New here - day 1 with no pills

[offmyback]

Hi everyone.
I was prescribed Vicodin well over a year ago after being in a bad car crash. I needed it badly up until a month ago. Now I find myself doing things on purpose that I know will cause pain just so I have a reason to take a pill.
I decided I can't do this anymore. So, it has been 25 hours since I took a pill - the longest I have gone by far. I started weaning myself off of them and woke up sick as a dog this morning. I have been in bed all day (except for the running to the bathroom).
Anyway, I am happy I found this place to purge my insides.
Thanks for reading.

[newmanagment]

my life wuz outta control so i put it under "new managment" LOL.i dont know if its will power or wut , but best of luck . you will get em outta your system, and stay in control if you stay as focused as you are right now! peace

[offmyback]

I'm not sure I feel empowered with the pills there - it's more knowing they are there and I don't NEED to take them, so I don't. I am not trying to prove anything to myself and I am not thinking "oh good, i can totally beat this, now i can start taking them again". I don't want them in my system. I don't crave them, thank God! I don't lie to myself. I will keep them here and I will not take them.  I can totally do this!  I am very sorry you went back to taking them and wish you the best of luck.

[offmyback]

Thanx for your well wishes...love your screen name lol
I don't feel this has anything to do with will power or strength. I thought I would be craving them or something, but I don't feel like that. I am very fortunate that way. I do love them out of my system though!

[dardo]

I know how you feel about wanting to quit and feeling empowered knowing the bottle is right there. I did the same thing and got past the WD with 200 norco sitting there. I was 6 days clean and said to myself, that was so easy I can take them again and quit anytime I want. So, i started taking them again and when I tried the next time, I realized that I was on norco so long that going ct was a lot harder the 2nd time and i was unable to do it. Don't fool your self. At least give then to a friend and promis that you will wait 14 days b4 u think about asking ur friend to give them back. By that time, I think u will see that u dont need them.

best to you

[newmanagment]

wow you are strong person if you can are hurting that bad, have pills and dont use them! i hope you continue on your journey to your new life. Good Luck....

[offmyback]

hey there! wow, 3 weeks for you, that's awesome!!  when did your bad withdrawal symptoms stop?
I still have my pills. I am not getting rid of them. I will need them after my next surgery, but I'm NOT taking them until then. I do not want them. I was hurtin pretty bad yesterday but I did not give in. I am so pleased with my progress!!  happy to hear you are 3 weeks clean! keep up the good work!!!!

[worried878]

That is great!  so glad you hung in there...BTW   what did u do with the 120 pills?   hope u got rid of them...it has been over 3 weeks and I know the other day if i woulda had one close i may have taken it.....keep posting

[offmyback]

How are you doing? I was where you're at just a few days ago. And now, it's day 6 and I feel soooo much better today!!! I slept all night last night, am not nauseated or have diarrhea anymore. No more sweats or twinges. I am very disoriented and dizzy still, but having just two symptoms is much better than where I was. I have been taking a multivitamin and eating fresh fruits and veggies along with some complex carbs. My size 5 jeans are baggy!
So, if you can make it to day 6, and I KNOW you can, you can be feeling this good!!

[offmyback]

how the heck am i supposed to monitor my blood pressure? i don't have one of those thingys and i can't drive to go get one. : )  

Still dizzy and disoriented..sick to my stomach,etc.

like i said above, i did eat today : )

any suggestions for the dizziness?

[offmyback]

How are you feeling? Be strong for your son, he needs you to be there for him 100%! You can do it!!!
Are you suggesting I put off my surgery so I can have time away from the pills? I don't know how that would be helpful. It would be weird to get my system all clean, and then start the whole process all over. Unfortunately, I don't have the choice to wait - my pain is right now and I fear if I were to wait, I would definitely start taking the pills again, you know? It's sort of a catch 22. I am doing this because I need to get healthy. I guess I am training myself to only take the pills when I absolutely have to. Of course, liking the feeling of the drug can trick you into thinking I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO take them. I am not making sense, I know. I am very dizzy, nauseated,cold and my head is pounding. good news is I ate today (a half of a banana, some dry toast & some blueberries) also took a multivitamin. How is your appetite?

[charliecallie]

Disoriented?  Absolutely.!.......sometimes I felt I was not really there.  Kind of what is called depersonalization (sp).. It will get better.

Regarding the dizziness, yes.  But monitor your blood pressure to make sure it is within normal limits.

Good going!

[Firefaery1023]

I think you should try to put off your surgery for a couple of months.  I know that I have over a year before I have to go through that surgery. During my last pregnancy I was abusing pain killers and so happy that my son was born with no problems.  He is actually very advanced for his age, he is walking holding on to things and he is only 8 months old!  I didn't want him to grow up with a mom addicted to pain pills though.  You are going to have to have the surgery sometime and I know that it is going to be hard.  You will have to keep in the back of your mind that you never want to do this again.  Hopefully that will help.  There is no way of getting around the pain of surgery without the pain pills unfortunately.  Just keep plugging away.  You inspire me, I am going to do this.

[offmyback]

I can totally relate to what you are saying about what is more painful. Glad to know my brain function will improve. I am sure my family looks forward to that! lol
I will check into Arneson and also get some B-12, thanx!
is it normal to be DIZZY and disoriented?

[offmyback]

Fire, congratulations, on deciding to stop the pills. The hour counting does give you something to do! LOL...I would continue to count them by I can't think mathematically right now without any sleep. I would like to follow you and see how you do. I am here with you. The surgery is definitely a huge burden. My mind is already wondering if I should wait til later to stop taking the pills. But the truth is, I don't want those drugs in me. I am sick of them. I am in quite a bit of pain today from walking in my backyard. Taking Advil would be a total joke. I will just have to suck it up. Besides hurting, I am sick as a dog & so dizzy. Good Luck!!

[charliecallie]

Glad to hear you got out.  I also should have more surgery but at present I am not sure what is more painful.  The back or trying to go off opiates.  Seriously..........

Yes your brain function/chemistry will get better.  I found that B-12 helped immensely.  Go online and google "Dr. David Arneson".  The information on amino acids and vitamins on his site were so helpful to me.  It talks about methadone withdrawal but also addresses opiates.  The first time I tried to withdrawal was horrible because I wasn't taking anything to help.  Yes immodium, Clonodine, etc can help with the first week, but after that it is like a "mind game" trying to get your brain chemistry to go back.  Though, nothing is going to "fix" it completely...........except time.

Your in my prayers.

[Firefaery1023]

Congratulations on going since Sunday without any.  I am on day 1 and yes I am counting the hours.  It is the only way I can seem to get by.  Plus I just keep reading in the forum and posting.  I am also concerned because I know that I am going to need surgery in 2009.  I plan on getting pregnant again this coming fall and I can't have a baby naturally, I have to have a C-section.  I know that without the pain meds I wasn't able to move after having the baby.  I am worried that I might end up in this vicious cycle again.  I wish you the best of luck.

[offmyback]

thanx, im so exhausted. but i will walk outside a bit. i have to have another surgery because i can't walk without pain (a fusion). I don't want to be in that position again to need pain meds. i love the feeling of them leaving my body.
will my brain function get better? i seem to have a clearer head (outside of being tired)..my cognitive thinking is better. oh, and i definitely praying...back later.

[toxictome]

You should be turning the corner and starting to feel abit better. Some of the symptoms may continue for days/ weks..like the no energy, lack of motivation, rls, etc...but i t will get better...we can't wxpect changes overnight. '

If you haven't already, you need to get RID of all the rest of the drugs you have in your house...because at some point you will have triggers and cravings...you not tempt fate...

YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB...Be PROUD of yourself!!!

Keep posting!!!

[charliecallie]

It is not only the physical pain of withdrawals but the mind games when you are so tired.  Sleep will come back but it will take time.  The headache and tears are par for the course.  Hormones and hormonal issues are just added fun (I know.......)  I have experienced withdrawal along with hormonal ups and downs.  

I can promise you one thing though.  If you continue on the path you are going you will make it.  Just don't put a PILL in your mouth.  

Get outside and take a walk, pray and drink plenty of fluids.

[offmyback]

OMG!!!!!!!!! I CANNOT SLEEP A F*****ing WINK!!  I have slept 1.5 hours in the last 25.5 hours!!  This is nuts!! When is the diarrhea and sweating going to stop??? All I can hear is the sound of my heart pounding in my head. I cry - I guess it's hormonal.  I would cry too if I were my body. lol...
Someone asked the amt. of pills I was taking. I don't think it matters, but the prescription says to take 2 (750mg) Vicodin every four hours. Did I always wait four hours? Hell no! I also took them around the clock because I needed to. I have percs and some other **** over here.
Good news: I have not had a pill since Sun 5:30pm. Better news: I have no desire to do so.
Is it ok to take something for sleep? I have to sleep!

[Marce4]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE...just get rid of those pills!  You are doing so great and as addicts we really should not have them around!  IF you are a stronger person than most, than kudos to you; but sweetie, please don't tempt fate.....get rid of the drug that has brought you here!  I know you are strong but the mind games kick in stronger than you can imagine at times and you will be right back at square one.  I don't mean to be a downer but I believe I am a realist!  I only wish you the best and hope for your success!
Peace!

[road2recovery]

welcome, u didn't mention how many a day you were taking? or maybe i missed it..
either way, i am so darn proud of you!!! to have a full bottle next to you shows how darn strong you are.....YOU are going to beat this.....
Take lots of hot baths, and please try to drink as much as you can....
I am rooting for you,
r2r

[offmyback]

Trout, duh...why didn't I think of that? That is probably exactly what is happening. I guess my thinking isn't so hot right now. I appreciate your advice and will start drinking more. I have been neglecting fluids because I am so nauseated, but will get some in me right away.
Charlie, I will try the vitamins and aminos. Is that stuff you got at GNC easy to keep down? I don't want more crud in my system that's going to mess it up. I have been walking a bit - every step is a challenge, but I am doing it. When does the depression step in? Would like a heads up. lol - you know what's funny is all this pain started from a car crash and now I have to go through it all again - kind of like full circle. I hope my journey will be over soon.
Flutter, thanks for the encouragement!! I think most of my guts are in the toilet though. LOL   : )

[Flutterby111]

WOW, is all I can say....you've got guts and will power!!! Keep it up!!!  You've come far in just 62 hours.... The withdrawls are hell, but will subside in a few days!  For those that have gone through them, like myself, we are living proof that you will survive!!!  and thrive!  keep it up!  We're here for you!!! :)