Hydrocodone withdrawl

[pancake]

I want to withdraw from Hydrocodone. I've been on pain meds steadily for 2 years. A year and a half ago, I came off cold turkey from Percocet which I had been using for 6 weeks. It was the worst experience of my life.  Physical symptoms were horrible, but the depression was worst.  I have always struggled with depression and take effexor. I have used the drugs to self-medicate. Lately i've been taking Vicodin ES.  It no longer gives me that HAPPY feeling just keeps me going.  I am a married mother of two school age children.  Is there an alternative to  a detox center?  I still have the viocdin, could I gradually wean off of them if I enlisted some outside help.  I would rather die than face that debilitating depression again. My husband is aware of my problem and has been supportive. What about Clonodine; i've heard things about the patch.  Last time I withdrew I was up and around again on the fourth day.  I know that wouldn't be the case this time.  I know that I will need help to stay clean, but for now, I'm simply worried about the withdrawl and my children.  Please help if you can.
Thank you.

[hurricane725]

almost 72 hours now clean. I was taking about 100mg Hydro per day when i stopped cold turkey. My wife found my pills in my briefcase after she suspected i was high at dinner. I finally admitted to her that i am an addict, and have been for over 2 years. She has been a saint. We have two beautiful children, and i want to be there for them. I have also stopped drinking, although i know the drinking was dependent on the hyrdos. Last few days have been horrible, as anyone knows who has gone through this. Much better today, but sleeping is still difficult, and depression still pretty bad. I ran 4.5 miles yesterday in blistering heat, and plan on Spin/Yoga today. looking forward to seeing how i feel in another day or so, but i am determined to make it. Good luck all of you. These things are poison, and are destroying so many lives its sad.

[Hardlife8989]

I have been taking Roxys for over a year and I'm day 11 clean right now the withdrawals are the worse and I'm day eleven and still haven't slept none at night! But tapering I tried too it made it worse because I kept putting them in my system of you have support then let them keep you strong and just pray that ls what I do every night! I have talked to professionals already and they said that honestly time is all it takes you just have the will power to stop and I will pray for you and hope you can do it! God bless you and your family!

[gordos4]

I think I am an addict, but not sure how bad. I am on percocet 5/325 & take 3 or 4 a day. I have chronic pelvic pain due to adhesions & have arthritis. I cant wait to take my next percocet. I am SO afraid I will run out. I dont mean to sound like a wimp. Compared to the problems alot of people are dealing with....I also suffer from major depression & am on an anti-depressant. The only thing that makes me feel better is my percocet. Ive tried SO many anti-depressants & no matter what dosage they give me, it doesnt help that much. Recently, my doctor also gave me Lorazapam to sleep. Now I cant fall asleep without it. I am an addictive mess...thanks for any replies.

[dlonce]

I am an addict. Hydros 10/325, though not as many daily as some here, yet 10-12 per day is substantial enough. Without going into details it started with severe back and neck herniations.

I have detoxed from these at least 5 times over the last few years.  3 times cold turkey, two other times with the help of a Dr. on a Suboxone regiment.

Some of the detox examples that others go through is concerning, not for me, but for those who are new to detoxing. It's certainly not fun to detox but it's not entirely the hellish commentary some have proclaimed here. I guess everyone is different.
You will get the cold sweating, chills, bowel issues for sure and aching muscles, for me they happened at night.. There will be general lethargic feelings too and possibly mood swings. The best thing to do is take a week off of work. You should notice a difference around day 3-4. Day 7, at least for me is the beginning of the new me.

If you go into this thinking you will be depressed, you will be depressed. The psychological dependency of these drugs is the toughest part of breaking away from them. Drink plenty of water, take hot baths. Take hot baths all day if you have to for aching muscles. Take vitamins.

If you afraid to go it alone then get to a Dr. that prescribes Suboxone, they really do work. Valium helps but not recommended with Suboxone unless prescribed in conjunction with Suboxone, and if you do not have access to Valium then OTC sleep aids help as well. It will be a long week for you but well worth the time. Imodium for bowel problems is recommended.

Disclaimer: Going cold turkey is not recommended by physicians. It is possible to change brain chemistry. The best way is to seek treatment or to wean yourself off if possible.

God Bless

[DeepFreeze239]

Hey...I'm a professional, but used Oxy and Hydro to manage back pain for 7 years.  I got tired of sitting in my pain doctor's office every month to get my scrip and confirm that I was not having any relief.  My wife was aware and kept supportive, but I was consumed with watching the clock all day to get my next dose.  I heard about a doctor in Houston who worked with outpatient detox programs transfering from vicodin etc to suboxone.  It took about 3-4 months to wean off but eventually I was able to...but my chronic pain (perhaps the lingering effects of the detox) persuaded me to seek a pain doctor who was all too willing to put me back on oxycodone.  I struggled again with the addiction, and oh no one suggested that I quit the bottle of wine I drank every night.  The addiction symtoms were more debilitating than the back pain so I went back to the doctor for a 2nd suboxone regimine.  I thought I'd never get weaned off entirely.  It tood a huge leap of faith.  Still enjoyed my wine at night.  after headaches nausea, ringing in ears, I was going to an MRI at the doctor's advice when it hit me...doy....it's the dependence on the wine.  I stopped the wine cold turkey..quit the daily ambien and been clean since.  I miss the wine dinners and the social aspects but the relief of being off of the opiods is just awesome.  It's been almost 3 years now...and the first time I can write about it...but I feel like I'm on the road to recovery.  For you users that watch the clock all day to see if you can pace yourself to the next dose...I was like you trying to keep my career going.  I was very fortunate not to lose everything.  My back still hurts like hell (I've had 3 spinal fusions) but I'm clean and that means a lot.  It's worth working towards.  For you that are struggling with it....I encourage you to find a doctor how will manage your care with Suboxone..few know about it including my back doctor...but it saved my life.  Keep at it.

[Lilhoof]

I'm brand new at coming out with my addiction to Norco 10-325's. It has literally ruined my life and I want it GONE!! The withdrawals are absolutely miserable...my back and legs are a mess and all I can think about is how 3-4 of em will take care of the pain! But I will not put them in my mouth ever again! I've come clean with my mom and boyfriend and it's definately gonna be a day by day experience but I know I can beat this! I'm a strong girl!!