I am day 1

[A43]

I am only day 1 off hydrocodone. I was in a bad accident almost 2 years ago and the back and shoulder pain persists today, as we speak, but I am fed up hoping that my next hydrocodone refill will come and stressing that it won't. I take 3 to 5 7.5/500 per day and have for months, I am fearful this will be nbo fun, but have no idea if what I have been taking is excessive, or too excessive. I have begun already feeling anxious, hot and sweaty and from what I read I have not started anything yet. Any advice. I am done, and do not intend to pick up my next RX, which is ready and waiting at CVS.

[serenityseeker]

I have been using 5-15 vicoprofins daily for about 1-1/2 years. I was clean and sober for 8 years. I was attending meetings for 8 years. Then I stopped, and started using again. My husband found them in my purse. My plan of action is to talk to my sponsor about my relapse, then go to meetings again. My worry is the withdrawals. I can' tolerate the tossing and turning, no sleep, sweats, and everything else that comes with getting off this roller coaster. I knew exactly what I was doing when I went to the Dr. for pain meds. I knew what would happen. I'm just so scared of the with drawls, and I really hope I can get thru them.

[A43]

Thanks Patifan! What a difference a week makes. Thanks for yours and everyone elses' help...not sure I could have gotten over the hump without knowing what to expect and that it was going to be OK.

[pattifan]

Hi

Sounds like you're doing great A43. Congratulations on day 8.

The poor sleep symptom is the one that takes longest to resolve, but it's well worth it in the big scheme of things!

Take care

[A43]

Day 8, still a little trouble sleeping, but feeling great. The clouds have parted, maybe for good. No cravings, no anxiety. Thank God.

[A43]

All of these folks here are so helpful, and everyone told me that around day 4 or 5 the trend would be UP! They were right. My anxiety was extreme, terrible, and had no origin, it was totally misaplaced. It was because of the meds. It is gone, and it will be gone for you in 1 or 2 days...just like a light switch I expect...if you are like me. Hang in!!!

[Mommy2328]

OMG - thay you so much for your last post!
I am on day three today (63,5 hours and counting - LOL)
I just keep trying to tell myself that by Monday (day 7) I should start feeling better, happier, more energy, etc...but its hard when you are so anxious & tired
you post gave me hope to get through today and NEVER go BACK!

[Jaybird30]

I know exactly how you feel and am anxiously awaiting to get there again myself!  I've been using pills on and off for two years now with the most clean time around 40 days!  After going through the he'll I don't know why I keep doing this awful cycle cause the great feeling you get at about the 7 day part!  I am now on day 2 and feeling much better today but I am also using suboxone!  Going to try a 1 week taper with it cause I don't want to replace an addiction with another one!  Any way great job and enjoy the clean life,  I'll join you soon

[A43]

Day 7, what a difference a couple of days make. No cravings, no anxiety, at all. A bit of trouble still on the sleep side, but what I have feared most is a craving, which has not materialized, and I pray it does not. My head is clearer than it has been in months and months. My pain has been absent for 48 hours. I am definitely going to share this experience with my doctor. Wow, I really think this crap has caused me to float through a very unimpressive, vanilla couple of years, amde unimpressive and vanilla by the meds.  My outlook is so different. I post this as FYI, I feel as if I turned the corner 48 hours ago and haven't looked back and hoping not to. You guys were huge in helping me through.

[worried878]

Folks taking 10-15 a day/i was for 5 yrs/stop cos they r sick and tired of being sick and tired..and they want this.  I was so over it, it was almost easy when I put them down.  I also did everything i could to be ready and understand addiction and wds.  This forum helped me alot as did the thomas recipe.  
Narcotics do not work directly on pain like heat, ice, anti-inflammatories, chiropractic, stretching and other modes of pain relief.  they only make a person not care that they hurt and were never intended to be used long term, What other pain relief mehtods have u tried?
U can do this...ur dose is low and ur time of use is short..90% of this is mind over matter.
If we feel it will be tough..it will be tough...convince urself it will not be, and it wont be.
Be sure u have a support system and stay busy..sounds like u r staying busy!
Educate urself on addiction cos it helps most to understand what is going on.  there is alot of great info in the health pages.
I wouldnt normally suggest meetings for someone at 20-30 mgs of narcs a day, but it sounds as if u may need support.  We r all different. Have u tried any meetings or aftercare?  Are you doing any type of exercise to release endorphins?  What is your plan?
U can do this..stay positive
keep posting

[pattifan]

Hi,

Day 5, what an achievement!

Yes, there will still be bad times, but the trend is uphill from here on.

If you have Valerian and 5HTP, you can take these for stress and anxiety, as well as at night for sleeping.

The main thing to focus on is that these symptoms won't last long, and you can have your normal life back.

Great going!

[A43]

Day 5. Traveling yesterday and today. What started out to be a good Sunday yesterday, ended up not so good. Same old anxiety, misplaced, stressed. Woke up at 1am and did not sleep again. Things brightened up around mid morning today though. At least I can say that after going through this WD for 5 days I can honestly say that I will never again put myself in a position to go through this WD again, IE I will never take this pain crap again. No clue how folks taking 10-15 or more a day can stop....

[LeaAnn807]

I'm proud of you for staying strong!  That pain will get better.  Just be patient honey!  You are about to turn a big corner!  You can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LeaAnn807]

Hi!  I think that we all answered to the original poster in that way because this is a substance abuse forum and the poster was asking for help in that area.  When someone posts here, we usually assume that they are addicted and want help with that and do not encourage those coming off addictive drugs to keep taking them!

[pattifan]

Hi,

As regards Valerian and 5HTP, you wont go far wrong just following the instructions on the bottle.  Valerian dose depends on the strength of individual preparations. 5HTP is usually 50-100mg 3 x daily. They are safe so if you feel the need to pop a pill, pop one of these ones.

If the pain is flaring up, remember that it is safe to take aspirin and paracetamol (tylenol) together. Ibuprofen gel applied to painful areas on the back and shoulders up to three times a day can be a great help too.

Congratulations on how well you've done!

Take care

[A43]

Day four has started and much better than days 2 and 3. Clearer head. Better sleep. Looking up today! And pain is back with a crash...Oh well, maybe it was coincindental, ie the reduced pain the past couple days, but on the upside I am currently not obsessing on how many lortabs I can take today in order to maintain my supply until the next RX date. that is a stress that that I have had for almost 2 years, one that is gone today!

[LadyWatchman]

I'm glad to hear you are having reduced pain after going off Lortabs, but I did find it unusual that some posters felt you were "addicted" to them and encouraged you to discontinue on that basis.

For myself, I have taken Lortabs for several years for serious bone loss, and bone spurs. I've gone off and on the Lortabs at will for weeks at a time. I've never felt addicted, or had "withdrawals", but have had the same pain as I did before I ever started taking them.

This is perhaps just me, but I find that treating pain is just as important as treating whatever it is that ails you. In my case now, I'm going to physical therapy for ultrasound therapy, heat, massage, and specific exercises.. and will begin aquatic therapy as soon as my therapists feel I'm up to it.

I also go to YouTube to view Erik Dalton's myoskeleton alignment videos and have my partner, a bodyworker do some of these easy techniques. Erik Dalton is a genious and way ahead of his time. What he does for pain management is amazing.

I wish you all the best in your recovery. If it makes you feel better somehow to go off your pain meds, more power to you, but in my opinion, you never were "addicted". Just happened to need them, temporarily or otherwise for the pain you were having.

Peace

[LeaAnn807]

Not ironic but highly possible!  I had decreased pain when I stopped!  I have seen lots of people write about that and speak about it in meetings.  It's not unusual for our bodies to get so used to the pain pills that we need them to keep from hurting while we are using!

I'm so happy to hear that your pain is better!  That's great!!! : )

[A43]

Crazy phenomena, maybe purely coincidental, but my back and shoulder now hurt less than they have in weeks. meds free. Except BC Powder (aspirin). Very strange. This was likewise a few times yesterday and much of today. Wouldn't that be ironic.

[A43]

Thanks again folks. And Gnarly, thanks for your post. Commisseration is helpful and misery does love company sometimes...I just have to push through it! Any suggstions on doages for the B12, Valerian, 5htp, or just follow the instructions on the bottle/box? I wasn't the best at following the recommended dosage of the Lortab, but I have a feeling this will be easier to follow to the letter!:)

[gnarly_1]

Hey dude I been following your story from the beginning and just wanted to take a minute and encourage you to hang in there....your threw the worst of it and still going strong
do your best to keep a positive attitude it helps a lot...try not to get to discouraged by the lack of sleep it happens to most coming off this stuff...it is usually the last thing to return back to normal...I really feel for you with the anxiety...it was my worst symptom also
just know with time it will slowly go away...its gradual but you will start to feel better here
be ready to fight this thing in a new front...the mental side of this can be tuff also the lack of sleep dosent help it ether...its a good idea to check out some form of aftercare will your going threw this n/a and a/a are free and both programs help you deal with the mental side of this thing...I hope you turn the corner soon keep pushing forward and post for support we all want to see you succeed good luck and God bless....Gnarly    

[LeaAnn807]

Also, get some B12.  It helps energy a lot!  Or you can get like a B complex that has B6, B12 etc.  It really made a difference for me, and I am not a big vitamin girl at all!  Never took one in my life until I was desperate to feel better back in March.  I still take them!

[pattifan]

If you've managed to get any, Valerian and 5HTP help with both anxiety and sleeping problems.

If you haven't got any so far, they're worth getting from your local healthfood shop or online.

Take care

[A43]

Thanks folks! Looking forward to energy, and an even demeanor. I think the worst part so far is the bad anxiety, total misplaced stress about nothing in particular. Not my family, not anything, just stress, and sweats. 7 more hours and I will try and sleep and look for incremental improvement tomorrow....!

[LeaAnn807]

Posting here definitely helps even when you are not in WD.  I still post and have been clean since March.  Sometimes, when I read threads posted by new people who are really suffering and they are describing it, I can almost feel their pain, and it reminds me that I do NOT want to do that again!  

Keep going.  Rest when you can, and don't feel guilty.  You will be feeling better before you know it!!!