Needing advice

[ABL4ME]

I've been reading a lot of the posting in this forum on and off all day.  I've started at least 3 questions and was interrupted...I'm hoping to get this one through :)  My situation is very similar to many here.  I started taking prescription pain meds in December 2006.  To date, I take over 15 pills a day because of my tolerance.  Long story short, I had a long talk with my specialist yesterday.  She pulled my pharmacy records, which dated back to 2006.  I was shocked, embarrassed and very defensive.  After sleeping on her advice, I decided she was absolutely right, I need to stop taking the medication NOW...regardless of my pain level.  I've known for quite sometime that I had developed a problem, however, wasn't ready to face it.  The addiction has taken over most of my life.  I can't travel unless I have enough to last for several days, I can't do a lot of things simply because I am worried about running out of my meds.  So, instead of focusing on the real problem, which is my back, I've allowed the vicoden or the vicoprofen or the percocet dictate how I go about my daily life.  I realize I am cheating myself out on so much of my life because the drug has consumed me.  I have never had a problem with alcohol or drugs, therefore, I never believed something like this could happen to me.  My specialist gave me another prescription...to taper me off.  Yea right...someone who takes over 15 pills a day is not going to take 4 a day when there is a bottle in front of them.  My decision is to go cold turkey..starting within the next 24 hrs.  In the past, I've gone 24 hours without the medication in my system...so I have a good idea what the withdrawal is going to feel like...however, I have never made it beyond that time frame.  My husband seems to think it would be a good idea to keep a few pills in the house, in case the "anxiety" from the withdrawal is too much for me to handle.  My opinion, if they are here, I am going to find them, take them and lose my battle.  Does anyone agree?  I'm here because I really appreciated how everyone is so willing to help the other out.  I am hoping someone will be able to hold my hand via Internet (lol) over the next 72+ hrs or so.  I do not "think" it will be a problem for me if I can make it past 72 hrs...simply because I am determined to get my life back...but, I am afraid of caving in because we get soooooooo sick from the withdrawals.

Any advice given is so greatly appreciated!

[ABL4ME]

As always, it is very nice to hear from you...and THANK YOU.  Yes, it is Day 10 and I feel great.  I would never change the way I feel, even if it means going on 5 hours a sleep a week for the rest of my life!   Along with Todd, you have been very supportive with your inspiration, I thank you.

Keep going strong jms ~ it seems to me the days only get brighter :)

Love,
Amy

[Enough22]

Amy - Just wanted to wish you a happy Day 10! .... I hope you've had a good last couple of days!  I'll be looking for you latter on ....

God Bless~
jms

[Enough22]

PS - Sorry for my selfishness;  Isn't today #14 for you??  Talk about "Way To Go" ..  I've entertained the thought that I may begin to use "weeks" instead of "days" for my counting, once I have more than a few to use for reference ....

Once again, more great work from you, Bradah . . Congrats on 2 weeks!

God Bless ~
jms

[Enough22]

KT -  Thanks for the pump-up, Brother - I laughed out loud (literally) when I read, "Day 9 was really the turning point for me, likewise. Day 9 was the best out of the previous 8....And after Day 9 it has stayed the same, except only gets better!!!!

Watch...now the days start flying faster than you think.....and my sleep returned to me on Day 11 ...8 hours every day since"

Great inspiration, and I so appreciate the fact that you offer these insights about the days to come .... As Amy alluded to earlier, the 3 of us (in particular with our closeness in number of days) have a pretty good thing, here.  Of course, we are just tiny pieces of The Game which is this message board, yes?  You probably read me refer to them as "heroes", and I don't think any of us would diagree with that assessment ....

Thanks, Brother ... . God Bless~
jms

[Enough22]

Great stuff with the neighbor!  I'd be laughing too ....  Just an example, I believe, of people being placed in your life exactly when they need to be, yes?  He works in mysterious ways .... I'm happy you have people around you - even people you don't expect! - that care enough to make the type of gesture that your neighbor made.  I'm really liking that hot-ticket daughter of yours, too, for making the very simple comment that perhaps set that whole thing in motion.  What a great gift!  I'm so happy you have caring family around you!  See, now you'll be able to look back on this particular period of time, as the clarity has been coming to you, and be thankful for the gifts you've no doubt always known were there (daughter; caring neighbors), but were somewhat unaware of because of the side-tracking that was going on with the "distractions".  Does that make sense?  I write those things because I've personally had, like, a dozen little things that I've begun to "re-notice" these last few days that make me stop and think, "Wow - I've been missing that for too long" ....

Thank you again for your kind words .... I'll absolutely keep posting, and I look forward to reading all the stories you have coming to you ....

God Bless ~
jms

[K Todd]

Amy,

Day 8 is here and rolling for you!!!!

You are really something else and so special, and the days are going to get brighter and brighter with each day....

I am glad that we are fighting the good fight and winning!!

Ohhhh Yes and God Bless You Amy!
Love,
Todd