Tylenol 1 Addiction / Sense of Hopelessness

[mobiius]

Hello, I'm new here... I'm 31, married, and the father of two.  I'm also addicted to tylenol 1's.  On average I take 15 pills at a time, 3 times a day.  There have been times when I have taken 20 per dose.  About half hour after I take them I get the high I want, but it doesn't last long, then I feel sick.  By the end of the day (after eating 45 to 60 pills) I feel horrible, I'm pale, bloated, and have difficulty going to the bathroom.  I know what I'm doing is wrong, but I don't really care.  I've been struggling with depression nearly all my life as well.  I look at myself as "damaged goods".  I feel that I'm broken and can never be fixed. I'm taking a lot of medication for the depression (Effexor 75mg x 3,Effexor 37.5mg, and Prozac 20mg, all that once a day)I like to drink almost every weekend, I smoke cigarettes like others breathe air, and I take tylenol.  I know that the tylenol is doing damage to my body, they must be by now - I've been taking pills like this for almost 2 years pretty much every day.
I'm not even sure what to do anymore...

[kellygirll]

get your liver checked see your doctor to get blood work done all that tylenol is very dangerous to your liver

[kellygirll]

all that tylenol is very dangerous for your liver you could "kill" your liver do some serious damage back in 2010 i was on the soboxone program and i went to my appt told my doctor i used she asked what i said about 20 7.5/500 vicodin she sent me right to the lab to have blood drawn to check my liver stat it was ok thank god but its not good for you at all have you had your liver checked? if not please do

[kellygirll]

all that tylenol is very dangerous for your liver you could "kill" your liver do some serious damage back in 2010 i was on the soboxone program and i went to my appt told my doctor i used she asked what i said about 20 7.5/500 vicodin she sent me right to the lab to have blood drawn to check my liver stat it was ok thank god but its not good for you at all have you had your liver checked? if not please do

[Lexie_55]

Wow I'm new here ! I can't believe I'm not the only one with this Addiction ! More than 25 years with this evil SOB ! At my worst I was taking 18 Tylonals 1's at once two or three times a day ! I can't believe I still have a Healthy Liver, thats what the Bloodwork says anyway.  I have tried so many times to give them up, but I have Cronic Pain and find it impossible to do.  I have been on all kinds of Opioids and my Dr has tried to help ween off the Perscription ones, but I have access to Tylonals 1 over the counter and find myself going to different Pharmacies so they do know just how much I take. I'm also Addicted to Sleeping pills, I'm so scared it will all end badly. I'm even finding that When I'm taking them I start to panic and think OH **** DID I ALREADY TAKE THEM ??? I'm really scared !

[clean_in_ks]

Welcome, Aleen22!  Glad you found the forum....if you can go to the top of this page and find the orange post a question button...then re-type or copy and paste this question....that will put you on the current forum activity page where you will get more feedback to your question.
This thread is an old one....which you probably found thru your internet search engine....that's what happened to me the first time I posted.
Lots of help and support on this forum.....hope that helps get you started~

[Aleen22]

Hi,
I've been taking 4  T'1s a day for the last 10 months for my back pain, should I expect any withdrawal and how is it going to be like, thanks

[Lexie_55]

Ween yourself off ! Don't go cold turkey !

[ariley13]

Hi there and welcome! This is a really old thread from 2007 that hasn't been posted on for over a year. I want to be sure you get all the advice and support that you deserve. Go out to the main page and hit the post a question link. You can tell your story there and get more responses. Good luck to you!

[foreversickme]

Hello. I am an addict to perc's, I have been addicted for nearly 2 years. I had started when I found these pills in my mothers room, as she is also addicted & has a severe back problem. When I run out of perc's or when I can no longer find them on the street (I live in a small town) I result to T1's because they're accessable (I live in Canada). They don't do half of what a percocet does but I snort them, and they help me with the snorting sensation & a little bit of the belly ache I suffer from. I'm scared to continue to do this because I'm scared I'm going to get sick (liver damage) and such... as a few of you mencioned. Especially at my age. Is what I'm doing bad to help me? Would it be bad if I tried to quit p's by using tylenol 1 instead?

[dl8286]

Forgot to mention : When I was 20 I nearly died because of 222 use. I was taking the kind with Aspirin and it actually made a bleeding ulcer in my stomach. This landed me in hospital with insane blood loss. My parents basically had to drag me to the front door and then into a wheel chair. I was in the ER and the lady in charge actually skipped me ahead of others because I looked so terrible.

So yeah when I was 21 or so I figured out you could get it with Tylenol....Brilliant **roll eyes**.

[dl8286]

Forgot to mention : When I was 20 I nearly died because of 222 use. I was taking the kind with Aspirin and it actually made a bleeding ulcer in my stomach. This landed me in hospital with insane blood loss. My parents basically had to drag me to the front door and then into a wheel chair. I was in the ER and the lady in charge actually skipped me ahead of others because I looked so terrible.

So yeah when I was 21 or so I figured out you could get it with Tylenol....Brilliant **roll eyes**.

[dl8286]

Hey I've had a problem with T1s as well. I'm 26 now and have been taking them on and off since I was around 19. Usually around 10-12 (sometimes more) at a time, 2-3 times a day.

I'm off them now (cold turkey) and while the first few days are kinda crappy it only gets better from there. I will admit I did take Xanax (prescribed by doctor) during the first week or so and that made it much easier to stop as well. I wouldn't really suggest that though, if you can do without the tranqs it's probably for the best. I also took Advil (4 twice a day) for a few days and then slowly stopped taking that as well. It's been aprox 3 weeks since I've taken any T1s, about two weeks since daily Advil. »

Major symptoms from cold turkey withdrawal : Soreness in extremities. Going to the bathroom more often (numero 2 =p). Possible headaches. Trouble sleeping. I`ll take those things for a few days over continuing to mess my organs up personally ;).

I also have problems with depression and anxiety like many others here. Although I feel like T1 use (and likely Opiate use in general) just makes depression problems worse. I've also stopped smoking marijuana and while my anxiety is sometimes through the roof I`m slowly learning to deal with it instead of masking it. I still take Xanax occasionally but am also avoiding daily use of that as well.

Since I've stopped taking T1s my urine is much more healthy looking (near clear if I'm drinking adequate water) and I can go poop daily. Last part is something unheard of when I was taking pills!

Going for blood and urine tests this week and just hoping everything will be fine. Also had a chest x-ray yesterday. These tests are for going back to school but I figure it`ll also help ease my mind. I don`t really feel like anything is wrong with me physically but I`m sure my anxiety will be lessened after (hopefully good) results come in.

Up next : weight loss!

I just need to remember what I want. A long life with the people I love or a severely shortened one fueled by drug use. Easy answer. I'm lucky to have a very supportive wife and family. If I was her I would of left me years ago.

[Murrshank]

I was sure I was the only person who whold get hooked on T1's, as any other drug user I know uses coke, weed, extacy etc...  I just stopped cold turkey about a day and a half ago...what a pain in the ***.  I felt like crap on them and now I feel like crap off them.  I quit cigarettes and alcohol no problem (don't drink at all) but this is hard like I never expected.  I have stopped before, but always went back.  The with withdrawls are brutal, and I have to keep thinkin of why I shouldn't take them (my kids are the big reason, not so much for me).  It's also hard to kick and still go to work and get paid... I'm just saying I have the flu, and people say I look like ****, so its a good cover, so far.
I  started due to migraines and have been using opiates for about 20 years and will take about any opiate in high doses when my head hurts.  I was taking about 100 every four or five days and had to rotate through several pharmacies to not raise their suspicions.  Anyway, here's hpoin' I can stay off this crap for a while and maybe stay alive a while longer...I know this is gonna kill me if I keep it up.  As sad as it is that we are all in the boat, it's good to know I'm not the only one.

[anthony1120]

Brooklyn
if you are still reading this post.....write back. Im also in Calgary and have the same addiction to T1. Maybe we can help each other.
anthony

[pillpopper600]

Hello everyone-
    Ive been taking them for 21 yrs Im 49 yrs old! it used to be 11 at a time then passed out told my therapist what happened and tried to quit she was naturally quite concerned but confidentiality is a part of their practice so no one knows. I started for all the same reasons low energy headaches depression (tho Im not on anything for it) I read the one persons letter with all the damaged organs and  symptoms and it scared the crap out of me --I have some of those symptoms and know the others will come if I dont stop.  I tried real hard to cut back got down to 5 pills 3 x a day --seems we all seem to take a certain number 3 x a day.  I have remained at 6 pills 3 x a day but know that is not enough it must be stopped but I also realize if I can stay at 6 from 11 then why not 3 or 4 then 1or 2 until it stops but we all know relapse is almost a certainty...Im scared too very scared but other times I think I dont care but I wouldnt be typing this if I didnt I want to live and dont want to die from liver shutdown etc...I am ever so lucky to be alive my god it likely would have killled other ppl what I have taken --obviously my liver is strong but it wont be for long god I need help...my husband knows but he just looks the other way he sees me take them and buys them for me...He loves me ppl but he likely feels I will freak out or get them anyway --no one else knows I am ashamed and feel ridculous and a fake I am a nurse and take care of ppl I never take pills from narc cupboard ever of course as I can get my own pills --small concession I guess...I need to quit I must quit
    for thise who did the cold turkey thing how did you feel after? and how long before you werent climbing the walls??/
I hope and feel for everyone on here it is a nasty little secret we all keep but it s going to kill us all if we dont stop!

[dominosarah]

This is a very dangerous thing to do.......Please rethink this.  

[blue1234119]

i have not tryed water extraction yet but will it takes out the stuff that kills your liver and leaves the rest in the water, i saw a video on utube under water extraction.

[dominosarah]

Where is the water extraction thing?

[blue1234119]

i have been addicted to t1s for about 8 years or more, im 42 year old women,it started with getting tooth pulled,now in the past year i take nine at time three or four times a day.first thing i think about in morning when i wake up is my pills.the high does not last long anymore .its such a habbit doesent do anything for me anymore.why do i keep taking them?going to try the water exctraction thing thats on this forum .so im not killing my liver anymore.so easy to get these in canada i go to same store once a week or two,and they dont ask any questions i wonder if there giving me fake pills they do do that i think there called placibo or something.knowing im addicted to them.maybe

[wont_give_up]

Hello everyone,  I am new here to .  I to have been addicted to TY1 for about 2 years. I have always suffered from bad headaches and migraines and when I moved to Canada someone told me to try TY1 to relieve the pain of headaches. So I did, I remember taking 4 pills the first time and feeling a little high, and then i didn't take them for a long time. I had never done drugs in my life and I am now 28 i didn't even take the prescribed ones.Then when i quit smoking and after some other things happening in my life,  i started feeling really sad and down all of the time. I had no desire to do anything, and i remembered the high i felt off of the 4 pills i took the first time, so i tried a few and felt the same high, they made me feel better gave me energy and everything. I now take 25 to 30 a day. If i don't take them i feel sick, and have no energy but I want to stop.I know it is killing me slowly but surely. It is so much easier to take them then it is not to and being able to get them without prescription makes it easier as well. No one knows about my addiction, not my husband not my closest friend. I have decided that at the end of October when all of my family is going away for 8 days, that i will stop. I will be here by myself no stress no aggravations, I can just lock the doors and go through the w/d and no one would be the wiser. I chose this time so that it gives me a month to wrap my head around not taking them and make whatever plans i need to in order to stay off of them. I am open to any advice you have to help with this. I will probably not post again until the end of October after i get off of these pills and let you know how i did , but i will check back to see what has been written :)   No matter who u are and what is happening  don't give up,  i know i wont !!

[Kaitlyn177]

hello ive been addicted for mabye a yr now and i also have a daughter..i think i take them because of how tired i am and how it gives me a little high..when i was 17 i used to party alot..and have done alot of drugs but the only symptom im going through is not being able to go to the bathroom ....please help me with this,i need some advice anyone have any ideas?.....im very stressed that i cant go to the bathroom!!!!

[Charetti]

Back to the depression part of this topic.  I also suffered with depression all my life. I have been on tons of different pills and seen tons of different counselors. I am in Canada and unless we can pay for counseling we generally can only get the services that are free.

Nothing ever really did it, but after a bit of time off I would give it another try.  Then I finally was put on the right combo of meds and found the right counselor.  This person was skilled in PTSD and helped me get at some really key parts of my past.  

So my message is 2 things. First dont give up on finding the right meds, and keep looking for the right counselor.  There are amazing new therapys being developed and they could be right for you.

[pharma9]

You are right Brooklyn...it can be done and i did a little more research on advil and it also stimulates dopamine and gives a slight reward like opiates....but not nearly as strong.
If you convince yourself that that is enough for pain you will not need or desire the opiates.
I even get a very slight mellow feeling when I take ibuprofen or tylenol for pain and that is enough for me.
I do not even crave the opaites at all.
Perhaps you can withdraw from these opiates nd find pain relief in otc meds at recommended doses.It works

[Brooklyn77]

I can't believe I found this thread.  I have been taking T1's or 222's for yrs.  I take 7 at a time now (my max).  I was able to stop for a few months about a yr ago and I am now trying to stop again.  I am in Calgary, Alberta Canada and hate that Canada has it OTC.  I take it for chronic headaches and nasty shoulder and neck tension.  But I think there is a rebound effect from the tylenol & codeine that causes you to have headaches once you have not taken the 222's for 24hrs or so.  I love to run and I would take them before and after a run to be sure I did not get a headache (so dumb and sometimes a severe headache would happen regardless when I excersise & take the T1's).  

I will take them for the high (not really a high anymore) if I am stressed or having anxiety.  It is expensive also to have to buy them.  I know the initial withdrawal is only about 3 days but takes months for the body to repair.  For those that are trying to get off T1's and get headaches....take liquid Advil Caps.  It does help a bit.  

I have depression also and take 300mg Effexor daily.  Ironically the withdrawal from Effexor is WAY worse then T1's.  I think those that have depression are susceptible to abuse of other drugs if they have access...well I am anyway.  The doc wanted to give me benzo's for anxiety and I had to say hell no!  For fear of addiction....maybe I have watched too much Intervention shows Lol!!!  He gave me Seroquel instead.

I don't tell anyone I take them (except my best friend who has her own issues).  I have kept this from everyone close to me.  Especially the idealistic boyfriend who frowns upon anyone that has to take pills of any sort, for anything grrr....  

The thing is....you can get off T1's.  You need to have a few days were your home and safe.  You will feel better after the withdrawals.  It does get better!!!  The relief and gratification that you have when you do not need to keep the secret that you take them, and to not have to hunt them down, and spent a fortune on them is SOOOO worth it.

Cheers Everyone!!!

Brooklyn

[pharma9]

Consider yourself lucky that you still have no obvious kidney or liver damage and take this opportunity to stop taking this drug.
Are you taking it for pain or the high?
You have to make up your mind that you want a clean life more than the drugged hazed life and endure the discomfort of detox.
Then the hard part starts and you have to have some after care to stay away from these opiates because it is even harder when one can buy them legally otc.
Methadone is far too strong to use for Tylenol #1 addiction.You will have a worse time trying to go off methadone than the Tyl#1.
To the right of the page scroll up or down and find the Thomas recipe to help you during detox with vitamins and nutrients.
You can do it because I did it detoxing from Tyl#3 and am clean over 6 months now.
I can also but Tyl#1 otc but have no desire or cravings because I discovered that I did not need opiates in my life at all.
Good luck and keep posting