Detox from hydrocodone at home?

[Lolo4ever]

Need any info on getting off pain pills at home - tired of crying looking for a pill because too early to fill script, I can't stand feeling sick when I run out! Any suggestions???? HELP

[NeverAgain127]

Hi honey:

You've got a bunch of things going on.  You're on opiates, a benzo, and a stimulant drug...I assume this is for ADHS?  

My best advice to you, since I'm not a doctor, is that you MUST tell your physician what is going on.   Be sincere and honest and ask for help.  Do NOT trying to go off the benzo's by yourself (the Xanax)...the withdrawals from these types of drugs can be dangerous, even life-threatening if not done under medical supervision.

I know well when you talk about life stress.  I have it too.  So much it feels like its going to crush me at times.    But this kind of life is NOT the way we should be living....you know that at heart or you would not have posted here.

You can't do this alone.  Let me say it again:  you cannot do this alone.  It is non-negotiable that you join a group like Narcotics Anonymous...have you ever been to a 12 step meeting?  They are scary at first, but if you keep going to them, and listening to people, eventually the right group will find you.  

You don't need the opiates, since your arm injury is past.  Tell your doctor you want off them....they aren't going to be surprised that you're dependent on them....everyone gets to be...EVERYONE.   If your doctor suggests methadone, I would run screaming from the building.   (just an expression).  

Do you work?  Do you have medical insurance?  I'm concerned when you say you feel like dying...do you mean you just feel very, very sick?  Or do you feel like hurting yourself?  If its the second one, I would strongly suggest you see if going into some sort of rehab facility for a minimum of 21 days is feasible.   If it isn't, then can you take a week out of work?  Maybe 2 days before and after a weekend, for a total of six days?  

You've got to want this...BAD.   Do you?  Are you willing to fight for your own life?   I'm so, so, sorry about your mom...Alzheimers  is a devastating disease to everyone who loves that person and has to watch them lose their mind.   Take comfort in knowing that your mom is probably suffering the least...that is the only positive I've ever seen in this disease...that the person with it usually doesn't know what is happening to them.  (I have a dear friend who is the director of an assisting living facility for Alz. victims and this is what she tells me.)

Let me know what you decide to do...but I can't stress enough that I think you should talk to your doctor...you've got multiple meds going on and trying to do this on your own is not a good idea, imo.

Hope to hear from you again honey.  

Hugs,
-Robin

[Lolo4ever]

I've also used morphine and oxycotin when I could find it.... It was the only way I could function .... I had to function, I had too much to do.

Thanks for your kind words

[Lolo4ever]

Hey there,
I have been taking (this time) 10s for the past 2 years. Script for 120 / month. I had hurt my arm and got hooked again. I also take Xanax and Xanax ER, I got hooked again cause they helped my depression - mom has Alzheimer's and I'm trying to cope! I try to stop, but when I get sick all I think about is dying.... I feel like weight of world is on me and I can't deal! I have quit before but life was different then! I'm also on Focalin -
I turn 52 shortly- not sure I'll make it....

Any advice would help....

[NeverAgain127]

Hi honey, and welcome.    This is the right place to be for emotional support...we have all been exactly where you are right now, me included.

Do you mind if I ask you:  How old are you, how much hydrocodone have you been taking and for how many weeks/months/years?   No judgments; the answers to these questions will greatly enable folks on here to tell you what to expect.

Here is my story, in capsule form:  Took oxycodone (stronger than the hydrocodone you are taking, but an opiate nonetheless) for 8 years...about 40 mgs a day.   It was prescribed by my doctor for back and chest pain.

Like you, I was so tired of the routine..getting my doctor to write a new script every month (that is now the case with hydrocodone; it is now a Schedule II narcotic), running out, being shorted, pharmacy didn't stock enough, all the usual suspects.  

Also, I was constipated, confused, had memory lapses, and well, life on opiates long term is just nasty.  

I told my doctor I wanted OFF the pills, and weaned myself fairly quickly down to 10 mgs a day.  During the taper, I had pretty awful leg cramps, bone aches, and my eyes were always tearing up.  

I detoxed at home.   The first 4 days were quite unpleasant, but my husband and daughter knew what I was going through and just let me be.  I had a lot of diarrhea, stomach cramps, headaches, sweats, shaking, and I couldn't sleep.

Everything I read said the withdrawals peak at 3 days and then you feel better.  Maybe if you're young this happens, but I'm 52, and didn't turn a corner for about 2 weeks.

BUT.

It IS tolerable...it is much like having a bad case of tummy flu for a few weeks.  You baby yourself; eat only small amounts of food, drink a ton of liquids, and REST (lots of hot baths too).   It is not the horror show I thought it would be; I was just miserable for a while.

I know you say you can't stand being sick, but unfortunately, if you want to get off these darned opiates, you're going to have to resign yourself to the fact that you WILL feel crappy...but only for a while.  

It's temporary, and you feel better in a pretty short amount of time compared to how powerful these drugs are.  

Let us know what you decide to do...this is a great community of people and you will find tons of support here.

Hugs,
-Robin

[Sonrissa]

Hi Lolo,  Welcome to the forum.  This is a great place for advice and support. For most people, it is possible to detox and get off pain pills at home.  If you could, please give us a little more information so that we can give the the best advice.  What kind of pain pills have you been taking? How much per day? How long have you been taking them? Please feel free to share your story.  Most of us here have been through this process. You might want to take some time and read some of the posts. You will find the answers to most any question, and will read lots off success stories. Give us some more information and background, and we will be happy to help in any way we can.

Take care!