Day 12...and life goes on

[taperme]

So, here I am on day 12 without pain pills. And guess what? For the most part, I am feeling so much better. I've found that keeping busy has helped me tremendously. I have been running around like crazy since Tuesday because I've had no choice and it has helped. Today is the first day I've been able to lay low. I saw my Rhuemotologist yesterday and he was very supportive of my choice to stop taking the Norco. He had a lot of kind words for me and gave me some suggestions. I told him I wasn't taking the clonodine or xanax because I didn't like how I felt on them and he suggested taking a half a pill of either or both for just the next week or two...or not if I didn't want to. He said after talking to me that he felt I was going to be fine. I asked him if he thought I needed to go to therapy or meetings or anything like that and he said no. In his opinion I never abused my meds and I am just dealing with a physical dependence, not a true addiction. I will keep pondering that question as I go on and if I feel like I am going to slip at all will revisit it. I see him again in six weeks so that will keep me honest.  I'm sleeping a bit more (not great, but I've never been a great sleeper), headaches aren't as bad, anxiety is lessening. All in all I am in such a different place than I was on Monday when I had my little pity party. Would you believe there have been times this week that I have found myself in the car, bopping to the music? So, to those of you just starting on this journey...it does get better. And easier. You've just got to hang in there and know you are making the right choice for yourself and for a better life. When you are in that first week of of whatever it is you are taking...take it day by day, or hour by hour, or minute by minute. And just know it gets better. If you are having a tough time, post here. The people on this board have been invaluable, and so supportive of me...there are no words to thank those of you who answered my questions from day one of my taper plan throughout this week. It is in no small part due to you guys that I am feeling as strong as I am today. So again, THANK YOU.

[PoochieRachetToe]

I am seeing more and more people on this site succeed. I'm sure your posts are helping tremendously. I think you're a pretty strong individual yourself. Another testament to the strength of willpower!  It seems to me the further I get away from day one, the clearer my head gets. I feel pretty confident that this will not be a heavy load to carry in the future. I've actually slept pretty good the past 2 days! Its taken some help to sleep but, in the early days of withdrawal...........nothing helped. Once I started to sleep, everything was easier to deal with.

[jstntime]

Great Job!!!!!

You are doing amazing and I am so happy you are still doing this!!!!!  Congrats and keep it up, very proud of you!!!!

bob

[bmdad]

Congrats on 12 days!!! Like I said before, I knew you had it in your!!
I'm so happy for you!

[Brbegrl68]

I see a neurologist for my multiple sclerosis. He prescribes all my meds except the synthroid. It is funny because my pain so far hasnt been really bad. I know I will have one of those days in the future. I told the doctor about my long plane ride coming up and he really didnt have any comments. I do not walk much any more because my balance is so bad. I use a scooter in the house and when I go out. It is really difficult for me to get up and walk when flying. I am just going to be so upset if I get there and am hurting so bad I stay in bed the whole time. Going to do some work on the internet as far as non-addictive pain meds. Thats all I thought the Lortab was supposed to be but we know that doesnt work that way.

[taperme]

Thanks both of you! I continue to post because so many have been so helpful to me, I'd like to try to do the same. And also show it can be done and isn't too terrible. So I update every few days. I'm hoping to be able to be as helpful as so many were to me.

[taperme]

That is just wrong. 4 days to call you back? I was pissed when it took my doctor 4 hours!
Did you ask hi about anything to help with the withdrawals?  I don't know what baclofen is, but the others I am familiar with. I've taken xanex on and off for anxiety issues and have never craved it. My doc suggested I take a half dose 3 x a day for a bit and I tried it one time today and forgot the rest...not a problem here either. What kind of doctor do you see?

[OIFMc09]

What a refreshing post!  Thank you.

[cmb_yea_13]

Im glad your plan has worked for you

[Brbegrl68]

I need a new doctor. I just got done talking to him after waiting for a week. I called his office on my day 4 meltdown and finally he called me today. I confronted him saying I was truly unaware I was "addicted" to the Lortab. I was angry that by taking it I would need to keep taking it to avoid being sick. He then says well if you quit taking any of the meds you are on this will happen. So not true. I take 4 Baclofen a day for my leg stiffness. Only thing that happens if I do not take is I stiffen up. I take Synthroid for my thyroid...not addictive. I am prescribed 2 very low dose Xanex daily but only take when needed. Never ever have had a Xanex craving. Also I take Ambian but only 1 a night. If I was to stop taking that I just wouldnt sleep, again I do not crave it. The doctor was very non chalant about it all. He said I could take up to 800mg of Motrin a day and to call if I have more pain issues. I really do not like doctors. They just put a bandaid on it, pat you on the head and send you away.

[taperme]

YOU are doing great! I think you are even doing better than I was at 8 days. That is terrific that you are already at the point that you are able to stay busy. I found that to be the most helpful thing for me...helped to get out of my head a little bit. So, Sunday will be your double digit day?

[mom037]

I am doing okay....still want pills but not obsessing about it.

My hands are no longer shaking so I was able to watercolor paint today.  Keeping busy really helps me as does this site.

Tomorrow is going to be a gardening day.  Lot's to do outside in the yard and keeping busy is really therapeutic for me.

Today is day 8 for me and I am looking forward to double digit days clean!!!

[taperme]

Thank you! How are YOU feeling?

[mom037]

Congrats on day 12!!!!!

[taperme]

10 days is awesome! Good for you! I have fibromyalgia, not RA, thank goodness. Not that fibro is a walk in the park. I am going to start taking prilosec otc, which should help with the tummy issues I had with motrin. and then I will try motrin for pain as needed. I just don't want to be on anything every day. I'm curious what your doctor suggests for your flight. Would it help for you to get up and walk a bit during the flight. So happy for you that you are doing so well. I think I told you that you just had a few days to go, right? :)

[Brbegrl68]

Way to go! I am on day 10 from stopping Lortab. I am not going to seek a meeting because I know my "addiction" was to the chemical not anything else. So very happy to hear how well you are doing. My body still is craving the chemical but I can keep busy and get through it. I just keep remembering day 4 and how I thought I was going to die. Never, ever again. You have RA, I have MS. What is your plan for pain management in the future? So far my pain has been controlled by Motrin but I am a little scared about my trip to Hawaii in 2 weeks. When I fly for 2 hours I am sore. Not looking forward to the flight. My doctor and I discussing this issue next week.

[monkeyonmyback33]

Way to go!