Hydrocodone Withdrawal

[dabby]

I have been taking hydrocodone for about 2 1/2 years at an increasing rate, ending up with the 7.5 strength and about 18-20 per day.  I do have severe arthitis pain and am a 51 year old woman.  I have to cut down and recently cut down to 10 a day and have experienced physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms.  I have some clonidine and don't know how much to take for withdrawal.  What is the recommended dosage.  My goal is to eventually cut down to 4 a day, but have been very uncomfortable at 10.  I also take effexor and trazadone for depression, but I am so depressed right now.  Hydrocodone, believe it or not has helped my depression and has given me something to look forward to. This site has helped, knowing other people go through the same thing.  Hydrocodone has become my reason to live. I know this has to change.

[desperate52]

Hi There;
I read your comment on the perocet you were taking, & how you quit on your own. I too am taking the same pain meds for a shoulder injury back in 2008, then in 2009 I came down with Chronic limpnoid Lieukiemia, which was when the Doctor told me to up the dosage of my meds, from 1 every 4hrs to 2-3 every 4 hrs. Now of course, &yep you guessed it, I too am addicted. I have tried to lower the amount I take on my own, to try & ween myself down, it didn't make me feel to well at all, Then I got down to taking 1 every 4hrs, but found not only did my pain come back,but I started getting withdrawal symptoms. My day's when I was taking just 1, made me feel very crappy, like I didn't want to do anything or talk to anyone. But, when I ran out of my Perks(as I call them) my nights were the worst. I would get these feelings in my arms & legs, as if there was something crawling around under my skin, it kept me up all nite, would make me cry, nothing I did took it away. I could handel the sleepless nights, but can't handel the terrible feelings I get in my arms & legs, could you tell me if you too experienced the same in your arms & legs & what you did about it. I just want to get of these Dam things. Thanks

[squeak10]

You should ask your doctor about prescribing Gabapentin (Neurontin) it helps  with withdrawal symptoms. As you have oppertunity, google Gabapentin for w/d symptoms and you will learn a lot about this med. I was taking Norco 10-325 16 times a day and this med helped me not to feel all the w/d symptoms

[squeak10]

I only took  4 norco 10-325 yesterday (2 morn 2 at bed) I've been tapering down after a year of taking 16 a day. I am feeling some w/d effects but its nothing like I felt going cold turkey a few months ago. I also found out that Gabapentin (Neurontin) helps with w/d symptoms and I have a bottle of them as well. Google Gabapentin for opiate w/d.

[squeak10]

I asked Jesus to be my savior, but I'm still human and devil has put many things out there to trip all of us up. I have been prescribed pain meds for years, first Darvocet till they took it off the market then norco 10-325. I was taking 4 every 4or5 hours up to 16 pills a day I ran out and went thru w/d just as discribed in all these post. But I got a refill and fooled myself again. but this time I counted out how many I would take a day and slowly give my body a chance to adjust to that day there would be no more. Iam down to 6 a day, 2 in the morn, 2 at noon and 2 at bedtim. .Tomorrow I try 1 and a half 3x a day and the next day 1 and so on. I feel some of the w/d symptoms but its nothing like when I went cold turkey. I was a wreck the first few days going cold turkey because my body was in shock but this time things are much better. Drink lots of water and a muti-vitamin when you eat. God has given me this body and I am counting on him to help.  

[maddie131]

Please let me preface this story by saying my mom died of a heroin OD in '96, and I always said "I'll never do drugs". But look at me...I'm just like her. I recently lost my job about a month ago which makes this even more painful, but they had no clue I was popping pills (20-30 LT 10's/day) just for maintainence. damn how did it get this bad?? I quit about a month ago and relapsed after day 4. I was still so sick alone with a 5 yr old, and I gave in like an idiot. Please everyone don't be like me. Don't give in. Eventually the $ runs out, so here I am again. I'm already not sleeping, and I'm just coming to my 24 hour mark. My body hates me. Truthfully, I hate myself too. But everyone hang in there. For me, I know the worst is to come. I'm freaking moving today.....oh gosh!!! Like I said the $ has run out, and I have no job. But when I start to get really depressed I just think how my mom tried so hard to kick her demons, and I am devastated she isn't here with me. I cannot do that to my sweet 5 yr old....I just want to be able to laugh again. For real!!! Not because I have pills in me :) did anyone else in detox laugh a lot while watching something funny?? I did last time, and oh gosh it felt good!! I just want that again. My real self back!!! The funny, outgoing, and loving me. I hate the irritable, tired, and selfish me. Best of luck and love to everyone. Xoxo

MADSok

[angel122]

wow breezybelle, I am in the same boat as you. I am a single mom with severe depression and anxiety and an autoimmune disease. I have a ton of GI issues have had a liver biopsy 2 CTs and 3 colonoscopies in 12 months.I am only 25 yo. have been on an off pain meds for years. I always stopped when I foubnd myself 'becoming addicted'. ( None of thses pills were prescribed to me at the time).
      About 8-9 months ago, I started using norcos and percs. some were prescribed by Mds, others...bought from friends who got them off the streets.The drugs helped me forget and temporarily lose my depressive feelings as well as cured my aches and pains and all of the horrible diarreah i was having.
     however, i started to recognize addictive symptoms in myself again. It scared me. I got so tired of needing to take pills in the morning to get out of bed. so tired of a good day that was only good if I had my pain pills. I am so envious of ppl who are happy being 'normal' and sober.. Ive never been like that....and I want to be.
     So I stopped pills cold turkey yesterday. God its been horrible. Ive withdrawn from pills before but i told myself this is the LAST time.For the past two days... My house is a mess. I am so depressed. so tired. so, so, soooo tired.  I am coughing really bad. my legs feel floppy, like im Gumby or somethin. God I wish you the best. I am doing this for my son also. Good luck to you.