Hydrocodone Addiction

[Scared179]

I have been taking 4 hydrocodone a day for the past 2+ years and have been increasing up to 7 per day. I feel like its destroying my life and am scared for my little girls 4 and 8. I need to get off for them as well for my health but withdrawel is the worst feeling and I feel like I will not get through it and succeed. I know many will tell me it will last a few days and get better in about a week. But will the craving for it ever go away or will I live with the feeling forever? also my wife just got laid off from her job and feel like the weight off the world is on my shoulders to pay the bills with just my salary. Please help!!

[NorcoQueenoftheUniverse]

Of note: I too suffer from acute and chronic back pain.. (had 2 lumbar lamis, spinal stenosis and DDD) but ONE thing that I DID discover was that the more pain pills I took... the more PAIN I was IN... until I STOPPED...

It took a little while for me to realize that I could live with my pain WITHOUT the Norco's and I've found that the longer I stay CLEAN the LESS pain I have...

Just a thought as I have no idea what your threshhold of pain is.. I just was able to find mine and be able to LIVE with it...
Exercise has helped me immensly.. (just walking)

[NorcoQueenoftheUniverse]

Hey there.. If it helps you any..
I went completey COLD TURKEY from an 8-10 Norco habit a day.. x's 3 years.. and with the help of a modified Thomas Receipe I am here to say that I have 90 days CLEAN time...

I'm not saying that going CT was easy.. but I didn't die from it (although, at about day's 3 thru 5 I WANTED to)  

So with that said... see if you can go CT... if you can.. that's GREAT.. BUT if ya don't think you can.. have someone that you know and trust dispense your taper dose...

I really don't think I could jhave done a taper, but thats just me... I think I REALLY had to HURT in order to REALIZE I needed to get and STAY clean.. something about POWER IN PAIN!

Whatever you decide to do, KNOW that we are out here for YOU!
Keep posting and Much LOVE AND HOPE on your road to RECOVERY

Hugs,
NorcoQueenoftheUniverse

[Scared179]

Hi again, I fell off the wagon for a few weeks taking 2-3 10/325 hydros a day because off back pain but realized what the hell was I thinking, I was clean for 29 days. I stopped again today but am scared I am going to go through the same withdrawels as last time when I was taking 7-8 a day. Is this the case, will I feel this horror all over again? I had a few left which I got rid of. I know hydros are not the answer. Please tell me some positive answers. Thanks for listening.

[Jan706]

I am on day 3 of coming off dihydrocodiene so am way behind you.  I had a taste of what you went through when I was off it completely for 10 days.  The depression was the very worst thing - I felt suicidal and cried and cried day after day - followed closely by the aching muscles, irritability, nausea, and runs.  I am now withdrawing very slowly.  So far so good.  I am on one less tablet this week, but I have started the diarrhoea already.  I can cope because the depression hasn't started yet.  I am dreading that and I can really sympathize with you. We all have to go through it, as hard as it is, but the reward will not be far off for us.   You are doing so well!!  The fact that you have financial pressures and are detoxing ct at the same time, is incredible! That's strength that I don't have. You should be very, very proud of yourself.  Forget the one pill.  I doubt whether it will make much difference to the wd.  You hang in there - you are doing amazingly well and are a real encouragement to me.

[maxwell69]

dont focus on the past, you took one pill, just dont take any more, if you do have any wd it will be nothing like before unless you take more, I just got done reading your posts and I am in the reduction stage and plan on quiting soon, you were a pillar of strength as I read your posts and your long WD pains, you stuck in there, dont fall off now, dont take anymore you got it licked

[Scared179]

Hi. I have been clean for 23 days now but took 1 hydro a few hours ago because my back was really in pain and now I feel like a loser and am scared that I will have withdrawels again. I don't have any more pills just had the 1. Does it take just 1 to go through all that again? I dont know why I stooped to taking it but I did and its done with. I just dont want to feel like **** again. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[kim221]

I'm going through the same thing as you right now, a couple more pills a day but thats about it.  I am on day 1 unfortunately.  You have come so far!  That's amazing that you are on day 11, you are definitely through the worst part.  I too am very worried about the depression, I also have been having that acid refulx problem, it has been waking me up at night the past couple nights when I severly tapered to about 2 pills a day.  Not quite sure what it is or what will help.  I have never actually given a REAL attempt to kick this before, so from what I've heard the depression will eventually pass.  The mental part lasts the longest.  The best thing is to keep busy and try not to dwell on it, exercise has helped me with the depression too in the past.  Its not easy, but it will be well worth it when you're past the wds and happy again!  you can do it!

[Scared179]

Hey everyone, I am on day 11 of being clean and feel so much better. The only thing still not getting through is the depression and RLS. I dont want to take them anymore but keep thinking that it would make things better for the moment. But then I will be right back where I started. I take Lexapro and dont know if I should be on something else or will the depression subside? Any ideas? Thanks.

[Scared179]

Thanks for that encouragment. I found the restful legs and it does help a bit. I agree the depression is one of the worst parts right now. I am on day 8 and feel alot better but still get nauseous every morning and dont know how to stop it. I dont know if its my sinues draining or my nerves.  I think I slept better last night but still feel really weak and my nerves are still jumping. I wonder if that could be causing the nausea? If you could find that post that would be great I would like to read it. I hope your husband is fighting through it and I know he will do much better as well. Keep me posted.

[gettingthere7]

So sorry to take so long to get back to you. Just got on and checked on you.First off Im so proud of you...day 7...thats great. My husband went to work today but says he feels terrible.

I went up to the pharmacy window at CVS and asked them.  Also you should be able to get it at any large health food store. I also have been feeding him bananas but he doesnt have an much of an appetite.

It seems that the depression part ends up being the biggest problem. Keep reading and hunting through posts because on one of them is talking about how the brain is affected by opiates. Its amazing stuff and it helps to understand why you are feeling that. If you cant find it let me know and I will try and hunt it down for you.

Did you check out theThomas Recipe?

I wish you all the best and please remember Im here for you.

[Scared179]

What section of pharmacy do you find Hylands Restless leg in, I cannot locate it in our CVS or Walgreens? I haven't really slept in days and its really getting to me. I feel like I have so much pressure on me right now and I'm depressed as hell even on Lexapro. I just want my sleep and energy back. Today is day 7 clean and I dont want it ever again but I do want to feel even better if possible.

[elusive2u]

PS.  Once you get it through your mind that you will NEVER get the feeling like you did the first few times you were on it.  you willl NEVER achieve that buzz again.  

[elusive2u]

I cold turkey'd over ten  lorcet 10/650 a day and managed to get through three days.  

I caved on refill day and failed.  I feel like a failure.  

When you do start the process of getting off.  Don't give up.  Keep through.  When the leg shakes.  It's for your kids.  When the back aches it's for your kids.  

You will not die.  Keep that in mind.  Everyone here is pulling for you.

As a failure of a withdrawler I know I am.

[gettingthere7]

Hey, youre still going in the right direction...thats so good to hear. My husband is struggling quite a bit too. Its the old is there light at the end of the tunnel. From what I have read EVERYONE is different. It seems that amount and length of time makes a difference but not always. Its a **** shoot but worth it.
Why havent you gotten Hylands yet for your restless leg s****t? I found some today at our local CVR pharmacy so you dont have to go to a health food store. Do I just sound like a nagging mother?..sorry
Also a couple of people have talked about a book called End Your Addition Now, by Charles Gant. I havent seen it but I plan on getting it for my husband. From everything Ive read its the head stuff that lasts the longest. The brain is a powerful machine and right now its not on your side. You are in a battle to get control of it again. Think of how proud you will feel when you have that control back.
I must go and tend to my husband. He is sighing away downstairs. Today has been a rough one for him so you are sooo not alone.
Keep posting and hang in there

[Scared179]

This is so frustrating, yesterday day ( day 5 ) and I felt good. I can't take shaking and how weak I feel. I dont know when I will be back to normal. Do you ever go back to normal? I am tired because not getting a great night sleep even on ambien. The RLS *****. When I was taking the demon drugs I felt energy to do things now I dont want to do anything.  I hope this ends soon because I can't take much more of it because I need to work and get things done around the house and my kids need me. I feel helpless. Thanks for listening.

[Scared179]

Thanks I do feel much better and the only thing now is the sleep, energy and RLS. I am glad to have gotten this far. I do have mild aches and pains and it wold be easy to pop one and feel better but BOY do I know what comes when you stop and it is horrid! I am determined to do this and I hope your husband has success as well. Like my wife is my support, you are great to be there for him. Thanks for the advice. Please keep posting.

[gettingthere7]

I just wanted to say that walking is good-very good. I wrote you yesterday that you should get some Hylands restful leg. I found it at a local health food store and it has helped my husband so much.

Sounds like you are doing it and I applaude you. Watching my husband work so hard at this I am so impressed with you.

Hang in there

[Scared179]

Thanks for your support it really help, I have been walking the past 2 morning, really nice out so took advantage of it. Today I actually am not really sick except for my nerves shaking a little and tired and weak. Also RLS is a pain in the butt cause it wakes me up. I hope it goes soon. I have been taking excerdin migraine and seems to give that caffeine boost and good for my headache. I think allergies are not helping either. Again thank you, I;m gonna do this.

[corey411]

Hi hon, It should be ending soon. Sometimes it's common to begin to feel a bit better and then take another turn for the worst. Day 4 was always my turning point but some last a week. Sleep is a big factor in how your nerves will be. Make yourself go out and take a walk...a long one. I promise it will help. Also mornings are always worse. Get up, out and get those endorphins pumping...This is what I am going to do right now and my wds are over.....still makes you feel better. Good luck hon. It might be a slow weekend on here as it is a holiday. I will be checking on and off throughout the day. Feel free to send a PM if u need xtra support.

[Scared179]

My nerves are shaking from the withdrawels and is making me sick to my stomach, is there any relief and how much longer this will last? I am on day 5 of wd's. thx

[gettingthere7]

Well, you really arent alone. My husband took his last hydrocodone/ 10mgs on Weds  night. He was taking between 4-6 a day. Needless to say he isnt having any fun but is determined to quit CT or maybe thats because hes out. He has had back surgery and should have another. He has been taking them for 4 years or so and he has built up a tolerance to them.

I was wondering if you have read anything about theThomas Recipe. I got all the supplies for him and it seems to be really be helping. Hylands restful leg is a good one too.

I wish you all the best and hang in there.

[Scared179]

Thanks everyone for all your support, the wd's seem to be getting a little better but still a little nasuea but think it might be from post nasal drip from the flu like symptoms and also that fact that I am not eating much but my stomach is growling. Also the RLS are still there and its a pain but I am used to it I guess. Slept alright last night without any sleep aids so I am proud of that but the feeling that you want to throw up at certain times of the day *****! Though I have not actually thrown up more than dry heaving during the wd's, it still stinks. I am grateful to everyone and wish you all the best in your own recoveries. KIT.

[Cissy373]

Hang in there it does get better. Everyone is different on how long the WD's last but for the most part 3-5 days is usually the length of time. I am clean 14 days today and boy do I feel better.

I have chronic pain so for that part its not good, but those pills are from the devil and they ruin lives.

Sorry about the wife losing her job, there are so many in turmoil these days from loss of jobs, bills, etc.............but hang in there ok?

Cissy

[missy812]

I quit CT before, and it took about three weeks to finally feel normal.  After I felt normal, I didn't crave the drug much anymore, and I couldn't believe that I LIVED on them before... But then I was in a lot of pain and got back on them.  It's VERY hard to quit, easy to fall back.
After day 3, you'll feel a little better each day.  Hang in there, and don't give in. You will feel like CRA P, but it WILL PASS.
Exercise helps.