Can It Be Done While Working?

[donnadb]

I have been TRYING to stop taking my hydrocodone for almost 3 weeks now but I have yet to be successful... You see, I cannot take off work to go through the withdrawals... I have missed so many days (due to chronic pain) that if I miss anymore days, I will surely be FIRED!!!  I REALLY want to do this but I need to hear from anyone that has accomplished while continuing to work a full time 8-5 job (working with 2 yr old disabled children!)..  Are there any supplements, vitamins, lotions or potions that I can use to help get me through this??????    For the sake of my marraige, my family, my job and even my LIFE, I HAVE to STOP the HYDROS!!!!!  Please help me!!!

:) Big Hugs!

[donnadb]

Thanks lmgs...  Well, actually, i havent disposed of them yet!  I know I should have but was thinking what if i fail???   Theyve been right here beside me and I wasnt' tempted to take one until about 10 tonight but I DIDNT!!!!  I actually am in quite a bit of pain from the reason that i started taking them in the first place but what i have come to realize is that they don't actually help with the pain anyway....  they just provided me lots of energy and i liked that so i kept taking them!  

[lmgs]

You can do this!!!! LIke others have said, be sure to keep up your fluids(water and gatorade are best) then just small things like crackers. Please be sure that there is no stash of Hydro's in the house. I am sure you have disposed of them but just a though. I know my biggest thing was not being able to sleep. It comes with time. The clonidine is a good suggestion as well. Hot showers and baths help also. You are doing this...I know you can !!! You will be so much better for those children on Tuesday.... it is going to get easier just hang in there. I will say an extra prayer for you as well.

[donnadb]

Yaye Me!!!  It's been 48 hours!!!!  Im doing it!  Sweating buckets of cold sweats, heart palpatations and horrible muscle spasms but I'm still here!!!  Thanks all of you for such great support!  I actually feel like I can do it this time!  I"ve got to say though that the mental pull to just take one and feel better is SOO STRONG!  My daily dosage, although not quite as high as some on the boards, was about 4-6 10mgs daily but I have been taking hydro now for about 6 years and I think that its just as hard as someone that takes a higher daily dosage but hasnt been on it for as long as some of us have.  Not that Im making light of ANY DAILY dosage of hydro because I think that addiction  can occur at even much smaller doses and even with short term use!  

[hobbity]

If you have gotton thru 24 hours don't STOP.  The worst is the first 3 days. I finally slept well last night after going ct on tuesday. Drink powerade, gatorade, eat bananas, soups, popsicles, icecream things that are easy to get down.  Take ibuprofen and tylenol for the body aches and  if you can handle benadryl take that for sleep.

It's a body battle the first days  and then it's a mind battle staying away.  For me there is no choice in this.  I am at the end of the choices my career is truly gone this is my last chance.  That does put a spin on helping  to be backed in a corner.

These boards have helped me as my drug counselor hasn't been very helpful.  I thank the heavens for the boards. Just reading what other people are doing.

YOU can do this.

[Mty Girl]

I know exactly what you're going through.  I was on 8-10 10/325 Norcos for over 2 years and went CT while working and taking care of my two children.  I won't lie it was hard as all HELL!!!  BUT...the work kept my mind off the cravings somewhat.  I took each day one hour at a time.  I got hardly any sleep, but knew it was now or never.  I also did this while in chronic pain..it's hard, but it's been over a year now and it was well worth it.  Trust me you can do it..it will be one of the hardest things you've ever done.  I wasn't able to take time off, but went c/t on a friday so at least I had the weekend.

I'm not saying it was easy at all...just that you can do it.  stay strong, this place helped me more than I thought it could!!

You can do it!!!  I'm praying for you!!

[Girl_Interupted618vygyx]

its very difficult to work in W/D. On a first day I could never do it. there have been many days though that in the morning I thought there is no way i will make it through, and the day is long and hard ,but I do make it through. IF you have to go C/T I think if you take your last dose on Friday in the am. then you will have the whole weekend, and monday will still be hard but it is doable.

[sparkie825]

I did it.  Didn't miss a day of work.  Make you last Hydro day a Thursday or a Friday. Start the w/d through process over the weekend.  I was taking up to 8 5/500 hydros per day for 2 years.  I quit on 9/4 so I could start the w/d's over the weekend.  First week was rough, but manageable for me with the help of advil, tylenol, and imodium.  I also stocked up on daily vitamins, fish oils, antioxidants, gatorade (electrolytes), and LOTS of water.  Week two the w/ds were mostly gone.  Hope this gives you some hope.  What was your dosage?

[PromisedLand]

have you tried clonidine to help your withdrawls?  helps a great deal but can make you very tired and sluggish which doesn't go over well at work..I'm fortunate in that I only spend 2 days in the office, the rest working at home..I managed to work and forced myself to stay awake at work..at home it was different..I'd fall asleep at my laptop, on conference calls, etc..fortunately didn't get nailed.

But see if your doctor or ER will give you clonipine...I had my last vic on a saturday and was at work  (in the office) MOnday.


Jim

[worried878]

and tomorrow is another day..a better day!

[enemy48]

The bills will pay for themselves when you no longer have to keep a supply!

Best Wishes.

[donnadb]

Thanks everyone for your support!  Its now 6:40 and I havent had a hydro in 24 hours!!!  Feel like I've been hit by a bus but so far, ive been able to tolerate it!  Thanks GOD for the heating pad!!  Hopefully, I will feel well enough to go back to work on monday as I have no other option but I am really hopeful that I will succeed THIS TIME!  Thanks again for your support and thanks beachcomber for your blessing... You are correct... It would be very difficult for anyone to make it through this without their faith in GOD!!!

[beachcomber4you]

Hi! Its always easy for the person that is not going through what your now trying to do. I was on dilaudid for 9 months. And the only safe way to detox is in the hospital. It took me 5 days to get through it. I dont know how old you are, but you could run into to some serious problems that could effect your health. Be safe and good luck. I found the only way I have been able to get through the rest of this post acute withdrawal is to pray to GOD OUR FATHER and ask for his healing power in JESUS NAME A-MEN!!!
MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN JESUS NAME A-MEN!!!

[thebonedog]

Ive been the w/d before and I have found that the first 4 can  be hell. Take at least 3 off work because it will affect the kids in a negative way based on your physical discomfort. I'm a teacher of highschool students and the only way i could make it work was with the help of days off. I thought the restless legs were the worst. I would be completely exhausted but my legs would not want to let me sleep. Insomnia *****

[HelpinUtah]

I had to take two days off work in the beginning, but after that my boss told me if I missed another day I would potentially be fired.  I think she was a smart woman because working kept my mind busy.  I think you can do it, but it won't be easy!  Or, do you think you could ask for a couple vacation days for a personal issue?  

I hope it works out for you!!!  Good luck!!!

[donnadb]

well, i did take off today so that gives me 3 days before I have to go back...  still dont know if i can do it because i keep making excuses like "i will feel bad and the kids at work will suffer" or "if I just wait until christmas, i will have plenty of time"....but im going to give it a shot this weekend...  Some on the boards say that days 1-3 are worst and others say days 4-10 for them so we will see how it goes for me.  By the way, I am also in legitimate pain daily so that is going to be difficult to deal with too.. I took my last one at about 6 last night and I sweated and twitched my way through the night...  

[worried878]

sue a long weekend if u can...i dont know ur dose..i was at 80-100 mg a day and took 4 days off..i made it..it was not bad for me/not like i expected...i did need a few days off tho..it is important and u gotta take the time to do it...keep trying

[bchkissed]

I am on day 2 of my w/d.  I had to take off of work.  Like you i miss alot of work because of alot of different reasons but i came to the conclusion that i have to do this, if i don't i will eventually loose my job or my life anyway. For one year i made the excuse not to stop because of work.  Anyway the w/d are hell.  I can not work right now.  I have a very  physical job but am planning on going back on Monday.  Don't know how I will pay the bills missing these days, but like i said i have to quit making excuses and get through it.  I know i will be better off in the long run.  If i keep using i will lose everything anyway.  I went to my dr and he gave me something to help and sleep.  Be Honest you can do it.