Done...and this time I need to do it right.

[Ashelen]

So some of you know that I'm a pain management patient and I took a "drug holiday" earlier this month (stopped my meds for 2 weeks in order to restart my tolerance)...I wasn't sure if I was going to refill my script or not, but I did. I don't have a problem abusing my medicine (I take 5mg Norco 3x a day) but I'm tired of having to take them around the clock or end up with withdrawals.

So...I'm done. I'm in the middle of my script and when I woke up this morning I got the awful withdrawal-haven't-taken-a-pill-in-a-long-time feeling and I decided that I'm done.

I made an appointment with my GP tomorrow and I need to know what to ask her..I'm going to ask for some medicine to help me deal with the withdrawals. I'm stopping cold turkey this weekend. We're moving into a new house and we're goin to be painting and putting down carpet and moving...but this is the best time for me to do it. I need to keep busy or I will start having panic attacks - I take the medicine for legitimate pain reasons and the thought of dealing with the pain without medicine has me panicked even now, so I know that I need to keep busy or I'll cave and start taking the medicine again and I just don't want it anymore. But by the same token I can't completely shut down, and I have 2 small children who rely on me (my husband will be home 4 days this weekend as well, which is why this is a good time for me to do it) so I need to be somewhat functional.

what do you guys recommend? I know I"m going to get some multi-vitamins and protein shakes...I was thinking of asking for clonodine and something for anxiety, as well as something for RLS and sleep - when I've cut my meds out before the RLS and the interrupted sleep been the worst part of it for me.

does anyone have anything else to recommend? my GP is very helpful and I think she'll give me whatever I feel like I need because I mean it's pretty much every doctor's dream to get their patient off of 24/7 pain meds right?

anyway..I'm terrified. I really am. I've lived with pain meds for 5 years because my pain level is so high, and while I've stopped taking them before for weeks or months at a time...this time I'm really done. i want to be done. I know my pain is going to be back, but I don't know that it's not better than dealing with pain medicine 24/7 and all the appointments and side effects that come with it.

please help me..I'm so scared. I need to do this NOW before I chicken out and continue the cycle. I already called and canceled my PM appointment for next month where I was supposed to get another refill, and it takes a long time to get an appointment so at this point it's do or die. (not really lol but you know what I mean).

help..can I do this?! will the medicine help me?! I know I'm on a low dose, so I should be able to function...right? i know I need to buy immodium too....omg, I'm so scared, but I'm so ready.

help...I know I'm not an "addict" but I'm physically dependent and you guys are the only ones I can think of who can help me...so please do. the pain terrifies me, it really does, but i'm done.

[Ashelen]

also - I have generalized anxiety disorder (which isn't being helped by everything) so I thought of something that would help me...

help me list out what I can expect (i know no one can say for sure but I want it in writing errr in typing so I can list it off as it happens and not freak out) from withdrawals...how long it can last on average...and what the best thing to do to combat each individual problem would be.

i.e.:
restless legs - starts on day 2, lasts 2 days, best treatment is: hot baths.

etc...that kinda thing..it will help my anxiety a lot. like I said I've done this before but I've never really thought about it.

[Ashelen]

THank you everyone for the support...that's what I need right now. Right now it's going to be mental because as a pain patient who has never abused her meds I can get pain meds any time I want...and that's NOT what I want. I really want to be done. I want to be able to go away for a weekend without worrying about my script - yes, I'll have pain to worry about, but let's face it...pain meds don't kill all the pain anyway so before I was dealing with pain (albeit muted pain) AND dependence....

I'm trying to gear myself up for this battle. A wrench was just thrown in the works because my father-in-law is going behind my back and tryin to get everyone to convince me that moving while we're still working on the house is goin to be hard and I KNOW it is, but we don't ahve any option we have to be out by May 1st. he wants us to move somewhere else for aw eek and then back SORRY not HAPPENING...I'm NOT moving twice just because his lazy but doesn't want to finish the house in 2 weekends. Ugh it's just pissing me off and distracting me from my focus...trying to get back...

I need help so bad...you guys are going to be my life saver...

[justneedtotalk]

Relax.....You are doing the right thing.....You have a lot of positive things going for you!  First off your daily amount is low so you are still going to feel the effects of detox but they will be minimal compared to others.  It sounds like you have already gotten some good advice in regards to vitamins and supplements.....I would just add that exercise truly helps battle the effects of long term withdrawal and makes you feel a lot better, a lot faster.

You truly need to go into this with the right frame of mind.....It is simple.....You Do or You Do Not.....There is no try!  If you are just trying to quit you will use again.....If you are done then you might have a chance.....AA or NA is also free and worth its weight in gold.  It is important that you get into one of these for long term sobriety....Well, I wish you the best of luck and we are all here to answer questions, complain, whine or cry!  Good luck and God bless!

[Greatgreebo]

I am a chronic pain person myself.....after you've been off the meds for a while you will be surprised at how well your body can fight its own pain. You also have to start looking for other ways to deal with pain (massage, accupuncture, excercise etc). You can do this. If you are dependent now there is a good chance that addiction will follow.........it's just a natural progression.....it won't be bad. Just go CT, talk with your GP about other options and be proud about the choice you have made!!

Greatgreebo

[GMcp]

heh thats weird i did the same thing when we moved 4 weeks ago, but i was running out and thought well this would be a good time to quit ill be busy with painting and the move and my 3 kids and packing and all i got 2 days in b4 it was to much and i went crying to my doc for more, im just saying i tryed it, not to quit but just to hold up till the next 2 weeks wen i was sposed to get my new script but yea no no way was that going to happen, i was in so much pain and withdrawl i said f*** the move id live on the streets b4 id clean or move ne thing, its really hard to do that, especially when its in your head that you are not quitting its just temporary but good luck i hope it works for you. if your are only on that little amount you should be ok to do it actually i was on alot more im on day one of getting off the pills by tapering and having mixed emotions so sorry if this sounds harsh alla what i wrote i do wish you the best good luck

[tschock]

My heart is truly with you. I am 7 weeks prego and trying to give up smoking.
I know that smoking doesn't seem like an addiction, but it is.
Going cold turkey while hubby is taking Champix...makes it pretty hard for me.
He'll be having his last smoke in ten days from now...at which time I have to butt out too.
I'm terrified as well. What if i can't do it? He HAS to or he'll die. His lungs are only working at 30% which is lower than most asthmatic's.
He's also been told to give up the beer (he's a chronic alcoholic) so this is going to be rough.
I've had to break free from coke, and scripts in the past, but nothing is freaking me out more than giving up on smoking...which I've done for over 30 years.
My advice to you? Just tell your doc everything!  She already knows what your problem is, so just tell her that you want off of the merry-go-round and ask her how it can be done safely. You could also ask a pharmacist before you go in. They know thier pills, and they will provide you with unbelievable amounts of help. They could tell you what to ask your doctor...they could also suggest other meds.
If you don't find a helpful pharmacist right away, try another one. Some are helpful and to some it's just a job...gotta find the right one.
You're doing the right thing, and you seem like a very strong lady. I know you'll make it through this!