Back pain - use or abuse norco

[Enthalpy1]

I have suffered back pain for 20 years. My profession is commercial hvac work. Several years ago, I was having big time issues. I had an MRI showing damaged discs, stenosis and arthritis in my back and arthritis in both knees. I started with meloxicam for the arthritis which is a godsend. I also started norco 7.5 as needed 30 a month. I have had several spinal injections which worked but my job would undo the repair. Surgery is not an option right now because it would put me out of work and all 3 doctors said that my work would undo theirs. I'm in pain management which I go every month for review. I was on butrans 20 and norco 7.5 twice a day. The pain was somewhat manageable but I was riding the depression train. I had a RFA done which seemed to help a lot. I asked to get off the butrans and they said ok and upped the norco to 4x a day as needed. The pain has been manageable but the depression varies day to day. I decided to take a break from the norco to see if the depression would change. I should mention that I have been on Wellbutrin for a year after I suffered major depression last year before I got into pain management. I have been off the norco for 4 days and dealing with the withdraw ok. Runs, poor sleeping, stomac pains and major back pain. The depression is getting better. Here is my problem. On norco minimal back pain. Off norco, depression seems to be getting better. I know I'm not the only one with this problem and I would love some help from anyone. Sorry for the long post but my background is important. Thank you and this forum has been a great support system since I am doing this alone. P.s. day one really sucked.

[Bones216]

Sorry about all that, I somehow missed that you are actually a day ahead of me in HELL week. I do understand the depression, even though I'm not being treated. It is the main reason I need to get out of house. Major headaches last couple days, but I also felt so good this week, I decided to quit dipping (chewing tobacco) after 20 years. I was thinking my headaches were due more to that, but it could be the norco wd.
Our bodies will respond as they should if we just keep battling, I just know it.
Heres wishing you a good night sleep.

[Enthalpy1]

We are very much alike. I have worked everyday during my detox. I am separated from my wife which was the beginning of my alcohol sobriety. I can't take ibuprofen or really any other OTC pain med because I have high liver enzymes and I am on meloxicam for arthritis. Today has been weird for me. I woke up after 5 hours of sleep feeling great. No real depression symptoms which I haven't done in 15 months. The days varied but today was the first day I woke up like old times. Way cool. But I have been feeling my blood pressure rise and tightness in my chest this evening. My physical condition is rough at best. Back, hands and knees feel like a front is coming through. I am also getting a bad headache this evening. Maybe it's from work today, I'm not sure. It feels good to have one depression free day and I would trade the pain free days for one day like today. I think I'm going to take a Xanax tonight instead of an ambien. 8 would feel great! That's my mantra until I get one night of 8 hours uninterrupted.

[Bones216]

Welcome, and your doing great.
We have similar stories with the bad backs and the norco. I will tell you tomorrow will be day 7 for me sober and I took from 4 to 7 normally.
Because our dosage levels were similar I really wanted to set the stage for you and what is coming.
Luckily the w/ d symptoms have been less for me. If your bored just read my story from 5/28, day one off norco, here we go.
I started off just like you, needed the pills for pain. However I then became depressed/mopey/moody if I tried to take less. I also felt kind of flighty when I was on the pills, but still better than the chronic pain.
After such a long time on the pills my dosage needed to increase to keep me pain free, especially in the morning, ugh!!!!
Unfortunately I started to lose control after 5 years on norco, and started telling myself I needed them for all social, leisure, physical activities.
I finally admitted to my wife that I think I had a problem, and had to stop.
I have never bought pills from anyone, or stole or anything like that, just took as prescribed by my doctor, and took them to fast when at my worst.

In order for me to be successful I had to have my wife get everything out of the house. Are you ready to commit to that?
I think the temptation will be to great if you still have access, it was for me.

If so than be ready for the following
Stomach problems-gotta have the immodium
Head and body aches- I think eventually will go away but not easy, the mind always tells me take just one.
I have really had cold like symptoms not flu. Lots of sneezing and coughing for this guy.
You must ensure you are following the Thomas recipe or something close to it. I didn't follow it to the letter but have used Boost on couple days appetite went away. Lots of Gatorade, good multivitamins, ibuprofen, cold/flu pills only a couple of times.
Sleep has been touch and go for me even with ambien so be prepared, it really the restless legs, and anxiousness that keeps me awake.
Also lots of hot showers/baths.

I think you said you used to be active, well me too. It's tough but make yourself go outside, take a walk, push yourself a bit and the days will go by so much easier. I actually golfed 18 holes on day four of detox, which is usually the worst day for everyone. Not bragging at all, I just felt good on day four and was sick of looking at the walls in my house. The next day I was sore, but it was worth it to me.
You can and will do this if you commit to it 110%.
I wish you luck and please keep referring to this forum. It is so full of hope, great tips, inspiration, and love for people just like us, from people just like us.
If not for continually posting and reading on this site, I would have absolutely failed in my attempt to get clean.
Good luck and best wishes!
Bones

[Enthalpy1]

I have tried 6-7 antidepressants and wound up with Wellbutrin 150xr. I have not heard of any WD but I have not looked yet.

[Pat1956100]

I am on Effexor and it does the same thing when I forget to take one.
I don't even know if it is working for my depression.  Once I get clean from the percocets, I would like to slowly taper off of the effexor.  I hear that is miserable too.  The brain zaps are awful and I really feel sick when I forget to take it.  
I was on Paxil originally and didn't experience anything like that when I switched from it.  

[Enthalpy1]

So true. I tried cymbalta which was supposed to do it all. That did crazy stuff to me. Detoxing from that was a completely different experience than I have ever felt. It gave me brain zaps for 7-10 days. Very painful and I was only on it for over a month.