Aa
Vicodin... can't live with it, can't live without it??
Hi gang. First I want to say that I've been lurking here for about a week and your posts have been invaluable to me in helping me understand what is/was going on with me as I withdrew from Vicodin and Valium.
I'm 25/male, and I have ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the colon). This past January, I came down with it although this time it was preceded by inflammation of the iris in my left eye. It was extremely debilitatingly painful, and i was prescribed vicodin for the pain. During the course of the colitis which lasted about a month or so this time, I kept taking the vicodin and was also given a script for valium/5 to help me sleep while i was on the prednisone (steroid). Once things got better I kept taking the vicodin because I felt it helped me feel confident to re-enter the world without a fear of having to run to the bathroom all the time, it lifted my (situational) depression, gave me loads of energy and basically made me feel like a better than normal human being.
I was using 2-4 vicodin/5 per day, and 10mg valium at night for approx 2 1/2 months - a total of maybe 190 vics + 120 darvocet and maybe 120 valium/5,. Tomorrow at 7am will be 2 weeks since i cold turkeyed. When I stopped i immediately was thrown into a deep depression, anxiety, fear, shaking, cant sleep cant eat, no energy, but no stomach probs or anything too serious. Thought i was losing my mind until the doctor told me i was having withdrawals. They never advised me of anything, they just cut me off and im thinking of suing. Yesterday was the 1st day i started feeling almost normal again.
I'm 25/male, and I have ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the colon). This past January, I came down with it although this time it was preceded by inflammation of the iris in my left eye. It was extremely debilitatingly painful, and i was prescribed vicodin for the pain. During the course of the colitis which lasted about a month or so this time, I kept taking the vicodin and was also given a script for valium/5 to help me sleep while i was on the prednisone (steroid). Once things got better I kept taking the vicodin because I felt it helped me feel confident to re-enter the world without a fear of having to run to the bathroom all the time, it lifted my (situational) depression, gave me loads of energy and basically made me feel like a better than normal human being.
I was using 2-4 vicodin/5 per day, and 10mg valium at night for approx 2 1/2 months - a total of maybe 190 vics + 120 darvocet and maybe 120 valium/5,. Tomorrow at 7am will be 2 weeks since i cold turkeyed. When I stopped i immediately was thrown into a deep depression, anxiety, fear, shaking, cant sleep cant eat, no energy, but no stomach probs or anything too serious. Thought i was losing my mind until the doctor told me i was having withdrawals. They never advised me of anything, they just cut me off and im thinking of suing. Yesterday was the 1st day i started feeling almost normal again.
IT WILL GO AWAY!!!!
Hell i could recite my pill taking routine in my sleep.
Wake up at 4:45a.m. for work, take my first 2 percs to get into the shower.
By the time most of my fellow workers were arriving at work, i was ready for another 1.5(now all of 8:00 am) Another 1.5 at 10:30, and finally 1.5 more to go to lunch. Then my massive will power kicked in, and i stretched it to 2 more just before going home at 4pm. Then just to help be stay energized at least 2 or 3 more before dinner, so i could play with the lit'l ones.
Usually cut my dinner short so i could rush upstairs and grab a couple more, Since my damn food was diluting my pills.
2 or 3 more around 8:30(just about ready to put the lit'l ones to bed; after all i had to read them a couple stories, so i needed them right?) Ah, and then the night cap, 1 or 2 or 3 more to put myself to sleep. Can't forget the 1 in the middle of the night either, waking up withdrawaling is no fun you know.
MY POINT FILLING ALL THIS SPACE UP WITH THAT, IS, THAT IF I CAN "UNWIND" THE PILLS FROM MY EVERYDAY ROUTINE, AND ENJOY LIFE AGAIN......SO CAN YOU.
You have to give yourself enough time between your last pill, and you will once again be "normal". And, i strongly encourage you to not just sit back and say "well i got off the pills, now what". Make it happen, fill your time, retrain yourself if you have to. You know the old "Effort in === Reward out"
Hell i could recite my pill taking routine in my sleep.
Wake up at 4:45a.m. for work, take my first 2 percs to get into the shower.
By the time most of my fellow workers were arriving at work, i was ready for another 1.5(now all of 8:00 am) Another 1.5 at 10:30, and finally 1.5 more to go to lunch. Then my massive will power kicked in, and i stretched it to 2 more just before going home at 4pm. Then just to help be stay energized at least 2 or 3 more before dinner, so i could play with the lit'l ones.
Usually cut my dinner short so i could rush upstairs and grab a couple more, Since my damn food was diluting my pills.
2 or 3 more around 8:30(just about ready to put the lit'l ones to bed; after all i had to read them a couple stories, so i needed them right?) Ah, and then the night cap, 1 or 2 or 3 more to put myself to sleep. Can't forget the 1 in the middle of the night either, waking up withdrawaling is no fun you know.
MY POINT FILLING ALL THIS SPACE UP WITH THAT, IS, THAT IF I CAN "UNWIND" THE PILLS FROM MY EVERYDAY ROUTINE, AND ENJOY LIFE AGAIN......SO CAN YOU.
You have to give yourself enough time between your last pill, and you will once again be "normal". And, i strongly encourage you to not just sit back and say "well i got off the pills, now what". Make it happen, fill your time, retrain yourself if you have to. You know the old "Effort in === Reward out"
Thank You. I will keep reading and maybe posting. I don't have the luxury of time away from my job. I am going to try the hot bath as soon as I get home though. Though the physical withdrawl is tough, (my bones ache), the toughest part is the mental addiction. I am so used to coming home from work and going right to the narcotics, that now when I get home, I pace, I try to watch TV, but nothing seems enjoyable anymore. I hate that feeling. I don't want to be in the office, I don't want to be at home, I don't want to DO anything. How long does this symptom last? Will it ever go away?
I don't have to tell you that you will get caught if you keep calling in the scripts to I?? Just a matter of time, then you'll be on wife #3(from what you've indicated)
As far as help, you've found a very good start with this forum.
I've copied a detox recipe for you to read through, which should be of real benefit to your recovery:
Thomas Detox Recipe
PLEASE NOTE: I am not a doctor, simply a long-time Rx opiate junkie who has had many opportunities to develop a way to detox. This is a recipe for at-home self-detox from opiates based on my experience as well as that of many other addicts. It is not intended as professional medical advice. It is always wise to make sure none of the recipe ingredients or procedures conflict with medications you may be taking. Likewise, if you have any medical condition, disease, allergy or any other health issue, consult your doctor before using the recipe. Thanks, Thomas
This recipe is designed for cold turkey opiate detox. It assumes that you can get about 5 to 7 days away from your job or household responsibilities during which you can sleep, veg and act as miserable as you feel. Opiate WD mimics the symptoms of the common flu, so, if you need a smokescreen, hide behind a bad case of the flu.
If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.
For the Recipe, You'll need:
1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.
2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).
3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.
4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper and Magnesium.
5. Vitamin B6 caps.
6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).
How to use the recipe:
Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5.
During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.
Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it.
At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help.
With breakfast, take the mineral supplement.
As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have any medical complications, first check with your doctor before detoxing to verify that this regimen is safe for you.
You are probably somewhere around halfway to coming out the other side, so that is a very good start. Although i'm sure it doesn't feel like it. Try and keep yourself moving and your mind occupied!!! Read through a bunch of threads, and find some inspiration/motivation/support, or whatever you are looking for.
Keep posting!!
As far as help, you've found a very good start with this forum.
I've copied a detox recipe for you to read through, which should be of real benefit to your recovery:
Thomas Detox Recipe
PLEASE NOTE: I am not a doctor, simply a long-time Rx opiate junkie who has had many opportunities to develop a way to detox. This is a recipe for at-home self-detox from opiates based on my experience as well as that of many other addicts. It is not intended as professional medical advice. It is always wise to make sure none of the recipe ingredients or procedures conflict with medications you may be taking. Likewise, if you have any medical condition, disease, allergy or any other health issue, consult your doctor before using the recipe. Thanks, Thomas
This recipe is designed for cold turkey opiate detox. It assumes that you can get about 5 to 7 days away from your job or household responsibilities during which you can sleep, veg and act as miserable as you feel. Opiate WD mimics the symptoms of the common flu, so, if you need a smokescreen, hide behind a bad case of the flu.
If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.
For the Recipe, You'll need:
1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.
2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).
3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.
4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper and Magnesium.
5. Vitamin B6 caps.
6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).
How to use the recipe:
Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5.
During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.
Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it.
At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help.
With breakfast, take the mineral supplement.
As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have any medical complications, first check with your doctor before detoxing to verify that this regimen is safe for you.
You are probably somewhere around halfway to coming out the other side, so that is a very good start. Although i'm sure it doesn't feel like it. Try and keep yourself moving and your mind occupied!!! Read through a bunch of threads, and find some inspiration/motivation/support, or whatever you are looking for.
Keep posting!!
I just starting reading the postings here. It has been a big help to me to know that I'm not alone in my addiction. I can't talk to my wife about this, she has no sympathy for addicts, and I can't say that I blame her. I started talking my nightmare of "feeding the hungry demons" about 2 years ago with OTC cough syrup with codeine. (It is legal in Wis. to buy 120ml of this without a prescription.) Then I started taking 8mg w acetam. that I bought on-line. I started to worry about the effects of the acetametiphen on my liver, so I started to strain the codiene out and drink the bitter mixure like that. Then I was prescribed Vicodin for a minor back strain and BANG!! I was in love! I felt GREAT! But then the bottle was empty and I headed back to the Dr. to get more. No problem. When that went empty, I started calling in prescriptions (my first wife is a pharmacist) and I worked part-time with her as a pharmacy tech so I learned how to read and write scripts. I have not been caught doing this and nor do I want to get caught. My 2nd wife would surely leave me if I got arrested for this. I have been without any narcs. for 2 days now, and I can think of nothing else but how to get more Vicodins.
HELP ME!!
HELP ME!!
Hi Bunches...........i'm glad you found us!!!
Sounds like you've got a fresh start coming. That fear is very natural. Although i didn't do an in-patient detox(i tapered and used Thomas' Recipe; w/o the benzo); my MIL did one fairly recently, and was very thankful for it. She came off a poly-drug habit of many years(coke, vikes, and xanax), and was treated with clonidine and valium(only for the first 3 days) over an 8 day period.
She was amazed at how well "it" worked....meaning she didn't get creamed by the withdrawals.....like she expected.
Don't be too hard on yourself, thinking its all about self control..........it is the nature of the opiate beast. Lets just try and tackle one step at a time, starting with the detox.
I think your plan is a wise one, tapering--heading into detox.
I'm not sure if you have a follow-up phase(like counselling, AA, NA,etc); but this place is at least a very good start, once you get out of detox. Please try and read through the Thomas Recipe, and i strongly suggest picking up the ingredients(of course you won't need the benzo!!), so that you can start when you get home.
Take some comfort knowing you are not alone, and that there is a large group of people(compassionate,caring and knowledgeable) here for you.
percs
Sounds like you've got a fresh start coming. That fear is very natural. Although i didn't do an in-patient detox(i tapered and used Thomas' Recipe; w/o the benzo); my MIL did one fairly recently, and was very thankful for it. She came off a poly-drug habit of many years(coke, vikes, and xanax), and was treated with clonidine and valium(only for the first 3 days) over an 8 day period.
She was amazed at how well "it" worked....meaning she didn't get creamed by the withdrawals.....like she expected.
Don't be too hard on yourself, thinking its all about self control..........it is the nature of the opiate beast. Lets just try and tackle one step at a time, starting with the detox.
I think your plan is a wise one, tapering--heading into detox.
I'm not sure if you have a follow-up phase(like counselling, AA, NA,etc); but this place is at least a very good start, once you get out of detox. Please try and read through the Thomas Recipe, and i strongly suggest picking up the ingredients(of course you won't need the benzo!!), so that you can start when you get home.
Take some comfort knowing you are not alone, and that there is a large group of people(compassionate,caring and knowledgeable) here for you.
percs
Thank you for writing and the encouragement. I am trying not to put "everything" on detox, I know that is just the beginning. But I so want to not crave and just think about these damn pills, 24/7. I don't even remember what it feels like to be without them. I know I was depressed or something was underlying to begin with, but sure would take that over this. It's almost like the more and more I take, even to maintain, I become irritable and enjoy things less and less. Is this normal, or should I say typical of drug-use? When I just had a few to get me through each day, waiting for detox on monday I was doing just that. Now that I have more, enough to get by and "then some" I want to take more. I feel so out of control. I think of how I will be after detox. Oh, I'm just caught up in all my thoughts right now....
You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
