How long are the withdrawals?

[Taffym84]

I've been on Narco's and Valium for about 2yrs now and Tramadol and naperson has been added to the list... I was even on the fentanyl patch which the withdrawals sucked. I just want to know how long it will take for the withdrawals and everything for me if I go cold turkey. I was feeling so bad that I took 100mg of Tramadol. My husband says I have to do it little by little but what's the best way to get off these painkillers???

[LeaAnn807]

The thing with addiction is that it doesn't discriminate.  Neither does being insensitive and uncaring.  You're running into that with your husband, but you could certainly find it anywhere!!  I would suggest doing the best that you can to get off the meds if you do not need them anymore, and try not to let how he acts interfere with that.  He honestly does not seem like he's helping your situation in ANY way but especially not helping with what all you have going on with pain or with now needing to be off your meds.  That is what keeps a lot of people from stopping drugs of whatever kind.  We get used to taking them and feel like we function better with them. We are supermom, superdad, superfriend, superspouse......all of it, and people get used to us that way.  When we need to stop for our own well-being, the people who love us will support that no matter if we have to stop being "superperson" for a while.  Your husband isn't doing that.  He wants to call you a pill popper but then won't support and help you while you stop taking them.  That tells me that there's probably more to this with him.  He's not going to be happy either way.  And you need to remember that and do what is best for YOU!

[Taffym84]

I know a few addicts but you're right, those that don't know anything about it are the most insensitive to the issue(my phrasing of course) and I've learned this first hand.

[evolv]

and just to re-enforce - it's not men that generally don't want to hear it - but those close to you. my ex-girlfriend was as immune to caring about this problem as my best (guy) friend. People who haven't been there (here) don't get it, and when you tangle up "love" and attachment with all that - it's even harder for them. but you need to focus on your needs, your progress and your path. ask him to support you but if he can't, then you NEED to get support somewhere else - therapy, friends, family, NA, AA - anywhere. This forum is great but I think you need real face-to-face interactions as well, we all do. IT makes such a huge difference to just take a walk with a friend versus sitting at your desk, feeling sad. Find the people who have your back and let them help you - asking for help is one of the hardest things I have ever done, it still makes me uncomfortable. but you have to do it - no one can do this alone.

[BOK2Bjan]

Very sexist comment about men not understanding etc.  Forgive me.  Some of the most understanding people I've ever heard have been on these forums - just trying to say I understand the issue with your spouse.  Jan

[BOK2Bjan]

Hi Taffy, I'm not usually on here - but am occasionally on the pain management forum.  I have MS, Systemic Sclerosis, Diabetes, many other autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis and DDD, so I know about back pain.  With all my many diseases and arthritic pain, I think the back pain is the one that makes going off meds so hard.  Because you have had an acute episode with the surgery and infection, you can look at it as something with an ending, rather than a life long problem (of course you hope - you never know what the future holds).

I read the entire thread and noticed that you are having a lot of problems with your metabolism and emotions as you try to cut back on the drugs.  I won't tell you what I'm on - let's just say it's a lot more than I'd like to be on.  I understand the "functioning" issue.  When you've been on narcotics for a long time, they start to give you energy and when you go off, you feel like a wet rag - an emotional, sick, wet rag.  I liked the advice concerning drinking boost, ensure, and the other nutritional supplements, as well as gatorade.  They will help you get your energy up.  So will walking and any other exercise you're able to do.  Energy begets energy.  It's hard, I know, but if you can just get moving - it will help.

I also understand the "help" you're getting from your husband.  Hopefully he's better than mine was, but it's hard to know how to give advice when you haven't been on these drugs.  It's also frequently difficult for men to not just want to say "just stop taking them . . . "  He probably doesn't understand what the big deal is etc.  I feel for you - I truly do.  If you can, try very hard to not listen, but feel pride for your efforts and keep it up.  I have had doctors just keep piling on the drugs and have had to stop taking them on my own, using the taper method.  Some, I've gone off of cold turkey without a problem, but others that I still need to take due to chronic pain issues, I've had success tapering down to lower and lower doses. See yourself how you want to be and go for it.  Blessings to you.  Jan

[LeaAnn807]

Hi again!  I can just about see the desperation when I read your posts.  I really think that if you called and explain to your doctor he will help you taper.  I have never seen a doctor force anyone to keep taking meds that they don't want. Now, he might suggest that you stay on them, but with what these meds are, I doubt that he will.  He will probably be glad that you want to stop.  Maybe he will give you some advice over the phone.  Why can't you leave the house?  You said you're not in pain, right?  I think part of the problem right now is that you feel lonely and isolated. That is probably where the crying is coming from??  Can you get out tomorrow and do something?

[Taffym84]

Well I took 1 10/325 Narco and only 5mg of Valium this time and my headache is almost gone. I'm going to take a shower then take a walk. I gave in because I need to get out of bed... My marriage is almost over because I can't do anything off the pills and he won't be with an addict or talk about it so... I'll be an in the closet addict trying to quit with y'all's help until I see the doctor next month and talk to him about getting off. Something's I've read especially about the Valium scared me to stop but maybe I can taper myself by taking the 10mg at night and maybe only 5mg the other times if needed. I really do wait until I can't handle it anymore before I take something but I have to get up, shower and do something active.

[Taffym84]

I was on all the pills then was put on the Fentanyl Patch for just over 2mths but I have been on the pills before and after.

[Taffym84]

I was on everything at one time and the only the only thing the doctor told me he wanted me off was the Fentanyl Patch.

[YesLife4Me]

I mean did you go completely off pain meds when you went off the Fentanyl?  No Norco, No Tramadol?   Or did you use those to transition off and now you are on those?   And now you want off those?  

[YesLife4Me]

So when you went off the Fentanyl, you didn't go CT?  You were taking the Tram and Norco?  

[Taffym84]

Yes but it was easier to go thru Fentanyl WD with the Valium, Narco, and Tramadol.

[Taffym84]

I was doing really good and then got an infection which the ER didn't catch when I went in and since then I just haven't been the same; I was taking walks for 30-45min., doing laundry and staying functional but I was also taking everything on a regular basis and when I decided I didn't want them, everything has gone downhill.

[Taffym84]

Back problems that turned into injections then back surgery that led to infection. This has been a 2yr issue. Dr's have never taken me off anything, just added to the list.

[evolv]

get some gatorade, ensure, boost or carnation instant! you will get a lot of the nutrients you need, and you can just hold your breath and chug it. it's easier than food and it will help you feel better. you need the vitamins and electrolytes. also look up The Thomas Recipe on here - a lot of good stuff. Bananas, hot showers, lots of water, WALKS and anything to keep your body and your brain moving forward. We're here. Lean on us. You're gonna make it.

[Pat1956100]

You need to talk with your doctor and tell him that you want to come off of the pills.  You should only do 1 at a time as was explained before.
The valium and tramadol should be tapered and your doctor can work out a plan for you.

Why does your doctor have you on all of these meds if you don't need them?

[Taffym84]

Narcos, Tramadol, and Valium...all Rx... I am just more functional taking them but I don't want to take them because I'm not really needing them as much but I can't function without them anymore. I've been trying and can barely  even get out of bed because I can't stop crying. I don't eat-going on 3 days- and lately I haven't even been drinking anything. I get up for a shower and that's about it. I just get **** on by my husband about it and the doctors haven't taken me off anything so I might as well just stay functional and continue taking everything.

[Pat1956100]

Hi Taffy
What did you stop taking?  Please hang in there and talk to us.
You will be okay.  

[Taffym84]

I can't do this again. The Fentanyl WD was hard enough and that was not too long ago. I'm stuck at home and feel like I'm going crazy.

[Taffym84]

Thank you to everybody for all their help it really means a lot to have people I don't even know go out of their way to help me and give me advice.

[kellkell2184]

I have been on both sides of the track I am a recovered addict but also I have my associates degree in Medical Science and almost have my Bachelors degree in Human services (Specialize in Behavioral Services/ Substance Abuse) My point is from both the educational and addict frame of mind first before stopping any medicine how much of these meds are you taking because if they are extreme high doses then yes it can be harmful just stopping them all together. Just because people quit cold turkey and are successful does not mean there are not risks and you should always be well informed before just jumping off your medicines I have learned this through detoxing off psych meds and opiates/narcotics and through my college education.

[worried878]

Good luck to you.  As mentioned above, trams nor valium if dose is high sould be CT-ed.  WDs will end as u know from the fentanyl WD.  If you managed that, you can handle just bout anything!

[Pat1956100]

Awww sweety, you have to talk to your doctor.  I really don't think you should do this alone.  Tell him exactly what you told us and that you want help getting off all of these pills.  You deserve a happy life and you can have one.

[YesLife4Me]

Hi!   Just wanted to chime in and wish you success in getting off the pain pills and getting your life back.   The first 3 or 4 days is the worst.  It takes about a week to get over wd symptoms.   I do strongly urge you to quit the trams first!   Those are even harder to wd from than norco.   They are misleading that they are not addictive, but they are!  They are a synthetic opiate with an SSRI anti depressant agent.   There are many Tram warriors on here that have gone through it.  My personal experiences with Tram was that its nasty stuff.