Having a really hard time

[tray_c]

Hi everyone.
I am suffering, from withdrawl of Norco and Percocet 10/325's after using 10-15 a day for the last two years or more. The habbit got really bad over the last year. I was taking them for pain sporatically, but then after a car accident I developed the habbit. I took them to avoid anxiety, ease stress and pain. I have tried to stop once before with no luck. This time I feel so fed up with myself I have to stop. I am a professional working mom with such a dark secret. It is eating me up inside. I got paranoid posting on the site, because who knows who will see it (which is rediculous to think.) I thought about NA for support but I live in such a small town, I am afraid for anyone to know me. I have worked hard in the community, volunteering, etc, I can't bear the shame of people knowing. I am on vacation for a week, so I thought now is the right time to suffer the WD because I am at home. My husband is supportive, but doesn't really understand. He has never taken anything in his life. The WD's are killing me. I have terrible anxiety, my bones ache, I feel like I have been hit by a truck, diarrhea, stomach is queasy. I slept a total of two hours last night. My hands feel like they have arthritis. This is the worst "sickness" thing I have gone through. How long will these symptoms last? I feel like  the WD's have reinforced the FACT that I do indeed have a problem. Something I have been kidding myself about over the last year. After all, who would expect me to be a pill junkie? Its so shameful. I want the withdrawl symptoms to go away, when can I expect to feel better? I do have an RX for Ativan which I had to take the first day off the pills. I don't want to take it if I can get through without, but I am not afraid too. Thanks for listening.
Who knew this would be so hard. I am terrified to have an issue in the future where I need to take pain pills. The re-addiction rate would be high wouldn't it?
Thanks again,
Tray_c

[tray_c]

Thank you all so much. I did read the info about PAWS which is actually pretty scary. I have felt so spacey over the last year, I actually felt anxious reading that symptoms can flare so far after the last use. I did talk to my husband about PAWS, he said he was aware because his boss, who he is good friends with is a recovering alcoholic (Sober for eight months or so.) He is going through "dry drunk" symptoms the article mentions. I have to be thankful for my husband. When I was feeling horrible yesterday afternoon and today, he drug me outside to work in the yard. I didnt want to, but did feel at ease by taking my mind off it for a while. I checked into NA meetings here and decided to go. I completely respect what all of you had to say about getting honest and getting rid of the feeling of shame or it will impede my recovery. Thank you for the support. It feels good to not be doing this "on my own" so to speak. I have gone back and forth about calling my brother. He is in NA and AA and has been sober for probably close to ten years. Telling family gets tricky for me, but it would probably be helpful.
Thanks again.
Tracy

[Florida_Guy737]

I have to agree with the other posters; shaming yourself just makes the entire wd experience worse...if that really could get any worse.  You had an issue and like many of us, followed physician directions until we realized we wanted more meds and for other reasons.  OK...so now you know; what's next?  Decision to stop...how...cold turkey or taper?  What about PAWS; real and can be devastating to sobriety.  How can I get my mind/body back like it was before?  Various methods worked for different people.

Start with a plan and add to that plan as you go along.  Ask for help along the way; many of us here, have been exactly where you are and we know where you're going.

Take Care

Guy

[jsmedley]

I'm really afraid of what to expect. Is there anything OTC that can help?

[SophieShine]

Hey there and welcome to the forum!
Please don't be ashamed, the line between pain management and addiction is so very thin and many of us get addicted that way.
A lot has been said above, I would just add, exercise. Even if it's a little walk it helps a lot to produce endorphins. A lot of hot baths and hot showers help too.
Please keep on posting. Best of luck to you. xoxoxo. sophie.

[corey411]

Hi Hon, Welcome to the forum. I have had to detox many times and day 4 is usually the turning point for me. As stated above, everyone is different. You will feel good for a few days and then the mental/emotional stuff starts. We call it an emotional roller coaster and you will see why. The good part is that it gets better. It is good that you have days off work and a supportive husband. If he is having trouble understanding, he is welcome to post here too. At the bottom right where  eagle told you about amino acid proticol please read PAWS and have your husband read as well. It will help you understand what to expect. Post alot and let us know how you are. Feel free to send me a PM if you need xtra support. Think POSITIVE, Corey

[IBKleen]

Hi & Welcome,

You need to let go of that shame. It will drag you down and keep you down.

You also need to do some research on the disease of addiction. There is no such thing as "re-addiction". You have a disease for which there is no cure. It can remain in remission for all of your days but there will never be a day when you are not an addict. You need to be aware of this so as not to get addicted to something else.

The withdrawal for most usually lasts a week. That is the physical part. You can look through the health pages at the top right of this page for supplements and otc medications that can ease the withdrawal. Make certain that you push fluids and get food in. Even if it is just crackers or soup or toast, at least it is something.

Sadly, I don't know what to tell you about how you are going to handle the mental part of this disease which will kick in within days. If you are not willing to participate in any form of aftercare because of the shame, then you are setting yourself up. It is going to be a long, hard struggle and that concerns me.

Keep posting and listening to the good folks here. Like I said, a few more days and the physical will be behind you. At least you have time off from work to do this.

Good luck.

[mom_of_two136]

First, you are not alone. The worst of the physical symptoms usually will be over with in 4 ~ 7 days. In the past, it took for me to get back to 90% in about a month, but everyone is different. I found that exercise really helped once I could start moving around after a few days. Make sure you stay hydrated since you will lose fluids. You can do this!! Best Wishes.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

First of all....Welcome to this forum!  You will find a lot of people with a great deal of personal experience that are here to help you out.  You should probably look up the Thomas Recipe and the Amino Acid Protocols in the Health Discussions area or put that in the search engine and read the results. Knowledge is power with this one. You might want to think about benadryl (diphenhydramine) or melatonin for sleep - sleep is a common issue for awhile. The ativan will most likely be an asset.....use them as needed. Lots of questions will be answered with your involvement here - - - - -  and you will learn a great deal..