norco addiction

[bjmbb]

Hi, I am new here so hope I am doing this right. I am on day 3 of my withdrawals. Last night was the worst ever, I was throwing up for the better part of the night and have terrible irritable bowel. I have been addicted for about 3 yrs. Everything I have read said that even though the symptoms are very unpleasant it isn't life threatening. I have a great support system and am confidant I can do this at home but would just like to read some current success stories from new recoverys. Thanks. Oh, I know everyone varries but how long does this physical part usually last.

[spongeboy]

Glad to hear u r hanging in there. I am on day 15 (after 1 1/2-2 yrs of avg 6 per day 7.5 hydros) and really its over other than not having much energy.  I have my appetite back and the squirts are gone and the restlessness is gone.  Dont have any desire for the pills.  
What is helping me the most is knowing i never want to go through the WD process again after seeing how lousy it is.  Keep fighting.

[bjmbb]

Here I am at one week!! I am so proud of myself. but today I had to go somewhere that totally triggered a melt down and I had to leave. Husband understood but I DID NOT have a relapse and as soon as I got home I felt so much better. I think I just need to stay away from the triggers right now. I have no pills to take as I surrendered all of them to hubby which was for the best as I sure wouldn't have lasted the week. But my mind is so much clearer and that makes me feel good. And it IS true about the pain lessoning. I had no idea my back pain wouldn't be as severe. I think whoever said that the pills were masking the pain causing us to overdue it was spot on. This past week I am learning my limitations. I am still easily fatigued and by evening don't think I can push on but I have. I have too. Thanks again everyone for all your support.

[bjmbb]

Well today is day 6 and I am doing good. Much better than yesterday. Had trouble sleeping though. But I'll take that. I really don't have the cravings anymore. I'm telling you man. Reading these stories has scared me straight. I'm a suburban mom! but I see how things can change on a dime.

[worried878]

tere r people here pulling for u...3 days in???  i think it would be redundant to go back and do sub now since u r so close..but if u continue to relapse and cant get thru any amount of clean time..then  consider sub...but if it were me it would be after several relapses and if i had done my homework like aftercare thru the ying yang/and i still failed...or if i were on a heavy duty dose or med like heroin etc....try to quit on ur own before u turn to another narcotic to quit..cos then u really dint quit narcs..u just switched ur narcotic to sumpin legal and attainable...and in all probability/stronger than what u were on in the first place....hang tight...sub has its place..make sure u exhaust all avenues before u go there..keep posting

[IamLisa]

Hi... Just hang in there stay stronger than I did when I tried it without medication and a doctor...

Feel so bad for you, I know how that feels and without meetings, counseling, or a physician to treat your disease you have a tough road as addiction can not be recovered with will power alone.

I did say a prayer for you:) And I am signing out as my advice for the suboxone is all I have to offer and I have offered it:)

HUGS>>>> Lisa

[bjmbb]

Having a really bad afternoon. ALL I can think about are my pills!! I think the mental has set in since I have been pre ocupied with the physical aspect of all this. Does it get easier or harder as time passes? I have read both. Any and all advice appreciated.

[bjmbb]

Well, today is day 5 and I have turned a corner. Last night was the first night that I have been able to actually cook and eat with the family. Still have the runs pretty bad but am feeling soooo much better. I do have some anxiety but that is normal for me anyway. My problem is I have triggers everywere since I took the darn stuff everywhere. I took it before watching a favorite program and everytime I walked up the stairs it generally meant that I was going to take a few. So now I have to lean on my faith and hope to have the will power. Baby steps from here on I guess. Thanks for all your posts and good wishes.

[bjmbb]

Thanks guys. Well today is day 4 and I am feeling better. I was able to eat some yogurt this morning something I would have never been able to do yesterday. Since I seem to get worse towards the evening I try and get my vitamins and protien in early in the day.

Tyler... It will get better. The first 2 days I took hot showers. They helped with the aches. I keep hydrated and I have heard that this also helps with the nausea. The 2nd night I spent hugging the toilet. My son is home, he's a teenager and I'm not even allowed to look at him. I am keeping him and myself busy. I still have that terrible feeling of not having any in my purse to fall back on. Like I said I surrenderd all of it to my husband to get rid of. I won't lie. I have extreme anxiety over that as well.
I do have a mood disorder and require other meds, probably for life so it really doesn't matter if those are addictive or not. I take zanax when I start feeling really anxious and I use antivert an anti nausea. Not sure if it helps much. Don't really think so. I know allot have said this but trust me I am the biggest baby and a self proclaimed hypocondriac!! So I get the slightest little symtom and I think I'm dying. I am driving my husband crazy texting him 1000 times a day. So if I can do this anyone can!!! My husband remains very supportive. I didn't have so much stomach issues yesterday. A little nausea but mostly the runs. Yesterday I had a wopping headache!! I had to take ibuprofin a few times. But my husband and sister had me laughing so hard last night I was crying and shooting propel out of my nose!! Only my husband knows of this. My sisters,mom,and kids think I have a bad bug. Coincidentally my son got sick a few days ago so they think there is a connection.
I had 3 months of morning sickness 24/7 and that was tons worse than this. But I WILL NOT give into this monster EVER AGAIN I trust in my will power. In the last few years I have lost 100 lbs!! Had some regain so I am just looking at this as a really good diet. LOL! I've already lost 14 lbs. My husband said to think of it as Swine Flu!! I wish everyone all the success in the world. I know I am going to need to get into therapy but just can't get the words out of my mouth. The trauma I have been through. So maybe when my head clears of all this I will be able to do that.

[tylersblueeyedmama]

Congratulations :)  I know it helps having a support system!  I wish you great luck and please keep us posted!!!

[peaceinknowing]

I'm 28 years old and I'm now on a day and a half of withdrawl after being addicted to percocet for a little over a year now. I have to tell you, I think that a lot of the WD symptoms get better as long as you're able to keep your mind busy with someone around you and/or being able to read as much as possible here on the forums. That is what I have been doing, and my husband has been so amazing with all of this as well. Like your husband, mine feels like I still need the pills because he knows just how badly my back KILLS me when I do not take them. I never took over what my doctor told me to take in a day, BUT he still told me to take too many per day, as far as I'm concerned.

I am doing this CT with absolutely no other vitamins, medications, etc. The ONLY medication I did take was regular Tylenol to break the "hot/cold flashes" I was getting and to try and soothe some of my stomach pains as well. I have to be honest, this has really seemed to help and I only took one. I also have issues with the WD in restless legs, so my husband got me bananas and Gatorade. I really think that the bananas have helped with my legs jerking all over the place, but we shall see how it goes tonight, right?

Please keep all of us posted on how you're doing, and if you need anything, then please do not hesitate to ask any of us!

[bjmbb]

Hi, thanks. I think for me I have the "Flight" part of the fight or flight.  I have had allot of trauma in my life like many many of you. My dose was 10/350 4 times a day. It turned into about twice that amount or sometimes 3 times the amount. It progressed over 3 yrs. I hope I turn a corner real soon. I am beating myself up far more than anyone else can. I figure "You play, you pay" But I just loved the escape. It just doesn't fit into my life. I always thought I was ok to drive but in the back of my mind thought what If I'm not! and I have the kids in the car.  When it started coming to a head I had my daughter drive me around. That was pathetic.

[worried878]

what was ur original doc and dose per day?  it helps if people know that to help guide u but even then..we r all different...a week or less is most often the physical wd max for pills like hydro or oxy...others can be longer..the mental part can last much longer...u r lucky to have hubby on board to help...sounds as tho u have some depression issues as well..i think most of us do or we wouldnt have ended up addicted to pills...and realizing it is not the best way on earth to cope can be a real larning experience...after my dvorce i went thru a severe depression..the being "found unconcious" hit home....i was not on narcotics at the time but u can knock urself out of reality with lots of other things too...dont know why some of us want to "leave" reality in order to cope...to this day when sumpin stressful or depressing happens i have the urge to "escape"   dunno why some of us have this and others can stay in reality and cope...but all we can do is work on it..and u r..and that is a humongous step..keep posting

[bjmbb]

Hi, Does anyone know why symptoms get so much worse in the late afternoon evening than the day time. Specifically nausea even when I really haven't had anything put protien shakes during the day. Thanks.

[IamLisa]

Hi there PLEASE read the letter I wrote to IBKLEEN, it was meant for you...  I'm so goofy:)

Take care... Your in my prayers:)

[IamLisa]

Congrats on the desire to get clean. I know it's a rough road, been there many times.

I am a year clean, this time clean from pain meds, mostly percs and lortabs.

I also did an at home detox about 3 years ago and OMG, the w/d was terrible, 9 days for me and I didn't think I could make it but I did. I like you had a great support system, and did my homework first, I had all the vitamins recommended and planned it out well. I made it but.... I relapsed a few months later.

The miracle for my has been Suboxone, it has saved my life. It keeps you from going into w/d but somehow it also takes away the cravings, almost instantly.


Suboxone is a long term treatment, maybe forever. I mean we have  a disease, just like a diabetic needing their insulin, I am an addict needing my medication. I do not feel high with it, I feel "normal" like myself.

I support you in the way sobrity works best for you but for me I couldn't do it without the support of my family, counseling, meetings, and suboxone.

[bjmbb]

Well today before my husband left for work he asked if he wanted me to give him the pills to get rid of. I turned them over crying. This is my 3rd day now. I  had a tough time last night but nothing near the night before so I may be turning the corner. I have gotten so much help and comfort reading these posts knowing I'm not alone in this. I'm going to talk to my doc about getting into physical therapy to get some stretching and other excersises to relieve the pain. I know weight loss will help which I am working on as well. By the way this CT detox is a great way to lose a few pounds. I have had no appetite whatsoever but I am getting some protien shakes down. My son is very ill with the flu so I need to take care of him. It is really hard but I have no choice. I think keeping busy is good, but it's hard to stay out of the bathroom with the runs. I have to say that I am very nervous not having ANY pills in the house but I know it's for the best. I just have to keep focusing on that.

[bjmbb]

Was doing ok, but not feeling good at all tonight. God why is night time so bad? I feel like I'm going to start throwing up again! I couldn't be downstairs tonight for dinner because of the smell. Thank goodness my daughter can cook. Hot flashes aren't helping either! My irritability is also increased. But the worst part is the nausea. I took some anti nausea a few hours ago. Guess its worn off. Let you know in the morning how my night goes.

[bjmbb]

I can not tell you how good I feel already even though I feel like ****. I am so so sorry the rest of you are in this boat but glad to lean on some experience. My husband didn't think I should stop taking them. He just said "Why can't you take the recomended dose?" He said "It's all or nothing with you" Believe me. I am NOT one to be spoken to like that and we have always had mutual respect after 27 yrs of marriage. We still do he is just very afraid for me after being found non responsive twice. Once when he was home and once when my kids (grown daughter, teenage son) were home. Today he came home and said. If this is what you need to do and you need to do it now than lets do this. That was a HUGE load off right there not having to walk around on egg shells. I found out my son has been talking to his friends about his mom being "Loopy"  I don't care about anybody but him. I worry so much about him. DH and daught can get by without me, but not my boy!! I live for him. Just have to live for myself now. I do see a Phyciatrist regularly as I need some other meds but not addicted to any of those and I CANT be off those or I may lose my life to suicide. Well. I'll check back later. just had a hot shower.2nd for today. It does feel good.

[mom_of_two136]

I was addicted to norco and tramadol for over five years. I took up to 40+ norco a day. I went CT many times but always went back to using. I too suffer from chronic back pain although after my surgery it has been much better. Since I tried so many times and failed, I went the route of suboxone which does help my back pain. I am not writing this post to suggest you need suboxone (don't think ya need it at all) but I would suggest you start making up a plan for aftercare so that you do not go back to using like I did. You are almost half way through the toughest physical part of withdrawal but the hardest is yet to come (the mental part). You will need to find ways to combat your back pain and I know how hard that is. It makes it sooo much harder to stay away from the pain pills. I found that strengthening my core through exercise really helped my back pain.

As far as the physical symptoms of withdrawal, try to do a little excercise and get out in the sunshine, it really helps. I found that when my energy was lacking I would drink a red bull (has amino acids suggested in the Thomas recipe). You should be proud of yourself for taking control of your life. I hope your husband can understand and be supportive. My husband, at the beginning, was very angry and just could not understand why I could not just stop. But he slowly came around and now is my biggest cheerleader. I really wish you the best. Just think, in a weeks time you will have made it through the toughest physical part. Remember, try to make a plan for aftercare (support groups, psychiatrist, posting here, NA, something). It is sooo important. Best Wishes

[spongeboy]

You are doing fine. Just keep posting comments to this particular thread. You dont have to fill in the "to" box.  I am sorry you gave in last night but believe me you are not alone in having done that by a long shot.  I am in the same boat. I have 150 of them in my bathroom and pay the same you do for 180 of them.  You have got to make up your mind to be done with them. Once you do you will play h.ll for a week or so but it really is not any worse than the flu (other than not being able to sleep).  Yes it will be bad to go through but i swear to you if you can just do it for a week it will get so much better. Dont get down on yourself for caving.  Just redouble your strength and start again.  Just remember people here are not going to judge you. Everyone here is only wanting to be of help and support as we all know what its like.  You can DO it!

[bjmbb]

Thank you. I'm not sure how to reply by not starting a new post and keep the same thread going. I looked at the directions and,well, am not very computer savy. Do I respond to each person or is there a way to just reply to all. I so desperatly need to be here. I finally figured out how to sign up. I told my husband last night and yes he was furious with me. I pourd my heart out and he wasn't very supportive but woke up feeling differenly today. I really need to do this for my children. My son is a teenager and I really don't even want the meds in the house and they are old enough where they are catching on to me so I need some fast action. I HAVE to do this. Last night I was so misserable I caved and tool 2 norco 10mgs each. Now I'm worried that tonight will start the whole thing over again and I will end up throwing up all night. I have chronic back pain and that is why I have been given them. My doctor has no trouble giving me anything I want and I only pay $10 for 100 pills. I also have easy access to more. Once again sorry if I'm doing this wrong. Maybe if I am you can tell me how to stay with my thread. Thanks.

[spongeboy]

Great job on getting to day 3!!!  I am on day 10 from a 6/day 7.5 hydro habit of about 2 yrs. Quit cold turkey.  Day 3 was probably my worst day thinking back.  It is gonna continue to be a ***** for another few days so you are gonna have to suck it up and deal with it.  The last 3 days have been much better and i have been able to sleep way better and really the only issue now is fatigue which will take longer i know.  The big thing is i feel better overall than when i was using.  I now realize the high was not that great toward the end and i can tell when i am done i am going to feel better than when i was using.  Be strong and keep posting. You will find tons of support here. Fight it!!!

[IBKleen]

Hi and Welcome!

You are doing it right and you are in the right place. Congrats on wanting to get clean and making the move.

Withdrawal *****, I know but in a few days you will start to get better and it will have all been worth it. Withdrawal is different for everyone but usually 5 or 6 days and the physical is over. then we can talk about the mental part but get out of the bathroom before we talk about that..LOL

Go to the top right and see the health pages. There is some good information there about supplements that can help you along. Be sure to push fluids and try to eat. Light exercise will help with the muscle aches (yes, I do know how stupid that sounds) but trust me. And lots and lots of hot baths until your skin looks like a prune.

Hang in there and keep talking..it does help.

Congrats again!!!!