Hydrocodone withdrawals...any advice ???? :(

[Dirty_secret]

I'm new to this forum thing..actually never been on one at all... I have been taking hydrocodone for about 10 years now. I have attempted to get off a few times but have never completely followed through.. But I usually only did it when I couldn't get them. I want to do this.. I want to be totally done with pain pills FOR GOOD!!!! I'm scared of the withdrawals... Today is going to be my first day totally without... I've been told to take methadone to help with withdrawals but I'm honestly too scared to get hooked to anything else too!! I really want to do this without another drug in place of it..does anyone have any ideas... Or any remedies that could help me lessen the withdrawals or speed up the withdrawal time?? I've been taking anywhere from 10-16 hydrocodone 10mg pills every day.. How long will the withdrawals last? What day will be the worst?? What day will I start feeling better?? Can I do this on my own!?? I want to be successful & overcome this horrible addiction that is running my life & ruining my life.. I hate having to depend on something to get through the day & if I don't have them I can't function.. I want to be happy again.. I want to feel normal..my family deserves that!!! I am determined but have no body to help me!! I've been trying to cover up the pain of losing my brother, sister & mother when they have each passed away.. But the meds aren't taking away the pain.. They are just causing me more pain & ruining my life .. I want to be the mom & wife they need & deserve... Don't get me wrong.. I feel like I'm a good Mom & my family is my whole life... But when I don't have any meds & feel like s*** that isn't fair to them!!  This has been going on for way to long & I want to start fresh & have a great future with my family,, please can anyone give me some good advice?? Thanks so much

Btw..I have been reading other comments from everyone & this is a great website.. So many people seem so helpful & sincere..it's great to know others can relate to you!!

[waterLilly7]

can't say more than the other terrific posts here, but just want to add that yes, you can do this, and please don't feel that mom guilt! You are being a good mom right now by wanting to take control of your life. This is not going to be easy, but once said and done you will feel better than ever, and you will enjoy being a mom better than ever.
You can do it,
Blessings,
Lily

[Vecci4u]

Hi ... And congrats. I know how hard it is with the kids going cd turkey.... Ohhhh my if I didn't have little ones running around , could just lay there and get throught it... But

They are the inspiration to get better, to be well, to be the parent we need to be for our kids, take care hydrate and beat this thing!

[lulu747]

Hi There,

How are you doing today?  I agree with all posted above about the smoking.  Just take one step at a time, one moment at a time.  If you try to do too much you are putting WAY too much pressure on yourself.  Trust me, I learned this the hard way.  It took me 6 months to quit smoking after I quit pills, and I was so ready and it was relatively painless.  You gotta be patient with yourself and GENTLE with yourself.  You are doing awesome.  Proud of you...
Lu

[Free2agoodhome]

Welcome....the trail has been blazed for you.....read as much as you can,,,there is so real good wisdom hidden in posts..

Everyones story is similar in many ways..but we all ended up at a point where we wanted to quit....

So hang tough....it doesnt last forever..skip the smoking for now,,, put out one fire at a time.....

Much support

Free~

[selfinduced]

Deep breath, you will get thru this. One thing at a time. Take a hot soak in the tub and drink some tea. Your emotions will be al over the place, that will level out in a day or two. Get your boys settled and try for some rest. Tomorrow will be another day down and closer to being free of these pills. Hang in there...you can do this!

[Pat1956100]

In my opinion, yes it's too much.  I would get off the pills first and then worry about the cigarettes.  I know both are very bad for you but your body can only take so much.  If you want to be successful, I would quit one thing at a time.

[Dirty_secret]

Thank you for all your support! I think I'm trying to do too much at one time...it's just me & the boys so they need me!! I am definitely done taking pills.. I want my life back...but my concern is that I haven't had any pills today & I'm also trying to quit smoking today too. Do you think that's too much?? Do you think I should hold off on quitting smoking or do you think I can quit both at the same time..??? I am already feeling like total a**!!! Sweating, freezing & restless legs... OMG!! I feel like I am freaking out!!! :( I just wanna cry!! I've just been telling my boys I have the flu today but I have to wake up at 6am & have a lot to do this week... Cigarettes too much?

[lulu747]

HI and Welcome!

I commend you for your strong desire to reclaim your life and I want to tell you to keep going!  You got solid advice above and I just want to add a few things.  HYDRATE.  I can't stress this enough.  Dehydration makes detox WAY harder than it has to be so DRINK FLUID.  Water, gatorade, herbal teas are best.  Avoid carbonated sugary beverages they are hard on the tummy.  Immodium, Immodium. Immodium.  The liquid form is apparently the best, though I haven't tried it personally.  Hot baths with epsom salts for the aches and pains (the bath was my safe place and I LIVED there) Bananas for the RLS and leg cramps.  Try to eat small amounts of food all the time (toast w/pb, chicken broth, crackers)
Most importantly, be kind and gentle with yourself.  This is a really hard process- but if you surrender to it and see it as breaking free and reclaiming your life- you will never look back.  
Keep posting, we are all here for you.
Sending Support...
Lu

[On2better]

I also wanted to add, there are a lot of moms on here, I myself have 2 bio 2 step (4 total!). My worst day was day 4 (yesterday) but i think i was trying to do too much too soon. Just take it easy and give youself a week or so of downtime.   You have support, keep posting!

[On2better]

You can do this. Yes withdrawals suck, but they're over before you know it. Just tell the kids you have the flu and power thru it. Yes they deserve better, but more importantly YOU deserve better! You deserve to enjoy your life without being a slave to your addiction. It gets easier. I'm only on day 5 and I know I have a long way to go but I feel better already!

[mary577]

You can do this.   I think dreading withdrawal is almost worse than going through it.   Just make up your mind, stock up on your supplies and get on with it.   There are a few bad days....but nothing you can't do.   Post often and someone will help you when you need encouragement.   There is almost always someone around to lend support.   Congratulations on making the decision and wishing you much success!

[ImDONENoMore]

Hey there and WELCOME!!  Great that you found your way here..

And yes we can relate!  Oh boy can we relate.  And it is totally doable to cold turkey off the opiates (some have tapered but it's hard to do without help) - as long as you don't have other medical conditions to consider, I say cold turkey.

And I won't sugarcoat those first few days.  They are tough.  Probably the toughest of our lives.  But you will begin to feel better, physically, after a week or so and it will continue to get better from thereon out.

However, it is really important to remove all access to your DOC - not sure if you're getting them prescribed or buying off the street, but you have to do that because you will be tempted for sometime to fall back if you're still able to get them.  And the other issue to think about will be aftercare.  But one step at a time.

Stock up by checking out the Thomas Recipe and picking up the items listed there.  It's also a good idea to have things in place, at least as much as possible, at home before starting because you won't feel like doing much for a while.  Supplements were a huge help for me, but truly, they didn't really start to help until after a couple of weeks.  So get as prepared as you possibly can for these early days.

And most importantly CONGRATULATIONS for wanting to regain your life.  You will feel better, you will look better, and you're going to feel pretty damn proud of yourself for taking this first step.

:)