How do I stay strong

[momof2EE]

Hi all! Two years ago I got addicted to Percocet that I was taking for chronic pain. I ended up getting pregnant and had to taper off the meds. Well now my baby is going to be a year and I am hooked again. I started seeing a pain management doc right after my son was born. I was up to eight to twelve tramadol per day and 15-20 percocet or vicodin a day. I found myself spending every waking moment thinking of the pills. Am I gonna run out do I have enough buying them on the street and using all our money for them. I came clean to my pain doc and he took me completely off of the Tramadol and is weaning me off the opiates. He took me immediately to 6 of the 7.5 Norcos per day. I had horrid withdrawals for the first 3 or 4 days and those have pretty much subsided. I have some anxiety at times but the hardest thing is the cravings. I am so tempted to eat the whole bottle. I know its not the right thing to do because I've came through hell to get this far. How do I stay strong?

[momof2EE]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I am hardly having any withdrawals and I am feeling better every day but the cravings are getting worse every day. All day I've had the "one extra pill won't hurt you" in my mind. I have found that work is a huge trigger for me. I hate my job but the money keeps me there. I'm used to popping pills like PEZ candy just to stay sane at that place. Keep me in prayers guys. Lord knows I need the prayer.

[Goldengrl57]

Think of your baby, of course. But also think of other's stories here who've kept escalating their dose, because it wears off. It's easier to get off what you are on than high doses of morphine and oxycontin.

With hydro after surgeries, I'd cut by 1/2 a pill every 3-4 days. That was bearable.

Hon, i don't want to be dismissive of your cravings at all, but i'm fighting coming off 200+ mg morphine after surgery. This is my hell. And others here make my dose look like candy.

There's no future with Opiates. Some of us need them for bad pain, but right now I hate my addiction. Wish I had the strength to go cold turkey.

[VICourageous]

It is a very power disease that takes over the Pleasure Part of the brain too..The survival part..I just talked about this at a meeting..How could this still be going ON?? Someone said they pray real hard and get re-directed..Are you planning on going to AA/NA..They both are cross addiction now..You will learn the tools in there..How to re-direct from the beast..People have alot of years behind them and still go because of these cravings and what life will put out to you..Firing up the I feel good with Just one more..Goes on & on..Great Job on the Taper..And yes try not to have them in your hand..That right there plays the tape back for more...Give them to some one you can Trust.. Keep up the good work it is never over...

[BelleFemme]

Hi :), I totally agree with Cinderelly....you have an incredible blessing to be strong for. 10356 brings up great pointers that you can implement... I understand I did a quick and low taper and today is my first official detox day. Though I stopped taking my pills plenty of times for weeks I never knew I was going into w/d until my mom told me months later. I thought i was just under the weather, smh....I wish I would have known. Fact is I did not, but I know now and it is hard. You ARE stronger than you think. I believe in you and will be here if you need to talk. When you start feeling cravings..go for a walk, just try to stay busy....good luck...I am rooting for you..:)

[10356]

Ho Momof2EE.. Congrats on your taper.. Once you get freedom from the drugs Your family life blooms !! Love laughter all the silly things we missed while strung out on drugs.. You are doing very well and it is normal to crave taking more.. Do you have anyone who can hold your pills for you and dole out what you need for the day ? this is the safest way to do a taper and it sure helps to take away that nagging in the brain of taking more !! If you could do this it would be such a help.. If not maybe put them in envelops the amount for the day. date them seal them and put them away it may help to give you time to think before you rip one open.. Keep looking at the big picture ok Freedom form active addiction Being a example to your children.. You can do this !! lesa

[Cinderelly70]

It's hard!  But stay strong by looking at your son every time you have a craving.  Your love for him outweighs any craving you have.  You owe it to him to stay strong,  you owe it to him to stay healthy.  I hope this helps as I am going thru the same thing too.  I'm here if n when you need someone to talk to.
Good luck,
Cindy