Hydrocodone withdrawal and anxitey

[thamouchedotcom]

Hello
   On may 24 2008 I was in a car wreck.  It was a head on collision, at speeds of 60 miles an hour.  One of the vehicle happened to be a police car...(don't worry I driving the police car).  I I had a compound fracture in my right Femur(which doesn't look right sticking out of your leg).  I had a metal rod placed inside it to hold it in place. After surgurey I was givin Hydrocodone (Narco) 7.5/325 .  I was taking about six of these pills a day for about a month.  But for the last two weeks I only took them at night (about 20).  My Doctor failed to tell me that I had to wing my self off the pill but i didn't.  I began withdrawals about seven days ago.  The bad part its that I have high anxiety and have several panic attacks a day(hard ones).  I've never had a panic attack before so i felt like I was going to die!  My question is how much longer is this withdrawal going to go and if its suppossed to make me fell excessive anxeity.  My Doctor put me on Xanax but I had I bad reaction with it causing me to have more panic attacks.  He now has me taking Klonopin  and It has been working good  but I fell weird since I've only taken it for 2 day.  Question 2 how long does it take for that affect to go away.  My Docotor tells me I'm suffering from PTSD for my service in the iraq war(GO MARINES CORPS) and the crash.  

[wannabefree330]

I think the face to face counseling will help you a great deal.  Switching to the prozac will also help you as it treats PTSD.  Being in a near fatal accident is bad enough, but add on the war memories and you have a lot you are holding onto.  Being able to get it out of your head, even just saying the words is a HUGE burden lifter.  The other person may not even have any advice to offer, but sometimes even when someone just lends an ear when you are in need, it makes all the difference.  I wish you a fast recovery from your accident, and wish you serenity and acceptance with your PTSD!  Thanks for all you have done for me and this country of ours.  Thanks for keeping my kids safe!

[worried878]

I think also...that ur very consientious to even be worried about addiction after this short time...u r 100% on top of things...now if i had a previous addictions i would be sweating it a bit...good 4 u to be on top of any probs before they get out of hand

[worried878]

if u have no prior alcohol or pill addictions...u should ride thru this unscarred..this is not enuf time for most to get mentally addicted...throwing luck ur way

[thamouchedotcom]

I have just started therpy and I have metting with my pych.. he wants to put me on 40 mg of prozac and taper me off klonopin.  I have been feeling alot like my self lately because of the meds but i know it not the cure.  I will use my fear a guiding light instead of my worst nightmare and get threw this.


p.s.  Thank you for info, I can fight any physical pain there is but i can't fight my mental problems on my own.  Everyone please drive safe. I was in a police car and it almost destroyed my life.

[kim715]

The mental part lasts a bit longer then the physical w/ds ie.....high anxiety,lack of sleep.However,it sounds like you have some other things going on in your life that may be causing the panic attacks as well and perhaps quitting the pain pills has at least for the moment intensified these symptoms.Do you receive any therapy in relation to your PTSD diagnosis?The medication {klonopin} should help,but sometimes the benefit of being able to talk to someone one on one about whats going on with you is the best medicine of all.As worried mentioned please be careful with the klonopin,as it is habit forming,and if you are on it for any length of time,it's not the type of medication that you quit cold turkey,you will need to taper off.I wish you all the luck and I thank you for your service to our country.Peace.....Kim

[thamouchedotcom]

sorry i meant 2 tabs a night

[sadinmichigan]

Welcome..I am so sorry to hear about your accident..I am glad you survived such an awful crash....You should be getting over the physical stuff pretty soon..as worried said..6 isn't a huge amount but just enough to cause some w/ds..taking them for a month or so.. and I am thinking you mean you have taken about 20 pills in the last 2 weeks at night..is that right?..
I do not know much about klonopin but you do need to be aware that those will require you to wean off of when you are ready if taken for an extended time..your body is probably just getting used to the klonopin so,I would give it a few more days..if it continues give your Dr. a call..
It makes alot of sense that you would be suffering from PTSD..You have been through alot..I would like to thank you for your service to our country..GO,,US Marine Corps! ooo rahh)..LOL  take care..keep posting there are alot of wonderful people here..Lisa

[worried878]

How much did u say u took at night? 20 pills or 20 mgs?  I am thinking 20 mgs...6- 7.5s is only 45 mg a day which is not an astronomical amount...and u were down to 20 mg for the last 2 weeks...I would think u would be over the hump of any physical withdrawal but the mental stuff can last a while...u were on a low dose for a short period of time and u should be ok soon....from the hydros anyway...it could be stress from something else causing ur panic attacks...thomas reciped has a list of supps that can help...theanine is great for anxiety...it is in the health pages...do u have any prior addictions like to alcohol or any other drug?  Klonopin is a benzo and therefore habit forming as well so be safe...keep posting