Not sure what day - hydro withdrawal

[bladerunnerb]

Hi, everyone.  I've been on the forum before.  This is the third time I'm quitting hydrocodone, but the first time mentally I've wanted to.  I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired (as someone said once on here) and I am so tired of counting the pills and such.  I took my last dose of hydrocodone (four 5mg tablets) on Friday at 5pm.  Really started feeling bad yesterday and today.  My habit was about 8-10 5mg tabs a day.  I don't think it's a lot compared with others...but you guys re-assure me it will get better?  I'm taking .1mg clonidine twice per day to help, but it is still pretty bad.  I'm just looking for some hope....

What day am I on, anyway?

[bladerunnerb]

Thanks so much, confused.  Right now I'm into Day 2, I believe...(5pm Friday was last dose) and the clonidine definitely helps with the restless legs and jerking.  Still have diaherria, even with maximum immodium.  And still have hot flashes, which the clonidine is supposed to help with.  I may have to up the dose a little...but don't want to get stuck on ANOTHER medication.  I also took just one tramadol a little while ago to see if it would help, but that was 45 minutes ago and I don't feel any better/different.  I figured that if I could take 2-3 a day to help for the first week of withdrawls, it would be worth it.  I see the doctor on Wednesday to follow-up on my condition.  I will tell him, at this point, that I don't want any more hydrocodone and if he there is anything else to do through this withdrawal process.  I have to work tomorrow (day 3), so I can't be totally out of it and I think if I weren't taking the supporting meds I would have to be at home.

[confused456]

I totally hear ya on the back thing. You can get through it and since these meds are not for long term use, the fact is that your pain in reality gets worse cuz you take more and more to get that relief. I have noticed a big difference with my pain since stopping!! It will get better!!

[bladerunnerb]

Thanks for those thought, Vic.  Enemy, I was using for about 18 months or 19 months.  I have a back condition, but it is better and I probably don't need medications at this point.  But it has made it easier to get the medications.  I was actually taking oxycontin 20mg twice per day and 6 hydro 5/500's in my hayday a few months ago.  I quit the oxycontin about three weeks ago, and just stayed on the hydro, increasing that dosage to 8-12 a day on average.

The doctor gave me some supporting meds to get off the oxycontin...I told him I wanted to back down to just the hydrocodone.  So, he gave me clonidine and tramadol to help and I haven't had any oxycontin for three to four weeks at least.

So know I kind of feel like I've stretched out the hydro thing...given my self time to get off the oxycontin, and now I need to quit the hydro.  Friday at 5pm was the last dose.

[Victor322]

You are doing just fine considering what you are trying to accomplish! It may not feel like it, but that's the body's reaction to the wd from the Hydro's.

What I found helpful for me was when I could separate the wd feelings from my idenitity,
as an example, when feeling physically bad from the wd's mental habit would be to create thougths of negativity against me...me being a bad person, not being worthy etc...so for me it's always important to separate the physical feelins regardless of what they might be from who I really am and not turn into   self-hate festival!

Anyway, just wanted to share part of my habitual mental process when not feeling physically well.

-Vic

[enemy48]

Kiss that child for putting a blanket on you!  Yes you do have to do this for the children, but first for yourself.

Your usage is only about 1/4 of what mine was, but you didn't say for how long.  The how long part has a lot to do with recovery also, I believe.  I hadn't lived off pills for 6 years.  That's a long time ago to remember how I handled life.  And a good life too!  Still wondering why I had to go screw it all up.

I'm sightly over 5 months clean.  Still a tough battle, but better every month.

At least you've experienced w/d before, and maybe not by choice, but surely helps in knowing that you'd feel like death.

Writing the forum will be the most help for you right now.

Sending Hugzzzzzzzz,
Pamela

[bladerunnerb]

God, you guys don't know how much your comments are helping.  I'm on Lexapro for mild depression and axiety so some of thing in the Thomas receipe I can't take.  My stomach is way sensitive, and I take Nexium for acide reflux, too.  

It means so much for me to hear about what you've done and help me know where I'm going.  

[worried878]

I was taking about twice ur dose....for me i felt bad physically for 4 days..back to work on day 5...mental was the battle/is the battle for me..i was reading that many relapse before the 90 day mark and it takes about that long for the brain to get back to functioning well enough to ease the depression and fatigue that comes with quitting...the aminos and supps are so important...u were taking as much tylenol a day as i was because those 5mg pills have the same amount of tylenol as the 10mg pills..glad u r trying again....i too was sick and tired of being sick and tired!

[confused456]

Don't take the Ultram (tramadol)...it is a booger to get off!! It is very addictive and not a good choice at all. The fluids are great! Keep doing what you are doing and you will get through this and feel so much better after you do!!

[bladerunnerb]

I'm drining gatorade, water, lemon drops, banannas.  Immodium as necessary, ensure, water.

The .1mg clonidine seems to help for all the shakes, hot flashes, cold flashes.  Can get tramadol to help but haven't tried it yet.

I've got to do this...I'm crying right now thining about my 8 year old coming and putting a blanket on me last night - ambien had knocked me out and he was taking care of me.  He got on the coach with me and covered us with a blanket.  I almost broke down crying...I have to do this for my kids...

[confused456]

I too tapered but I did a VERY fast taper and it did lessen the WD, and I don't think anyone here is AGAINST tapering, it is just that some do not have the power to have the pills and not take all or lots of them. That is why they choose CT. You are doing great and stick with it but if it gets unbearable, tapering is an option but it is a personal choice. You have already made it this far which may not seem like a lot but the reality is that its huge!! Wishing you all the best.

[confused456]

It WILL get better! It is great that you want it mentally because that i a HUGE step in actually being able to make it!! You can do this! Hang in there. Are you taking any vitamins to help? They really do help a lot.

[Decisions]

You are on day 1.5.
I was taking a lot more.  You can read my posts, if you want.

When I quit at or around your dosing schedule, it was pretty easy for me.  I say ME.
But, I did taper, which seems to have a mixed support here on the forum.  Some agree it is good if you can stay strong, and other seem to think cold-turkey is better, or "their" way.  
My personal experience at the level you are using is that you will have a much better withdrawal experience if you  can taper and stay the course.
If not, then you will experience many of the symptoms described here, the runs, muscle pain/spasms, weak, tired, depressed, headache, nervousness, anxiety, etc..

There are some "recipes" that others  swear by , such as the Thomas Recipe and Amino Acid protocol. They are not helping me, mainly because I have a very sensitive Gut, from IBS... at least that is my reasoning.

I would at least take a look at them and I am sure more folks will chime in.

Way to go. I wish you success in quitting this.