Sleeping Patterns-hydro withdrawal

[CleandUP]

Hi everyone. I am new to this site and this site is actually what inspired me to quit taking vicodins. I was taking about 5-10 hydros daily for 8 months. This was a recreational use. The last time I took them was on Friday (Feb 1). I have experienced withdrawal symptoms like aching, gas, diarrhea, restless legs, etc. I have been in bed all yesterday and plan on doing so today. The thing is I am a college student and I use to have to use them to do all my work now I don't know what I'll do. My girlfriend lives with me but has no idea, I just told her I have the flu. I didn't want to hurt her but that is why I am quiting those nasty pills. My main question is- How long until I will be 100% back to normal and being able to sleep perfect again? I took some tylenol pm last night which helped me sleep but I dont want to have to depend on that. Thanks everyone1

[worried878]

I am tapering and down to 3 pills...do not feel so good today and gotta work...let me know how long it takes as i have 5 days off...i guess i will deal with that mountain when it gets here but i hope it takes 5 days or less...that is what i have been otld but we are all different...I know it will be a while til we feel "good" but have heard the worst is over by day 5

[CleandUP]

What day am I considered being clean on if I took my last hydros Friday evening? Well I just know I am starting to get a more "positive" mind set on all this and know this is for the best. I also know that if I wouldn't have stopped now, it would've been worst later. The most obvious symptom I have is the "runs" which is annoying. I am looking into that Thomas Recipe so I can get my energy back and focus on my studies. Anybody have any advice?

[worried878]

I think you would be clean as of saturday but am not sure,,,it is still great!  And u r surviving....what and how much  did u take?...I am just curious as to what it will be like for me

[worried878]

I have been told in addition to the thomas recipe to load up on C  I bought a powdered form at the health food store that I mix with water,,,,not bad..tropicl punch flavored....been drinking a couple glasses of that each day to get me ready....I think exercise helps too

[CleandUP]

I took 5-10 7.5/750's and sometimes 10/660's daily since about June 2007

[worried878]

k   close to my intake   thanks

[CleandUP]

Yeah I have been drinking Sunny D. So you are tappering off, how long for?

[worried878]

I will quit on wednesday....then i am off work for 5 days...could not decide whether to keep working or not as staying busy often helps me..took off just in case

[toxictome]

Welcome to the forum. Your DAY 1 was Saturday, so today is day 3 for you. The wd part lasts 4-5 days..you're halfway there. Take Immodium for the runs, eat bananas and take hot baths for the legs, along w/ heating pad. Get out of bed and sit in the chair..try to do something else to occupy your mind..read a book, watch a movie, put a puzzle together. When you feel up to it, start exercising or take a walk...I have found that really helped w/ the legs and the lethargy. Vitamins..yes..read the Thomas recipe.

You will get thru this....it sounds like you are doing good. I know it doesn't feel good, tho!
It will take a couple wks. to a couple months to get up to top speed . Everyone is different....Hope this helps some...

Keep posting!

[CleandUP]

That is a great idea! Taking those days off because you really need down time. That is what I found out. Just laying there. I tend to think about all the good things this is going to bring me and it seems to help. But I am going to say this is day 3 for me and I am just counting down the days. It's just one of those things that takes time.

[CleandUP]

Thanks a lot for your support! Like I said I couldn't have done it without reading all these posts and realizing that I am not the only one. Do you or anybody know someone who claims to be 100% better? Even after a while?

[toxictome]

Well..I quit drinkng 17 yrs. ago...yep, I'm also a recovering alcoholic, and after about 2 yrs...i felt 100% better.

I know it will happen w/ the pills too. My story is similar to yours except i took vics for almost 3 yrs.

Getting clean(detoxing ) is the easy part...staying clean(recovery) is the hard part. It is important to get support, thru this forum,NA, counseling(this helps us get to our core issues of why we used drugs to feel better) or all of the above.

I know the aftercare is wha tkept me sober for all these yrs...i did counseling 9off and on) and still go to AA mtgs. weekly!

[CleandUP]

Oh okay that gives me a good input. So does this mean I can never ever take a vicodin again even as prescribed? I can tell you I will never abuse them again after what I have to go through now

[toxictome]

Well...if you have legitimate pain...maybe yes...but i would give them to someone to give to you only as prescribed....remember how this all got started this time???  

One here, one there...two here, two there....now all of a sudden 8 per day for the buzz....YES.. I think you know the answer to this one!  ;)

[FAITHFUL74]

I am a little over 1 month totally clean and I am much much better. I still have "yuck" kind of days, but, the worst was over after about 7-10 days. Did you go c/t? I haven't read everyone elses post... dont have time too.  The Thomas Recipe does help really. If you have access to all of the ingredients. I did not take the L-tyrosine though, it was not reccommended by my pharmacist. But, to each his or her own. The multi-vitamin and B-Comlex help with energy. Moving around and try to get some fresh air helps more than you realize. Explaining a walk with the flu may be tough...lol. Just kiddn'.

[CleandUP]

yeah thats what i thought. I just want to go back to my normal ways of sleeping and I am afraid that won't happen

[CleandUP]

Yes I went cold turkey, no weening or anything. I really don't want to do the pills again. I want to be a normal human being without having to rely on anything and I know if I do this, that I may have that chance. I just love my family, and mostly my girlfriend more than anything to let pills ruin us. They are also very expensive. Keep in mind I am only twenty years old and still have a lot of life ahead of me. These forums help and I believe in myself and know its for the best. For the Thomas Recipe, where would I find all that stuff? Also, anyone have any hints on how to sleep, tylenol pm seemed to work for me but I dont wanna get hooked on that.

[FAITHFUL74]

Lets see... If I can remember...

Walmart: Immodium, multi-vitamin, B-Complex

The tough part is the Klonapin or Valium... if you not experiencing severe anxiety reactions you may not need these so much.

Utilize the HOT HOT HOT bath soaks, It help so much. Epsom salt is also available at walmart where the icy hot stuff is. Its used to relieve sprains and etc. But, it does help to put a cup into your bath water for a muscle magnesium rush. But not required I didnt use it.

You are on Day 3 so this day and tommorrow will be the toughest they say, however, mine varied. I would have a good day then a bad one, so... go figure?

Light to moderate activity is reccommended. Especially mental activity. Keep your mind busy. Yes it is an extremely expensive habit and it will ruin your life if you let it. But, you sound very ready to give it up and you have so many reasons to.

[CleandUP]

How long and what drug were you using? Do you ever get cravings for the drug?

[toxictome]

Go to GoingToMakeIt profile to find the Thomas Recipe....click on journals...its there....

you are only on day 3 ...give your self a wk. or 2 and the sleep should get straightened around

[FAITHFUL74]

I was using hydros and percs 7-8 5-10mg per day for 8 months when i quit. About same as you...

Yes sometimes, but, I refuse to go thru d/t again so I dont entertain the thought for long enough to give in!

[CleandUP]

Ok, I am going to the store in a little while to get the Thomas Recipe. I just need the energy to get my lazy butt out of my bed. It seems that I don't have that. Part of me thinks the energy and feeling down can be conquered from a little bit of "mind over matter" and just tell myself to. I found out keeping occupied and my mind off the fact that I AM W/D helps a bit. I really appreciate everyone's support. Thank you so much

[toxictome]

I have heard on here to get out of bed and sit in a chaitr...that it's way worse if you just lay in bed..

I don't know, but that's what they say.....

[sickcookie]

First of all the mother in me wants to say good job going to college what a great thing,and it will be even better to stop this little pill problem now,I am 52 and have 15 days off a 10 year vic addiction(took 25-30 aday just to funtion in the end).I started this ugly dance with drugs when I was a teenager and If I could change anything it would have been to not fall into there grip.The years of guilt is an awful thing to carry on ones shoulders on top of the damage to my body and relationships.How I see it for you is stick with it and get ready to enjoy a great life forever ,Do the right thing darling and do it now.My daughter is 24 and just got her masters and first big time job!!! This will be you if you stop now.Sorry to preach but the mom in me kicked in.GOOD LUCK and keep reading the posts