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Vicodin Withdrawal

I just took my last pill for hopefully the rest of my life.  I have read alot of entries on this site and it looks like I am certainly not alone.  I had been taking vicodin for at least 4 years .... 7.5s, anywhere from 4-8 per day all depending how my back was feeling that day.  I know the withdrawal symptoms are going to be bad but I have no choice, I can no longer take these pill, back problem or not.  I have a question, would it be wise to maybe have a few cocktails when I really start feeling bad - I normally do not drink so it will probably knock me out which I am thinking, would be a good thing.  Any thoughts?
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Avatar universal
Maybe I spoke to soon .... I am feeling aweful.  Why on earth does it take so long for this medication to get out of your system.  
Helpful - 0
4341997 tn?1514588688
for me day 2-4 was the worst......every one is diff tho....you might feel alot better tmrw....just hang in there and know the tough days will end soon!  it's temporary....just like the flu...just keep telling yourself that....it won't last.  Just keep posting when you need answers or help!  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well day two and I don't feel really as bad as I thought I would...just tired because I didn't sleep well.  Is this going to worse before it gets better??
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Avatar universal
I know I will feel better by New Year's Eve.  Everyone has been so helpful on this site. This is truly a horrible problem to have and I pray to God my Father that I never ever have to go through thisagain.  I found soaking in the tub feels good .... wondering if an electric blanket would work for the muscle aches.  It's funny one minute I feel ok the next minute I feel like **** ...normal, I suppose after reading the folks on this forum.  Tomorrow will be a better day.  

It sometimes sounds like people were actuall able to function normally while taking Vicodin.  It made me sit on the couch all day and do nothing.  Getting up to take a shower was a chore.  Maybe it (pills) were making me depressed.  Thanks for listening...
Helpful - 0
4204073 tn?1361831476
Hey....don't get frustrated....get mad at those pills for doing this to you.  Channel that anger towards fighting to get past this.  You can do this!   And let us know what you are feeling....we can talk you through.   Hang on!
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Avatar universal
Ill be with you tomorrow...not particularly looking forward to it, but it has to be done.   Hang in there..Ill need you to tell me you made it through!
Helpful - 0
271792 tn?1334979657
You need to get positive and know that you are doing the best thing you can for yourself right now. Saying "Nothing will make me feel better" is negative and cannot help you right now. Describe what you are feeling and we can give you some recommendations that may help ease the process.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Almost 24 hours and it's really kicking in. Nothing will make me feel better. Not sure what to do!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Your information has helped me greatly. I just a disectomy and spinal fusion surgery and have been on diloted (sp?), loratab and norco 10/325. I have been on heavy doses of these meds since summer. My major concern is that i woke this am still feeling as though i just took a recent dose. I was dizzy, stumbling, shaking and am swelling in my hands and face! My urine was very dark. My concern is that these meds are causing liver and kidney damage. I also suffer from systemic lupus, fibromyalgia, epilepsy and a slew of other illnesses. I know i am 100% addicted to these noe and am not sure how I'm going to get off them without serious complications. I have also been seeing a pain specialists and was told they will help me wean off these meds! However,  i dont see the pain specialist until Jan 30th. Im very concerned i wont make it until then without serious medical complications. I'm. Seeking any help/ ideas as what to do until then! Any and all advice would be very helpful! I thank you in advance!!! ~ Sincerely Chrissy
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm right where you are, at about 42 hours into it.  I also started because of back issues.  Funny thing is my back isn't that bad, but the rest of me is!  Together we can do this!
Helpful - 0
3225128 tn?1347133998
Hi Farout , My pain eased a bit after about 30 days off pain pills . Your brain tells you that you feel more pain when your pills are wearing off . I can now feel some pain relief just takeing Advil & using heat . My pain seems to ease after 3-4 hours now .
Also don't be mad at yourself , Get mad at the pills and what they have done to your life . Hate the pills , and remember your hate every morning .
Next week you will start to feel so much better just keep fighting hard.. Ron
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks everyone for your support.  So far today, my back is killing me (the reason I was taking them in the first place) and of course I have started the bathroom trips. I know I will get through this but right now I am mad at myself for getting to this point in the first place.  Again thanks you folks are the best!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi and Welcome! I agree with the above try and stay away from the alcohol during withdrawal. I know it really *****. Hang in there! You will find amazing support here. ((hugs))~Bkitty
Helpful - 0
3225128 tn?1347133998
Hi , Welcome to this site . Great choice to get your life back . The first 100 hours are tuff then it starts to improve day by day . Your dose is not real high so your CT should be doable . Not fun but doable . Lets get you thru the next few days and you will be fine.
Remember you must eat & drink lots of water to heal , If you just can't eat buy some Ensure . I drank the choclate ice cold ,Think it helped my tummy .
Also please get rid of any pills you have , In a weak Min. you can't take what you don't have .
When you feel the W/D is hard to take,  get on this site and post and someone will offer you advise & support .

Farout this site works if you really want off pills bad enough to fight hard for a few days . Be as strong as you can and think positive , others here have recovered there lifes with the help they received here and so can you .

I know this site works , I am 100 Days free of a 100mg a day Norco addiction thanks to the people here there help , advise , support helped me thru it , You can do this to , just have to really want it ... Ron
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much toothfairie - I really appreciate your support as well!!!  I will keep you posted.
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4204073 tn?1361831476
Hi FarOut.  I see that you have tried to do this a couple years back?   No judgement because I have relapsed so many times it isn't funny.   :)  Sometimes we have to go back to relearn something.    People kept telling me I needed aftercare and I truly didn't get that piece of the puzzle before.   I just absolutely cannot do this alone.    Otherwise all I'm doing is operating on auto pilot and sheer will power.   That just sets me up to use again.    

Definitely get the items on the Thomas Recipe.   I know you are scared of the withdraws.  I think we work ourselves up that they will be worse than they really are.   They aren't fun, but then again, neither is the flu.   Look at it like that and embrace them as giving birth to the new you.    And definitely keep in touch with us here to help you through.    Congrats on deciding to quit.   That's an important step to taking your life back.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you Teresa1717 for your support.  I know I can do this... heck I just quit smoking cigarettes after 35 years.  This addiction has caused me to be lazy, withdrawn and just not myself. Like my husband said to me - the doctors get you on the stuff than look at you like you are a drug addict when you tell them you have issues getting off it.  I did tell my doctor I have the issue so she suggested I step down little by little.  Ummm noooo that did not work for me.  I am going CT.  
Helpful - 0
4341997 tn?1514588688
just wanted to give you my support as well.....above post gave you great advice as will others on here...and she's right....i was more scared of the WDs than they actually were.....they were rough....first few days...not gonna lie but i got thru it and so can you!!  just stick close to this site and you will get TONS of support from others as well....just keep posting and asking questions when you need to...good luck and you can do this!  
Helpful - 0
4149717 tn?1389503561
Hi there and welcome! IMO, you should absolutely not drink to help you sleep. That is just asking for trouble. SO easily do we as addicts trade one addiction for another, and too many times alcohol leads us right back to our DOC. I think you are just setting yourself up for trouble if you do that IMO.

In know your scared of the W/D's and they do su*k, but its only 3 -4 really bad days and then thinsg start getting better. And to be completely honest, most people psyche themselves up more than they should.  There are many things you can do to help with the w/d symptoms. Check out the Thomas Recipe. it has alot of great ideas.  

I think you are making the right choice in wanting to get off these pills ad take your life back! Stay close to this forum, as there are alot of great people here and lots of support!
Helpful - 0
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