Trying to stop denying

[AcesLaw]

Hello  all:

I don't know if I am addicted, but suspect I may be. I have been on Norco 10/325 since my neck surgery a couple years ago. I am in need of another surgery and am awaiting insurance approval.

Right now I am taking the maximum recommended dosage of 1 norco every 4-6 hours prn. So I am taking 6 tabs a day. I want to quit them, but am very scared of the w/d symptoms. Oh and that's not all.  I take 2 10mg Flexeril 4 benedryl and 1 10mg ambien every morning (I work nights) before I go to bed.  This is because I can't sleep due to all kinds of stress in my life.  I have serious insomnia.  I can't function if I don't sleep, so I put myself to sleep.  I have been having panic attacks, mood swings and nightmares lately and I am really scared.

I work full time overnights and sleep during the day. I can't take any time off of work so I am basically looking for the easy way out. I am not even sure if I am taking enough to be addicted. At this point, I am more afraid of w/d symptoms than I want to quit.
Any thoughts or advice on this?

[AcesLaw]

Thank you so much for your support.  I actually started to taper yesterday.  I did have some wd's, but it went well.  I am registered on another site as well and have really been surprised at how many supporters and common addicts that have replied.  It is a big help and I will put some time each day to answering and helping.  The main thing is that I have gotten honest with myself.  I told my boyfriend today and he took it really well.  So I have another supporter that I didn't think would understand.  To all of you that are feeling the wd's and the mental anguish......Good luck to you.  You are all in my prayers.  And most of all....Thank you.

[Sunnyd210]

I agree with the eagle again lol. That was my exact DOC and I took the same amount too I tapered very slowly I also found that cutting pills in 1/2 really helped me too. Good luck to u!!

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

The flexeril and the benadryl will not be a problem. You could even keep taking them. How long have you been taking the ambien? I am thinking that you should keep taking those while you cut back the norco's - drop the norco's by a pill a day for a week or so and then drop down another pill. Let your body grow accustomed to latest dose before you cut another one out. Definitely do use the Amino Acid and supplement/vitamin information in health pages .... slow and steady wins this race!

[sadinmichigan]

you will for sure have w/d if you quit..do you have enough will power to taper for a few weeks..that will help..and not only that but if you have another surgery than the pain meds will work better. Fear is what keeps most of us on our drug..don't let that hold you hostage..many people have quit and the discomfort is a small price to pay to have your life back..good luck

[joangy]

I posted a question very similar to this on day 2 of my withdrawals... I was taking about 2 to 3 tyl/codeine every day for back pain and knew that I HAD to have them to feel "right."  

Have you been without them for any period of time? After going thru w/d's and staying clean for about 10 days I realized how much I WAS addicted to them... after not thinking about the pills 24 hours per day and planning my day around it- I realized that even though I was taking way less than prescribed- I was still addicted!

I also work nights (11pm to 8am) and have sleeping issues. I sometimes go 2 1/2 days on about 3 hours of sleep, then just crash on the third day. I know it is really frustrating when you can't sleep but I promise that your body will eventually 'turn-off' when it gets tired enough. I take a mixture of l-tryptophan,melatonin and valerian root in the morning and it seems to help quite a bit.

I wish you luck!! You are in the right place for support :)

[joann1975]

Welcome to the forum. I would definetly check out the Health Pages on the right side of the screen. Read the Thomas Recipe for going cold turkey and the Amino Acid Protocol to help your body replace what the drugs stole from it.

There really isn't an easy way out. You can stop taking the meds cold turkey or taper off of them. Either way your body will probably have a reaction to you stopping them due to the length of time you've been taking them. I agree with enemy48 that the super energy may be why you aren't falling asleep also.

Keep posting and good luck!

[enemy48]

As I'm sure you've noticed, painkillers give you all kinds of super energy.  It is probably why you have to take pills to fall asleep.

You've probably formed a dependacy.  If don't take as prescribed, then that is addiction.

I'm sure after 2 years, it takes 2 pills, not 1.......to do what it used to huh?

[Coolio Hernendez]

Whats up ????

I have had a pill problem for a couple years...I also took 10 mg ambien every nite to go to sleep then took pain pills to wake up and get going.

I just got on Subutex and i have not taken ambien in 3 nites and i dont need anything to get me going in the morning..

I know Subutex is a partial opiate....but ill take this any day over what i had been doing...