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Hydrocodone Addiction/Need Help...
I have been taking hydrocodone (Norco) now for the better part of ten years. I am in a situation right now where I have basically run out of medication and have no way of getting more other than going to the ER, which I am not going to do. Talked to a couple pharmacists but it just made me feel worse as they didn't have any suggestions or input, probably a bad idea to ask them anyway.
Like most addicts, I have been through WD quite a few times but this situation is kind of unique. In the past, I've always been able to take enough time (4 or 5 days) to lay low. I can't do that this time, I just found out that my dad is ill and will be needing some help starting Tuesday of this coming week. I just took my last dose about 2 hours before I got the call, no one else can help him. I've been taking roughly 55-75 mg a day for the past year, I do go to a pain clinic but not only did I run out early this time, I believe they are in the process of cutting me lose. Not 100 percent certain but reasonably sure. So I am trying to look at this as an opportunity to get clean, I believe I've lost years of my life to this drug, I'm 41 years old and really want to sober up.
So, I am thinking since I took my last dose earlier today, by Tuesday I will be feeling pretty bad. The only thing I have available are a few (less than 10) tylenol 3 that were presribed to me a few years ago. Any thoughts, input or advice on OTC products that may help would be appreciated. I'm also wondering, for those who have been clean a while, what worked for you and how has your life gotten better? Really feeling alone in all this.
Like most addicts, I have been through WD quite a few times but this situation is kind of unique. In the past, I've always been able to take enough time (4 or 5 days) to lay low. I can't do that this time, I just found out that my dad is ill and will be needing some help starting Tuesday of this coming week. I just took my last dose about 2 hours before I got the call, no one else can help him. I've been taking roughly 55-75 mg a day for the past year, I do go to a pain clinic but not only did I run out early this time, I believe they are in the process of cutting me lose. Not 100 percent certain but reasonably sure. So I am trying to look at this as an opportunity to get clean, I believe I've lost years of my life to this drug, I'm 41 years old and really want to sober up.
So, I am thinking since I took my last dose earlier today, by Tuesday I will be feeling pretty bad. The only thing I have available are a few (less than 10) tylenol 3 that were presribed to me a few years ago. Any thoughts, input or advice on OTC products that may help would be appreciated. I'm also wondering, for those who have been clean a while, what worked for you and how has your life gotten better? Really feeling alone in all this.
I don't know if what I have is an unusal situation or not. I had three back surgeries in 2010 and have been on Vicodin (Hydrocodone) since then. I still have pain, not severe, but I also want off the Hydro. I tried stopping a few times, but found myself taking pills anyway, either to control the pain or the addiction, not sure. I also used Percocet, but that stuff gives me weird dreams, so I had the doctor remove that from my meds list. I have been considering a detox center. What do you think? I feel that I need a pain management doctor that will allow me to use the pills only when I have the pain, then an alternative, if there is one, that I can use when I just need a "fix" for lack of a better word. Do detox centers work this way, or do they just remove you from Hydro altogether?
Well, I ended up taking care of my dad for 5 days, had 6 tylenol 3's, I did take all of them but I can't say they helped much, in fact, they probably made it worse. No matter, I am out of medication completely now, cancelled my apointment to my pain clinic, just told them I would be leaving the area for a while. Like I said, I didn't want to burn any bridges as you never know when you might actually need a pain clinic.
So this is day 7 for me without hydrocodone but only day 2 without opiates all together. I'm sure the codeine, although it was just a few pills, was enough to drag this thing out another 2 or 3 days, *****. I was afraid if I didn't take them I'd get really sick and would not be able to care for my dad. I certainly didn't get any feeling from it, just a little less nausea and flu-like symptoms.
I can eat and sleep reasonably well, it's mostly my head now, screaming for more pills. I can honestly say that I probably look better than I have in a year. I may feel like crap but those pills make you look like crap, at least they do me.
Going to contact my health insurance to see about an outpatient program, I don't see being able to do this alone, the urges alone are going to get me if I don't get help. Thanks for all the great advice.
So this is day 7 for me without hydrocodone but only day 2 without opiates all together. I'm sure the codeine, although it was just a few pills, was enough to drag this thing out another 2 or 3 days, *****. I was afraid if I didn't take them I'd get really sick and would not be able to care for my dad. I certainly didn't get any feeling from it, just a little less nausea and flu-like symptoms.
I can eat and sleep reasonably well, it's mostly my head now, screaming for more pills. I can honestly say that I probably look better than I have in a year. I may feel like crap but those pills make you look like crap, at least they do me.
Going to contact my health insurance to see about an outpatient program, I don't see being able to do this alone, the urges alone are going to get me if I don't get help. Thanks for all the great advice.
"What should I do?"
You should think about quitting....get your mind wrapped around that, make up your mind, and do it. Good luck to you.
You should think about quitting....get your mind wrapped around that, make up your mind, and do it. Good luck to you.
hello everyone ive been addicted to opiates for over a year and am really starting to notice the negative affect that this monster is having on my relationship,brain and self image ive always been a pretty happy person in general.Always suffered with anxiety and ive also been diagnosed as Bipolar i have a fiance and we both have been dependant on Lortabs,more then the regular dose of tramadol and anything else opiate based i dont want this anymore its ruining my life i just want to be a normal person and live a regular life ive lost interest in just a bout everything i dont even know who i am anymore and my spouse doesnt seem to be affected mentally as much as me, maybe so.(who knows) i think that it may be harder when two ppl have an addiction what should i do?
Wow, Mary said it all for me! Great answers.
The anxiety is a monster, and it will end. That and the loss of energy will be the last things to go, but they WILL GO.
day 38 and loving life here. The next couple of days will be the worst, and after that it gets better. after day 15 or so you will feel like you have your life back, and then from there each day your brain heals and you feel better and better, a full month and you will be so thankful you did this for yourself.
Stick to the path, and post when you can, we are all behind you!
hugs,
Lily
The anxiety is a monster, and it will end. That and the loss of energy will be the last things to go, but they WILL GO.
day 38 and loving life here. The next couple of days will be the worst, and after that it gets better. after day 15 or so you will feel like you have your life back, and then from there each day your brain heals and you feel better and better, a full month and you will be so thankful you did this for yourself.
Stick to the path, and post when you can, we are all behind you!
hugs,
Lily
Thanks, both of you. I'm on day 2 now, well over 48 hours since I've had anything and I'm feeling the heat. Although I must admit, I've been a lot sicker than this from WDs, I'm definitely going to stick with the CT, having a lot of issues with muscle spasms, tightness in my neck and lower back. To top it all off, I have to go and do a stress test (for my heart) today! I had totally forgotten that I agreed to do this. lol
Littlebit gave you such a good answer, I will just confine my comments to your question.....How has your life gotten better?
I quit for health reasons. I could no longer pretend that what I was doing wasn't hurting me....even to the point that it would eventually kill me. I had excellent health....although physically I had issues with my knees, but my bp, cholesterol, etc., had always been excellent. I come from a long line of healthy people who lived a long time and were able to stay active well into their old age. I couldn't lie to myself and tell myself that it was okay because the Norcos gave me energy. It was at the expense of my health. It was a false security. I didn't want to quit. I didn't particularly abuse my prescription....seldom taking more than one a day more than the four prescribed. But I had started out taking two. And pretty soon, if I didn't take another one, I felt nauseous and anxious. I had to have some with me all the time or I felt panicky.
I was afraid of withdrawal.....for me, it wasn't as bad as I feared...but it was probably because I wasn't taking the numbers that many other people were taking.
I decided to quit on the spur of the moment. I made a decision and that was it. I allowed myself to feel bad and feel bad, I did. I felt miserable and I felt like I was in a fog. Every joint in my body hurt. I had no idea how I would ever get along without them. I didn't sleep for two nights in a row...and it took about a week for my sleep patterns to get better. After a few days, I woke up and I felt okay but I had no ambition to do anything. My body felt as heavy as lead. I would try to work and I'd have to stop and start over in about fifteen minutes.
I was very depressed at my lack of energy. I was eating and taking vitamins but it took about a month for them to kick in. Finally I made a list of about a dozen jobs I needed to do around the house, and told myself I only had to work at each one about 15 minutes. That was about two weeks ago, and now I wake up every morning feeling terrific and anxious to get busy doing something. I am so glad I quit. The pills are poison.
There is no getting around that. And there are no free rides. The side effects and damage they do, not just to us physically, but to our lives and the people we love, cannot be denied. It's not okay to live on pills when your body was designed to live on food. We only have our health....nothing more really.
It is so nice to live and feel good and not have the addiction weighing me down.
Sorry this is so long. Wishing you the best of luck. You won't be sorry you quit them....it just may take a little while to get them out of your system and for you to reclaim your life.
I quit for health reasons. I could no longer pretend that what I was doing wasn't hurting me....even to the point that it would eventually kill me. I had excellent health....although physically I had issues with my knees, but my bp, cholesterol, etc., had always been excellent. I come from a long line of healthy people who lived a long time and were able to stay active well into their old age. I couldn't lie to myself and tell myself that it was okay because the Norcos gave me energy. It was at the expense of my health. It was a false security. I didn't want to quit. I didn't particularly abuse my prescription....seldom taking more than one a day more than the four prescribed. But I had started out taking two. And pretty soon, if I didn't take another one, I felt nauseous and anxious. I had to have some with me all the time or I felt panicky.
I was afraid of withdrawal.....for me, it wasn't as bad as I feared...but it was probably because I wasn't taking the numbers that many other people were taking.
I decided to quit on the spur of the moment. I made a decision and that was it. I allowed myself to feel bad and feel bad, I did. I felt miserable and I felt like I was in a fog. Every joint in my body hurt. I had no idea how I would ever get along without them. I didn't sleep for two nights in a row...and it took about a week for my sleep patterns to get better. After a few days, I woke up and I felt okay but I had no ambition to do anything. My body felt as heavy as lead. I would try to work and I'd have to stop and start over in about fifteen minutes.
I was very depressed at my lack of energy. I was eating and taking vitamins but it took about a month for them to kick in. Finally I made a list of about a dozen jobs I needed to do around the house, and told myself I only had to work at each one about 15 minutes. That was about two weeks ago, and now I wake up every morning feeling terrific and anxious to get busy doing something. I am so glad I quit. The pills are poison.
There is no getting around that. And there are no free rides. The side effects and damage they do, not just to us physically, but to our lives and the people we love, cannot be denied. It's not okay to live on pills when your body was designed to live on food. We only have our health....nothing more really.
It is so nice to live and feel good and not have the addiction weighing me down.
Sorry this is so long. Wishing you the best of luck. You won't be sorry you quit them....it just may take a little while to get them out of your system and for you to reclaim your life.
You have to really want to stop to stop! I hope some of this helps. I have been where you were...when inbetween scripts. If you really want to...GREAT! If you aren't sure...keep coming here until you do. We will help. Maybe this will help!
I kept telling myself...YOU HAVE the FLU! It will be over and I will feel so much better. My brain seemed to get that and settled down a little. It is hard, but doable! The Thomas Recipe (bottom of the page) under Health Pages will help. I had to cut back on the Ltryosine, but the rest really helped. Imodium, Imodium, Imodium (liquid or pills if the liquid can't be found or you can't swallow it) will help. I took double the dosage for a few days (personal choice) and it helped so much..even with the withdrawals in general and the opiate trots which sucked.
Hydrate and eat! ((gatorade is good) Even if it is just a little every hour or so.(boost or ensure might work for both food and drink) You have to eat something to keep your energy up as much as possible.
If you have Restless legs..it is hit or miss what works. Walking seemed to help me some. Hot bath with epsom salts..a little. I finally had to get my doctor to refill my restless legs meds (non addictive) to get some sleep. If nothing works,your doctor might help. Benedryl or OTC Alteril helps some with sleep issues and you will have them.
One hour at a time is all anyone can ask. After 2 weeks it gets a little better and I started to say, One day at a time! Your brain will do all sorts of things to get you to take a pill. I found if I was hungry..the cravings got worse. I would try to eat a banana, a few grapes or a few crackers to get that under control.
The hardest part comes after the detox. Your brain will be all over the place and will try to get you back on the pills...It is having to work and not depend on the pills to help.
Good for you. I hope all goes well. You have made a good start coming here....this site has helped me so much!!! Keep posting!!!!!
I kept telling myself...YOU HAVE the FLU! It will be over and I will feel so much better. My brain seemed to get that and settled down a little. It is hard, but doable! The Thomas Recipe (bottom of the page) under Health Pages will help. I had to cut back on the Ltryosine, but the rest really helped. Imodium, Imodium, Imodium (liquid or pills if the liquid can't be found or you can't swallow it) will help. I took double the dosage for a few days (personal choice) and it helped so much..even with the withdrawals in general and the opiate trots which sucked.
Hydrate and eat! ((gatorade is good) Even if it is just a little every hour or so.(boost or ensure might work for both food and drink) You have to eat something to keep your energy up as much as possible.
If you have Restless legs..it is hit or miss what works. Walking seemed to help me some. Hot bath with epsom salts..a little. I finally had to get my doctor to refill my restless legs meds (non addictive) to get some sleep. If nothing works,your doctor might help. Benedryl or OTC Alteril helps some with sleep issues and you will have them.
One hour at a time is all anyone can ask. After 2 weeks it gets a little better and I started to say, One day at a time! Your brain will do all sorts of things to get you to take a pill. I found if I was hungry..the cravings got worse. I would try to eat a banana, a few grapes or a few crackers to get that under control.
The hardest part comes after the detox. Your brain will be all over the place and will try to get you back on the pills...It is having to work and not depend on the pills to help.
Good for you. I hope all goes well. You have made a good start coming here....this site has helped me so much!!! Keep posting!!!!!
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