What do you think? Do I have to start from day one?

[taperme]

So...I haven't been around much the last few weeks because things have been crazy. I've been sick, and had back to back out of town trips. As a reminder of my situation, I tapered off of 10+ norco per day 50 something days ago. I've been doing pretty great with it. However...I've been dealing with health issues just about the whole time. I've been running low grade fevers since I withdrew. I've been seeing several doctors and have had a slew of testing done. At first they thought it was a chronic sinus infection. I'm waiting for tests to come back, but they now think it is some type of bacterial infection that they can't figure out. ANYWAY--my fevers rose to 102 over the weekend. I couldn't get tylenol or anything to get them to come down at all. In my head I KNEW that a norco would help (forgot to mention the migraine level head ache I haven't been able to shake). Finally yesterday afternoon I just had to test out my theory. I was just so sick of feeling so sick. By the way...blood tests confirm there is some type of infection my body is fighting. So, I took two norco and bingo...normal temp. I haven't taken any since. I don't have a craving for them...just a craving to find out what on earth is going on, to get rid of my fever and headache. I originally took them for chronic pain/fibromyalgia and got off of them so that I could get a handle on my pain. In my head, I wanted to reevaluate at 2 months whether to stay off of them forever or to see if my pain still warrented them at all. The good news is that I don't think it does...my body pain has been really pretty manageable with OTC stuff. Even the low grade fevers have been tolerable. But the 101+ with headaches not so much. Again, although I am still running a temp and have a miserable headache I haven't taken anything besides tylenol and motrin today. We are waiting (probably till end of week) for blood cultures and other tests to come back. I know I probably shouldn't care what everyone's opinions are, but I do. And I wouldn't want to post offering help to others without being completely honest here. Thanks for reading...I'm interested in what you guys think.

[dominosarah]

I really hope they get to the bottom of what is going on....Please keep us posted.

Thank you for your honesty also~~~~~~~sara

[dominosarah]

I dont think you have to start at day one if you need pain meds for surgery and have taken all the necessary precautions.  Usually we have someone hold the pills for us and dole them out.  Im sure most of us at one point in our life will be faced with this situation and we have to have a plan in place.        sara

[LeaAnn807]

You are so right.  That is why I don't really get too caught up in how many days I have.  I know it is over a month, but I am unsure of exactly how many days.  When I go to NA meetings everyone seems to know their EXACT sobriety/clean date, and I don't!!! : )  That is what has me thinking about it!

Good point though!  We have today!  Making it from the time we wake up until midnight is all that really counts!  And sometimes I have to take it 5 MINUTES at a time on a bad day!

Thanks for the reminder!  

TH

[worried878]

Starting from today is often best....it doesnt really matter if it is day one of day 365...we may only have today....(:

[LeaAnn807]

Hmmm.....I think I disagree with abritt....sorry!!!  (BIG smile!)  I think if you take something when you are clean and working a program of recovery, which I am, then if you take something responsibly it should not put you back to day one.  I even had my hubby give them to me.  I never had possession of them.  I took very few after major surgery, and we threw a bunch away.  I never felt high, nor did I take enough to feel high.  Only enough to take the edge off of the pain.  

Anyway, I wanted to hear someone else's opinion.  Maybe I'll think about that one for awhile and change my mind!!! : )

[taperme]

I sort of agree with you. AND I sort of don't as far as starting from day one. Since I wasn't told by a doctor to take it, I probably do agree with you. Although I really did try everything else that I know of. Where I don't is if you have a procedure or surgery that you know will force you to take painkillers. When it isn't really your choice. Especially for those that are truly addicted vs dependent, I think if they have to start from day one that will give license to use until they are done with the doctor prescribed stuff. Does that make sense at all? I think when counting days, it should be from not using for non legitimate reasons not the legitimate ones. I'm beat right now and need to get some sleep. I will try to articulate this better in the morning. Thanks again!
Oh...but you are right in that yes, I took one and I have no desire for another. I didn't feel a craving today, no withdrawal feeling, nada. So I guess that is a good thing.