Day One

[rider_of_the_storm]

Hey guys. Day one of withdrawal from Hydrocodone. I have been taking it off and on for 5 years. The last 2 years I have had a monthly precription of 180 per month.(5/500) Started off taking them as prescribed, but over the 8-10 months i have been running out in 14-18 days. I have a friend who has the same precription and we have hooked each other up over this period. Yesterday we both ran out, and I am feeling it today. I have went a day before without them and I felt the effects, but I knew I was going to to get some the next day, and it didn't bother me as bad. My next prescription is not for 2 weeks. I really want to stop. If I can go that long without them, then I know I don't need them. I have had frequent trips to the restroom if you what I mean, sweats, lack of energy, flu symptoms/runny nose, and I have been very hungry. I don't really have a question, but I just need someone to talk to. I am in the military, and was wounded in Iraq. (twice) It really bothers me that I am not mentally stronger to deal with this in a better way. I can't go to our chain of command because I know what will probably happen, and I can't let my wife find out. She worries enough about things as it is. If anyone else has a similar experience please post or message me. Thanks for listening, and good luck to anyone else trying to quit.  

[atthebeach]

hey storm,
i have been away for a few days. you havent posted i hope and pray all is well with you.
please give us an update. praying.
hugs
debbie

[eagle101]

Welcome home brother - - and thank you for your service and sacrifices. I am  a Vietnam era vet myself - and I managed to dodge the bullets at least. It sometimes gets to my head some....but I am dealing with it. I did get bit by some spider and almost lost my left leg over that one....

Its incredible how so many of us think that we are quite unique - but in reality we all have similar situations. Some say that day 2-3 are the worst. Some say days 3-4. We are all a subtley bit different biologically. But you get the picture. You will be done with the physical part shortly. But then after winning a battle, you find that the war is still going on. Not time for an after action report quite yet!!  I would suggest looking at the amino acid protocols listed in the Health Pages - access at lower right hand side of screen under Health Pages. Alot that you can do with supplements and nutrition to help you out. And support is critical. Even this site is a very good source of support.You might want  to check out an NA meeting or something like that They are even available online. Communication is the key here. Bring other people into your situation and it will spread out the load. And the support will be there for you. And you will feel better about yourself when you assume a proactive role in the picture. You may well be responsible for helping a fellow troop beat this thing also.

[erric111]

day 3 is the beginning of the end..im so happy for you..i remember day 3 and saying to myself i can do this and i did..i know you will pull thru this with flying colors..just remeber what the pain you felt like on day 1 and 2..put it in your memory bank for the times you have a itch for a pill..and dont forget a support system..i went to another na meeting last night..it really does help!!goodluck

[rider_of_the_storm]

Day 3. I am surviving. Yesterday was rough, but today seems a little better. Cravings are not as bad. Thank you for your prayers.

[atthebeach]

how are you feeling my friend? keeping the faith, fighting the good fight?
hugs and prayers
debbie

[rider_of_the_storm]

Thank you for your encoragement. To answer your questions. I was deployed to Iraq during the invasion in 2003. I was wounded the first by multiple RPG's hitting our fire team. Luckily, we only lost 2 people, but the rest of us got hurt. They were able to save my leg, but I still have some shrapnell in it. That is when they gave me pain killers for the first time. I used them for 2 or 3 months, and then I was done. I honestly had very little side effects because I was being regulated during my extended stay in the hospital. I recovered, and just dealt with the pain. I was deployed again in 2006 to Iraq and my vehicle was hit with an IED. Had some bad burns, and shrapnell, and back and neck problems. After another extended stay in the hospital, my PCM gave me what seems like and endless prescription of Hydrocodone.  I deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, but still had the prescription mailed to me while I was there. Did not get hurt on that deployment. I don't even think I was taking them for pain anymore. I think I was taking them because I was afraid not to. Believe it or not, the last 2 days without them my body has ached, but not in the places where I hurt before. Immodium is working and I am pounding fluids. Thanks again for your support and the support for all who have posted.

[Jo_4451]

I also want to start off by saying thank you for your service!
I didn't have a lot of time to read everything but I did read your question about if it gets easier- yes I promise you it does!!
I was on 10-25 ( loratab 10) a day for almost 6 years. Everyday. Well 7 days ago today I decided I was done. Not saying it has been easy but day 6 I felt a lot better, today I have energy and a smile on my face. It does get better I am proof. This place has helped me in a lot of weak moments and I know it will continue to do so, plz stay strong and trust that better days are ahead and not to far away!!!
Best of luck! You can do this, hang in there!! 

[erric111]

day 3 youll start to feel btr..i promise..its all down hill from there..1 day at a time

[erric111]

you definitly need to wanna stay clean..quitting cause a lack of supply, isnt a very good reason to quit but the important thing is that you are quitting..planning for your detox is a good idea..if possible..having a support team is equally important..just dont throw away any days you have clean by using again..its not worth it, you can do this..just keep in mind a miserable week compaired to a happy rest of your life, isnt even a question which you'd rather have..good luck and god bless..

[atthebeach]

hi and welcome to mh.
first and foremost let me thank you for your service to our country. you are a brave and courageous man. i thank the LORD that you are home safe.
did you start to take them after you were wounded?
did you get immodium for the bathroom issues? it has been about 24 hrs. since your last pill. the symptoms usually top out about the 3rd day. keep drinking fluids, as long as you are hungry, eat healthy foods. exercise is also important, even if you take a walk. if you are working that is great that will keep you moving and your mind busy.
please get yourself to the doctors when you are through with your detox, you were taking about 6000mg a day of tylenol ,it is recommended to take up to 4000mg. so just have some bloodwork done.
also please check into some counseling.

keep fighting the good fight, you can win this battle over addiction. you are on the road to recovery.
GOD bless you,
sending prayers your way
debbie

[rider_of_the_storm]

I went home last night. Drank lots of water, gatorade, and ate like I haven't eaten in days. I don't know why I am so hungry. I took a hot bath, and finished up with orange juice to get some vitamin C. I slept ok. Day 2. I woke up about 3:45am and have been up since. I felt a lot better than I thought I would. However, it is almost 10am and the effects are hitting hard right now. I am at work, and I am hanging in there. Does anyone know if it gets worse over the next couple of days, or better? Thanks for all the support on  here, and I will keep you posted. I will win.

[Ashkam12]

Hey storm!! By the time u read this u propbably arent feeling that well but ur on the right path. You said u wont get another sqript in 2 weeks? You should really take this time to free yourself from a pill bottle!! Its a very hard path and yoi have to b strong willed but if you served in irac I kno this wont beat you!! Maybey you should think about letting your wife kno because the more help you have the stronger you can become and when your at your darkest day maybe she can try and help you. Were all here for you though and we all belive in you storm!! Hang in there!!!

[Slim_Shady]

You can do it Storm.

[rider_of_the_storm]

Thank you. I just needed to hear someone else say what I already knew. I am feeling mentally weak right now, and you have gave me strength. I appreciate your advice and you are correct. I will keep you posted.

[Slim_Shady]

Storm, some people quit to take a stand, some quit do to lack of supply. From personal experience, if u quit do to lack of supply, especially with an enabler friend who doesn't quit, as soon as your supply comes back then u go back. What I'm getting at here is, YOU HAVE TO COMMIT TO QUITTING ON YOUR OWN. And i don't know how close this friend is, but if its at all possible to distance yourself from this person during your recovery, it may be the best thing. The 1st week is hard enough to as it is, trying to fight temptation, but fighting yours and his will be even harder, especially if he's not trying to quit and he's popping pills in front of you. Ask yourself this, would u be on this board if u still had pills? You fought bravely for our country, and i have no doubt in the world that u can fight and win this battle as well, but the fight begins when u mentally quit. Not when your supply runs out. I salute u for what you have sacrificed for me and my freedom, and i salute u for the journey that u are about to begin. Be strong.