Quiting Pain Killers

[wtfhappened3399]

Hello All,

I have been browsing the net for a few weeks now and I have found this site to be one of the best that I have found so far. So here it goes- I started taking lortabs one year ago when a major headache became a part of my life, diagnosed as Daily chronic thunderclap headaches. Well after my first few incidents leading to hospital time I was prescribed pain pills (perc 10), My reg doc put me on fiorcet for a while which worked wonders, however my neuro wanted to put me on topamax (which has horrible side effects on me) So anyways, my father in law was at the beginning of a huge pain pill problem and always had them and would give me a few when he knew I was having a baad headache. It worked great then, I would take half (5mg) and would feel great- energetic, relaxed, motivated..you know all the good things. Well thats how it all started. Instead of asking him for them I would just start buying some from his guy, maybe 20 tab 10z....that was around summer....they would last for a few weeks then. Well now 12 months later, I don't even know if the headaches are still around or if it is mental so I just take pain pills every day. Well I have been wanting to quit for 2 months now and I will set a date and something will change and I will put it off and off. Well I am up to 50-130mg a day, depending on the day and acess of getting them. I used to enjoy the high, wasnt doing it for the high at first, but now I know I am. I know I am now addicted. So my original plan was to get a bunch in the last week and keep telling myself that I will have fun trying to get high for a few days and then save 20 or so and quit cold turkey....keeping the 20 for emergencies. Ha, wish this thing was that easy. I don't know what I am doing. I have never had an issue like this before. My plan is to stop tonight Feb 16th. I took 15 today!! I am so mad at myself for allowing myself to get in this position. I have saved some anti-anxiety pills (xanax, klon, valium, pot) To try and help the next few days, and the 20+ for emergency only. I don't think I am too bad off, but I am not in a good spot either, I am really scared of what the next few days will bring...what is going to happen for someone who is used to taking 20-80mgs a day of lortabs? Is it going to be mental and physical or one or the other? Oh,my father in law is trying to quit this weekend again. I am scared from what he said he went through last time. I would try to taper off but I don't think I will be able to manage them. What is the best way to flush myself to ease the withdraws? I am so confused and upset with myself, but I want my life back. I have been doing this secretly from the rest of my family so support is limited. Also, I wasn't really a daily user until October, so that is 4 1/2 months of straight daily consumption. What should I expect? I feel like I let myself down, and if my family and friends found out they would hate/disown/disrespect and judge me. What should be a good plan for me? Should I just wake up tomorrow and say no and try cold turkey and take a anti-anxiety pill when its gets unbearable? I dunno, hopefully I am making sense, I am just nervous and embarrassed, don't have any close friends I am comfortable reaching out to. I really hope my father in law quits too, as we work together everyday and enable each other. I am attempting to support him, however he is hard to talk to and he will eat 10-15 10mg 2-3 times a day. Sorry if this post is somewhat thrown together, its probably obvious that I am anxious. I want my life back, I want to be healthy again, I want to work out and enjoy this life, not take it for granted.

Thanks for help, suggestions and support.
John

[LostDreamer25]

I am in a similar situation. Friends and family don't know. I am paranoid that they do though. I just quit on tuesday. I still feel somewhat run down. But much better today than day one and two. I have many great things to lose. I have to keep reminding myself of that. Thats what gets me through. Remember what you have to lose and how much it would hurt to lose it. Its a great modivator. Good luck!!

[wtfhappened3399]

Thanks for posting and support. I am weaning myself off, it is not easy because I would like to take more but I have managed to get to down to a couple. Now is going to be the fun part, I have been preparing myself for tonight and this weekend. I will go cold, go some supplies and plan on just hanging out, maybe if I am not sick enough I would like to get out of the house for the day. Anyhow my relative went sick a couple of days ago and threw up for a full day and night. He says he is feeling great now. So I am hoping I will have the same reaction. I can't wait to get my life back. I think I am doing okay..I hope I am going to win this battle. Thanks everyone, it means alot to me, I don't want to tell friends/family so you all are my support.

[MistBrown]

I got some B complex vitamins, Vitamin C, and L-tyrosine and started taking this every morning for before I took my last loratab, and it worked! In a few days my energy levels were pretty high, so the effects of the withdrawals were not near as bad. Even the mental part was easy, and didn't last as long. You can do this! Remember the person you were before your addiction and look for that person again. I'm way on the other side, and I have missed out on so much in my life just because I was on pain meds so long. Keep us all posted on your journey my friend!

[troubleinohio]

hey welcome to the forum, im so glad you found this place!  You can get through this!  Get some supplies- immodium or pepto for the diarrhea you will likely get, some OTC pain relievers and check out the thomas recipe if you are interested in using vitamins/supplements to help. You can take lots of hot baths and use the heating pad for pains. Pretend you have just been exposed to a bad flu virus and you know youre going to come down with it...theres no avoiding that...and WD is similar to a bad flu...and then just ride it out. I hope your relative quits as well, that will be very difficult and tempting to you if he doesnt quit and you have access to pills stilll. THat will be your biggest hurdle probably.  Keep reading and posting here! we will help you as much as we can, day or night!