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Cold turkey withdraw questions!

Hi! I have been on hydrocodone 5/325 for over a year. Three knee surgeries in 16 months. I probably averaged 5 a day. Borrowed from friends when the doc started tapering. So here's the scoop. I put a lidocaine patch on my knee three days ago and the pain stopped. I was out of Vicodin and just used an old patch. I'm a smart cookie and realized that I am just dependent on stopping pain before it starts. So I have had no Vicodin for over 2 days. I'm sick! I work and have a child. I'm sweating, bathroom incessantly. Can't eat. Can't sleep. I wasn't on a high dose. So any insight as to when I will be ok? I won't take them again but darn it... This *****. Please tell me how I can go to work tomorrow without running to the bathroom, shaking, tired and grumpy! Any insight? My family thinks I have a tummy bug. :( not telling them differently!
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Avatar universal
Wow you are my inspiration! You have such a positive attitude, it's infectious.  I start my detox next week. I will be loading up on stuff as I have been doing a ton of research. I also bought calmsupport. Not sure if anyone has heard of it but it's suppose to help with the w/d's. Keep it up and good luck!!
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Avatar universal
I lost my daughter almost 8 years ago without these damn pills. I most certainly will make it to tomorrow without one. That's all I keep saying to myself right now. I am feeling very resentful today that I allowed that bleeping pill to run my day. It makes me cry (lol.. Lots of crying. Gatorade may be to blame)... I'm embarrassed and yet still thinking of the darn thing. Not sure if others feel this way. But I do. Is it normal to be angry? It feels like I'm grieving a loss.
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Avatar universal
No worries Rainbow!!!  I'm doing ok.  The dr didn't prescribe anything which was a relief!  I will admit, day 3 has been challenging.  I've found the cravings pretty hard today, but I just kept myself busy.  I'm still sluggish but I do feel like I'm feeling like my old self again.  Been kicking myself a few times today asking myself, why did I let it get this far?  I remember a bottle lasting me months cause I would take one once in awhile.  I'm scared of the emotional part....I started taking them more to numb myself after my cousin passed and then five days later my mother in law passed.  That was almost two years ago.  I love this forum and I'm so glad I found it!  Kudos to you and keep up the fight!
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Avatar universal
One last though.. I am extremely emotional! Beyond normal. I cry if a child pets a dog. When my boss won the golf tournament. When my son stepped on a caterpillar playing basketball. It's lots of emotions right now. Which is why most say it's 2/3 mental. Not just the crying but thinking about it makes me emotional. I still think that pill was somehow positive despite feeling so much better without it. Grateful we have safety in learning from each other. Please invest in the amino acids if you can't afford anything else. Bananas and Gatorade. Considering you were/are at alow dosage like me. I think, it will be less painful for you physically. Mentally... I am
Finding out as I go!
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Avatar universal
Hi Pink stars! I am so sorry I didn't see your post sooner. I must say from reading the old posts.. You will most likely have an easier (albeit awful) withdrawal. I haven't posted in over 30 hours and it's because I was busy. Had energy and actually was enjoying. I always thought the hydrocodone gave me some secret energy. Guess what, the Advil, food, exercise and fluids give me so much more. Those 48 hours were definitely filled with miserable pains, uncomfortable sleep.. Little sleep.. Lots of bathroom and sweating. But so worth it! It isn't easy. Im keeping busy and moving lots which makes me knee hurt more. So then I think of the pill. But I  genuinely trying to just think of other ways to make me feel less uncomfortable outside of the pill. I've spent about 100 bucks buying the food, amino acids, the little stimulator for my knee and such. Best 100 bucks I have ever spent. That's 10 pills that would be gone in 3 days. Now I'm looking at almost one week... You can do this! I am really emotional and still wanting to go to doctor to get some. But I refuse! So wishing you courage to not ask for anything stronger (I don't know what I would do because I haven't been there yet). But if you really really want to stop. It's honestly one minute, hour, day at a time. I have a long way to go... I know. But it's been not as bad as I imagined and feels so much better than I thought it would.
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Avatar universal
I am so glad I found this forum.  I have been looking for one but all the ones I have found have been dated back to 2010 or even older!  I was on the hydrocodone bandwagon for almost 2 years.  Taking 1-2 a day.  Sometimes 3.  I know that is not a lot, but I came to realize that it is a problem.  This is my thrid time trying to detox but this time, I am determined. I am only on day 2, but I dont feel that bad....I hope it wont get worse.  You guys are wonderful with all the support.  I cant believe what a grip this has had on me.  I remember taking them once in awhile and then it turned into everyday.  I know I have to get better, I have a 2 year old daughter and she is my everything and my focus on getting better.  I have had panic attacks about my body shutting down due to taking those, I know I am being a lunatic, but I think that is what I needed.  My only fear, I have a dr appointment tomorrow for a bruised cartliege in my ribs, if they offer me something, what do I say?  I dont want it know I am.was an abuser, however, this pain I have *****.  Again, thank you all for the support.  God Bless
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Avatar universal
Good idea. Soak it is. Lying here and looking at my wall. Completely awake. 4 hours of just lying here. My feet are so hot!
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Avatar universal
Hi  good to see your still in the fight and doing well....as for the mental part witch is 2/3 of this I recamend the rooms of N/A  it will give you a safe plase to share whats going in inside your head with others that will understand ...aftercare is a critical part of recovery that often gets overlooked and often more then not we see those same people over and over again google a N/a meeting in your area and get to it...right now try a hot soak b/4 bed it will help you sleep you may only get a few hours that is normal  it like you cant shut your brain off just know you can get by on catnaps for a wile your heading into day4 tomorrow after that things usually get better on the phyical side but then your emotions will be all over the place keep posting here for support and just know YOU CAN DO THIS!!!
...................................Gnarly......................................
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Avatar universal
Hi. Well it was a day. Now that I'm not busy.. Amino acids winding down...And trying to relax hoping for sleep. Brain is thinking. Body is not happy but my brain is worse. Never again, you are so right. I just want an easy out. If I could, I would. Tonight I don't have that leisure. So I just pray it's the last night of bad. Mentally it may not be. This I know. Been talking to myself for days about that one. Guess I need a Toms recipe for my mental side. I was so worried about the physical. Any thoughts, lovely new friends? Anything discreet and yet a way to make me accountable?
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Avatar universal
You're doing great.  I'd say you will turn a corner physically very soon.

Be careful though...not to be a bummer, but you were beginning to show signs of addiction behavior (craving the pills, rummaging around looking for them, etc.)  

We can all get through the physical crap; its' like having a bad stomach bug.  But the mental part is what will cause you to relapse.    If you're really serious about this, tell your doctor you NEVER want any opiates prescribe for you...unless of course, you just had open heart surgery and are laying in a hospital bed with a suitcase attached to your chest...lol...

I really think you GOT this.  I had to work six days into detox (from oxy) and it was awful.   I was shaking and had to tell people that I had "low blood sugar."  Oh well.

Keep going, and stick around here!

Hugs,
-Robin
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2107676 tn?1388973859
Congrats on making it through.  I am very impressed.  You are doing everything right and have a fantastic attitude.
It's okay to cry.  That has to come out too.  We usually don't feel a lot of anything when taking opiates.  As I've been told, "You're feeling again".

Keep posting to let us know how you're doing.
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Avatar universal
So started off pretty darn shaky and miserable this morning. Forced myself a protein shake. Hit Whole Foods before work. I tried to remember toms recipe but couldn't. I bought hylands rest, some delicious sunlalean chewable amino acids, stress lozenges. Got to work. No air conditioning! Everyone was sweaty and miserable but not me! I was so grateful to sit there and sweat all day! Chewed 4 amino acids, took 2 hylands rest, stress mints, plethora of water and Gatorade. Can't each much but when I did... Felt so good. Banana and cracker. Took a few mini walks. As soon as I started feeding myself what my body needed. I honestly began to feel much better. I'm still getting chills in 90 degrees and a little fuzzy and shaky. But darn the last 6 hours went from one extreme to the other. Not going to take immodium again until tomorrow morning. As Msdelight said "get those toxins out". I made it 47 hours without a pill and I just had a cadaver replacement surgery 9 weeks ago! Can you tell I'm crying? :) I am. Feels good too.
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2107676 tn?1388973859
Wow. I'm always so amazed and proud of the people that can work while they're going through it.  Good for you.  
Keep on fighting through and let us know how your day went.  Hopefully the worst of this is over for you.
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Avatar universal
Hi sweetie, so proud of you! Take the immodium as directed on the package. Definitely no more than 4 a day. Usually one or two does the trick. You want to be comfortable but you do want to get the toxins out. Glad you went to work it keeps your mind off things. Keep moving ahead. The physical symptoms will be over soon.
Helpful - 0
1235186 tn?1656987798
Congrats you are doing great. Eat foods at bind bananas, rice, apples and toast. It is called the brat diet. The bananas also help with the restless legs.
Keep up the good work.
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Avatar universal
Oh geez, forgot to ask. Can I take more than 4 Imodium? It says max of 4 a day. But didn't know if it helps to spread out or two doses of 2? It's really gross.
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Avatar universal
I do want to mention that the support really is helpful. Even if I sound ok! I am an optimist and obviously hide lots inside. I lost my daughter shortly after birth (8 years ago) found great strength just talking to those in my shoes. It empowers me to face the challenge! Will touch base after work. I'm so glad you said to go to work. I was thinking of calling off but don't think it will help in a positive way.
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Avatar universal
Good morning! Ha ha. I soaked my bed with sweat at least twice. My feet didn't stop wanting to get cool or move. I did sleep about 4.5 hours. Thank Goodness for Imodium. I did force myself to chug water and Gatorade. I had two long showers yesterday and will do a hot bath once son is at school. Then off to work. I feel less fuzzy this morning but jittery. I normally drink lots of coffee before work but afraid of the bathroom. Thank you all! I read so many threads yesterday and got most of what I needed at cvs. Just wanting it all out of me and quickly! Wishful thinking. I am so embarrassed that I have been hiding all this so long. My struggle with just taking them because they were there. I'm already dreaming of no alcohol after this. Which I don't abuse but I like wine, too. Good news is I feel so yucky, I don't even want a Prosecco during this
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Avatar universal
Hi and welcome to the forum....congrats on wanting to get your life back  it is no fun being chained to a bottle...this is 1/3 phyical and 2/3 mental so be ready to fight it out on both fronts....the imodium will help with the bathroom ishues  the generic at walmart is a lot cheeper the real thing here is it is very ez to become dehydrated so you must force the fluids  pick up a case of gatoraid and drink and keep drinking wile your home a hot soak will really help most of the symptoms and by the day staying bizzy will help so work will be a good thing  everyone is uncomfortable but suffering is a choice this is all about attitude and yours rocks so far so stick with it  I have said this a million times  but you just got to be ok without being ok for a wile this to shale pass  sleep is all but impossible so rent a buch of movies for the late nights just know YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! just let us know what is bothering you we have a lot of home cures keep posting for support................Gnarly.....................
Helpful - 0
1269044 tn?1393189903
Yeah. Everything you said makes sense. The cravings will subside. It just takes time. It sounds like you have a great attitude about it. Just remember that addiction can be a viscious cycle. And if you jump back off the wagon next time most likely you'll be doing more. But just focus on the moment you have now. Get through today and before you know it this will all be behind you!!  

Exercise as much as you can. It helps tremendously!!!  
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Avatar universal
Thank you! I must admit, I definitely was a crazy woman looking for a pill or 1/2 pill on Saturday. I was so anxious and almost went to doctors. But I thought about it and I realize.. It's getting to me. Just read through so many posts! If so many can do it with such larger obstacles, I can. Just need some support because I don't think anyone knows how long I have been taking them. The physical stuff stinks. Who knew my stomach had an orchestra inside of it? Mentally, I do feel good. Physically not so much! I just looked in cabinet and thought.. God I would like a pill. But if it's not for pain... Why am I so enamored? Dreading work tomorrow. But the board told me to get through each hour. My anxiousness is more about the what will happen and not actually what is happening. Does that makes sense?
Helpful - 0
1269044 tn?1393189903
Hey. First let me say how proud I am of you to make thus decision. The good news is you weren't taking a very high dose. So the detoxing shouldn't be that intense. However its still going to suck.
Also if you've made it two days then the worst should be almost over. I'm not sure how much you've read but withdrawals last about 7 days total. Days 2-5 being the worst. Its like climbing a mountain. Going up hurts the closer you get to the peak but once you hit the peak you start to go downhill. And though its still tough it just keeps getting easier by the minute.

Good luck. Drink plenty of fluids and excersise as much as you can.
Helpful - 0
2107676 tn?1388973859
Sounds to me like you're in the thick of withdrawal.  Get some immodium and drink lots of fluids.  Try and eat something.  Crackers, bananas, rice, pudding,etc.  Gatorade was my favourite withdrawal drink.
Some people can work through withdrawals but I don't think I could.  Everyone is different.

Good luck
Helpful - 0
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