of relapse. Percocet is something I know a little about, I was hooked on Hydracodone (lortab/vicoden) for 2 years and Percocet for 6 months, Percocet for some reason was ALOT easier to come off of. This may not be the case with you since withdrawls differ from person to person, but my doctor seemed to aggree with my observations. If your addicted there are several ways to do it.
The main thing you will need to undergo is a supervised detox, this can be done at both an inpatient and outpatient basis. I tend to recomend inpatient in a rehab clinic for ONE reason, at this very moment you and most others still in active addiction are not mentally capable of quitting without assistance (I know, been there done that) however with rehab because your locked down, with 24/7 support you will no choice but to quit. Also they will most probably give you methadone to ween you down so the w/d wont be half as bad (I quit solo once for 4 months and the W/Ds were murder on me, in rehab it was only half as bad), remember quitting and addiction isnt just quitting, its a lifestyle change too, after you detox and get out of therapy you must still be ever vigilant.
If you have any questions or concerns you can either ask them here (the doc here is pretty damn sharp, as well as most of us former pill heads) or feel free to email me.
***@****
also try to post your message on a new thread, alot of times the doctor will see your post and respond here tho. Yes it can be done, it wont be easy but what doesnt kill you will make you stronger (been clean almost 10 months now)

[Erika_Ann]

YOUR SO NICE. THANK YOU FOR THE COMPLIMENT. PLEASE EMAIL ME WHEN YOU CAN TO LET ME KNOW HOW YOU ARE. I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY AND HOPE THAT YOU ARE OKAY. KNOW THAT I AM HERE FOR YOU IF YOU NEED ME OKAY?
***@****

[Dougbsu25]

Hey everyone. This is my first post, and this is my 3rd time. Ive been thru it before, and I'll get to the point. Hydrocodone 10/500, I've been weening myself down now for about a week and 1/2. I went from about 15 a day, down to now I am at... well I have had one today. What I experience most is chills and fatigue and depression. Last time when I quit, I went from over 20 a day to zero, cold turkey, and that was hell. I remember reading that if you ween down to where you are at like 1-2 a day and stop, the withdrawl period isnt as long nor as severe. I am sure it cannot be  as bad, but what I guess I'm wanting to know is that if anyone else has had the strength to ween down like this and then stop it, and what it did to you. If anyone can help me out with this PLEASE, I'm looking for someone who knows and has done this...

[starryeyes]

Hi,

I just came to the realization tonight that I must be addicted to Vicoden ES.  I have been taking them on and off for a painful lung tumor.  I forgot to get my refill over the holiday weekend and had some very terrible flu symptoms so I took one last night.  Felt better.  Today was nauseous, flu like feeling and achey (achy).  Once I took that pill last night I realized that after only taking them for 6 weeks I believe I have become addicted.  I truly have never abused my RX.  I actually could have taken more daily then I did.  An 8 day supply lasted me eight weeks.  What do you do for the symptoms, I feel terrible.  And Scared.
Thanks.

[starryeyes]

I made an error in my post.  Sorry.  What normally was prescribed for 8 days lasted me three weeks.  Thanks.

[Expillman]

I've started and restarted this message SEVERAL times and I will try to spare the life story or justification/rationalzation for my usage of prescription drugs. I am in hour 74 of withdrawal and it has been AWFUL. I will never give back these days, NEVER. Withdrawal, to me, is a POWERFUL deterrant to ever using again. I have everything to live for, I'm retired, I have money, and I am not going to be a slave to anything, religion, financial problems or PILLS!

*I am a former Health Care Professional. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER, but it can happen to anyone.*

I could not have typed this message two days ago. I took my last pill Monday and the ensuing withdrawal EXCEEDED all expectations. Luckily, I live alone and do not work, so I could crawl around in my misery without having anyone witness the pathetic spectacle. I will spare you the details, but I am not proud, only proud that I have quit.

Here are some suggestions.
1. Imodium (immodium). OTC 2 tablets when the cramps and diarrhea starts and one tab every 2 hours afterward until cramping stops. I know that this exceeds the recommended dosage, but it didn't kill me and it sure helped. I just wish that I had started this the first day.

2. Benedryl OTC and/or Phenegran suppositories RX if you have them or can get them. Both are antihistimine, so keep that in mind. If you can control your diarrhea, both will help the nausea and help you sleep (HAH!), although fitfully.

3. Hydration and nutrition. Gatorade and you must eat. Drink plenty of water and if you get heartburn, put 1/2 teaspoon of plain Arm & Hammer baking soda in your water. This will help sweeten your system. I know, I know, you won't feel like eating, this is the last thing you want to do, but you must eat.

4. Spirulina Dietary Supplement from Earthrise. This is superfood and will help you. Start taking it before you quit the pill and continue through withdrawal. Take at least 7 tablets a day. Choke them down, you will not be sorry. Iherb online has the best prices, FYI. No, I don't work for them.

5. Hot jacuzzi baths will help the aches and help you get a little sleep. I literally crawled from the tub to the bed the first couple of days.

6. Exercise. I know, this is the second LAST thing you want to do, but only if it is just walking laps around the house and up the stairs, do it! If you stay in bed for a week you will only feel worse.

It has taken every bit of energy to write this. I only hope it helps someone. Each hour I am closer....wish me luck

[treace]

Did you know that Ativan, aka Lorazapam is also addicting?

[Chezz2]

That is why it is suggested in the "Thomas Recipe" to take any type of benzo for only the 1 week. ALL benzo's are addicting at some level. Some faster than others, like Zanax. That is why it is recommended to take a benzo with a  longer half-life, like Valium, or Klonipin.

Regards,
Chezz

[K. Zoe]

I am 19 have been addicted for years and years to methadone, percocet, oxycontin, and am now struggling with oxycodone withdrawal. I am on the other side of the country from my family, and my fiance doesn't know my problems. I feel like killing myself. I have had sprained knees, torn ligaments and the like, for 7 years so that makes it harder. I dont have the money to go to a doctor or seek help. All I have are a very very limited range of supplements. In fact, only 4 bottles of the basic ****. I am very afraid and I do not think i can handle this. I do not know what to do. And I have no one there for me .. My fiance may be going to prison and I will be totally f'd. I may be in early stages of pregnancy. I dont know what to do. Keena.

[FLaddict]

hey there... This thread is old its from 2003... I am sure none of those members are here.. If you would like support.. Please repost this as a new question so that the current members of the forum can see this and respond.. Not all old posts that are resopnded to get seen by everyone due to format personal settings..

Welcome.. we want to help..

[K. Zoe]

I feel the same way you do ...