Errr..Help!

[lurker86]

Hello,

I have been taking Hydrocodone for about 7 years, because of nerve damage, colitis, and now hernia. I recently (about 2 weeks ago) increased my dosage of Hydrocodone and Tramadol to ease hernia pain. I had 2 major anxiety attacks and ended up in the ER.

I was taking about 40 MG of Hydrocodone and 600 MG of Tramadol a day for 2 weeks. I went through 90 Norco’s in 2 weeks. They kept vanishing. Before that I just took the pain killers at bed time. I would use 60 Norco’s 10/325 a month (40 MG every other day), 300 MG of tramadol on non-norco days and halcion every night. To add to the affect, I took antihistamines.

The doctor in the ER, simply said you get over pain pills in 6 hours and I was making a big deal over nothing. Compared to most of you I suppose I am.

4 days ago I think (kind of a blur) I stopped Norco, and 3 days ago I stopped Halcion and Tramadol. I really am scared to take anything after my last attack. Thus, I have gone cold turkey against my doctor’s wishes. My doctor did say I was addicted. He seemed shocked when I told him I was taking 40 MG at a time. He said it was being prescribed as 1 a day as needed.

I am still going through withdrawal. I seem to be past the flu symptoms, but I am anxious and have not slept in 3 days. This is really hard for me. The nights are really, really long. Getting off the Halcion seems harder than getting off the pain killers! Who would have thought that?

I really need to know how long I realistically will be going through the sleepless nights, anxiety, and other withdrawal garbage. Will I get through this? Should I taper?

I have been lurking here through my entire withdrawal. It was a big help.

Thanks

[10356]

Sure I do not mind sharing. I have many aliments.. the worse is the 3 plates and 16 screws in my foot.. I do a combination of Motrin 800 Massage and acupuncture.. before I would have dismissed all of these but I have found they work better then the drugs.. I also have come to realize that I have bad days and on these days I just have to know my limits.. the hardest part for me was accepting how much my life has changed with my health and other aliments.. If you ever need to talk please feel free to p.m. me private message. I would be very happy to be of any support I can :) although I never thought I would feel good I do in many ways that make up for the things I deal with.. I'm so grateful you found us :)

[momofmm]

Good for you making this very tough decision!  You can get through this and sleep will return.  Nobody has ever died from not sleeping for 3 nights.  Trust me.  I did the same thing.  All my husband kept saying was you will not die from not sleeping.  Also, if you worry about it too much you will not get any sleep.  I've tried everything to help me sleep, even the Halicon.  That never worked for me.  I found that if I drink a cup of Sleepy time tea while I take a nice long hot bath I can sleep for at least 5 hours straight.  And when you're not sleeping at all you will take what you can get.  As soon as you are out of the tub jump into bed.  You should be nice and relaxed and sleepy.  Please continue to post because I would have NEVER made it to day 4 if I didn't have the pep talks from everybody on here.  It REALLY helps!  Good luck and hang in there!!!  Much Love ~ Mom of M&M

[lurker86]

Maybe, you can email me the non-narcotic pain killers that work for you.

[lurker86]

I was taking Halcion for insomnia.

Thanks for the replies! I was worried that you would think I am a light weight, but like you said, it was the entire cocktail I was taking.

[10356]

HI and welcome to the forum.. I'm glad it had bought you some comfort through the process.. I also live with chronic pain I have found that it is better now that I have quit the pain meds.. I also have had surgery that required pain meds having someone dole them out was the only way I could do it.. just because we are addicts does not mean we will not have a need for pain meds.. as avisg said you should be feeling better soon.. I have heard a lot of good things about the amio's so you might want to check into them..  I used melatonin for sleep although it took a couple of weeks to get enough.. Hang in there ok life without drugs is so much better in every way.. Freedom of body and emotion.. There are non narcotic pain relievers that I have found works.. who would have guessed :) anyway congrats on your decision to quit !! lesa

[avisg]

Its the tramadol your are not supposed CTing from it ...It makes for nasty wds it works as both a anti depressant and a pain med so it was like CTing of off three different meds all at once and that can be rough . What were you on the halcion for if you dont mind me asking ? I got sleep on night number 4 from tramadol it is harsh ..If you are not any anti depressants there is something call the amnio acid protocol it is supplements that will help you body adjust back quicker ..I would check that out hang in there ...it will get better

[lurker86]

I forgot 2 important things. I have arthritis. One of the big reasons I cannot sleep is because of the intense pain in my hips and back. I am scared this will never go away. However, I do think the pain is intensified by withdrawal.

Also, I don't know how in the future I will be able to deal with a hernia surgery without pain pills.