Lortab Withdrawel..NEED HELP

[WakeUpCall]

Hi,

I have been looking around this site for a while now and finally decided to post a question. I am currently on Lortab 10/500mg. I am taking about 25-27 pills a day. My boyfriend know about my problem, but he doesn't know the extent of it. I will also take Oxycontin 80mgs, mscontin30mg when I get it. I have quit CT before (due to me being pregnant!) It was absolutely horrible being that I couldn't take anything to alleviate the w/d symptoms. I do have true back injuries 3 disk herniation, 5 bulging disk, spondyliosis, facet arthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and much more. So I never have any problems getting my meds. When I had my baby I swore I wouldn't start taking them again, but I had an emergency c-section and that of course entails A LOT of PAIN!!! So of course....I started right back where I left off. It has been about 6 months since I started back and it is the same oldthing..... I finally decided to stop. I am in my 14 hour of withdrawels and I am taking Flexeril for muscle spasms, Klonopin as needed for anxiety and "shakes" and immodium, I am also taking a great multi vitamin and an antioxident supplement. My biggest problem is that I have a 5 yr old that I take to school in the am and a baby I take care of all day. My question is...is there anything else I can do? I really dont feel as bad as I did last time I am wondering if since it has only been 14 hours if this will get A LOT worse or just a little. When should I start to feel better without taking the extra meds that help out with the w/d?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

The medications you are taking are all for symptom relief of withdrawal, and you should only take them as long as you need them, which may only be days, but possibly a week or so.  In any case,you should be doing all of this with your doctor's supervision so he can prescribe other meds if you need them, but doesn't sound like you will.....

[who_is_this]

Please also seek out some liver evaluation.  The amount of acetomenophen you are taking in the Lortabs is STAGGERINGLY over any safe amount, and certainly enough to cause liver failure.

[WakeUpCall]

Yes, I am going to do that. I am now on day 3 w/o any pain meds...YAAHH. I want to use soooo bad and I am going to NA meetings which really help!! I dont have insurance so as soon as i get the money my liver and kidneys will be checked right away!!

Thank You for the comment

[vicodenaddict]

Hi.

I have been pain meds for migraines for 12 years now. Last July after my daughter was born I was introduced to Vicodin. At first I took 5/500 once a day.. then up until last week I went through 50 10/650 every 4 days. I could totally function.... No one knew, until I changed a script and the pharmacy caught it.. called my doctor and I got kicked out of the practice. Of cource I told my family it was the doctors mistake. They contacted all of my other doctors and I knew my gig was up. so. I tried to spread out my remaining pills. On Tuesday ... I had 3 10/650.. then Wednesday 2/ 650..  Thursday ...1/650... Friday nothing and today nothing. I have a little diarreha, really bad RLS, and I can not sleep. The worst is the lost of appetite and nausea.  Does anyone know how long this may last? I read 3 days.. when you completely have it out of your system. Funny part is I am not craving it mentally. Do not want it. I want to throw up when I think of it..Any ideas why? My doctor started me on adderall (adderrall) a

couple of weeks ago for ADHD.. I think that my be helping too.

I can't tell anyone. Too embarrassed and I am strong enough to do this on my own. would like to talk to one of you though. It good to talk to someone in the same "boat"

Thanks

[percsnomas]

Hello WUC,

I've been around this site for several years and was a very active poster prior to the "Substance Abuse/Addiction" forum being shut down. Firstly just for reference, i've had all kinds of dealings with opiates (percs/oxycontin primarily) due to multiple back surgeries....6 in total, with the last one being a 360 degree fusion last November; as WELL as recreational use prior to my disc herniations/protrusions/stenosis/etc/etc.



Now, on to you>>>>that is a hell of an accomplishment already, by giving it up!!!! Perhaps, sick and tired of being sick and tired??



If you discontinued the "contins" first, your withdrawal will not be as prolonged, but will still be pretty rough for sure, but definately doable.  The fast acting meds such as hydrocodone (and oxycodone for myself)) GENERALLY have the worst of the w/d's diminishing after the 3-5th day (of course there are exceptions). I would stay agressive on the immodium as dehydration can certainly exasserbate how rough you feel, as well as tons of hot soaks. It sounds simple, but believe me, they help.  The long acting benzo that you are taking can help you through this first rough part; but word of caution, please don't stretch out it's use too long, benzo w/d's are NO walk in the park (and have seizure risk associated upon  abrupt cessation).  I'm going to post a detox recipe that a long time friend and opiate user has formulated over the years, and has helped all kinds of us:



Thomas Detox Recipe



PLEASE NOTE: I am not a doctor, simply a long-time Rx opiate junkie who has had many opportunities to develop a way to detox. This is a recipe for at-home self-detox from opiates based on my experience as well as that of many other addicts. It is not intended as professional medical advice. It is always wise to make sure none of the recipe ingredients or procedures conflict with medications you may be taking. Likewise, if you have any medical condition, disease, allergy or any other health issue, consult your doctor before using the recipe. Thanks, Thomas



This recipe is designed for cold turkey opiate detox. It assumes that you can get about 5 to 7 days away from your job or household responsibilities during which you can sleep, veg and act as miserable as you feel. Opiate WD mimics the symptoms of the common flu, so, if you need a smokescreen, hide behind a bad case of the flu.



If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.



For the Recipe, You'll need:



1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.



2. Imodium (immodium) (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).



3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.



4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper and Magnesium.



5. Vitamin B6 caps.



6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).



How to use the recipe:



Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5.



During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.



Use the Imodium (immodium) aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it.



At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help.



With breakfast, take the mineral supplement.



As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.



PLEASE NOTE: If you have any medical complications, first check with your doctor before detoxing to verify that this regimen is safe for you.



***Taking care of the lit'l one(and your 5 yr. old) during the process, certainly complicates things....and lends more caution about the benzo useage*** Perhaps Clonidine is a reasonable alternative; as it is used in many of the detox centers.



All of the above does nothing to address your ongoing back problems, and only you can answer whether or not you require opiates as a pain management protocol; before getting your "mechanical" (herniations,etc) conditions sorted out.



I wish you continued strength and support!!



regards,

percs

[shellyalset5d]

could anyone help me?  i am on my third day clean from opiates.  i am wondering if i have gone through the worse?  i have not had an upset stomache and i actually slept throught the whole night last night.  i have detoxed before and was clean for about 5 months and i relapsed about 4 motnhs ago.  i was using daily for the last 4 months.  i was taking hydrcodone, mostly in the form of cough syrup, about 120  mls. a day.  so, is it possible im over the hump?  someone please help me.

[pharmacist without the degree]

I have dealt with this issue for many years.  It is very difficult to stop on you own. There are doctors out ther that will prescribe you suboxone.  It is a sublingual synthetic narcotic.  It takes all of the withdrawl symptoms away.It works wonders. It is a new medication that was meant to get poeple off of heroin, so if it works for that, it will work for many other opiates.

[WakeUpCall]

Yes, the suboxone helps...however, I heard that you can also have withdrawels from that as well. So I really think this whole thing is about mind over matter. Yes, I have been clean. But, I have true pain and do take meds when I have them. I am no longer using it as my "crutch" When I do not have pain meds I have some diarhhea?sp? but mentally and physically speaking, I feel fine.

To Shelly, after 3 days it DOES get better. My detox plan worked great for me.

I took a strong multivitamin with lycopene and Co-Q10 in it.

I also took Klonopin as needed, but not excessevaly because it too is addictive. It sure did help me sleep.

I also took a detox supplement fron anywhere like GNC..I think that made a huge difference

The thing that saved me from dehydration was the Immodium. I have also heard that immodium has a form of opiate in It which helps with withdrawel sypmtoms as well. So take as much as you need...apparently it doesnt have enough of the opiate acting ingredient that will nhurt you in your detox.



I hope this helps...I am doing great now. Had my liver checked and all is well. I still want my Lortab, but I have to remember how sick and tired I was ALL the time!!



GOOD LUCK

[nicki9348]

How long can withdrawals last?  My boyfriend has quit taking Vicodin cold turkey about 2 1/2 weeks ago, and he seems very depressed.  He won't let me see him, he says he has to do it 'by himself'.  We work at the same place, and he hasn't shown up for a couple of his shifts because he just can't get out of bed in the morning.  I want to help him but he won't let me.  I was just wondering if there was any hope of this sudden change in mood ending soon... :(

[WakeUpCall]

Opiate withdrawel usually last for about 1 week for the worst symptoms.

However, It does something to your seratonin (happy receptors in brain) so that could be what the problem is.

He should try to get on some type of antidepressent if at all possible. IT SHOULD HELP TREMENDOUSLY!!!!

Good Luck to you all

[Jasmin 99]

Hi,

I'm 28 years old and I have been addicted to Lortab for one year. I am really scared. I tried to stop taking it a few times, but I ended up being in so much pain. I had severe muscle aches and twitching, fever etc... to a point that I could not even sleep from the pain. I can't tell anyone in my family and I don't have health insurance. I am a full-time student and cannot afford to seek medical attention for this. I was wondering if anyone can give me some advise, I'm really scared and don't know what to do.



Sincerely,



Jasmin

[EDDYDIABLO]

Hi, i take lortab too for pain.  I understand your fear, if you take too much lortab you fear you might end up taking too much one day, if you stop, we'll I don't have to tell you. My advise is based on personal experience.  Try Buprenorphine.  They come in sublinguinal tablets. (you put them under your tongue.)  They don't get you high, but they do take away all the withdrawal symptoms from lortab, physically you'll feel no pain from withdrawals, that in turn will allow you to function without the lortab.  Take the bupre one at a time 1 hour apart until you're pain subsides. usually you'll take about 2-4 for the first few days, then you'll be able to take 1-2 then after a few days, you'll only need one at night, them half and so on.  Unfortunately if your like me, mentally you'll want the opiate "high",  you'll need human help for that (counseling or just a friend that understands)  also, bupre is hard to find in the STates,  I get them from Mexico. So if you wish, heed my advice, if you want to quit, get buprenorphine. good luck.

[Jasmin 99]

Hi,



EDDY, thank you so much for replying to my post. You said that I could take Buprenorphine. You said that you get them from Mexico, I don't know how to to that. If you could let me know I would appreciate it. I really want to stop taking Lortab and start living again.



Sincerely,



Jasmin

[Sobriety]

TRY TO AVOID THAT NON US PHARMACUETICAL APPROACH-TO RISKY!! MY ADVICE SINCE I'M IN THIS FIELD-SEEK MEDICAL DETOX X 3 DAYS AND YOU WILL FEEL A LITTLE BETTER HOWEVER THE INSOMNIA,IRRATIBILITY ETC TAKE A LITTLE LONGER TO GO AWAY!!TRY MEETINGS, FOR YOU ARE PROBABLY A ADDICT AND THE ONLY WAY I'VE SEEN WORK IS W/ A INTERVENTION FOLLOWED-UP W/ TREATMENT AND LONG TERM RESIDENCY IN RECOVERY COMM. SORRY THAT'S NOT LIKEY WHAT U WANTED TO HEAR!!!U ARE IN MY PRAYERS!!!