I finally admit it, I need help. Re: Opiate Withdrawal

[MedicineMax]

What should I do for Norco/Hydrocodone withdrawal?

I have a very import question and situation that I desperately could use help with resolving. I have been on strong narcotic pain relievers for some time (Norco 10/325 last several months, over the past 2 years from Oxy, to hydromorphone to good ol' Tramadol) and my doctor unexpectedly quit refilling my prescription today without notice or reason. I am okay with that, but what makes it so devastating and urgent is that neither he or his nurse contacted me about this decision, and he did not sit down with me in order to make a plan to get off of this strong medication. I found out through the pharmacist. She is concerned too. I was taking no less than 70mg of NORCO per day, which is significant. I don't feel addicted to the pills, but my body does feel dependent. (this might be total bull ****, I'm' trying to figure it out.. I've never taken a pill not prescribed to me as I've had 3 surgeries over 2 years.)

Here is my situation. I  will be quitting this medicine cold turkey as I have no pills left being prescribed from the doctor, and what I do have I took it all at once so there wouldn't be any more lying around and that I'll fall asleep on them in hopes of not enjoying the large amount-7 at once. I am certain that cold turkey is not the way to go about this and feel that it is extremely dangerous. What would you advise me to do? Should I try to get Suboxone? Where do I go? The hospital ER? Are there clinics for addicts? Well the withdrawal require hospitalization? Will they treat me there? Or, where do I go to help me wean off of the medication with lower dosages on other medications, etc.? Hospital? I'm afraid that it will take too much time to get into a pain management clinic. As in, by the time things are most intense, the pain management will still be on a wait list. Are there emergency clinics? I feel my situation is extremely urgent because the detox has just began and the withdrawal is extremely dangerous and worrisome. I do not want to end up in the hospital which is most likely what will happen if untreated. It had been a long term use. The doctors at Methodist in August kept me on Suboxone whilst in the ward. Since the doctor and his nurse have abandoned me with no reason whatsoever (I never abused my medications, used them more than prescribed, etc.) I will be requesting a copy of my medical record immediately so that I can hopefully figure out what he was thinking. But, that is the least of my worries right now.

Treatment is most important.

Thank you for your help anyone!

And, like I said in AA many years ago (still sober)

My name is Max, and I am an addict.

[MedicineMax]

Hi Quickrick, thank you kindly for your reply and insight. I'm guessing you are heavy into NA? I've done AA and your lingo and mentality seems to be quite similar.

I appreciate your concern and suggestions. Means the world!

Thanks man.

[MedicineMax]

Hi, thanks for your comments. You seem very realistic and reasonable. I also have Bipolar II and am being treated for it. I have already spoken with my shrink over email and she is very pleased I want to quit norco, but because of all of my hospitalizations for head pain she is very worried about pain. She suggested 800mg of advil 3 times a day.. who knows. She also referred me to a pain specialist. She pointed out I am very fortunate to be on klonopin, seroquel and trazadone because that will greatly help me through any WD. Thankfully, through email she can check on me everyday. I'm ready to do this!

[NautyOne]

99.99999999 % of us were forced to quit in one way shape or another.  Geez, man...talk about kick em in the groin when they are down.  It doesn't matter how he quits, rather that he quits!..

Max.....dont' let anyone misinform you that its an easy 3-4 days of flu-like symptoms, or that its easy because its only one persons idea of a low dose.  We all handle it differently, but we all get the same symptoms for the most part.  You are going to feel like the SWine Flu times 100.  What may be of concern is you mental health issues because withdrawal is not only physical but very much psychological too.  

Please call your psyc. and tell him/her what is happening.  Please!!!  CALL YOur Psych!!!

luv,
nauty..............

[MedicineMax]

I cannot thank you all enough for your insight, personal stories, advice and everything and anything. I think I have figured out my problem. I wasn't yet a slave or addict to my pain pills, but I know it was coming any day. It frightened me. Even though so many on here have a way different addiction.. to me taking 5+ Norco 10/325's a day for months and no end in sight was horrifying.

Does anyone know if I can just show up at the hospital and ask to be admitted for detoxification?

Or, can my doctor check me in?

Has anyone done anything like that before?

Also, what about the treatment where they put you under and cleanse you.. any details on that? Or, success stories?

I am SOOOO committed to getting off of the Norco, yet I am still sitting here taking them. It's heart breaking. This online forum is a godsend, I just wish I could give someone a hug or look into their eye as they say, "everything will work out and be fine."

I appreciate all of you. All input helps. And, please know I am here for all of you too. Send me a message, use messenger, whatever.. no problem is greater than any other.

XOXO

[worried878]

Alsao a chronic painer...titanium plates in my neck..discs that are gone..but pain is pain..and always real for the person...only problem with narcs is they were never meant for long term use due to tolerence...but not everyone is an addict...they can use for pain without a mental addiction...we feel like everyone who takes pain pills ends up like us..but it is not so,,most can take narcotics without addiction or abuse...we r in the minority...chronic pain plus being prone to addiction suk....cos we cant use successfully for pain//a true addict can not/not saying u can not but only that a true addict is not usually successful with pain pills as a rule...and only the person who is this position knows for sure...no one else can guess the extent of someones addiction/nor whether they even have an addiction..only the person knows...and if it is true it can begin to gnaw at ur inner self..which is a good sign///some never let it get to them and keep going and goin but they r going NOWHERE in reality..a vicious cycle that is hard to getout of

For me..the emotional pain of using..worrying bout how many I had, where i would get more  etc...caused me more pain than my screwed up spine did..stress aggravates my pain/always have..and at the end i was not using them for pain..i was using them like an AD..then i was using them to make it thru the day//but a deep depression set in and I could never feel the way i did before..my high was gone..and i was left with a person i didnt know anymore..ME

Flushing pills was empowering for me..making a plan/tho i had failed before trying to taper many times...the plan plus aftercare helped me/I had to CT cos i couldnt taper successfully/..I just know for the rest of my life i have to be careful//i am fine til a tragedy occurs..then my old firend/really my old enemy/will call my name...my poor coping mechanisms try to kick in..as long as life is hunky dory this doesnt happen..I have realized as of late//that we I tend to go overboard on things..impulsive by nature..often my own worst enemy...even a person can become ur drug...scary for me but i realize that now

Day by day is all we can do...when and if u feel it is time to let the pills go..u will if u want it bad enuf...people start contemplating this decision long before they actually do it..not many wake up one day and think "I am suddenly over this addiction crud and I am done right this second"  It is a long process for many..realizing the problem is there/but alternating with periods of denial and not caring as many find resons why they need to continue using...but for many it will gnaw at their soul..it starts taking a chunk of ur inner self each day..each failed taper..each relapse...then the person realizes they r just not having fun anymore...or that the pills r not worth the pain relief they provide/at the end it is often not even about pain relief anymore..it is a sickness for addicts

There is a pain forum here that is wonderful...many of them r on narcotics and deal with it successfully...many may be physically dependent//most there r not addicts//altho some possibly r..it is a totally different concept on that forum as far as pain relief drugs than here..but i post there at times cos sometimes i need advice on alternative modes of pain relief...and they r very knowledgable..many here started on pills for pain relief too..we just dont do well at it...anyway, not a bad idea for a chronic painer to go there and read, learn and post

wishing u the best...life is short..we gotta make the best out of what we have and the time we have here on earth..and no one  will judge u there nor here..i dont/unless i have walked in someones shoes for a while/i have no right to judge anyone..I am an addict...what right do I have to judge anyone..I am an addict but I am also Laura..a person who has to survive, work, and be as happy as I can be..in spite of afflictions i have..we just gotta do our best..that is all we can do

[peaceinknowing]

I too suffer from pretty severe chronic pain. It might not be as bad as others have it, but I've been told by many doctors that they have no idea how I'm doing this without taking any sort of pain medication other than Motrin or other OTC medications.

You need to know that you're doing the right thing. You realized that this is starting to be an issue for you, so that's why you wish to put a halt to the pills. I mean sure...the fact that your doctor won't refill anything was another reason, but you seem genuine and sincere about your main reasoning for wanting to quit. I think you have to try and keep in mind that if your doctor thought it to be necessary to keep you on the pills because of the severity of the pain, then that's just what he would've done for you. BUT -- He refuses to refill them which should tell you something.

You're doing the right thing. Nothing negative can come from getting off the pills for good.