withdrawel from vicodin

[Please help111]

I am an addict to vicodin.  I just informed my family and am stopping cold turkey yesturday.  I also am starting an outpatient program on Monday.  Can anyone tell me if there is anything I can take over the counter of course that will help me get through the withdrawel symptoms.  I read that you can raise your seratonin levels and that may help.  Please anyone!!!!!

[jazzzed57]

and haven't been on very long, but kept getting the "restlessness" and decided it was from the surgery and the "nerves" coming back and causing it.  I don't know if you can start to feel an addiction after 2 months, but I"ve not taken any since yesterday, and can't sit still.  I started taking tylenol, and thought about a beer, and thought better of it.  Best to stick to tylenol and water I figure.  In reading above, I see several had suggested b vitamins, hot baths, so I'll give that a try..so annoying the feeling, and restlessness, unable to sleep.. I can't even imagine what ya'll have gone through after being on these damn things for so long.  God Bless you all, and I pray that you have gotten past your addictions.. I see the last post was in 2007....

[udoschoices]

just another contributor to let everybody know you're not alone. I'm about to start cold-turkey WD tomorrow, took my last dose of lortab 10/500 with Soma (3x3) a little while ago. I was averaging 7 of each per day, 4/4 in the morning with coffee (what a rush and motivation), then an afternoon "dose". It started out much less, of course, but that nasty thing called tolerance is a *****. So i said enough is enough. I had my pills all lined out to taper down until the end of the week, but i couldn't make it last.. i succumbed to the "rush" attempt which of course dissapates so quickly. So now i'm out, but i am comitted to get off. I have a few xanax on hand to help with the anxiety, and i have gotten off this before, so i know i can do it. The irritability and lack of sleep sucks, hopefully the xanax will help and i just have a few to get me through the hardest days.   I'm like all of you, didnt expect to get this way, but the ridiculous availability in Houston (go to a "pain clinic", show them an MRI (of which i actually do have back issues) - and get 120 Norco or Lortabs, 120 Soma, 60 xanax after 15 mins).  Big scam, and addicting tons of people.  But i have a million reasons to get off of it now (sweet young 22 mo daughter, 2 businesses to run (that actually contributed to the stress and desire to escape reality). But enough is enough.   I wish i could have tapered, but no choice now. So cold turkey it is. I know its a rough 3-4 days, so i'm just going to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel, XMAS holiday, and family.  But man, its a bad cycle. I've told myself once and for all i'm done with this, and i really feel it this time. Never been a big drinker, quit smoking weed a while back, but he pills gave me that morning motivation and tingly feeling that is hard to beat. Glad i never tried heroin or oxycontin - i'd probably be hooked in no time.

So please wish me luck, and if anybody  has any tips on how to manage the detox, let me know please...  i've heard vitamins, something for the runs, and like i said - i intend to use those last few xanax bars to help with the sleep and try to wean off of them. And i ned to exercise out the drugs...

thanks to all

[wannabefree44]

I took my last Narco 10/325 (10 of codeine, 325 of Tylenol) last evening about this time.  I want those who are taking small doses to know that, thats how I started too.  1\2 a tab twice a day for back pain. It wasnt but about four to six months before I needed more to control the pain. As of the last 6 months I,m up to 2 tablets 3 or 4 times a day.  I have become forgetful and lacked enery to complete tasks so that part of the withdrawal was already in place when I was on the pills. I know Im not withdrawing from a 20 or 30 pill a day habit but I am having terrible restlessness. Im not comfortable if I sit or stand, im up and down constantly.  I have a tens unit (transient electrical pulse) machine on my back and am taking naposyn which is an anti-inflammatory drug to help with the pain and so far heat seems to help a little.  Im having heart palpitations and a little shortness of breath as well. It seems as though a huge nawing in my chest is making me feel like I cant take it but I know I can.  Ive never been addicted to any drug or alcohol before unless you count cigerettes and I can tell you now this is much harder than quiting cigerettes. My motivators to quit are many.  I truely have several hernited disc in my back as well as severe osteoarthritis but I dont know anymore how much is the real pain or just the the Vicodin telling my brain Im in pain.  I really want to know this.  The Dr has referred me to a Neurosurgeon and when I go to him I want to be able to describe the pain im actually in.  I hardly ever sleep more than 3 hrs a night and sleep walk alot.  I have become extremely forgetful and im to young for that.  I am sure that is a side effect of the codeine.  I will keep you posted on my progress if anyone seems interested. Reading everyone elses comments has made me feel like im not so alone.  Good luck and God speed to anyone else out there going though the same thing.

[hillary5]

hey there!  thats great!  let us know how your appt goes !!! my BEST to you!

[lemon866]

Thank you so much for the information and feedback. You were very reassuring, and I do have an appt. with my Doctor in a couple of weeks. BEST, BEST to you!
Smiles, Lemon

[bluespence]

I asked the pharmacist about over the counter stuff to help with wds and he told me to take Benedryl because it would make you sleepy all day and also Valerian Root which is for restful sleep. I can honestly say it did help a little, made me sleepy off and on which allowed me to rest some. But it did nothing for the other symptoms. Hope that helps...