Need support going through Hydrocodone withdrawl

[Myrna62]

Hi, I have been taking  2 to 6 pills a day of Hydrocodone 5/500, since last July.  I would go here and there a day without any, not often though.  I have severe hip arthritis and can't do much acitivity.  I will bee seeing a specialists next month to see what my options are.   I stopped taking by Hydrocodone on Monday due to the fact that I was afraid of being dependent on it.  Here are my withdrawls, diarrhea, no appetite,  depression and severe anxiety.  Yesterday I contacted my doctor and he has given me 0.5 mg of Lorazapam to get through.  The last seven years I have taken 100mg of Zoloft for anxiety and going through my menopause.   I am feeling awful, I can hardly get to sleep, the emotional state is the worst.  it's been four days now, how long do you think it will be for me to feel better.  I just need some support.  Thanks for listening.

[IBKleen]

Hi,

More people than not complain about depression after coming off of opiates. This may be a good time to talk with your doctor about adjusting your dose and perhaps changing your medication.

I hope you feel better.

[Myrna62]

I am feeling better today except for the depression. My last hydrocodone was Monday, so it's been six days.  I have been on zoloft for about six years, don't know why I should feel so depressed yet.   Did it mess up my zoloft???  I thought I would be better by now, depression is the worst.  I'd much rather be in pain.

[dominosarah]

That short walk will do you good.  The more you get up and move the better you will feel      sara

[Myrna62]

Thanks for all the words of kindness.  I just did take a hot bath and it seemed to help alittle. Both my kids are home from college and I was hoping one of them would stay home tonight, but they went out.  I just don't feel like being along.  I also don't want them to know what I am going through.   I have no motivation, but think I might try a short walk around the block.
Myrna

[AZKathy]

well, I just did a little research, and found that Zoloft is used to treat depression & anxiety, and Lorazepam is mainly used for anti-anxiety.  So you're actually not taking a "true" tranquilizer like Diazeoan or Valium.

I'm sure the doctors offices are closed by now, and by Monday you should be feeling much better emotionally.

you're so brave to have started tapering your drugs on  your own...

and so true about painkillers that aren't addictive... if we could just find something decent that works and didn't turn us into addicts, that would be fantastic!

this forum is a real lifesaver - I've been going CT for 11 days now, and don't know how I would have made it without all the great people here... we're all going thru or have been thru the same thing in one way or another... and it's nice to be in the company of others who've messed up their lives as I have

have you tried taking a nice long warm  bath?  that might help with the anxiety, if that's what's troubling you right now

stay tough... hugs,
kathy

[Myrna62]

Thanks for the quick response.  My doctor told me I should not of stopped them CT and spoke to him first about getting off them before seeing the specialist, as I will be having surgery.  But I called them him three days after the fact.  He said he would of weened them off me.   But I thought I would be okay, I also cut them in half and took them throughout the day.  Isn't Lorazapam a mind tranquilizer?   Since I was on zoloft I didn't think I would have the anxiety and depression and asked if the hydrocodone messed my zoloft up, he said no, he's sure it's withdrawl.  So hopefully I'll feel better in a few days.  I much rather have the pain in my hip, then the emotional state I am in.  these things are nasty.  Of all the things that medicine can do why can't they have a painkiller that works and you don't get addicted!!

[AZKathy]

Hi Myrna,
First of all congrats on your progress... you're through the worst of it.  Since you're having problems sleeping, and seem to have a great rapport with your doctor,  I'd recommend that you talk to him/her and see if they can write a prescription for a sleeping pill and/or a mild tranquilizer like diazepam.  That's what's been getting me through the nights.
You were on such a relatively low dose you should honestly start feeling better any time now.  I was on 210mg of oxycontin and 40mg of percocet per day, and it took about a week for me to start feeling better.  You're in much better shape than I, as it seems you weren't addicted, but only dependant on or tolerant of the drugs.
Don't worry, you'll get your appetite back and things will start looking brighter and brighter before you know it.

Just hang in there & take care,
Kathy