Day 6 Cold Turkey Off Vicodin

[anonymous421]

I have been using this forum for support as I approached my detachment from the evils of Vicodin. Last Sunday I started my cold-turkey detox.

Just a little background: For the past 3 years I was using 3-4 Vicodins (7.5/750) per day (up to 30 mg) to manage pain associated with occipital neuralgia. I was prescribed Vic for the constant pain (along with anti-convulsant meds such as Tegretol), and it did alleviate it somewhat -- but it controlled my life for the last year or so... I just felt like my whole day revolved around the doses, down to the hour.

This past Saturday I just got sick of the ups/downs of Vicodin. For 3 years, the Vicodin buzz just masked the reality of my life; I had given up, content with my life on painkillers.

Going forward I will be focusing on improving my quality of life (while living with this condition) via he aforementioned anti-convulsants (Tegretol, etc). I also plan to start a total lifestyle change with exercise and diet. As opposed to wasting away with the no-worry buzz of Vicodin.

I didn't do the Thomas recipe but did incorporate some stuff like hot baths, electrolytes, and a good diet – lots of whole foods like fruit, veggies, nuts, chicken, and cheese.

The first couple of days were the most difficult, but not too bad. I had the typical symptoms like body aches, sneezing (which is weird), tired, depression, absolutely no energy, etc.  Sleep was not a huge problem as I do take tegretol which is supposed to help with rls. Day 3 and Day 4 were much better than the first two days. A little bit more energy but still very groggy and hard to get motivated. I just didn't do much of anything but veg out. Withdrawal symptoms were limited to slight body aches and just a bit unsteady (just out of it).

Finally on Day 5 I felt just about back to normal. The sun in the morning was beautiful for the first time in a long time! The light was becoming clearer at the end of the dark tunnel I was living in...  And today (Day 6) is even better. I am just so pumped for living again. Instead of worrying about which hour I was going to take my next dose of Vicodin, I went for a walk, hit some golf balls... and just enjoyed the day. It was awesome.

I want to thank this board very much. So many people were an inspiration.

Also, I am here to help others. Keep strong; you can do it!

[ihatevicodin]

Congrats! I am on day two. My dose is even smaller than yours, 5/325, but its amazing how it seems to affect us all the same no matter what. We all connected our routines to when we took our next dose so we could recede back into the 'no-worry buzz.' I took the pills for my shoulder pain but my bodily has a high tolerance and it never did all that much for my shoulder pain. I realize now I used it for my anxiety and because it numbed everything. But like you I just thought how sick I was of the fatigue. It really strips everything away, doesn't it? I liked the buzz, but I was giving up so much to have it. With low energy I never wanted to exercise or play games or much of anything really.

I don't feel well, of course, but I think I've been getting off lite compared to some of the symptoms others have had. I don't have restless leg or insomnia. Yesterday I felt itchy and anxious and today I've been lethargic. I'm glad to hear that I might be feeling a little better tomorrow because I have a report due for this consulting gig I landed! I was supposed to work on it all weekend but I've just felt like poo.

Here is to better days, yeah?

-J

[dawnypants]

you are my inspiration!

[anonymous421]

Hi Jimmy
Thanks for reply... Yes I am fine with anxiety. Never had this as an issue. Vicodin definitely screws with your brain's chemicals. And it is a known symptom of withdrawals. Obviously you are strong enough to quit, so you will get thorough this too.

FWIW: Today I have a bad headache. (just pounding)... Not sure if it's part of withdrawal or just your everyday headache (I've had plenty of headaches over the years long before vicodin).

Anyhow. Stay strong.

[Jimmy1975]

Yes I did have anxiety issues but not like when I was coming off that drug .. I believe I always had anxiety but I think taking opiates made it worse in the long run . I know when I stay clean it really is not that bad . So you are doing fine with the anxiety monster ? Lucky you and I hope that you don't have to too . Jimmy

[anonymous421]

Thanks Jimmy. I hope I don't go through what you did. That sounded tough. You seemed to have lots of anxiety issues. Question: Did you ever have any anxiety disorders prior to your detox?

[anonymous421]

sara - thanks for the kind words. yes i have thought long and hard about the mental part. that's where my whole lifestyle change comes in. if you don't change your routines and lifestyle, you'll fall back into that black hole. i pray every day and have strong faith. thanks again.

[Jimmy1975]

Oh my friend I just wanted to add that I hope you don't suffer threw any of the physiological effects like I did after about two weeks but if you do know this that it will fade away and you will be back to your old self and feeling great in no time  ! peace Jimmy

[Jimmy1975]

My God our stories are almost identical !!!!  Same dose . We are what a lot of my fellow MedHelpers consider lite users ! I invite you to read some of my old post and you will see my journey from my first attempt at stopping in 2007 until now .. physical withdrawals were nothing for me also like you . It was the physiological effects that anyone who knows me was Hell for a time ..

[dominosarah]

Congrats on getting clean!!  You are taking good care of your body so now is the time to work on the mental part of this addiction.  This part is the hardest.  Our mind can play some real bad games with us.  Have you thought about recovery care?       sara