Completely Off Pain Pills--4 weeks!

[Sonrissa]

I'm so happy to say that I have been off of my prescription pain pills (Norco 10/325), for 4 weeks now.  For anyone who may not know or remember, I had been clean from abusing Roxicodone for about a year, when last November I fell, and badly broke my leg.  I had reconstructive surgery in December, where I received a plate, screws, pins, and wire, as well as torn ligament repair, to put my leg back together.  I had my roommate dispense and control my pain meds so that I did not abuse them.  I started taking about 6 per day (as prescribed), and then 2 months ago I began to taper. I got down to 2 pills per day (1 in the morning, and 1 at night), and then I jumped.  I did go through some mild withdrawal symptoms, but nothing like I experienced when I quit taking Roxicodone. I still have some sleep issues, and RLS, but it's getting better every day.  I also still have a good deal of pain, but I am taking 800mg Ibuprofen, and honestly, it really does help.  I generally feel pretty good, and I am so mentally relieved to be finally off of them.  

This is simply to say, that with a very good, detailed plan, and with people to support you, it is possible to take pain medication as prescribed and as necessary.  It certainly isn't a "walk in the park", but it can be done.  I haven't been posting or replying much in he last few months, but I lurked here nearly everyday, and read, and was inspired and supported by posts.  It really helped me get through the rough times, and so I thank everyone for that.  Also, thank you to those (you know who you are) who didn't give up on or forget about me.

I hope to be around more often, and offering my support to others, in any way I can.  I feel like I am finally free, and over this significant bump in my road.  This is such a wonderful place, with so many caring and supportive friends. Thank you all so very much. Oh yeah, and no more climbing up on my kitchen counter!  ;)

[dominosarah]

Way to go my Malibu Barbie!!!

[gnarly_1]

Hey congrats on you clean time it can be tuff going fo a wile but is does get better with time...having someone to dispense the pills is a huge step in fath noone her wants you to be in pain  but once I take the first pill I have lost my judgment if you not working a program do so  for me N/A does the trick getting clean is the ez part life on life's terms is tuff  just remember Addiction is a disease it will not just go away you need to treat it or it will run you over keep posting for support your off to a great start............Gnarly.........................

[weaver71]

I am so happy for you girl, and proud of you for using meds for what they are made for. At least we all have today, glad you are moving forward.

[vicki595]

I'm happy this episode is behind you now...you did great!

[lulu747]

Hey Sonrissa-
You have no idea how much better your post made me feel tonight.  I've literally been twisting in mental and physical agony as I'm in the middle of an acute medical issue which requires me to take pain meds and I have been freaking terrified.  My love holds my pills and I've been taking less than prescribed and suffering terribly.  My doctor, parents, and friends and love had an intervention with me and told me I have to start taking the pills more regularly so I can function with this terrible pain.  I have been resisting.  Reading your post made me see that I can do this.  Even though they have postponed my surgery and I know I'm going to have to take these pills for a few months I know that I will do it.  And then I will have surgery.  And then I will be kick it again.  Thank you for helping me believe.  Thank you so much for the inspiration.  I really really needed to read this tonight.  And BTW...Proud of you.  Happy you are healing.
xo
Lu

[Sonrissa]

Thank you all so much for the kind replies.  You all had more faith and confidence in me than I had in myself.

My leg is doing pretty good, the huge scar is starting to fade. I still walk with a significant limp, but no more leg brace or crutches.  It is getting better.  Really the worst part of this are the huge medical bills I am dealing with. This new insurance stuff is a horrible nightmare. It's been so stressful. I'm still getting bills, and it's been 4 months since my surgery! I need a math degree to figure it all out, :)

Yes Clean, my doctor said it will take about a year for the healing to be fully completed.  She did say that I am making very good progress.

Thanks again for your support and best wishes. It means a lot.

[clean_in_ks]

Well this is just cartwheel turnin news to have you back Miss Rissa!!!!

Thank you for sharing all you've been thru...and showing others that when a medical crisis calls for it....."as prescribed" can be done.....and NOW you're clean again....WHOOPEE!!

I'm sorry you're still having pain.....but dang girl....it's just now passed the 4 month mark since you had the surgery!!!  You are making amazing progress...how you walking?  After surgery as complex as yours....you know what "they" say, right?  We should expect it to take one full year before we're back to our pre-surgery selves......and while that's out there a ways....it still shows how fabulous you're doing NOW and what the future holds in the healing department.

I Miss you A LOT.....it's like this beam of sunshine to see your name again.....keep shining sugar......you should be SO PROUD of you-self..LOL

[Bones216]

Great job my friend, so proud of you.

[meegWpaw]

...i love climbing on the kitchen counter ... and i have to ... im short ... but yes, ms. smiles, no more kitchen climbing for  you!   i know you've been around, I've seen you here and there and it's always nice to hear from you.  especially such good news!  go you Sonrissa! yay!

[kyle505]

Well...Sure took you long enough to post. But, anyway, what's the big deal? I knew that you would do what was right. Difficult at times, but you know what's right and what had to be done.
Welcome back...Don't be a stranger. You're needed here.
K

[ActingBrandNew]

Thats great! Congratulations!

[hopefullycleanagain]

Hi sonrissa, reading this has given me such hope for the future, as I have always wondered what will happen if I need pain meds again for something very serious like your accident. Hearing that you were able to take as prescribed after beating an addiction is amazing!! Good luck to you and glad to see how gracefully you were able to handle that situation! Michelle

[EvolverU]

Wow, Sonrissa! Thank you so much for posting this! Great, great job. Congratulations to you on implementing & maintaining this plan of moderation. I'm so glad to hear that it wasn't that difficult a kick this time. This is a really inspiring post. I'm about to have a surgery that will require a course of opiates for (hopefully) a brief period & have been experiencing anxiety over it. We've worked so hard & don't want to 'go backwards'. You did this the right way. Thanks for showing us it can be done if we use what we've learned & keep our guards up.

I hope that you heal fully from your surgery & that you're out of pain soon. Again, good for you! Yaay, 4 weeks! :))

[jleeflcntrygrl]

Awesome!! Keep goin it gets easier if u have made it this far u r stronger than u think! God bless!!

[Bubbleguppie100]

Right on girl! 4 weeks is amazing. I've missed you on here. How are you feeling? How's ur leg? I'm glad to see u back! :)

[msdelight]

Yay for you Rissa I knew you could do it! I am so happy for you that the nightmare is over for the most part. I'm glad your healing and congratulations on handling this accident so well. You are an inspiration to all of us here. Now no more chasing the kitties!

[atthebeach]

oh huni I am soooooo happy for you and sooooo very proud of you.
I am so glad that you are feeling better.
I am doing a "happy dance", jersey shore style.
you have done an amazing job, despite the trials you have experienced.

be kind to yourself as you continue to heal.
and absolutely no more climbing on the counter.

this post has made me smile.
hugs, Debbie

[VICourageous]

Girl!!! I am SO darn Proud! I just knew you had it in you to do this right! So sorry that you have to feel some mild w/ds..Bummer! Glad to see you back on..It has been pretty slow out here..lol
Bless

[Sonrissa]

Hi Lianne, and welcome. At 2 weeks off of the Oxycodone, you should be through the worst of the physical withdrawal symptoms.  Normal sleep does take longer to fully recover. Your brain will come back.  Congratulations on the 2 weeks.  I can recommend a few things that may help. Make sure you are staying very well hydrated.  Drink a ton of water, then drink some more. Also, take good vitamins and mineral supplements. Especially potassium and magnesium. Make sure you are eating healthy. Take Immodium for any stomach or bathroom issues. Lastly, get some mild exercise, outside if possible. More than anything, taking walks outside helped me the most.  Please keep posting. There is lots of great support here. If you would like, start your own post, and you will get more advice and support. Just go to the top of the page and click on the Post a Question button on the right hand side.  Best wishes and hope you will stick around.

[marycarmel]

Congratulations!!  Glad to hear you did so well.

[liannemarylatham]

I am new....two weeks off oxycodone which I was prescribed to for pain,30mg 3 times aday for 5 yrs. also went off klonipin, and adderalll also prescribed. two yrs ago I started to feel like nothing matterd any more,became very sad and felt so hopeless. I want my life back...so with doctors okay I tried suboxone....was supposed to ellimenate withdrawl....made it worse so stopped taking that and started to go through hell, severe painick, confusion, and .. constant crying. It doesn't seem to be getting better,so tired, but can.t sleep very well. every thing hurts. I really don't think its ever going to stop.....I am scared that my brain will never come back. how much longer do you think?lianne

[Pat1956100]

Oh Girl, I am so happy for you.  I know how worried you were about taking the pills and how hard you fought.  Your doctor wanted to give you stronger pain meds but you were so afraid and finally settled on the Norco, even though it probably didn't provide as much relief.
I never had any doubt that you would take them as prescribed.  You are stronger than you know.
I am so glad you are back.  Your kindness and wisdom will be a great asset to this forum.
Maybe we can become the Walmart greeters again?
LOL, love you. xoxo
Big, Big hugs

[Amandag78]

Congratulations, we are all so very proud of you : )

[Dane74]

Girl, i am so darn happy for you!!!!  But i must say,there was no doubt in my mind that you would pull through the bump in the road and come out ahead!!!!  I am so proud of you!  I hate that you have to go through some WD, even though you took as prescribed but you are one tuff cookie, i admire you and again so proud!