Withdrawal Ease for hydro addiction

[mshvanslyke]

I have been doing hydrocodone and oxies for about 3 years now. It all started with an infection in my jaw that caused intense pain. Well, we all know the rest of the story.. and addiction was born. Im taking approx. 40-50mg/day.  I DESPERATELY want to get off these and get my life back. I feel like im in a 'fog'. I have alot of memory loss, mood swings, and just lathargic alot of the time. Im normally a high energy, happy go lucky, active, healthy woman. I want her back so bad. I tried detoxing a year ago and only lasted 3 days. The depression and RLS which led to insomnia were the WORSE for me. The RLS was so bad I took trazodone to help sleep but it didnt work- I was taking almost 500mg!!! and still didnt sleep. I was chugging J&B out of the bottle- even smoking pot. Tried ANYTHING.

I dont have a support system, and no one knows about this shameful position Ive got myself into. How long will the withdrawal last?? I just started a new job and CAN NOT take any time off, and I also started working out and trying to get healthier that way. If possible- Id like to not 'disrupt' my day-to-day activities, or at least not have anyone know whats going on. Id LOVE to hear from anyone who has actually beaten this monkey and is sober- how do you feel now? How long did it take?? I need some encouragement. I already know what to expect the first week- HELL. I need to make it 'tolerable' and I need to make sure I get SLEEP so I can work.

HELP!!

[betterplaces101]

i haven't tried that one but i tried something called "detox-aid" and it helped a lot. it was cheaper too, about $35. it really helped with the physical symptoms and i slept better than any other time i've detoxed, which has been more than once. i'm on day 14 now and feeling decent. i think the site is detox-aid.com. it was especially helpful during those first 5 days.

i hope you are now feeling better and can see and think clearly on this other side. now we just have to keep our guard up!

stay strong everyone - we're in this together!

[DayToTry]

I've always been big on exercise and vitamins too so maybe that is a big key.  Funny did you see my posts that I also had a cold this week.  I read on here that a lot of people end up with a cold several weeks after they quit.  People have suggested that it may be due to the immune system being low.  I don't really know?  I didn't getting the runny nose and sneezing 3 weeks ago, but this week was definitely a cold.

Just like you the physical part was not hard at all.  It was more mental.  I honestly feel guilty when I read people's stories.  I didn't have restless leg, I didn't sweat, I didn't have any stomache problems.  I've had trouble sleeping, but I had trouble sleeping before so I'm not sure if it changed any.  The only thing I really had I know for sure is lack of energy and lack of motivation.  Oh yeah and body aches.  My joints ache though anyway.  Have for a long time.  I was up to jogging 2 1/2 miles a day and I've had to switch to walking because now my knees can't take it with out the pain pills.  So maybe I shouldn't have been jogging on them anyway.  I'm 49.

[mshvanslyke]

My energy has been okay. Aside from being sick with a bad cold of course! I think me exercising a good month before, during, and continuing, really really helped with that. I also think my balanced diet, alot of water, and the vitamins played a huge role as well. Are you getting exercise?

Ive also noticed Im not even thinking abot them as much as I was. Everyday it gets less. Yesterday I thought about them one time, and was like, "wow..I dont even miss them". The first couple weeks were tough with obsessive thoughts of them. The physical part was very tolerable, the mental was the hardest.

How are you doing with that aspect?

[DayToTry]

Mine weren't bad either.  In fact I feel bad saying that on here when I see what everyone else is going thru.  I had seen you said yours weren't bad, that was another one of the things that made me think "Hey, she's like me".

I feel good now. Maybe not quite as energized as I used to be, but so excited about not dealing with those pills and so happy that I've got myself convinced that I can live with Ibuprofen.  I wish I could go back and do things over.

I've really been looking forward to saying three weeks.  Congrats to you.

[mshvanslyke]

Wow! we do sound alike. I hid my addiction from almost everyone... I was (and still am a bit) ashamed, depressed, hopeless, etc etc, im sure you know. CONGRATS on your 20 days!! We were going through the w/ds at the same time! Mine werent nearly as bad as most.I feel so blessed for that... How are you feeling now??

[DayToTry]

You sound like me ...

I'm on day 20. And I'm just a regular every day working female.  No one knows about this problem.  Like you I started taking them for legitimate reasons.  When my back started hurting more I found myself taking them every day through the week but then not on the weekend.  I did that forever.  Then I started taking them on the weekend if we were doing anything the least bit physical.  Then it was just everyday.  

I just got tired of it all.  Its hard to convince someone taking Vicodin that regular pain medicine like Ibuprofen does pretty good.  You have to get away from the Vicodin and see it for yourself.  

You know how that is though ... "Ya can't tell people nothing"


You and I are in a much better life now mshvanslyke.  Good job.

[jstntime]

Great hearing from you!!

21 days is awesome!!!  You should be so proud of yourself.

Here's to many many more!!!!

bob

[mshvanslyke]

day 21- Im doing good! The cravings are slowly passing...and getting less frequent. Its nice...

[feohmoon]

Good to hear from you and it seems that congratulations are in order - I am so glad that you are doing well...another inspirational story.
Please continue to post because you can help so many people - and you already have, most importantly...yourself.
Way to go!  Best of luck to you -
Peace

[LeaAnn807]

I'm glad you are going good!!!!!!!!!! : D

[mshvanslyke]

Thank you! LOL @ 'stalking'- I did the same thing. I read a ton of members posts, that helped a TON. Did you try any of the vitamins or aminos? Hows your symtoms? Congrats on day 18!! Thats great. I love this place because I dont feel so alone. Its so hard to talk to anyone in 'real life' cause no body knows... and the fact is, theres more people addicted out there than we think... Keep up the good work! I LOVE not depending on those evil things!! hahaha

[jstntime]

That's great news!!!

We all love a good success story around here.  Congrats on your 12 days!!!
You should be really proud of yourself!!!!!

bob

[IwillQuit2]

Congrats mshvan!!! I've never posted on uR thread but u were one of the people I was stalking while I was ct wds. I was rooting for u as I was right near u!!!  I'm on day 18 and it's great without those devils isn't it???    

[mshvanslyke]

Day 12...feeling like new again...and I dont miss my little friends either! Sleeping better each night....I cant believe how good I feel...its amazing

[Dav125]

I the only thing bugging you is the sleep issue and some restlessness, your doing great. You did not get hit with the real bad physical wd's that most have along with what you describe..Congratulations on day 5! Your doing better than good!

[mshvanslyke]

Day 5:

I am absolutely EXHAUSTED today. I barely got any sleep last night. I actually havent had any 'deep' sleep in days, as I keep waking up every 3 or every hour. Still not having any symptoms, last night was worst for sleep so far. Woke up every hour, had some minor RLS. I am at work and dont have my 'list' with me, but it is part Thomas Recipe/Part Amino Acid Protocol/ part 'common sense'. I promise to post later, I will name it 'The Harley Method'. Congrats to me on Day 5!! Im still going strong!! =)

[vicki595]

Ziggy~   You should start your own thread...you'll get more responses. Go up to the top of the page and click on "post a question".

Meet you there...

[DayToTry]

I feel like those joint and back pains are almost like the little demons in the drug sitting on your shoulder calling out "See you need us, just take one more".  It's the drug creating the pain so you will continue taking it.  I always thought I needed it for the pain, but the times I've quit, the pain eventually went away.  I'm on day 4 now and I still have some pain, but I know it will just get better and better.  You can do it....

[ziggydzdz]

mshvanslyke, are you still planning on posting your remedy plan while ditoxing? Thanks.

Hi Everyone. I am 47 yrs old and had Breast Cancer 4 yrs ago. I had a lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation. I have been cancer free since then which I am very greatful for. After all my treatments I started experiencing joint pain and doctor started me on 5/500 hydrocodone. I then stopped for about a year with no problems but have had two more surgeries (not BC related) sinced that time and was again put on more vicodin. I want to stop altogether but it has been extremely difficult. I take 3, 3 times a day. My Oncologist just keeps refilling which kind of surprises me. I am on day two of trying to quit once again and am having bad joint pain and low back pain, no energy, very depressed. I am taking advil and drinking lots of fluid. Some days it just seems impossible to stay off of this stuff. Wish me luck folks, and best to you all, many of the stories are inspiring, thanks for your site! :)

[mshvanslyke]

Day Four:

Still feeling great. Another night of interrupted sleep tho... no symptoms still, just tossing and turning. Not even an OUNCE of RLS...which is what I was worried about the most. =) I am still having some cravings... nothing major. I actually almost went to work today because I dont wanna sit home! LOL I planned on being home for days in misery, but thats not the case.. so Im cooking/cleaning/going for long drives with my favorite music/contemplating writing letters or making some calls to people Ive 'neglected' over the years because of this addiction.. Anyone have any advice or stories of their own about how you dealt with this part?? (the 'coming clean' part)  Seems scary to me...

[mshvanslyke]

Well..Im on day 3...woke up feeling great! Slept so-so, kept waking up every hour, not with any symtoms per se, just kept waking up. No RLS, No discomfort at night really, either. This is wonderful!! I cant believe this.... Im not going to question anymore, just share what works...I will post in a bit what exactly I am doing/taking... any suggs where I should post? Here? or somewhere else? I am new here...

vicki595- I did some research on the wellbutrin and 5-HTP, as long as it isnt an SSRI, its okay to mix... however..I stopped the wellbutrin anyway- I was only taking for a week or two before, and decided to stop for a couple reasons- I kept reading about people addicted to it and having w/d's when they stopped, I dont want ANY other addictions...and two- I want to not take ANY RX's if I dont have to...


Thank you everyone for the support and encouragment, and sharing your unique stories..I dont think I would have 'jumped right in' like I did if it wasnt for here- I would have put it off and put it off..... THNKS!

[vicki595]

Hey!  Glad you're doing so well!!  Wow!!   DO share your recipe!

About the 5HTP and others...don't take them with Wellbutin.  They will interfere with serotonin.  The Wellbutin in and of itself will be helpful to you.

Keep posting~

[Dav125]

Please go ahead and share it. Any information is good information for those just getting acquainted with the site and are not sure what to expect..You and "Iwant2beclean have been major inspirations this week to the doubters...:)

[mshvanslyke]

I think I dodged a bullet!!! This is amazing!!! I need to share my recipe so maybe others can get through this like me...