hydrocodone withdrawal

[jakeeaux]

I am 51 years old , I came down with a bad case of shingles 06/2006 and they gave me 10/650 mg hydrocodone ,take as needed 3-4 times a day. the pain turn into post something nuralgia(nerve damage) as has lasted until a few weeks ago. I find myself not able to quit the pills. I stop for a day or two and the withdrawel is awful. I am up to 60-70 mg's a day. I have been through alcohal rehab last year and haven't touched a drop since. i am very easily addicted to stuff. any sugesstions would be greatly apprechated.  Thanks, Jakeeaux

[kissysissy]

Hi, I just read your posting, and I wanted to let you know I will pray for you!  It sounds so difficult, and I will give you my opinion...I am on day 4-5 of detoxing from a vicodin addiction.  It started with my back being injured...but anyways.  Stopping the pills is what is best for you.  It is like getting a bad flu for a few days, and we all have been sick before and survived.  It is really hard, you know, but I encourage you to taper off every day, or get a Dr. to help you.  You had many years of life without the pills, and you will truly be happier sober...it is worth the fight of withdrawls to get your life back again!!

Sincerely,

Kissy

[Sobriety]

IT'S INTERESTING YOU ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE...I AM IN RECOVERY/ MED STUDENT..AND COMPLETING CLINICALS IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE-ADDICTIONOLOGY...STUDIES SHOW THAT THE BRAIN CANNOT DIFFER OPIATES FROM ETOH(ALCOHOL)M MMMM.... THE THIQ IN BRAIN....WE HAVE A JELLY LIKE SUBSTANCE DIFFERENT FROM NON-ALCOHOLICS...I STRONGLY SUGGEST TREATMENT/DETOX REGARDLESS IF YOU WANT TO...YOUR LIFE DEOENDS ON IT...LAST AA MTG?????????????? CONSIDER THAT UNFORTUNATELY YOUR BODY CHEM. REPLACED ONE DRUG FOR ANOTHER..IF NOT CAUTIOUS ALCOHOLWILL BE NEXT....I WILL PRAY FOR YOU..GET TO A MEETING/DETOX SOMETHING...WE ARE POWERLESS...THAT CRAVING IS INTENSE...BEST WISHES

[Augs]

Hi. i think I can be of some help to you. first, I want you to know that you are not alone. I have been a serious addict of pain medication for 3 VERY long years. I have quit and relapsed several times. the withdrawl symptoms were always to much. You have to get to your lowest point befor you will truly want to stop. i was making myself sick. my moods and the way I was abusing the pills was becoming redicilous.  I debated the methadone program for a long time. After alot of recerch and opinions I decided I would give it a try. It is the best thing I have ever done for myself in regards to addiction. I have been free of pills for a week. Doesn't sound like much to be proud of however if u knew me and my addictive personality, its a great acheivemnent. I've done some reading on methadone on this site and let me just say, people can be very ignorant. Like I said, you have to really want to be free of drugs for this program to work. The methadone has taken away all my cravings which is quite amazing. Unlike what people are saying, you can be free of methadone as well. In being realalistic, I understand that the program is a big commitment. In eight weeks I will be able to bring caries home( methadone) so it will not control my life the way people are saying. Please give it a thought. I promise you, you can be free of this addiction and lead a normal life again.

[SWJavelina]

Yes, you're definitely not alone.  Today is my two week anniversary of being off Norco, and I feel so free.  The first week was horrible, withdrawl-wise.  But the second week was much better.  I think so many of us don't have real life people we can talk to about this.  I was hiding it from my fiance.  So, I'm so happy to find these boards.



Unless there's complications, the symptoms do get much better.  



Hang in there, and congratulations on your choice to embrace freedom.



SWJ

[gipsee]

Hi... I just read your post and congrats.  



Do you mind if I ask... did you go the Methadone route to stop with the pills?



I feel as though ... if the Methadone works.. then I just have to take the time to get off that as well... some here within these forums are really swearing by that method of Withdrawl.  I went to a Drs Office last night who has a huge sign in his office (Pain Management) he will not Rx any Vics, or Oxys but he does indeed put pts on the Fetinol Patch... after reading about that... it's like Heroin.. he says it's very controlled and he weans ppl off slowly.



I know w/d is hell I've done it before, but I wasn't using the way I am now.  I desparately want my life back....at the moment I actually feel nothing, happiness, sadness, NOTHING!  My PCP gave me a script for Celexa... that made me feel like a zombie so I discontinued that after two weeks.  I self-rightiously console myself thinking I'm only doing 2 7.5's 4 x's a day and there are some I know who are much worse...but I'm only months away from doing more and more.  I started with half of 7.5 4x's a day.   Thankfully I've never had to Dr. Shop... I've managed to do with my actual Rx's.... but I know I'm not in control.  These pills have taken over my life.   If I had to admit the truth to God and the World, I was thinking about finding another liberal Dr... to just get more.   It's ridiculous.   Am I kidding myself that I can do this w/o substitution ??   I plan on my first day being Tomorrow... in the hopes that by Xmas day I'll be somewhat human again.  



I guess my question to you is... Did you taper first?  Did you use the Methadone threapy?  Did you go cold turkey?  



Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated



Gipsee

[SWJavelina]

Hi Gipsee,



I went cold turkey.  In my case a had a year and a half of use with at least six months of constant use.  Because I didn't have the courage to tell anyone I had a problem, I didn't look into any meds that would help me with withdrawal.  I just stopped.  



The worst symptoms were diarrea and just not feeling good because I wasn't getting the warm fuzzies from the hydrocodone.  



I don't think I could have tapered.  I would have been to drawn to them.  But that's just me.  I think for safety issues, there's plenty of justification for using something else, under a doctor's care, to make it through withdrawal, but if you can stop --safely--I'm all for getting off the horrible drug once and for all.  



I can't tell you how relieved I am.  



One tidbit I did pick up somewhere was to amp up your fluid intake and up your potassium intake.  



Anyway, that's my experience.  Hope it helps!

Warm Regards,



SWJ

[gipsee]

I stopped with my Hydro's yesterday @ 3pm was my last...I had of course the night of nights last night ... tossing...no sleep..RLS...now my nose is running and the joint pain is just wonderful... and it's not even 24 hours yet.  



I know me... tapering won't work for me... I checked there is no medical fatality with stopping Vics cold turkey...I'm armed with vits and water.  



My original plan was to hybernate...get under the covers and just bemoan this process 'til it was over.   But I'm going to go out and do "something"... I think I'll just feel better.  For today anyway.   I know it will get worse before it gets better, but I can muster up the energy to get out of the house today.. So I am.    Mayble I'll run into a sale on "Holiday Spirit"...who knows by Monday I may even get some.



I'm going to use this forum when the need for one pill becomes unbearable... so if my post become annoying and they might...just forgive me.



Gip

[SWJavelina]

Hi Gipsee,



Congratulations on your first day.  I can understand how hibernation sounds like a good idea, but I think the getting out will really help.  The hydrocodone has such a "happy feelings" effect, that I think hibernation will only lead to depression.  



I still miss the "boost" it gave me, but I know it's critical that I get my "boost" elsewhere.



Take care of yourself, and I hope the holidays keep your spirits high.



SWJ



P.S.  Post away.  Even with the worst of it over, I come back here everyday.

[irene1923]

plz pray for me. i've been on vics for 10 years and i've finally had enough. think good thoughts. i may need them.

[lynnepoo35]

This is my first day of trying to get off of lortabs.  Im taking 4 to 5 pills a day. The 10s.  For the last 1 1/2 yrs.  I want to quit so bad, I have tried before , and the flu like symtoms caused me to go back to the pills, i couldnt handle it. Im going to try it again.   keep posting!   I will keep u in my prayers too.

[Kev7]

I have been taking hydrocode for four years now. It start with my discovery of having HIV. These pills have given me the ability to
escape from the neuropathy, extreme fatigue, and intolerance to
the HIV meds. I regret I have to take them. I have stopped before,
and in return my abilities are so dimenished. Also, not to mention
the pain from herpes breakouts.... I just went through 4 consecutive
breakouts. I take from one to three pills a day and monitor myself. I back off of them as often as I can. So... On top of these pills... I take 12 other
meds for hiv and side effects. I'd like someone to comment on my situation.... As it is sometimes very upsetting to know I am in this situation. My heart goes out to everyone who has had any kind of suffering.
Kev

[sd6515]

Congrats to everyone for stopping and I hope you are all still successful.

I stopped taking my Norcos yesterday after weaning from 4-10 7.5/norcos 6x a day down to 2 6x a day I never had to Dr. shop b/c I also take kadian 60mg 2 2x a day when I am out of the norcos, no warm fussies from them but no withdrawals either. I have Degenerative Disc Disease and 5 herniated discs with nerve root impingement, I am only 24 and the Dr.'s have still found no solution for the extreme daily pain but I have a wife and 6 year old and can not spend the rest of my life on these meds the last 3 yrs have been hell.  My hole life revolves around my scripts and making sure I'm safe.

I hope I am successful with my attemp and everyone else has success as well.