coming off painkillers cold turkey

[addicted2painkillers]

Over the past two years I have progressively become addicted to over the counter 'codeine' painkillers. I have tried to lower the amount to eventually stop them completely, but this has not worked. I am now taking up to fifty tablets a day. I want to stop and feel the only way I can is to go cold turkey.

My question is; how many days will it take for me to physically come of the tablets and what can I expect in the first few days.  When I have tried in the past, I've only lasted a day and experienced the sweats, stomach cramps, my eyes watering, diarrhea, and depression.

I am fearing for my health with the huge amount of tablets I am now taking. I'm rather scarred if I can't get off of these tablets. I'm going to try and stop tomorrow.

Any suggestions?

[SFgirll853]

You are doing GREAT!  I am on day 28 off of 8 - 10 norco a day and I feel like a different person.  I too will agree that the birds chirp louder, the sun shines brighter and the music sounds BETTER!  The first 2 weeks were the hardest and sometimes when you think you have it licked and you have an amazing day you get sideswiped by a **** day.  Take it in stride and remember that the good days get even better and the bad days get further and further between.  Hang in there!

[dominosarah]

Austin that was a good post.  I listened to music all day everyday and loud.  I still do when i have my moments.  Poison has been blaring here lately!!!  I sat in the sun in my early days with a blanket.  The sun helped too.  

Addictedtopain      keep posting here and we will be here to help.         sara

[Austin2008]

Stick with it!!!!!!!!

[againnot]

Great post.  I HAVE noticed the sun shines bright and the birds cheep louder with no pills.  It's true.  Mind is not numbed by the drugs.  
I am also on day 7, and just posted about my "crankiness", but the other things you said are SOOOOOOOOOOOOO true!

[Austin2008]

Go read my post titled "day 7...doing OK"

I was taking up to 20 7.5mg Vicodin a day for 8 years and desperately wanted to stop but, was too afraid of withdrawl......  I did it, and I feel good.... not great but, pretty dam good..... And better every day..... I can tell you the BEST therapy for Withdrawl is Music... any and all music, whatever you like..... Listen to as much as you can, right now as I type I have a Goo Goo Dolls Concert on Music HD playing LOUD in the backround.... I don;t even really like them but, it sounds great and really really helps to pass the time....

I am telling you and I am not blowing smoke, ask anyone that talked to me last week... IF I can do this the anyone can and the withdrawls are not as bad as you think they will be as long as you talk to yourself, be your own best friend and make yourself so much stronger then a pill.....  

So what if your stomach is a mess, take some immodium and let your body get rid of the toxins..... If your hands or feet sweat then put on music and dance around and smile, and thank god, yourself or whatever you believe in that you were able to not resist the urge and put that poison in your mouth/body.....  No pill is worth your life and all of the WONDERFUL things in your life that are clouded by a stupid f-ing pill!!!!!!  

I am telling you the Sun shines brighter and the birds chip louder when you are not taking pills, even the blue sky is more blue and beautiful if you can take a look up and appreciate it on your own, within your own heart and your own head, WITHOUT a piece of sh-t pill to force beautiful on you that is already there...

I am sorry to preach or sound corny but, I would rather be this person 7 days a week and twice on Sunday then a freaking junkie counting pills and panicking over "Will I  run out before a refill"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

You can too and you will, You have to HATE those pills!!!! Realize what they are to you.....  Poison....  I know there are many people in this world that take these pills and need them and can be responsible with them......  I envy those people but, I am not one of them and it sounds to me that you are not either so come to this side of addiction and you will learn to love yourself and life again.....

Best of luck to you, hang in there!!

Tracy

[avisg]

The first 5 days are the worst you will have all of the symptoms you described on your post .Look at the health pages on the right side of the screen look at the amino acid protocol .There are supplements will help you get threw this.how much acetaminophen have you been taking daily?

[jdosis]

I will tell you the first week is bad.  But everyday you will feel better.  I get terrible depression with withdrawal.  And body wise, it puts you through the ringer. hang in there and just rest and best of luck!  Jdosis