Ultram is NOT the solution for a Norco detox - Feeling hopeless :(

[lady1981]

Hi everyone,
I have posted on here a few times and I have received REALLY good advice and MANY kind words and overwhelming support, so thank you all.
Here is my deal today: About two weeks ago, I stopped taking Norco (10/325 mg, about 6-8 times a day…sometimes double that…sometimes half of that, it all depended) but I have been taking it on an off for about three years. I had done a pretty gruesome detox off of it last January and went Cold Turkey. Eventually, I relapsed which lasted 6 months and 2 weeks ago I reached the very bottom and I was cut off completely. My Dr. gave me a script for Tramadol and I filled it on day one of detox and it helped immensely. I did not experience any physical withdraw symptoms and minimal emotional withdraw. So this past weekend I reached the end of my supply. Saturday I took maybe 3 or 4 @ 50 mg. And Sunday (yesterday) I took my very last pill around noon. Come 5 pm yesterday, I was an absolute wreck. The headache I was experiencing (and still experiencing) is one of my worst headaches to date and last night and this morning, I have never felt this depressed, alone, paranoid, emotional, hopeless and barely hanging on...and it feel like the only thing that Ultram did was prolong the effects of detoxing off of the Norco. Am I right?
Also, the Ultram detox seems to have heightened my psychological health as well, worse than Norco ever has. Im afraid to be alone, I am crying at the drop of a hat, and the paranoia seems to be getting worse by the minute.
First off, how long is this going to last? Should I treat this as a Norco detox and do everything that GaGuy suggests doing (Vit. E, Vit. B6, L-Tyrosine, etc.) and should I expect the worse to be over after day 3? Why is the psychological withdraw on this drug kicking my *** so hard? Is it just a delayed response from the Norco? And finally, why am I an emotional wreck right now? I swear, if I cry at work one more time today, I will probably get fired :)
Please advise.

[VOsRose]

I'm humbled that my words helped you.  I love to write and it's my way of sorting through thoughts and feelings.  Have a beautiful day.  You're on the downhill slope!  Ski with all your strength!  

xoxox
Rosie

P.S.  It's a green slope, too!

[lady1981]

I think you are right, thank you for your advice. I appreciate your words (on this thread and on every other thread) and without reading your posts this morning, I dont know if i would be able to have as much peace as i have right now.

Thank you for helping me kick off another day sober with so much optimism. :)

[VOsRose]

I don't really know anything about Effexor, I'm so sorry.  However, I do believe the anxiety you're having is a normal part of the detox process and maybe you should give it a few more days and then re-address the issue if it's not letting up.  Do try the deep breathing exercises.  They do help!

I responded to your other post, also!  :-}

Have a beautiful day!

Rosie

[lady1981]

That is too funny - as you were leaving a post on my thread, I was leaving a post on yours :)

Question: Do you think I should hold off on increasing my Effexor? If so, for how long?

[VOsRose]

The panic attacks are a part of the anxiety that is a huge component in detox.  Hang in there...it will get better.  Try some deep breathing exercises.  Take long, slow deep breaths...it really helps.  Try breathing through your nose, if possible...you'll get the best effect that way.  You're at 40 hours!  Yea!!  You'll be coming out of the other end soon!!!  It will only get better from here.  Hang on!

If I can help, please let me know.

xoxox
Rosie

[lady1981]

Well, here I am on day two of absolutely no narcotics in my system. Sunday @ noon was my last pill (Ultram, 1 @ 50 mg) and I started detoxing early Sunday evening. Sunday night and all day Monday were the absolute worst. By far the most psychologically horrific detox to date. Thankfully, I have a wonderful support system (here And at home) and Im right about @ 40 hours clean. I have cried my eyes out more than I can count and even thoughts of suicide and death forcefully entered my brain yesterday. HOLY ****! If that is the **** I go through when coming off of those drugs, I cant imagine what it was doing to my brain for the past three years that I have been on them! All I know is that im glad I have 40 hours behind me - here's to 40 more! And I am so thankful that I have everyone here to hear my story and tell me their stories, it really does make a significant difference.
The only thing I am having a hard time with right now is the panic attacks. I have been on the urge of a panic attack since early last night and I had one late Sunday night as well. I was thinking about maybe asking my Dr. if I should up my Effexor dose from the 75 mg. that I am on right now to 150 mg.
I'm afraid of making such a big move because I am assuming that the panic attacks have to do with the detox and they may possibly subside, but I also don’t want to ignore the issue at hand. Any suggestions?

[dogsbite2]

your earlier comment is correct. Detox is detox. I have just hit the 96hr. mark coming off a 1200mg a day Oxy habit and to put it lightly, I went straight from Oxycodone to Buprenorphine/Suboxone and it really seems to be working.However, even with the Bupe, I experienced extreme withdrawl the first night. Point is, IT WILL GET BETTER!!! Hang in there and GOD bless!!

[graceamongyou]

You are absolutely right in thinking the only way to go is up.  The emotional component of w/d can be temporarily devastating and very scary, but it's just that -- temporary.  Tears and sadness washing over you in waves can make you feel really out-of-control, and the paranoia is an awful symptom.  BUT.  These are all within the range of normal for opiate w/d.  So, as scary as it feels, ultimately it is just your body and mind doing what they need to do to heal.  I'm not saying that you should embrace it in some kind of woo-woo celebratory way, but just keep holding on, know that nothing you are experiencing is permanent and that time WILL keep moving forward and you will NOT feel like this next week, next month, etc.  Let your body and mind and emotions do their work -- it sucks, hard, and it's scary and painful but the only way through it is through it.

[Dave W.]

I hear ya. This first withdrawl was the worst experience I have ever went through
even worse than having both my hips replaced and destroying my future as a
professional mechanic. It's hard for someone that hasn't walked a day in our
shoes to fully know what a tramatic experience it is to go through a major
withdrawl. I Detoxed from a 10 year Coke and Alcohol addiction with non
of the horrific symptoms that I have went through. It was actually pleasant
compared to this last nightmare. I tried my very best at 5 weeks,but due
to the fact that I was detoxing from 2 major meds at once,I was unable to
sleep at all,even when pounding sedatives like candy. I figured that I would
do more damage to my body by continuing this detox,than to just get back
on a lower dose of Methadone and be able to function again. I'm ashamed,
but at the same time,content. I will let my new PM Dr. try to get me off the
Methadone at least in a better way than trying it on my own.Hope you get
to where you want to be,with as little discomfort as possible.Good Luck.

[lady1981]

Thanks for your input. I know that my DOC isnt as heavy as a lot of the other opiate derived rx drugs out there, but a detox is a detox. like i mentioned before, this is the second time i have gone through a detox, and i know i have a few more rough hours ahead of me...but i have NEVER experienced the emotions and anxiety and paranoia as bad as i am now, and i cant really figure out why??? Its very discouraging, but i keep telling myself "the only way from here to go is up" and that seems to help a little bit. Im ready to feel alive and start leading a NORMAL life again, i just gotta get past all this **** right now.

[Dave W.]

I feel for you. I think you may be right about the Tram just delaying your
Hydro detox.I had the same thing happen to me with Methadone and
Oxy. It almost killed me both physically and emotionally,but hang in
there,your drug of choice is not as strong as the one's that smacked
the crud out of me for 5 weeks. Don't get wrong,I'm not saying that
what your going through is not bad,just that for most,hydro detox is
usually not as bad as Oxy and defineatly not as bad a Methadone.
I hope you feel better and try to get some good info on this site that
will help you through this nightmare. Sorry I couldn't help you more.