Trying to stop taking vicodin... how do I do that?

[RCG]

About 2 years ago I was in a car accident that led my doctor to prescribe vicodin for me. I feel I am addicted and after many attempts at not taking vicodin I do not know what to do. I am in pain but something tells me that it is my mind that is making me think I am to justify taking vicodin. What can I do to get off of this stuff that is making me depressed. I am too embarassed to tell my family for the fear of them looking at me as though I am a weak person, and I would like to go to counseling without them knowing! Throughout this time period I have remained very active, working out 5-7 times a week in an effort to get my mind off of it, but with no success! Your input is appreciated,thank you!

[AmberHunter]

you are taking how much vicodin? how often a day? and you said this has been going on for two years...

the best way to come off of any narcotic is to taper down off of it. that is the easiest way. and there is something called the thomas recipe that i am sure someone will post for you!

and yes, from my experience, my body will manufacture or at least magnify pain in order to justify it getting narcotics. i think the doc on this forum calls it a kindling effect...

i take it you have never gone through any withdrawls ever?

the doc will be along shortly! good luck to you!

amber

[rodewc]

Good Luck. Follow advice and grit your teeth (stopping Vike). For me it helped to be AWAY from all my "triggers" (books, music, etc.) We left town for a long weekend.

That, and thank you for the emails this week. Though I did take  a break from the board daily life, thank you for letting me see those glimpses of your thoughts, lifes, and opinions.

Later,


rwc~

[Trying2Stop]

First of all, don't beat yourself up over this.  It is very difficult to get off this things.  I myself am only 2 days clean.  If you have enough self control, try to taper off, that is what I did and I barely have any w/d symptoms.  Also, keep posting, the people on this board are wonderful.

[Trying2Stop]

First of all, don't beat yourself up over this.  It is very difficult to get off this things.  I myself am only 2 days clean.  If you have enough self control, try to taper off, that is what I did and I barely have any w/d symptoms.  Also, keep posting, the people on this board are wonderful.

[dancinginthedark]

Well, if you like glimpses of thoughts & opinions, there is a verifiable busload for you over at DA.com.

Enjoy!

Dancin'

[terter]

I am very new and posted for the first time today. I saw that it's been day number two for you and so am I. I did slip with a tablespoon of tussinex cough syrup but I have no more, good I think. I am so scared, the longest I was able to stop was under 2 weeks C/t I have used Hydro for more then 2 years at about 20 to 30 a day I have been tappering off by using Darvocette about 4 aday but felt I was prolonging withdrawls so I stopped. I really want this and any advice to and from would be helpful. I will read more posts to get more familiar with you and everyone else. Thanks TerTer

[Trying2Stop]

Don't be discouraged.  I had no choice but to taper.  I have 2 children, ages 2 and my oldest will be 9 tomorrow.  My husband is away all this week for a job and I think that I needed for him to be away...only b/c when he is home I make sure the house is spotless and dishes are done and stuff like that and when you are trying to quit that is a lot of pressure to put on yourself.  So for this week I'm just letting stuff go, take time out for myself.

If you want, there is another great board that Amber started and you will see my whole story.  There are a bunch of great people there, and very helpful.  They have helped me dearly.

http://forum.onecenter.com/friends_ah

That should take you to the board, if not, I'm sure Amber will give you the proper address.

Hang in there....it will get better.  My email address is ***@****, you can email me any time you wish...

[terter]

How hard it must be to go through w/d with 2 lil ones mine are older but I couldn't imagine, It sounds like you have a plan, I don't know about you but the guilt is terrible for me when I don't get things done around the house and fix dinner for my husband. He keeps saying it's ok just relax and I'm so greatful for that but coming here gives me relief because you all understand what this feels like. I have eatten bananas which I think is helping with the leg aches. Any Ideas on sleeping I know it takes time but it goes by so slow..terter

[Trying2Stop]

If you can get you hands on some Valium or Xanax or even Flexeril (which is what I have now) they will help you sleep.  When I started tapering I had 4 valium and I would take 1/2 at bedtime.  The flexeril's really knock me out.

You will be ok....

[zman]

Sorry to break up the is thread, but I need help really badly.  I just found this site today.  This is the first few days of being clean after stoping cold turkey from 120mg of Oxycontin daily.  I had been one them for 8-9 months for two herniated discs in my back.  I felt that the Oxys were a wonder drug when I first started taking them since no other pain killer helped.  I tried them all Vics, Percs, Lorocet, fent, morphine; but none helped my live pain free like the oxys.  About a month ago I realized that I liked them too much!!  I started taking anywhere from 120mg-200mg a day (all crushed).  I was prescribed 80mgs per day.  I deceided to go cold turkey when my script ran out two days ago.  To say I am going through hell is an understatement, I can barley type this post.  No sleep, shaking, ringing in my ears, sweeting, hot cold, my stomach is in knots, I have no desire to eat, infact all I want to do is die.  The only thing that helps is a hot hot shower, but I become dizzy so i have to get out, and then the bugs star crawling again.  What can I do??  Please i need help!!  If any kind soul could e-mail me, I could really use the support.

Thanks,

ZMAN

***@****

[terter]

I dont know much about oxys only what I have read here, Mine was Hydro but I hear what you are going through is much worse. But so many here have done what you are going through now. What is it your looking for? There are so many options like talk to a doctor, Meth clinics, ect.. Look back on the posts thats were I got most of my info. What I can tell you is that it can be done and your in the right direction. Someone named Thomas has a recipe of vitamins and such that you can get from past posts. I am not a pro just been reading through posts for several months and decided to write just today but being here and reading is a good start and it does stop, it takes time I know that for sure because this is not my first time stopping, I'm sure someone more educated will post to you anytime but if you need to talk through it just drop me a line; good luck your on the right track don't give up.   TerTer

[Thomas050]

In response to the first post and to add with what Amber said, not only will you have to physical pain amplified by the addiction, but there will also be the mental manifestation of the addiction. Your mind will begin to give you reasons why you should take them again. Opiate addiction is one sly fox.  You only have your will on your side. (well, and us).

zman,
I don't take near that amount of hydro, but from what I know of  I would recomend a family doctor or even ER. That was a big amount to go cold turkey. Medical professional help, and a doc that understands opiate addiction, not someone that will put you on an antidepressant. Just personal opinion/advice. My prayers are with you man.

Thomas050

[teakettle2]

How do you know if you are going through withdrawl?  Hope that doesn't sound too stupid.

[terter]

Oh you"ll know, No energy, depression,no sleep but it depends on what you are taking for how long and how much. I have gone through it a few times I hope this to be my last. terter

[Trying2Stop]

You will definately know w/d.  You'll sweat, then get chills, your whole body will feel like you have arthritis (sp), depression, restless arms and legs, and no energy.

Then again, you may be lucky.  My husband has never had w/d from anything, not even heroin.  I swear the man isn't human.

[gamzz]

god bless you for going cold turkey, but you are stonger then you think, im still using and have been  for two years. i have tryied to do it cold turkey and it doesnt work for me, im too weak i can stand the withdrawl it is to much for me to handle!  But it sounds like you really want to stop and i hope you succeed ! posting here really helps and everyone here really has gone through everything you are going through and will go through!  ive gone 5 days at the most and after not sleeping   for 5days and not feeling any better, i just gave in to it all. i wish i didnt but i didnt see any other choice at that time. my email is ***@**** if you or anyone every want to send me anything or just talk. i hope someday soon i can get over this hellish nitemare!! some people are stronger than others ( alot of you here ) and  i hope someday  soon i will be clean and FREE !! good luck to everyone!!

[Thomas050]

teakettle2,
opiate addiction is very sly. But deep down, you know.


I have a Question related to one of the above posts, perhaps the doc could answer it?
(in cases of extreme or prolonged pain pill use and/or abuse)
Do you think there are some doctors that undertand opiate addiction better than others? Or perhaps specailize in it? I remember going to a local family doc w/ my girlfriend for her Vicodin addiction and he prescribed an antidepressant, which absolutely did nothing.

TIA
Thomas050

[dancinginthedark]

Congrats on your strength & convictions.  That's the attitude that will lead to success.

However, from all I know, a slow taper is the way to go when possible, espec. with Oxys as their w/d is apparently rather heinous - to say the least!  Do you have to work...soon?  

I would urge you to get some medical attn. ASAP.  Doc might give you a few meds to tide you through the next few days or put you on a taper schedule.

I'd also try to address your question to Dr. Boze.  Apparently, early AM is the best to get thru.

You are one strong guy but no need to go through untold angst in the process!  

Good luck!!!

Best,

Dancin'

[teakettle2]

response to how long and how much....5 months of hydrocodone either 5's or 10's    right after 3 surgeries i took about 4-6 a day  then usually one a day  maybe two...but mostly one
i stopped for 4 days...i still have shoulder pain but was afraid of addiction....i felt tired and my knees are aching and a bit irritable
well the shoulder hurts alot so i took one everyday for 5 days   but just one all day long...
is that withdrawl?

[Trying2Stop]

You have very minor withdraw symptoms...you are lucky.  Please, don't start taking more then you need to or you will have horrible w/d.  The best thing to do is to stop now while your body isn't totally dependant on the vikes.  It is a ***** once you are trapped in this dark place.

[Wizard69]

zman, The withdrawals I suffer ruined at least 7 days. It started about 16hrs after I ran out. I get a really anxious feeling that knaws at me constantly. I suffer upper back and neck aches like I have arthritis. My stomach is torn up and I have no appettite. Sleep does'nt exist in this hell. I took 3 10mg ambien and slept 1 1/2 hours, so I dropped them too. Addiction to another drug comes really easy when it seems to relieve withdrawals. It kept playing over and over in my mind that I had to go to work the next day but I felt so much self pity for myself in this condition and I got myself so depressed and frustrated that I thought of suicide. But you know, after a couple days I was setting in the bed wide awake and I started getting sleepy, next thing I knew it was 4 hours later. 4 hours of sleep after the hell I thought I was in is like being born again. I woke still with cravings for the drug but with a brighter outlook on making it through this. After the 4th day my body started feeling like it had'nt in months. No more short tempered snaps at people, no more so drawn out and sleepy in the middle of the day I would leave work. My appettite came back and I honestly felt like a kid again. I wanted to go fish, walking, and outdoors instead of setting around my living room watching TV and popping 7.5's. 24hrs after I stopped the pills I thought there was use living, 7 days later it felt like I lost months of my life in a card game. You can make it, its very tough, but it gets alot better.

[RCG]

Thank you for your input,I have never been through a withdrawal before and maybe I am acting a little childish about this in the way that i am embarassed about m problem, I know i need to accept what i am into and fess up. This will and has been a learning experience for me.My parents do hold high expectations of me(I am 20)and I want to meet or come close to those expectations. I had a hard day today staying away from the vic. i could hardly stand it. I took 2 this evening and I feel that weaning myself off slowly will be the best way for me. I am down right now b/c I didnt realize how addicted i have become until today when i gave my all to make it! Iknow it will get better. I am visiting family in a week and I plan on going to the dr. i will do the thomas recipe! Thank yo for that! I was surprised by all of the responses, im sure you all know how much it helps to know that there are people there who know what you are going through and can support you! I will keep in touch and update you! Please keep writing with any other suggestions!

[RCG]

I am taking Vicodin ES up to 6 times a day for the past 2 years, only in the past month have i been taking ES for the past 2 years it was just "regular" vicodin, but my tolerance has increased . I have been trying to lower that on a daily basis, tonight i took 2 after going for 24 hours, I was going crazy,I believe that the best way to stop this is to wean myself off of the vic. Thank you for your reply!

[rodewc]

All off opinions are simply that, but interestting. But then so is fiction. LOL. Some tug at on'e heart harder than others. WS: "The Truth Will Out."

There was one story/opionion here that was so powerful. After I get in from errands, if my kids havent commandeered the computer, I will look for it here again. I thought it was in this thread, but maybe another.

Have a successful day.

rwc~