Day one

[RebeccaM]

Hi everybody. I have a question. I am going cold turkey off of a big norco habit. Today is my first day, I am scared but I am so ready to stop living this way. My question is this...I have about 7 Ultram and about 10 darvocet. Would taking one of those per day help to ease my withdrawal symptoms? If so, which one would be better to take. I'm afraid if the withdrawals get too bad I will return to my old ways. Thanks for any advice.

[Cissy373]

I can't really say about taking the Ultram or the darvocet's, but honeslty the WD's arent that bad, not saying they are good, but 3-4 days is the worse part. You can do this.

Maybe someone else can advise you on taking the other drugs.

Good luck to you.

Cissy

[RebeccaM]

Thank you. I really need some encouragement.  I am scared, but I keep reading here about how life is so much better after getting clean and I want that so so bad.

[Brbegrl68]

My drug was Lortab. I was taking 4 a day for about 5 years. I know the amount I was taking was not a lot compared to others but it was not fun getting off of them. Today is my day nine. Day 4 was emotionally and physically the worst. Every day since then has been getting. Today so far is the best. Slept a little better last night and actually have some energy today. For me during the WD's I took two low dose Xanex a day with Motrin. It is the second toughest medical thing I have ever been through but am so glad I am at where I am at. Get family behind you and be open. I found it to be very empowering.

[sweatinit]

Hey,

I know this is scary, but honestly it;ll be over in a few days. It feels like you have the flu. As far as the meds you have, I dont think I would use either one.

In the health pages (upper right of page) you'll see the thomas recipe. It includes things you can do to ease the w/d. I used ativan along with bananas, vitamins and gatordae. Took lots of baths and got the Restful Leg at Walgreens.

Good luck and keep posting here. When you're going thru the w/d this site is a blessing. Ppl will encourage you and get u thru the tough part.

[GA Guy]

What's your aftercare plan? The withdrawals are honestly the easy part to all of this. Do you have a plan in place to fend off relapse?

[Addict63]

Hi Rebecca,

As everybody's been writing above, not too bad to get through this. When I made the decision to get my life back I surfed google hits on withdrawal, and withdrawal symptoms. I remember finding one site that insured me I'm not going to die from withdrawal symptoms! I was relieved to find that it won't effect my breathing. Turned out days 3-4 were my toughest.

I was also on Ambien for just about a year. I used less than prescribed just to sleep, but it's addicting. I'm on a taper program my doctor set up for me. Ambien withdrawal is tougher for me it seems. But, I want my life back, completely. I don't want to be at the mercy of pharmaceuticals anymore, legal or illegal. So I keep on keepin on.

I'm in aftercare. It's much easier to get clean than to stay clean. I only want to go through all of this ONCE!

Wish you the best Rebecca!

[RebeccaM]

Thank you everybody. It feels so much better knowing I'm not alone. I am in a rural area and don't have access to meetings. I have found some online meetings, do you think they will help?

[Back2Me]

Brace yourself. I just started day 2 and it is brutal for me. And I have been through this before and I know what to expect. But it's still bad at first.

[bmdad]

Do you have any decent size towns close to you? Like everyone said, getting clean is the easy part, staying clean is the hard part. The more you work on it the better your success rate. This forum is a great place for aftercare but people say face to face to so much better. If you want to message me and let me know what towns are close to you I can help you find a meeting that is close by.
Be sure to stick around this forum for support. It really does help to post and answer posts.
Best of luck to you!
Brian

[WannaBeFree79]

I think the ultram and darvocet would be a bad idea personally.  They will just tickle those little receptors in your brain, the ones we are trying to get back to normal.  Everyone is right getting clean is the easy part, I have been through withdrawal 50+ times you think one would learn and not want to do it again, but I guess I haven't learned yet.  

Aftercare is essential, this is the first time I have tried aftercare and although I am not clean at the moment, it deffinately puts a different perspective on things.  I made it 17 days just recently which I know isnt much but its the longest I have been clean in almost 9 years.  NA is great, I think its better if you find a meeting.  Seeing people face to face and hearing about their struggles really helps you to know your not alone.  Everyone I have met at NA is great!  Seeing a therapist of some sort also helps, helps you get to the bottom of why we use in the first place.  

Good Luck on your journey!

WannaBeFree

[RebeccaM]

I have been through it before too and every darn time the withdrawals got too bad, I went back to the norco.  I am determined not to go back this time thats why I was asking about the ultram and darvocet. I was hoping one or two of those a day would get me through the worst of the withdrawals. I can't afford anything on the Thomas Recipe and am hoping the ultram or darvocet will help me get past the worst parts.

[Addict63]

Stick with us on here, on line meetings, what ever fellowship you can find with others who don't want to use drugs anymore. We're all here to share our experience strength and hopes, and to help others. This keeps all of us clean.

As for my aftercare, I've been going to AA for years. While on vacations in remote areas, which I love to do, I've driven 60 miles round trip to go to a meeting. I simply enjoy the fellowship, and my sobriety simply has to be the most important thing in my life. Without my sobriety,and now being free of prescription drugs, the rest of what goes on in my life wouldn't even be happening. I went to a meeting already today, I might go to another meeting tonight. All day my addictions make withdrawals, so I go to meetings to make a deposit.

[RebeccaM]

I am literally in the middle of nowhere here. I have searched online for meetings and there aren't any around here. I don't drive so somebody would have to take me. Thank you all for your stories and advice. I feel the withdrawals starting...my vision is getting blurry and I'm starting to sneeze and get chills. I hope I can do this.

[vicki595]

Hi~   You can do it. Chills and sneezing are normal.  I would not suggest taking Ultram/tramadol or Darvocet.  They are both chemically different to Norco and just lead to other troubles.
Stay on here for support.  Try and get things you may need at the grocery store.  Get as comfortable as possibe.  Flush any pills you have.  Seriously. They will just call your name...
In aftercare,you need to be accountable to someone besides yourself. Is there anyone you know that you can share this with? Who you can call to check in with?

Vicki  xo

[RebeccaM]

Vicki...At the online meeting, I have asked for a sponsor.  Is the blurry vision normal?

[nooneknows214]

Rebecca:

     Please know many have been there.  The fear is overwhelming.  I'm a lot like you.  I was taking 5 to 7 Hydro per day for the past 2 years.  Funny, I got off of it once and went back about a month later.  No reason to, just liked the buzz.  Today I've been clean for 3 days.  I wanted to quit, but my "dealer" ran out.  I almost freaked then realized I wanted to really quit anyway, so I went cold.

     Day 1 (Tuesday) sucked I did get a Tyymodol from someone at work, but to be honest it's extended release and really did nothing.  Tuesday and Tuesday night were bad, last night, Wednesday was bad.  Today, I'm feeling half human.  

     One of the issues I've found in using this site is although the love and support is wonderful, everyone is different.  Everyone wants an hour by hour accounting and it just doesn't work that way.  I've been using for about two years, just as something fun.  Hasn't been fun for a LONG, LONG time.  Today, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  My dealer texted me today and said he had my 20 for tomorrow,  I texted him back and said no.  That truly was scary and relieving at the same time.  I told him work was starting to drug test.  Oh well...  Anyhow, I promptly deleted his number from my phone, so I'm on my own, no pills around and no way to get them.  That was my only way.  I didn't do doc's or anything of the like.  

     At any rate, one thing I will tell you is this.  If Ultram is like Perc's, they DON'T tell you this,  I will.  Get some Tucks wipes and soft tissue, you're gonna need it.  I worked through most of my W/D and they have sandpaper at work.  Prayers and love to you.  I couldn't tell my wife, so I'm my support and the folks here are my support.

     I know it's difficult not to relapse, but I have a wife, and a 6 month old baby girl.  That's my drive !  I will not travel this path again.  Now only if I can get some sleep tonight.

[nooneknows214]

FYI, I just read your post.  I'm having the vision issue to.  I'm not a doctor so I'd have to say yes.

[vicki595]

Yes...some have blurred vision...I know I did.  The whole body gets so out of wack!!
If any symptoms persist or don't change somewhat after 10 days get checked out. I don't know if you are generally in good health or take other meds so it's hard to tell what's normal for you.

Ga Guy will be happy to hear you have a sponsor.  :)      So am I !!

Vicki  xo

[RebeccaM]

Nooneknows, I am in kind of the same boat. I can't tell my family, I just can't do it. My online meetins and you all will have to be my support.   I was taking about 15 to 20 norco a day. I was spending my rent money on it and I am now behind on my rent. I ran out of refills from my Dr. and my dealer ran out as well. I have really been wanting to quit and figured this was as good a time as any to go for it.  I am starting to feel crappy and am just wanting to lie down, but I am forcing myself to stay out of bed.

[taperme]

Take a few days to feel crappy, if you are able. Because the first days will be tough. By day five you will be feeling stronger. Then you may bounce up and down a bit. I am on day 11 and have been feeling pretty good the last few days. You can do this. If you want your life back just keep going. Also...I think it helped me to feel so rotten for a few days. I know it makes me never ever want to do this again. This board is a wealth of information full of very caring people, if you are serious, many will help you!

[nooneknows214]

Tuesday I walked on the treadmill and it did me a world of good.  Today, I tool a brisk walk outside.  What they say is true.  Walk if you can.  Lay down when you have to.  The endorphin rush truly does help.  You will feel crappy, but I put in in my mind anything I've wanted I've had to work for.  This is the same.  It's a right of passage, but you know what you'll live.  It feels like death, but it's much brighter on the other side.  That's what I believe.

[RebeccaM]

Taperme, I am so serious about getting clean.  I thank all of you for taking the time to help me.

Nooneknows, I can't even think of a walk right now, I am having a hard time staying out of bed. I will make myself take the dogs for a walk tomorrow.  I have told my husband that I am coming down with the flu, so I will be able to rest for a few days, hopefully until the worst is over. Thank you all so very much.

[RebeccaM]

I am looking forward to a life without pills. My daughter wanted to bring my granddaughter over for a visit, any time she wants to do that I have to calculate if I will have any pills that day or not. If I wont have pills, I make up some excuse for her not coming over...what kind of Grandma/Mom is that???  A bad one. I can't wait for the day that pills no longer run my life.

[mom037]

Well you and I sound like we are in the same age bracket.  But I don't have any grandchildren, but all my kids are grown.

First of all, I also live in a very tiny rural town and community NA meetings are NOT an option for me.  My secret is very, very buried and I understand your need to keep your addiction and WD out of sight.

Therefore, use this site for support.  It has been amazingly helpful for me.

I see lots of people post about aftercare, but there is no way for me to get aftercare because the only NA meeting is in my very small town and the only other meeting is in a town 2/1-2 hours away.....and I can't do that.

So I am relying on this site to help me beat my demons.

Keep posting, we'll help you and stay strong.  You are not alone.