Starting over

[OpenMind24hours]

I'm going into WDs from Hydro 7.5s (again). I ran out today and I've decided not to ask for a refill.  I've been off and on Hydro for about 4 years now. During the 4 years I got 9 months of clean time, and then I started back up 2 years ago this month. I got some additional clean time last winter but by mid-June I was back on it again and the amount quickly creeps up. I get prescriptions from my doctor, who must know I'm getting addicted to it but he knows I'm in pain all the time. Addiction goes along with the territory. Now I'm taking more than prescribed every day and not happy with it.

My MRIs show degenerative disk disease. I've had 3 MRIs in the past 4 years and it shows the condition is getting worse, but to me the Hydro and all it's side effects seem much more worse to me than the pain itself. Addiction sux.

My doctor also has me on Elivil at bedtime for depression and for help with my back pain at night, which I've been on for 18 months now.  He also gave me a Xanax .25 script which I have mostly steered clear of because of it's addictive nature. If I occasionally take one, I'll feel slight WDs up to 2 days after. Strong stuff.  

My doctor's limit for me is 90 7.5 Hydros a month, 3 a day. Never more than that. But that amount slowly catches up with my system, which is the nature of the beast. That buzzed, happy and energetic feeling I once got from Hydro has been long gone. Now I take Hydro just to feel normal and I'm running out ahead of time. I know that staying on the course I'm on right now is an impossible dead end. Drugs stopped working for me long ago and today I have the spark of willingness to try to be drug free again.

I read the post on here and I'm reminded about the sleep I'm not going to get for a while. I hate the WDs. I hope for your support, and will listen to your experience and expertise as I go through this nightmare one more time. It's my hope to stay clean for good this time, one day at a time.  

[Sonrissa]

Hi there and welcome! Definately get prepared! Some other things that I did to prepare for withdrawals is get as much of your household stuff done as possible! Do your banking, grocery shopping, etc. Get easy to prepare meals, frozen microwaveable, easy on the stomach. Do all your laundry, have a few sets of clean sheets, clean PJs, for the sweaty nights. Pay your bills. I wanted to not have to worry about anything else but getting well! Take care and keep posting for support! I wish you all the best! You can do this! Take care!

[vicki595]

Hi there-  You should be able to do this...it sounds like you want it. Try not to look at it in such a negative fashion. Yes, wd's are unpleasant but they don't have to be a nightmare.
The secret is to be prepared. Get all the things you'll need and want: OTC's, Epsom salts for the bath, heating pad, Gatorade, soups, Ensure...that sort of thing.

The question is: What are you planning to do about the pain? You may want to discuss all of this with your doctor...