Detoxing for first time

[tyguy7268]

I have been on Norco 10/325 for about 3 years now, my dosage ranging from 4 to 8 per day and I drink alcohol everyday. At least a 6 pack a night or a bottle of wine. I want to quit, and I had planned on tapering off starting this week, but all of a sudden my Dr moved and I can't get another refill. I went from 8 on Tuesday, 5 on Wednesday, and now its been 24 hours since my last dose. I am having really bad hot and cold flashes, diarrhea, and I can't sit still, or stop sneezing. I have Xanax for my anxiety and have been taking .5mg here and there today to help with the anxiety I'm feeling. Since cold turkey wasn't the plan, I have no idea what to expect. Please let me know if there are any tips I can follow to help ease what I am about to go through. I have 2 pills left and I don't want to take them unless I just can't handle it, but planned on breaking them in half and only taking them if I have to so I can function at work.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Brokenchains]

Hello and welcome. I am 60 days free from Norco. I used it for about 5 yrs. I quit cold turkey without really checking into it. Day 3 and 4 were the worst for me. I would recommend looking up the Thomas Recipe. Drink lots of water( I mixed it with Gatorade ), take vitamins, eat bland food in small amounts, amodium for the diarrhea, and hot salt baths help with muscle aches. Not gonna lie, it ***** , but you can do it. You've already started and 2 pills probably won't do much. I can tell you that life without those evil pills is much better. They were slowly changing me and destroying my life. Telling my wife, which I was scared to do, was a great decision. She stood by me and helped me. Having a support system helped a lot. This site is an awesome place as well. Just know that you can do this, you are doing it, and it will get better each minute, each hour, and each day.

[Sosadinny]

I'm sorry you are going through this,... I don't have experience with cold turkey but a lot of people here say it's the best way. They say hot showers, try to watch something on tv that will distract you... Whenever I'm in wd I get really bad and journal. Their is a journal on your medhelp page.. Write down everything get all your feelings out even if it's rambling. Immodium also and exercise... FYI I'm not speaking from experience w those two but I havnt been successful yet.  Good luck to you!! Read the threads there are so many success stories you will feel there is a light at the end of this hell!

[jifmoc]

Hi, ty, glad you posted. Let me assure you that every symptom you listed is totally normal.  Like the others said, get immodium, advil, hot, I mean HOT baths or showers as often as possible. I've used ben gay for my legs because I always got leg pain while detoxing. Sneezing, yawning, all that is normal. Opiates suppress EVERYTHING!!! That's why when we quit, it all comes back w/ a vengeance. You can expect these symptoms for a few more days, then it will slowly get a bit better each day. Don't panic! We've all come out the other side. And yes, the Thomas recipe explains it all. You will feel like sh!te physically and mentally, but that's the price we pay for the quick and fake buzz we get from pills.

I'm just a recovering opiate addict and don't drink but (as you know) you are drinking quite a lot, and that is not gonna help your detox. Opiate detox won't hurt you, but I know that alcohol cold turkey can be deadly. Can you please tell one person in your life? You need support because you (like many others) have an alcohol addiction, too and it's just too much to do alone.

That's really great that you posted so honestly. More folks will be chiming in w/ more experience. It may not feel like it, but your body is actually healing right now. 24 hrs is excellent. You can be thru w/ this within a week if you just keep going. Rest, watch movies, music etc. Try and eat a little. And drink water like crazy! (double because of your alcohol intake.)  You will be fine. When you feel a bit better, you have to choose an aftercare: you don't want to be back in ct in 6 months!:)

Keep posting.

[tyguy7268]

Thank you so much all of you for your comments, it really helps to feel like I am not alone. I'm not even trying to drink right now, my stomach cramps are too much to make me even want anything other than Salteens, water and Gatorade. Are there certain things other than the meds that I got from the Thomas Recipe that I should be doing or eating? I'm not feeling any of the bone pain that I have read so much about, but I am assuming I will start to feel that tomorrow. 3 herniated discs in my back, which is what started all of this, will be coming to haunt me very soon. What should I do for the pain?

Thanks so much everyone.

[jifmoc]

Hey, ty. salteens, water and gatorade are perfect.Eat whatever you can tolerate but a lot of people say to eat protein for energy. For pain, like I said, advil or tylenol. And that's what the HOT bathes are for (epsom salts in the bath, too.) You don't need to do anything but tolerate it. The pain from your discs may feel really bad because you've been numbing it and now your receptors are rebelling. But, so so many folks on here say their pain is actually LESS off opiates. (They will chime in, too.) Also, tomorrow or next day, try and walk even 5 minutes outside. Gotta get the natural endorphins back. If you can call in sick for tmorrow, you will then have 3 days to not have anything to do but heal. And by Monday, you will feel a bit better. Not great, but better.

Your brain may tell you that you can't stand this but read on the board all the posts that you can and that everyone is so glad they did it.  So keep reading, keep posting. Play your fave music. Watch movies. Tell a good buddy, too. Get all the support you can.

This is actually a blessing that you were kind of "forced" into ct. A lot of  us have put it off and put it off because we've been afraid of ct. But you've already got a day! Honestly, that's great:)

More people will come on and give you more support, too:)

[vicki595]

Sometimes, if you treat this like you have a virus or flu, it goes better mentally. Treat each symptom. Take some Peptobismal or Imodium for the cramps you're having.  Everyone mentioned hot, Epsom salt baths and, believe me, they work!

If you drink everyday, are you concerned about stopping abruptly? It can be dangerous but the Xanax should cover any seizure risk...

Be sure to eat and drink. Green tea is excellent so sip it with some toast. You're just going to feel exhausted and weak, emotional, unable to sleep well, but it's usually not as awful as we imagine...

Stay close and ask questions if you get anxious or scared-

[tyguy7268]

you guys are great. I had no idea the amount of support that was available on these sites. Thank you all so much. I'm at 36 hours in and actually got a decent night sleep, thanks to the Xanax. Bananas and crackers for breakfast with the multivitamins from the Thomas guide and don't seem to be causing my stomach any issues. I actually feel ok this morning. Since its only day 2, I'm worried about what is to come tomorrow. Anything I should be doing to be prepared?

As far as support, I told my girlfriend I was getting the flu. She was more annoyed than anything because she's scared I would give it to her. Then after she saw the different meds by my bed, she asked me what was really going on and I told her the truth. She's known about my usage, and it actually made her smile that I was going through this. At least I know I have her support now. Just really nervous of whats around the corner for tomorrow and Sunday.

[tyguy7268]

Anything I can do for the restless feeling? I have work to do from home, but every time I get on my computer I get so anxious and feel like my skin is crawling! I know the worst is yet to come, and I just don't know what to expect and its scaring the heck out of me!

[Readytolive31]

Are you currently taking the 3 in 1 vitamin of magnesium, calcium, and zinc? If not that one really helps. Take 4 in the morning and 4 in the evening and also a really hot bath with epsom salts help because it puts magnesium in your body as well.

[tyguy7268]

Yes I have all of those supplements in a multi vitamin but I am not sure how many to take, the bottle says only take 1 a day. Is it ok to take 4?

[IBKleen]

There goes that addict thinking.."One is good but 4 would be better". I have to laugh to myself because I still do it today with aspirins or Motrin, etc.

Hun, go what the bottle says. There is a reason that it is a "recommended" dose.

Hang in there. It does get better.

[jifmoc]

ty- IBKleen is right, such addict thinking (that's all of us), but also in your terror of "what's next?" Don't worry, it will just be more of the same. Someone wrote detox is 2/3 mental 1/3 physical and I agree. The anxiety will make it worse. So exhale, and in a few days you will feel better. You have all your "tools", so you are covered.

Keep posting. Post every hour if you want. So glad you told your gf the truth!!!!! I bet you at least feel a little relieved about that.

Good job, keep it up:)

[tyguy7268]

How does alcohol play into detox? I'm pretty bored and the thought of a cold beer on the patio is about the only thing that I can think of to get me out of bed. 48 hours since my last norco and other than the inability to sit still, I can't think of what to do to pass the time. Thoughts?

[vicki595]

I don't think alcohol has a place during detox and here's where you can change things up! Think of something else that could get you out of bed, other than a substance(drug).   Boredom is a HUGE trigger to abuse so think...Movie? Music videos? New book? Call a friend? Journal? Cards?

From what people have said, they didn't feel good after having a drink or two but I don't know from personal experience; I don't drink at all.

[atthebeach]

No alcohol will make you feel worse. You have to think of new things besides alcohols and drugs to do when you are bored. If you drink you can then easily give into one pill will be ok.
Stay away from all mind altering substances.
Listen to music, go for a walk, watch tv, you should consider support groups
Counseling, new hobbies.
Keep moving forward.
Congrats on your clean time.

[jifmoc]

The above is correct about your thinking. But for you, stopping your alcohol intake can be deadly since you drink a lot and every night. Others on here may know more about that but I would also post that on the "alcohol" forum. Because for you it could be very dangerous to just stop even though you need to. Will you do that and relay what was said?

[lulu747]

Hey just wanted to jump in here, add my support and say NO alcohol is a terrible idea during detox.  For two reasons specifically- A.  No mind altering substances is best- you are more likely to take 'just one pill' if your inhibitions are down B. Alcohol is seriously dehydrating and dehydration makes detox feel a million times worse.
You need to drink gallons and gallons of fluid and if you feel restless the best thing you can do is go do some exercise.  Or have sex.
Yes I'm being blunt and honest in saying that but it will help you ENORMOUSLY.
The pleasure centre in your brain is screaming for stimulus.  So rather than give it something that can alter and harm you (like alcohol or other drugs)  Exercise or sex or better yet BOTH will hit that pleasure with something positive.

Good move on telling your girlfriend.  If you want to get clean and stay clean the best thing to do is to tell your secrets.  And listen, you need to stay away from alcohol not just while you detox but for a long while.  You need to get into a recovery program and identify if you are just addicted to drugs, or both drugs and alcohol.
It sounds to me like you have a problem with both (brutally honest here)
If you drink a bottle of wine or a six pack every night you are going to have slight alcohol w/d's ( crave sugar, feel restless, not sleep) but IMO (I'm no Doctor or detox specialist or anything) that is not enough to give you anything dangerous like the Dt's.

I would also think about looking into some natural liver cleansers- Milk thistle is a good one.
You need your head on straight to find your way through this forest.  You need to be healthy and give yourself a fighting chance.
I want you to win this and I'm rooting for you.
Lu

[tyguy7268]

Start of day 3, roughly 60 hours in from last norco. Used Xanax to sleep last night, and surprisingly got a good amount of sleep. Today is the first time i've felt my back pain this bad since my injury 5 years ago. Im sure its from laying around the last 2 days, but its bad enough to where I don't want to get out of bed. Its all I can think about to take just one pill, not even to get high, but just to ease the pain. What can I do about the pain? Between water and gatorade i'm probably drinking 1.5 to 2 gallons a day, so I know I am staying hydrated and shouldn't be having disc pain like this. Anxiety is only bad because of the pain. What can I do? Is this where most people throw in the towel and give up? From what I've read I am only just getting into the worst of it and this could last 2 more days. I don't know if I can take the pain that long. I need some relief or I am afraid I am going to use again. Any advice?

[Jinx_777]

your pain is going to intensify right now.  your brain is trying to get you to give it what it wants----opiates.  it is like the devil trying to seduce you into using.  don't listen to it.  in a few weeks or a month you will be able to really access where your true pain level is.  i have severe back pain and i feel for you, but take a hot epsom salt bath and try and stay active.  laying around will really make it worse.  take advil and tylenol.  

[Jinx_777]

assess not access

[lulu747]

This is rebound pain from the pain receptors in your body screaming out for drugs.  Long term opiate use creates MORE pain.  It takes a month or more for you to level out and properly evaluate you pain.  When i was detoxing I felt EVERY injury I'd ever had.  I have Rheumatoid arthritis and my joints hurt something fierce.  Don't give in.  Use Ibuprophen and tylenol and heat to deal with the pain.  You don't want to go backwards.
I promise this is a totally normal part of detox and you just have to keep moving through it.
I had been told my all my doctors that I would need pain meds to function for the rest of my life.  I decided this was not an option for me and after about a month clean I was in 90% less pain than I was on opiates.  I went back to exercising for the first time in 6 years.  After a year clean I was in the best shape of my life and even went back to dancing which I hadn't been able to do since I was 21 and broke my tailbone in three places (I used to be a professional dancer)
So I hope this gives you some hope and inspiration to keep moving forward.
Opiates are NOT good options for long term chronic pain.  Never.

You are almost over the hump.  Hang on tight.
Lu

[tyguy7268]

Believe it or not, other than some stomach cramps and some back pain that I was able to tolerate with a bath and some OTC meds like advil, I feel better than expected and I'm almost 72 hours sober.

How do you deal with the mental cravings? I know all I need to do is walk out my front door, look in a random drawer, go through my car, make a quick text and i'll have one. I can't get it out of my mind, and even by keeping busy with movies, blogging, talking on the phone, swimming, walking, its all I can think about. Does this ever go away? What happens if I cave in? Does that mean I start all over? This is the first time i've ever detoxed, and for the first 2 years I followed my scrip of 2 to 3 5/500 per day without EVER abusing them. Then the last 6 months I just went out of control and started getting more than my dr was giving me. I just don't feel strong enough at all.

[IBKleen]

Aftercare, aftercare, aftercare. I can't say it enough. Just because you put the drugs down does mean you are cured or you are not an addict. You will be an addict for the rest of your life. You can either be an addict using or you can be an addict in recovery. Our problem is not the drugs..our problem is ourselves. We don't know how to do things without some sort of stimulation..whatever it may be. This didn't sneak up on us. We have bee this way all our lives.

You need to first of all delete all those phone numbers to eliminate the temptation. Next you need to learn new behaviors, life skills and relapse prevention skills. You need to learn what triggers your using so you can deal with it when it comes up.

For me I did one on one counseling and I became a member of NA. Both of those helped me to live my life drug free.

Whatever you choose is fine but just remember that you can't do this alone. it won't work. So if you think you can do it you are in big trouble. Your best thinking got you here. It's time for you to get humble.

[tyguy7268]

I'm assuming by aftercare you mean meetings and counseling?