Going on day 3. How long does this last

[mrsmisfit]

I just want to thank everyone for your help. I know I only found this site 2 days ago, but it has helped so much. I have been off Hydrocodone for well this is the third day. I only took up to 5 a day on average for 4 years and quit cold turkey. I know I can do this and I feel better mentally about it already. The not looking forward to taking the next one constantly, thinking and counting how many I have and wanting to get more just to make sure I don't run out. I didn't have prescription, so It was getting to be a very expensive. It was beginning to control every minute of my life.

Sorry I'm venting, the first couple days were pretty bad mainly flu like, but I still feel so weak and rundown. My stomach still has issues.  Is this normal and how long may it last? I think I just need reassurance that this will be over soon and the outcome is good. Will I feel "normal" again?


You guys are awesome and It has made such a difference reading your post and answering mine. Thank you!

[momof5139]

Yes Im a mom 2...mom of 5 children..7yrs,5yr,3yr,and twin 16month olds.  I was always scared to go off because the fear of being able to take care of everyone.  But I realized I wasn't giving them the mom they deserved.  I was very fortunate that my husband was home for the week off work and I have been laid off.  So I could just hide out in my room sick for a while.  I always figure things happen for a reason and someday we figure it out..or not.  But Im glad I got laid off..money has been super tight but we are making it..but if I would have had to keep working and couldn't take time off Im sure I wouldn't have made it through this.  Props to you for doing it and having to go back to work.  You should be ok now...going back to work.  Im sure its a little scary...just say you don't feel well.  Hopefully it will help keep your mind off things.  I find when Im busy it helps me get through it better.
Let me know how work goes for you...good luck!!  We r gonna make it for sure..we have to..how can we look at our sweet innocent children and know we let them down w/ out them even knowing it...sad.  Just imagine how much better we will be.  Better people in general.
I have watched my Mom change in her addiciton to Pills for years.  She takes alot more than I ever did but I could have easily ended up taking more.  She always said I don't want you to be like me.  Its easier to see the change in another person than ourselves (4 me)  She used to do fun things, go fishing, shopping , coffee w/ friends and we used to talk alot.  she doesn't do any of those things much anymore if at all.  And when we talk its usually not more than a couple minutes..weird.
I guess it helped me to see how she has changed...to know that yes Im sure people can see how I have changed.

[Clamity2]

Congrats on the 3 days!  Day 4 was tough for me also but noticed by day 5 it wasn't so hard to stay warm and the bowels were alot better. Just a note. I used after 2 weeks, thinking I could use just on the weekend because "I needed the energy" what BS. Anyway I went back and had do chills and all of the misery again.
   So never believe the lies we tell ourselves that using will make anything easier. Life is hard sometimes but not as hard as chasing those dam things everyday.
Freedom Rocks

[mrsmisfit]

Congrats to you!!  Take advantage of these posts, like I am, they are wonderful. I love the idea of saving the ones youve written. I do keep going back and reading them. You sound like your over the hump too. I still don't have the sleeping down and a little anxiety also, but I made it out of the house today and that was big for me. Have to return to work tomorrow and a little worried. I'm the manager and I need to be on top of everything.

I would definetly love to keep intouch with you through this. You do sound just like I do. Are you a mom? I'm just reading from your name. I am, Ive got 2 little boys to think about. It's not just about me getting well I have to for my family. The pills were taking a toll on my energy and my mood. Your right when you say it becomes a small boost of energy, up and down real quick. I too started thinking of how I used to be. I had sooo much more energy, alertness. I feel like when I'm on those things. I'm spacey and not quite together, all for a little buzz. I would much rather be my old self. I made it as that girl for 25 years. I think I can handle being her again.

Let me know how your doing! My thoughts are with you....

[momof5139]

WOW it seems like Im reading something I wrote.  I am also on my 3rd day clean, I was taking the yellow norcos (they are 10's) and 5-6 a day for 3yrs, and I am 29.
  I cut down for 1-2weeks first (which was like stretching out the w/d, making it not as bad all at once but longer)  Now on day 3 Im feeling ok still have anxiety but much more tolerable.
I too felt that the medicine has changed me and you forget how you used to be..its sad.  I know I used to have alot more energy.  THe pills trick you so bad..they give you  bursts of energy but the longer you take them the more you need just to feel ok..n the energy and feel good they give you becomes so short lived.
I have been having alot of emotions and memories of how I used to be and feel and it is exciting.  Im so looking forward to being all healed inside and out (as Im sure you are too)
I did quit in the past..about 4yrs ago I took them for just a few months and quit cold turkey (but I was taking five , 5mgs then and wasn't on them as long as this time) what I do remember well about that was feeling really crappy and anxious for a couple days ,,3rd day ok and by day 4 I remember calling my mom and telling her " I cant believe I ever kept taking these, I feel better than ever..being off them.
Be careful not to relapse... I thought I could just take one hear and there a few months after I quit.  But nope it took me in again..I started w/ just 20-30 a month and it progressed and I would cut down..when I had to...but then it progressed worse when I had a doctor that thought it was no big deal to up my dose.  Wow Im just so glad to be done.  I was so scared to quit too.  Affraid of how I would feel and its not nearly as bad as I thought either.  I think we build ourselves up so much and talk ourselves out of it.  Its a big mind control thing...we can beat it for sure.  We just have to remember why we want to.  Ur right, these posts are big time help.  I have been printing things I write to keep in a journel and look back on if I ever even dream of taking another.
Lets keep in contact and see how we feel each day..Best wishes to you..thanks for writting...

[worried878]

the fatigue and possible depression can linger...the aminos and an exercise program helps it..and time...u r thru the worst..now it is a mental battle..between u and ur DOC....pills do not have a brain and u do..so the odds are in ur favor of winning if u use what God gave you....congrats on 3 days!

[donnadb]

Ohh..  You are doing GREAT!  It's really hard, I know cause I cant seem to do it!  I was clean for 21 days and then relapsed!  Im still not clean but i can tell ya a little bit about my first 21 days...  I felt really bad for about 8 days with days 4 and 5 being absolute nightmares!!!!  Sweats, chills, TERRIBLE stomach upsets, dizziness, heart palpatations, muscle cramps, etc etc etc.... YOU WILL SURVIVE but it is very difficult!  I worked through my WDs and that makes it much harder..  Take some time off work if you can..  Lots of warm baths, Immodium and liquids!!  I couldn't have made it 21 days without my heating pad also!  Even after 21 days, I still just didnt feel "RIGHT"...  I had a hard time staying focused on anything and was very emotional alot (of course, I never knew if this was a reflection of my addiction or my chronic pain?!?)  Just keep telling yourself that you can do it and be strong!!!  

[mrsmisfit]

Thanks you guys!  I was taking what I could get. Most of the time they were the little yellow ovals Norco. I was told those were the same as a 7,5.

I have been wanting to get off these for soo long. Taking them for so long at that amount, I wouldn't even get the high each time anymore and I used all the power I had to not let myself escalate into taking more. I thought that meant I had it under control. When I started realizing how much I was spending and how much I thought about them, I realized I didn't. Doesnt matter how many you take.

It was I was more scared of withdrawing and what I might feel like, almost like ive been a different person these past four years and forgot what my mind was like before. Thats the only way I could think to put it. I think I'll be ok, it isn't as bad as I thought and I'm still me, just under the weather. I don't even craving. I know I say that know, but I'm hoping my determination will win.

Honestly, the support ive gotten in just two days on here will last me along time.

[corey411]

I've always felt better aftr day 4 but everyone is different. Were you taking 5mg or 7.5? You may not have mental stuff as long as some as you were on a lower dose...Then again you might. Try not to think that it's going to be a certain way and just see what happens. Keep posting and let everyone know how your doing. Getting through the physical part is easier that the head stuff. Using again can sneak up on you so fast you don't even have time to think it through. God Bless. Corey

[OXY_FREE]

Hi WOW,you need to be very PROUD of yourself,that is huge what you have done.
GREAT JOB.
keep posting and let us know how you are,remember,just take it one hour at a time...
just tell yourself you can do this for one hour it really helped me.
         talk soon,OXY

[kberrier]

Congrats on day 3 for you and that you have the courage to come clean with your addiction.  It will get better.  I started feeling physically better by day 5.  Just drink lots of fluids, take some vitamins and when you feel up to it, get some excercise.  You just have to concentrate on the mental part of this whole thing. You sound just like me.  I was using a small dose of oxy for 4 years.  I was a pill chaser just like you.  Counting and hoping I would always have enough to keep me going each day.  It will get better.  Hopefully you have some type of support system and if you don't try NA or AA.  Everyone is different so you need to find out what will work best for you.  I wish the best for you.  Stay strong and take it day by day!  Take care!
Kristi

[cathy5841]

the bad physical w/ds for me lasted about 7-8 days and then i gradually got better physical.  the mental part last sooo much longer.  4 years of abuse to your body means it will take some time to heal it.  sleep was the last thing to return to normal for me and it took 3 or so months.  but reguardless of the amt of time it takes it is so worth. it.  have you lined up some aftercare?  we all need it.