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Percocet/Lortab withdrawal help

Hello, I really hope that I can get some information here.... Well for starters I started taking pain mess a little over a year ad a half ago. It started with lortab 5mg a few times a day... Then after a few surgeries later I was prescribed to lortab 7.5 and Percocet 7.5 for the pain. I am about 8 weeks out of surgery, and the dr. Is still prescribing me these meds. Tomorrow will be day 2 without anything. I have asked my boyfriend to hide them from me, because I know that I was getting out of control, and could not believe how many prescriptions these dr. Keep giving me. I started taking them before anything I would do bc, it's like I feel happier and enjoy things more when I do them. I a just really afraid that I am not going to be able to feel the happiness I did without them. Right now I feel horrible.... I don't think there has been 5 seconds where I haven't had chills or the sweats. Luckily I have ambien to help me sleep, as well as welbutrin and Xanax (which I have only been taking before bed time. I am just wondering wow soon this will go away. I have 2 weeks before I start my first job out of college, and my daughter just turned 2 so I have a lot to live for, and am very motivated to kick this. Over the past few months it has got so bad where I was taking one to two every couple hours, I mean I didn't want to do anything without doing them, and that's when I realized this was more than just about my pain anymore. I just want one so bad to make this go away, and since the drs. keep gIving  them to me it's so hard to not just justify my taking them, and say to myself that I am 'functioning' on them, if not in a better way because I am and feel so happy once I get them in me.. Can anyone help me.. Right now I am going through the chills/sweats/constant bathroom/tiredness/very poor concentration/and of course pain. How long will this last?  Have been drinking a lot o f water and juice, taking vitamins, fruit smoothies, and the Wellbutrin, Xanax, and ambien at bedtime, and again tomorrow is day 2... Thank you for anyone who has help or advice!
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Avatar universal
Def Hard....I fing hate this stupid drug........I have a plan a suboxone 1 strip that can last me 1 week after that you think I'll be okay ?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well thank you for all your help..I am definitely thinking about doing that... This is just so incredibly hard, way harder than I thought. I feel like I am not being the best mother I can be right now because this is literally all I can think about... And before we would go to the park, or pool, and do fun stuff but right now I don't feel good enough to even go on walks with her. We got out today and even playin outside my head was just screaming on the inside you know? I am just really afraid to substitute one habit for another. This was day two for me... But what dr. Did you go to about your problem? Was it the original dr. That gave you the pain meds in the beginning or somewhere else? Do you think I should tough it out? Like I said before I have ambien and Xanax to help me sleep, which really stopped working last night... I just don't want to look like a bad mom or person if I go somewhere saying I am having trouble with these pain meds, even though I have multiple RX for them. I wish they had come with a warning or the dr. Would've quit giving them a long time ago. Thank you so much for your support and posts... It helps knowing other people are going thru this too, and I can actually talk about it. I just want to feel happy and motivated and energized again... Before these things took over.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The suboxone did help me alot.. After I got on a stable dose - I felt normal again... I was put on Celexa for my depression which helped - I developed minor migraines throughout the suboxone treatment and was put on Topamax which made them go away.. The 22mg of suboxone I was on was the highest dosage at the facility I was at - I googled "methadone clinics" in my area and called them - I talked to a lady and she suggested Suboxone instead of methadone because of my age (23) and because Methadone is another hard drug to come off of.. Suboxone works with the receptors in your brain - and I've taken opiates for PAIN since I've been off suboxone and I no longer get the "high" feeling from it - which is good. I would suggest looking into Suboxone - It was my life saver - I have a 5year old and it gave me my life back.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your kind words...I really hope that I can be strong enough to get through this. Today is my second day. Is there anything you can suggest to help with these horrible withdrawals. And you are definitely right about it being easier to get hooked than clean, especially when you have had them prescribed to you for so long, and no warning of how this would feel. I have 2 weeks before I start my first job out of college, so I wanted to do this now, and kick it before I start my career and have to feel this way on the job. Thanks again for your response.
Helpful - 0
1881798 tn?1339680233
You are at a good time and place to kick this habit. Start now! Flush the pills you have and call the doctor and tell him you are allegeric to the pain meds and do not want them. If you have access it will be easy to pick them up one day. I read that your brain is trained that even one pill can trigger the cycle again if you are wired for addiction.

Do you want to do your best at the new job? Being on pills will take that away from you. Stopping now will be so helpful to you. Please hang in there, sounds like you have a great future, best wishes.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
did the suboxone/methodone really help you? I have been tempted to go to the dr. for some help to get me through this, but I know my personality, and I am afraid that I would end up in the same boat I am in now... I just want to feel better and it is so hard!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you very much for your encouraging words and story as well. Last night was my first time posting as well, I just needed to feel like someone knew what i was going through I guess. I know that there is so much more to life than these things, its just at the moment its hard to not just give in because I know it will make me feel so much better. But I am going to stick it through, because I know thats what i have to do. is there anything that has helped you get through your withdrawal symptoms, or kept you focused on not doing them anymore?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you very much for your encouraging words. In response to your question about have I shared this issue with anyone, yes I have. I told my boyfriend friday night, that I needed help. I had been staying with my parents after my surgery, because it was a pretty serious one I needed help with my little one. I finally came home Friday night, and told him I needed help, because he was asking how I went through almost 2 whole bottles in about a week and a half. I know that I have NO will power when it comes to these things. And the worse thing is that the drs keep giving them to me. But this is day 2 of none at all, and it is definitely not fun. But like I said before I know I have WAY too much to live for. And that is what he told me as well, that just imagine what I could end up like, or what could happen if I continue to increase dosages, and do what I'm doing. I start a new job in 2 weeks, so luckily I have this time to get over these horrible withdrawals. Do you have anything that helped you to get over them, besides time?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 42 and just began posting on this site yesterday. I agree w/ the above post that its wonderful that you DO realize you have a problem and are taking steps to deal with it. I have been in rehab twice and after being put back on pain meds for gout (and of course abusing them) am once again withdrawing. I cant get my script filled until Thursday. I took my last vicodin 10 yesterday. I guess I just wanted to reach out to you as others on here have done to me, and just say if you can summon the strength to get off the meds your life will be MUCH better. Its one of the hardest things you will ever do but so worth it in the end! You seem to be young & you have a precious baby to give you the most important motivation you can get. Believe me I know all about being a "functioning" addict. The truth is we are still addicts. You do not want to go down the path I took. It will destroy you. The worst of your withdraw will be day 2-5. After that you should start noticing improvement. As I know all too well this is a choice you have to make every day. The choice to not use. I will be praying for you and myself! Good luck and I swear to you it does get better! Chris
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was addicted to percocet/opiates from age 14-22. I've been clean for a year now but i had to go through a methadone / suboxone clinic to help me because I would give up after the withdrawal got so bad... I started on suboxone and got up to 22mgs and tapered down slowly ( 1/2 mg every 2wks) after 6mpnths. The withdrawal from suboxone is noticeable but nothing like opiates .. this treatment was monitored daily - but worked wonders for me.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Congratulations on your decision to quit. You will have physical withdrawls probably rather intensely up to 7 days...by day 10 you should be feeling better. After day 4 the days will improve. It isn't as easy to get clean as it is to get addicted that's for sure but you can do it! Take it one day at a time and pamper yourself during this time...your body and brain needs time to heal. I wish you the best, keep posting.
Helpful - 0
3197167 tn?1348968606
I, too, started out taking them for very legit pain.  Sounds like "the cycle" has begun for you.....and you recognize it.  
Such a good thing.....you are young, have so much life ahead of you, a precious 2 yr old and a new job!!  Lots of motivation in your life circumstances.
Addiction will SCREAM at you (or silently whisper "just one" in your ear).......and try to convince you to continue taking the pills to feel normal.  

What makes us so diff from others who can take a pain pill and NOT like the way they feel.....they get sick....turn green....whatever??
My hubby didn't take many pain pills at all thru two diff surgeries in the last 4 yrs.  (I acutally took his pills since He didn't want them)  But, that's what makes us diff from them.  
There is soooo much good info on this site......how to prepare and help yourself thru w/drawals........things to do, try, buy, prepare for.
If you really and truly are ready NOW......you really must take the huge step to cut off any and all supply to the pills.  
Have you shared this with any body at all?  Just someone......you will receive love and support if you do.......it is said that secrets make us sick....and keep us sick, too.  
Lastly, can you get some "skin on" support, like therapy, NA, group therapy....whatever might be available to you?
All those things were reiterated by a "swell" guy that posts on this site. LOL
Even tho most people don't like to hear those 3 steps to staying clean.....when you leave one out........relapse seems to knock on the door.

How wonderful to be young like you and to know right NOW you are taking them for a reason other than pain.

Blessings dear one......keep posting, reading and learning.  We'll be here!  
Helpful - 0
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