When will it end?

[Driver20]

Having started on Vicodin after back surgery, I now find myself withdrawing cold turkey as I want off!  I have been on this for the past 12 years and just the past 6 months, I found myself taking more than the recommended dosage. I was taking 12-16 pills a day. The withdrawals are serious. Can you have a seizure from doing this? I am over 60, by the way! I have no doctor whom I trust enough with this information, UNFORTUNATELY. My wife has been a blessing but as she has never been through something like this, she has no understanding of what's to come. Will everything be OK and how long should I expect to not sleep? It has been 3 days now, My muscles are twitching, my stomach is in knots, my blood pressure was up but is back down now. Thank you. I appreciate any info you can give.me.  .  

[Driver20]

I slept from 1:02 to 2am,  than from 3 something til 4 and that was that. The rest of the time was spent up and walking around the house. Today, the shaking seems to be getting lighter but the brain wants to play head games with me. One minute I am feeling like I can lick the world and the next, I hurt again......and so on.......Thanks to all for all your encouragement!

[minn66]

I totally understand about the sleep. It was the last thing to come for me, too. I still don't sleep as much as I used to but that's ok. Maybe part of it is just getting older ;) Try to limit caffeine in the latter part of the day. Herbal teas are soothing. Hang in there. It will get better :)

[IwillDoThis]

Hey Driver - ooooh the lack of sleep, that was the worst - I do know how you feel, I'm also a lifelong insomniac who finally conquered her sleep issues.  In the beginning I'd use benedryl or nyquil to help me get some sleep so I didn't go absolutely bonkers - some nights it helped others it did not.  I also went off lifelong ambien use after I got off opiates so I had a double whammy.

Meditation and some other relaxation techniques REALLY helped me but it doesn't just naturally come - you have to learn to relax yourself.  Check out my "Insomiac Maniac" sleep journal to see what I did and PM me any time - if I can make suggestions I will.  I am sleeping naturally every single night now after having issues my entire life - what works for me may not work for you but it doesn't hurt to try.

Please hang in there in another 10 or so days you will be amazed at how much better you feel.  You are doing great - keep moving ahead!

[Driver20]

Thank you Minn. I can't tell you how much this forum has meant to me. I thought I was losing my mind, but "bring it on"! I did this to myself and if it doesn't kill me, it'll make me stronger!

[Driver20]

Thanks Steve, you don't know how much your friendship and everyone Else's has helped me! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU !!

[littlebit667]

If the restless legs are keeping you up.  Ask for something for that.  It makes all the difference.  My Dr. gave me carbidopa Levo/ER which is pretty benign in the doses you have to take.  I take about 3-6 a day which is way lower than needed for the real purpose.  No side effects so far!  There are others that work, but this one has been around a LONG time.  It is generic and pretty reasonable.