wnat to quit, anti-depr./ 5-htp please help!

[lori5997]

I have been on vicodin for 3 yrs. for fibromyalga. I am now physically (and more so emotionally) dependent on them.  I have absolutely no support. I am a single mom with fragile diabetic son and a 3 yr old. I have (b/4 the meds too) depression and anxiety. I started taking Effexor 2 months ago but stopped when it didn't seem to be helping.  I then got all the amino acids, 5-htps, etc. to quit.  My dr.(not the one who prescribes the vicodin) thinks I am still taking it.   I wanted to do something more natural, the 5-htp. It seems like I won't be able to tell if an anti=depressant is working while I am still using the pain meds??but am scared to quit without addressing the depression/anxiety. I'm over an hr away from the closest n.a. group.  I need to have a plan, I know no matter what it will be extremely hard, I quit once for 10 days but was barely functional I don't want to become addicted to another drug!  Has 5-htp worked for any of you guys?  Should you start an anti-depressant while still using so that it's helping once you quit? I also think I have adrenal fatigue and of course that causes depression and fatigue but have very bad insurance so it's tough to get diagnosed and treated. Please if any of you have experience with any of this let me know what worked for you, what I can try!! there are too many variable and i am just getting weaker. Thank you so much for any advice at all!!1

[worried878]

valerian root in small pieces can help anxiety as well during the day
I thought about SamE when u spelled same in caps..lol..expensive compared to the other aminos, so i didnt buy it but bought methionone instead,  but peeps have good results for the depression using SamE during detox...it is a by product of methionone//which is dirt cheap

Good luck to u..get some imodium too..also Walmart has an anti-nausea syrup that is like 3 bux that can come in handy..not sure i read ur dose nor time of use...and most do not actually throw up during detox unless on very high doses or heroin..but nausea, mild, can be common as well as a mild headache//flu-like symptoms..but nuttin that can be overcome..this is very do-able

keep posting on ur progress..i love to c peeps take advantage of the aminos and use them to feel better during this..putting all the balls in ur court can be what makes or breaks u as far as recovery goes

[lori5997]

thank you so much, worried, i am going to get all those things you said. i've been taking the5-http in the morning but might try at nite like you said. it's weird cuz i'm fatigued but anxious at the SAME time so not sure what to try, guess whatever feeling is strongest at the time, treat that sx. valerian really helps me sleep and the melatonin.  thanks so much for all you do for everyone on here!!

aftercare is my biggest problem, no family support and nearest n.a. group 1 1/2hrs away--

[worried878]

Good for u for wanting to do this for urself..u r worth it!
The aminos helped me...I read the thomas recipe the first time i ever posted here..the 5htp at night  50-100 mgs helped me with sleep a bit and it is for depression as it stimulates seratonin release/i still take it at night/if u r on a seratonin type AD then lower amounts of 5htp r advised ...tyrosine at 2000-3000 helped me with nrg..but only at this amount..the amino mixtures or drinks usually do not have near the amount of most aminos that u need during detox...so 2000 mgs is 4 pills of tyrosine each day cos they come in 500 mg tabs...tyrosine is not good to use when u r anxious tho,,,i was more fatigued during wd than anxious...tyrosine helped me alot and ended up getting the powdered form from Bulk nutrition and mixing it with EmergenC from Walmart...peeps get sick alot after detox cos it takes a toll on the immune system..so C can be important too

Theanine//or Real Chinese green tea helped lots for anxiety...valerian root helped with sleep altho sleep was not a huge issue for me//nor did i have rls...some like melatonin but it is a good idea to be sure u have the sleep issue/anxiety issue covered cos sleep is important to staying strong...for me nrg was the issue instead..we r all different...exercise forces the brain to release endorphins so a dose of exercise each day can actually make u feel "normal" during and for a while after u exercise even during detox..Moving is important..and aftercare or some type of support cos the mental aspect of wd is what most often causes relapse

keep posting and sounds like u r on ur way to freedom,,u have come so far as u can admit u have a problem and u do not seem to blame it on anyone else...taking responsibility for our own mind and the role we played in getting us where we r at is important for many...keep posting

[beagles4u]

Lori - I so can relate as  I have fibro and chronic fatigue and today is day 3 clean of vicodin 3 - 10/325's per day.  They just quit working and they actually drained me of any energy I had when I first started taking them, and I didn't want to take more.  Depending on your dosage may make a difference in your w/drawl symptoms and of course everyone is different.  I have run the gamut with drugs for this horrific disease, tramadol, ultram, darvocet, cymbalta, pristiq etc....the antidepressants all made my depression worse - so I've been anti/depressant free for about 7 months (which has been hard, since I went thru a divorce shortly b4 that and that was completely unexpected - great guy NOT, couldn't deal with illness, had an affair, and w/in 8 months of final decree, remarried and baby) whew......Anyways, talk openly and honestly with your doctor as I did.  He may not like what you say, but he's obliged to help you and find a different treatment course.  I feel OK today, not great, but not horrible.  You can kick this habit and will come out stronger and will find other methods to help with the pain - It's beautiful weather today in Houston and b4 I got on the vicodin, even with the fibro, on a day like today I would have found a reason to be outside no matter what, but today I won't, because I'm still adjusting, but I want to be outside which is a change for me as I haven't felt that way for over a year.  Best of luck girl and stay strong!  Sharon

[lori5997]

Thanks for you post. I am not currently employed and the health insurance i was talking about was for my other problems, adrenal fatigue, depression and anxiety.  I feel like I need to get that helped before I try to quit the pain pills again, too much on my plate with the kids and no one to help.  I do have flax seed here, so i'll defeinatly try it, thanks for you kindness!

[Brokenbutglued]

Hi Lori! I just wanted to add to what Jay said, he/she had some great points! One option that you might have is to check with your employer about an EAP or aka Employee Assistance Program. If you're insurance is crap then this might possibly help. The EAP will pay for part or all of your drug rehab...honestly I'm not even sure how it works but I do know it exists.

Also, maybe consider Flax Seed. I've been told that you can grind up a teaspoon up in a coffee grinder and mix it in with food or put it in a glass of water. The lady I talked to said that its been used for severe depression and even with suicidal people (please please please seek immediate professional care if suicide has crossed your mind even once though). She said people have used to to quit smoking in her smoking/drinking/drug addiction meetings that she has with great success.

So I bought some for my husband and it's ten times less expensive than some of the other stuff!!!  But it's still sitting here so I don't know if it's worked for him or not. :( Maybe one day he'll want to try it. :(

[lori5997]

Thank you so much for responding.  I'm currently on 6 10/325 a day.  I don't want to say anything to my Dr. till I have a plan in place (not medically but help with the kids) I'm sure she knows I'm addicted by now, she had my sign a "contract" which made me feel like she thought I was abusing but she said the D.E.A. just makes her do that after a person has been on narcotics for an extended period of time. She does seem very compassionate though. I'm on this website constantly, it has been so much help.

[JayFive]

I think you need to come clean with your doctor and let him know that you are becoming addicted to the pain meds. Tell your doctor exactly what you posted and explain your concern. Try not to leave the Dr's office until you feel completely heard and comfortable in the action plan of how to appropriately assess your issue.

There might be people here that can help you but i'm just no educated enough on the this subject. I'm an opiate addict and have been clean for about 45 days. Its good that you are just on vicodin. Horrible for your liver though, that pill is retarded.  How much are you taking a day? What milligram of hydrocodone?

Good luck and keep posting.