Need help withdrawing from Norco

[norco_no_more1960]

I have responsibly taken norco and/or darvocet for about 10 years.  This is because of a series of worker's comp related injuries that I experienced between 2000 and 2001.  My pain level during the past 10 years has been so high that I have never really considered stopping taking the prescribed narcotics.  I never took more than prescribed but took them on a daily basis.

I now have a very good acupuncturist and I am able to start managing my pain without narcotics and I have decided not to take them anymore or just use them for very occasional breakthrough pain.

With this in mind I took only 1 to 1 and a half Norco a day starting around December 1.  On December 18 I took my last Norco.

I have been going through some wicked withdrawals which I was not expecting to be so bad since I had tapered down.  Some of the reading I have done online suggests that since I was taking  4 Norco a day for several years during that period of time and actually at one point was taking Morphine this may extend the duration of the withdrawals and may intensify it.

Currently I teach high school but about 16 years ago I worked for 3 years as a certified substance abuse counselor.  I know some things about the field have changed but some have not.   I'm telling you this just to give you some background info on me.

I recognize that some of the really bad withdrawal pains I'm having now are similar to those who detox from heroin are - pains in my bones, especially my long bones and my back.

I am looking for any advice you all may have.  I cannot take any NSAIDS because of stomach problems.  I have some ativan that was prescribed to me for anxiety, which I must tell you has not gotten any better through out this ordeal.

I've been taking tylenol and/or Alka seltzer plus flu formula which has helped some.   I am worried about taking the Ativan very much even though it is a low dose prescription because I don't want to substitute one addiction for another and I know that benzodiazapines are much worse to detox from.

I may have some trazodone here, would that help?

I have another week until I have to go back to work.  I really don't want to have to miss any work days due to this but it would be worth it to me to take some leave if I have to.  This is a 10 year addiction and I know it won't go away over night.

Thanks in advance for all your help.
NNM

[GodWrksNmystryusWYS]

Aren't you afraid of the pain after all the painkillers leave your system? Sorry I know I should be congratulating you but I am going thru the same thing and I am weening off and usually I don't have a lot of pain, but that is because you have to stay on the medication for scheduled hours for it to start working... so therefore the pain won't come back until a couple days after you are clean. Have you experienced any pain? They are made for pain.. and sometimes I wonder why me? Why pain.. or physical addiction? They both suck!! Physical addiction is an uphill climb with a very long drop, and sharp pain is like so much worse when you are in it.. You just want to take anything to make it go away!! I get really bad pain and I am on 12 NORCO A DAY FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS!!!!! The first year I went up slowly but as soon as I got to around a year of taking it I was up to 12.. and some morphine but I never took it I knew it was a bad idea... I just got prescribed it and kept it for really bad emergencies. Norco isn't bad but the nlonger you are on it the harder you will take to get off mentally. Sounds mixed up right? Physical addiction..? But with mental cravings? It's not to get high, it's the craving to feel no pain. I felt like I went thru so much pain I deserved to feel pain free... and norco is not a pain curer, it is a pain reliever.  =( Hope you feel better... I am so distraught over my pain and how it is going to be when I am done.

[norco_no_more1960]

Hi Lesa,

Thank you for telling me about the tonic water.  I'll also get some bananas.  

I really hope you are right about my pain levels going down after I have some time away from the narcotics.

I appreciate your help so very much.

Lisa

[10356]

Hi lisa..
Sara said what I was going too :) I  found with my injury's the pain meds actually made the pain worse after I took them for a long time.  Opiates were meant for short term use. I now have less pain then I did. it is amazing how powerful our mind's are and what it can do too get more of the substance.  
I was so pleased you are going to go for a light work out This will help so much with the anxiety and aches rls.. Bananas also work for the rls along with tonic water the quinine in it is what is helpful.
Really try to push the fluids ok this is important..
addiction is so sly it creeps up on us without even realizing it. if you get cravings staying busy really help to end them..
so  Glad you are starting to wake up ! :) lesa

[norco_no_more1960]

Hi Sara,

I hope you're right about the pain getting better.  I ordered some Tai-Chi DVDs from Amazon yesterday.  I'm hoping that I can get some gentle exercise, maybe get some endorphins going and that the pain levels will diminish.

Thanks for your help!!

Lisa

[dominosarah]

I am really happy to hear the acupuncture is working for you.  You may also find that once you have been off the pills your pain may get somewhat better.  Many of us have had this happen.  There may be some rebound pain for a bit but that will subside.  Stick close to the forum as we are here to support you~~~~sara

[norco_no_more1960]

by gnarly_1 [This user is a Community Leader for this forum]
Hi Gnarly,

Thank you for writing me back again.  I took Ativan for 4 days - just one dose each day, in the early evening because that's when the anxiety gets the worst for me and I feel like I'm jumping out of my skin.  

If I feel like I really need to take it again today I'm going to take half of the dose.  I have about 20 days worth of once a day doses left but I am not going to take nearly that many.  I'm hoping not to need to take it at all today.  If I do, then like I said I'll take half a dose, and if necessary half a dose tomorrow, then no more.  Does that sound like a good plan?

Thanks again.

Lisa


, 10 hours ago
HI Lisa hows the anxiety that was by far my worst symptom I think its because you feel so helpless to it if you use the atavan just do it for a few days and only when all else has failed  deep breathing helps you have come threw several days already you should be feeling better really soon mentally it can take a wile your brain chemistry gets messed up from long term use but it dose come back...if min did after 16 1/2yrs I think yours will try a hot bath for the anxiety they also make some clalming teas.....the sleepytime you get at walmart works good to help relax you as well as for sleep....how are you sleeping??it can be tuff early on
anyway hang in there there is lots of support here but its Christmas night so its kinda slow
keep posting for support good luck and God bless.....Gnarly .  

[norco_no_more1960]

Hi Teresa

I know that admitting you are an addict is the first step in recovery.  It hadn't really occurred to me until today that I need recovery.  I came here because I wanted help addressing the physical symptoms.  Now I am realizing that there are psychological symptoms that I need to own and address.

Many years (25 or more) I was a member of OA and first became familiar with the big book.  15 years ago I worked as a substance abuse counselor for 3 years and attended some AA and Alanon meetings.  Its been a long time since I worked a program for myself.  My dad is an alcoholic and I've always known that being the daughter of an alcoholic meant the possibility of an addictive personality being inherited by myself.

I haven't looked at the Thomas recipe yet - I'm going to do that today.  Thank you for telling me about it.

I really appreciate your help.  Thank you.

Lisa

[norco_no_more1960]

Hi Vicki

I've been trying to drink plenty of fluids but may not have been doing a good enough job of that.  I have been keeping the Tylenol to 2 - 3 grams a day.  I'm afraid to take too much.

The hot baths are helping.  I've been putting epsom salts in the water and I think it helps to add magnesium to my body.  I think I may be magnesium deficient.

Thank you again for your help.  Today I feel like I may be turning a corner.

Lisa

[norco_no_more1960]

Hi lesa,

Today I woke up feeling better than I have had since I started the wd process.  

When I first read what you wrote about going through an opiate haze, I thought - I don't remember that.  Today I think I may understand what you were talking about.

I am going to go try to find some of that Hyland's Restless legs.  Last night I was having a lot of the leg shaking along with pains in my long bones in my legs.

I am also going to go to the gym today if it is open and try to get a gentle workout in.  I don't want to overdo it because I don't want to flare up any of the injuries that I have that caused me to take narcotics for 10 years.

Thanks again!!

Lisa

[gnarly_1]

HI Lisa hows the anxiety that was by far my worst symptom I think its because you feel so helpless to it if you use the atavan just do it for a few days and only when all else has failed  deep breathing helps you have come threw several days already you should be feeling better really soon mentally it can take a wile your brain chemistry gets messed up from long term use but it dose come back...if min did after 16 1/2yrs I think yours will try a hot bath for the anxiety they also make some clalming teas.....the sleepytime you get at walmart works good to help relax you as well as for sleep....how are you sleeping??it can be tuff early on
anyway hang in there there is lots of support here but its Christmas night so its kinda slow
keep posting for support good luck and God bless.....Gnarly .  

[norco_no_more1960]

Thank you for giving me the link to the Amino Acid Protocol.  Is this the same as the Thomas protocol or regimine? (Sorry, my brain isn't working quite right.)

Thanks again,
Lisa

[Toby1863]

Hey Lisa...Here's the Amino Acid Protocol link you were lookin' for...........copy & paste

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Addiction/Amino-Acid-Protocol/show/15?cid=66

Keep slugging as you can do this!

[norco_no_more1960]

I want to thank you all so much.  I feel like an idiot, I can't find the link you told me  about with the amino acid protocol.

I have made it another day with no Norco.  I did take some ativan yesterday evening and just took some more.  I think its a 1 mg dose.

Today I did take a hot bath with epsom salts and that helped.  I've also been trying to drink plenty of fluids and taking a multivitamin/multimineral supplement.  Also, still taking tylenol.

The pain levels have been high but not as much as yesterday.  Thankfully.

I'm worried about transferring addictions from Norco to ativan.  I have about 15 more doses, so I'm going to make sure I don't take them every day but honestly I don't know how I'd make it through the evening right now without it.

What do I do?

Lisa

[Storme]

Hi & welcome! I too am a norco addict and I know exactly what you are going through. I took Norco for many years and never thought I was addicted because I took the prescribed amount daily but i took it every day. I want to congratulate you on being 6 days sober and I want to let you know that better days are just around the corner. You may even start to feel some relief tomorrow. What a Christmas blessing that will be hmm?

The fatigue and anxiety may stay with you a bit longer but you have to keep in mind what you have been doing all this time has to get out of your system and that also means out of your mind. The drug is powerful and will speak to you through your anxiety and fatigue but you need to close your heart and mind to it and keep pushing forward. The Thomas Recipe in the lower right of this page as well as the Amino acid Protocol will definitely help you feel better but for me, nothing worked better than moving around. You can do this! You have already passed what for a lot of us was the worst days (4-5) and now should be coming up on much clearer, more energy days. Keep at it!

Your friend,
Teresa~

[vicki595]

I was happy to see you Lesa!!  It's an hour earlier at your house but still getting late. I had a lovely evening and just got home a bit ago...( I'm in NM. That's why I loved your earlier story so much!!)

I think "norco no more" is on track but I'm glad we're here for her...

xo

[10356]

I was Happy to see you here Vicki :))

[vicki595]

Oh good...Lesa posted, as well!

[vicki595]

hI AND WELCOME. aS YOU CAN IMAGINE,IT'S A BIT SLOW ON THE FORUM TONIGHT. Sorry for the caps...I hit the wrong key...

Anyway,it sounds like you've been doing the best you can for yourself. Your dose wasn't that high at all but the length of time is the issue. You've been without the opiate for 6 days now. You should turn the corner i no time! I'll suggest a few things:

I wouldn't take the Trazadone at this point. The Ativan is okay because that anxiety can be crippling but you know to be careful with that. Use sparingly.

Force fluids: water,juices,gatorade. Eat! Soup,toast with peanut butter,green tea etc..

Keep up with the Tylenol. No more than 4 grams in 24 hours. Really try to keep it around 2 grams to 3.  Take a good multi vitamin. Extra vit C and B vitamins. You need calcium,magnesium and zinc. Potassium also.

Take hot baths several times a day. It helps the bone pain. Use a heating pad or electric blanket. Toss your comfy clothes in the dryer before putting them on. Rest/sleep wherever comfortable.

Give yourself 5 more days before deciding about taking time off from work.

Tomorrow...try to get a walk in. The exercise helps.

I'll be here for a bit longer if you have any questions...

Good luck and Merry Christmas!

[10356]

Hello  norco_no_more and Welcome to the forum.. so you are on day 6 of your wd Congratulations ! :) Hot showers many times a day will help a lot with the aches in the bones. our hot baths in Epsom salt would also due well I can imagine the anxiety you feel is rough as we all go through this with wd I used Valerian Root it is Natural and can be bought in a drug store Natures Valium sorta seek.. they also sell a med Hylands Restful leg our a knock off this works well for rls (restless leg syndrome} On the bottom right side of the forum you will find the Amino Acid Protocol it is vitamins and such that many have used and has helped tremendously.. Exercise in any form also helps a lot with the aches and anxiety we have to force ourselves at first but the effort is worth it.. getting those feel good endorphins pumping on their own again is a great way to get ahead. I do not think you will have to take time off although this is a personal decision as we are all different and experience more our less anxiety.. I have read that the trazodone does help with sleep but can cause anxiety early on in your wd.. I'm very Happy to read you have found a alternative to taking pain meds  although you may have taken the prescribed amount they dull our senses and emotions. some find themselves very emotional while in wd this does clear and is relapsed with a sorta re-awaking that is nothing less then Great !! Life is to short to live through a opiate haze.. You should be turning the corner any day now on the physical aspects of the wd I hope you stick around as support helps and there is great group of people here.. Merry Christmas and I wish you a awesome New year :) lesa