Hello Forum

[Fireby29]

Greetings forum members.

I wanted to say hi, and let everyone know a bit about me.  I have been lurking around here since December when I first was considering that I had been lying to myself and was addicted to hydrocodone.  I am in my early forties, and work in emergency services. I exercise, work hard and eat right. I have had, due to my job, a few surgeries and put up with chronic pain, due to some stuff being unfixable.  I have been on and off a "low dose" hydrocodone for about 6 years.  I have/had gotten into a routine of taking 15-25mg's in the evening with a few beers about 20 days a month.  Never at work, never during the day, etc.  I also had been taking them too quickly, and as a result I got dumped a couple weeks ago by my doctor for violating the pain management contract as I had a clean drug test.  Never went doctor shopping, never bought any illegally, etc.  Well, I had been honest with them to a point, not really ever letting on that I had become to like more about how they made me feel then pain control.  Anyhow, I wanted to say hi and lean on everyone a little bit.  I feel ok, did not have terrible WD's by any means, but my desire for these damn pills at night is strong.  I look at what happened with my doctor as a chance to stop the counting pills, counting days until my next appointment......all of the classic stuff.  I just want to be the guy I used to be, who a couple of beers did the trick so to speak.  And most importantly, not be chained to some stupid drug anymore.  Thanks in advance folks.

Bryan

[Fireby29]

I have been off the pills for 9 days.  I am sleeping fine, and my mood is decent.  It doesn't help that I have very sick parents, and I have to be the caregiver and life manager, but all in all I am ok.  I still have a beer or two, I would like to just get back to not wanting/needing pills.  I never, ever want now or wanted prior to the pills alcohol in that "way".  I can take it or leave it.  I know that is a slippery slope for a addict, but to me I have never been addicted to beer.  I do not drink liquor, never have.  I am trying to stay busy, I take a protein shake everyday, like gnarly says, and am gonna hold out until my brain gets better.

I think my "breaks" since December have helped.  I was basically two weeks on, two weeks off since then as I went through the 30 hydros in 15 days instead of 30.  Thanks for the support and advice!

[IwillDoThis]

Hi and welcome!  71 days hydro free here.  There are definitely other things you can do to help with sleep, I'm a lifelong insomniac and I've really conquered that in the last two weeks finally - I have a sleep journal that details what I'm doing and how it helped if you click on my name, view journal entry in my profile.

Glad you decided to stop lurking!  Sounds like you should count your blessings, it is like you got confirmation by getting dismissed by your doctor of what you were worrying about - sometimes we need these big signs to really see where we have gotten ourselves.

The mental part is tough and getting out of the habit of reaching for that pill is a struggle for lots of us.

Stick around, post for support and we'll be here.  We understand what you are going through.  PM me anytime with questions or just to vent!

Welcome!

[dominosarah]

Hi and welcome to the forum.  Glad you came out from lurking!!

How long have you been off the pills now?  What about the beer?  The cravings will lessen with time but that doesnt help with the ones now.  Staying busy during those times help.  Any hobbies?  Do you take any supplements?  I know questions questions!