Vicodin withdrawl

[kykyshka]

Hi! I've been talking Vicodin for the past 9 months off and on. I had a sergery and I was prescribed the drug for after surgery, then my back was out a bit, so I went back to my doc and he prescribed more to me. So I've been sort of abusing the drug just to get the "happy feeling". I was taking around 4 a day. I stoped many times cold turkey, but was able to only stay off the pills for 1 week and then I'd go back to my doc and I'd get more. This time around I am off that stupid pill for 6 days, and now more then ever I feel very depressed. I have almost no energy to do things and I feel like nothing makes me happy. It seems to me that everything around me is soooo terible, my mariage, my kids, just all of it. But reality is, I know it's the drug that's making me feel this way. So I am going to see my doc again in a few days. I want to tell him (although he warned me that this drug is addictive) that I became an addict and I wonder if I developed this new depression and need antidepressents now, or I have no idea how to deal with this struggle of mine. So to all of you out there, what is an ultimate substitute to that drug? How can I possibly feel better and when? I am very active, I work out 3 times a week, but right now, I have no energy, I have to push myslef to do simple things in life. I wonder if I am depresed or if that's a withdrawl I am going thrue. Any ways, if I liked that "high", to begin with, may be I was already depressed and just didn't know it? So at first I thought it's the drug that was making me feel this way after it wears out, but now I am not taking it for 6 days, and my depression is even worth. Any suggestions, I would greatly appreiciate it!

[kykyshka]

Sorry, I said for you to get off those drugs, I got you mixed up w another user, I know you are clean for like 44 days, right? It's my 7 today, and I am ok. I will be having few drinks tomorrow though, hope my depression won't come back, lol

[kykyshka]

Yes we have too, just think about what kind of future can we give our kids, if we are constanly f...d up on those pills, no way I am doing this to my 3 beautiful kids, that love and respect their mommy, I am not a junkee, I will not go back, it's day 7 and I am staying storng, and I feel better 2day! You can do it too. It's hard, but you must do it now!

[kykyshka]

I must say, I don't even know who you are, but I feel that you are my best friend right now! Your words of wisdom are so helful to me, and you probably don't realize this, but I will tell you even more about myself. I am a born again Christian, and I pray about guideness in this horrible matter, and I trully think that God gave you to me to get thrue this. I have never been on any med ever. Yes, in my teen life I've tried many drugs, but never became addictet to any of them. Because, believe it or not I do have a head on my sholders.
I am actually feeling much better today, I must admit, I do not need any antidepressents, I don't even know at this point if I need to keep my appoitment to my doc. To be honest with you, if you knew me, and everything about me, my life, my financial situation, my husband, kids, I have a really good life and there should be NO REASON why I need to be on any meds, I need to just hold my head high, and let nothing and NO ONE destroy what I got. I can not that you in percticular enough for an amazing support, and I don't even know who you are, but you are going to get me thrue this, YOU are my God sent! Take care, and stop all those meds too, you can do it!

[IwillDoThis]

don't "hope" he won't prescribe any more pills, simply refuse to accept any further scripts for the vics or another other opiate (or non-opiate including Tramadol which he may try to give you and tell you it is non-addicting - not true)

Your fate is in YOUR hands, let your doctor know that you are having issues, you are physically dependent on these meds but they no longer help, let him know you DO NOT want any more scripts.  Put up those road blocks so you can't get the meds.

As far as the antidepressants - I myself wouldn't want any, you said you are not a medicine taker and those things have so many side effects.  If you had a diagnosed psychological disorder/condition as many do here then that is a different story - some surely need to be on anti-depressants, I don't get that feeling from your posts.  So hang on, know that your brain will start producing endorphins again soon - just get through the sadness and depression - it is part of the process.  Maybe begin seeing a counselor or go to some NA meetings to help you cope through this.

Hope you feel better soon!

[Ros909]

That's great!! I did hold myself yesterday and allowed up to 3 in a day and I took 2 1/2 I do plan on the 2 1/2 today as well!! I know we can both get through this:) as being a mother I know we are both strong! Good luck and keep updates:)

[kykyshka]

Thank you! I am on my day 7 today, and it feels a bit better, although, my energy level is not like it was on the pill. But I need to stay off of it for me, for every1 around me, I can not let this pill win me over and destroy me. I am very active person, I am a Zumba instructor, I can get my "high" just of my work out, like I did in the past. I am going to be strong, and I am going to do it, this time for sure!

[kykyshka]

Thanks! I used your method, and I was able to take 2 pills instead of my ussual 4 a day. But now I think it's more socological, my brains knows that the pills are no longer available, and that is why I feel this way, so depresses. I really thought that by day 6-7 I would be fine, but I am not. I am going to stay strong and try to stay off that devil sent pills!

[kykyshka]

Thank you so much for the wonderful support. I am a pretty stable person over all, I am 34, a mother of 3 kids, a wife, and a Zumba instructor. With that said, I just don't want to go back on that pill. Although my doc told me it's addictive, I never thought it would be me, but he probably knows I am addicted, since he gives me the script for the past 9 months. These docs out there they don't really care about our well being, they just want to give us that drug and send us on our way. But yes, I am off of Vics for 1 week today, and I've gone that far in the past too, but this time, my depression feels more severe then other times. You right, I probably don't need any substitute, I really don't take any medications at all, besides the Vics, that I am not talking either now. So I am just trying to figure out why do I feel depressed with Vics and even more without. Only God knows if I am really depressed or not. Life is a b...ch some times, but we have to learn how to deal with our issiues without any drugs, I need to remind myself of that. With this said, I am going to see my doc next Wedn and I am going to tell him how I feel, and hope he won't prescribe me any more of that devil sent pills again.
Thanks for your support! I can do this! I have to, I am not gona let this destroy me and my wondeful life!

[IwillDoThis]

In taking the pills you've changed how your body works.  Rather than having natural endorphins on your brain synapses you put opiates (so did I) and those endorphins said "oh we are not needed here" and you stopped producing them normally.  Now that you've stopped using opiates those synapses are bare and have no natural endorphins to come and make you feel better - it takes time, sober time, for your body to begin to produce them again.  So this is why you feel so hopeless and unhappy - TRUST ME, the endorphins will return and you'll begin to feel better.

Kyle is right, the only subsitute for what you were on is getting clean and staying clean - if you can tough it out through this awful beginning it will get better I promise.  Unless you needed antidepressants before I wouldn't think you would need them now - you just need to get through this period.

If you tended to abuse your other meds I wouldn't be so quick to medicate yourself - just be patient, you didn't do this to yourself overnight (neither did I) and you won't get out it overnight but you can get out.

I'm glad you posted, we understand where you are and will support you.  I'm 44 days off hydrocodone today and it feels great.  

The mental part of it after you get over the physical withdrawals can be very tricky so be mindful and get some roadblocks in place - maybe tell your doctor so he won't be so quick to refill your script - if you have access then likely you'll use again.  

Best of luck to you

[kyle505]

The ultimate substitute to the drug is - getting and staying clean. Life without meds is much better. Hard to believe at this point, but it's true.
When I used, I'd get the "fuzzy" feeling, but it lasted for only about an hour or two. Then I just felt normal. And the more you use, the more meds it takes to get that feeling, and you feel worse and worse after the fuzz wears off.
We are all different, but for me, the high I get from daily life lasts longer, and is much, much better than anything I'd ever experienced on meds.
I was where you are - trying to understand how anyone could function without pills was beyond me. But I was wrong in my thinking...I've made it to a great place, and so can you. Simple - get through the detox, stay clean, and everything will fall in to place. That's a promise.

[kamora38]

Just my opinion. Others that will post are probably more knowledgeable. But in my experience. The physical withdrawals are different for each person. But usually your over the physical hump between day 5-7. It's the mental withdrawal that is way worse and sticks around a lot longer. You sound like your dealing with the mental part of your withdrawal. Hang in there it gets SO much better. Knowing it's the drug doing this to you is half the battle. YOU can DO THIS!!

[Ros909]

All I can say is good luck! Your story sounds a lot like mine! I posted a method that I  going to use to taper myself because my doctor doesn't really know about it. I think it is jist the pills that are making you feel depressed it messes with the chemicals in our brains and I'm sure once your body is clear of them you will start to enjoy every day tasks again! Once again good luck!