need encouragement

[helpme101107]

Taking hydro since Dec. 02, getting much worse, going broke, but so afraid to stop, withdrawals are awful, need the pills to function at work and at home as a grandmother. Dont know where to turn, please help and advise!!! Thank you all

[helpme101107]

Do you think it is better to tell your family about the problem or not? as I said before I have gone CT for 3 days at the most, then usually end up getting something. During that time if a family member calls, I tell them that I am sick w/flu or stomach problems. I hate lying to them but don't really want to tell them the truth. Also, the insomnia & restless legs & arms are the worst for me, how long does this take before it gets better? This is what usually drives me back to buying more, thanks for your advice, bless you.

[Decisions]

I don't know how it  works in withdrawal, but I have a friend who had restless legs. I found an ebook that targeted salt.  Her problem is all but gone, and all she did was eliminate salt intake after 4pm daily.  She faithfully quit taking in any kind of salt and within no time was sleeping without trouble from RLS.

[helpme101107]

I ran our of pills on Sat. eve. around 6pm took my last two 10/350's, woke up at 230 am feeling awful, having cold chills, then hot flashes, the worst was the restless legs and my arms felt restless as well, I have not heard of anyone with restless arms too! Took some flexeril which made me drowsy but every time I tried to lay down to sleep, the restless legs & arms would wake me up. I am at work right now, one of my suppliers called on Sun. afternoon & I needed to sleep so bad that I bought 25 10/350's from her so that I would be able to make it to work today. Can you tell me exactly what I need to stock up on, I am going to try this on the 4th of July weekend. I appreciate everyone who responded to my request for support, thank you.

[worried878]

I am glad u see that there is a problem and u want to do something about it...that is a big step in the right direction...as many do not ever even take this step...this lifestyle is not "you" and u feel/see that...the only thing u can do now is plan and prepare...want to u will make it thru the physical wds if u will hang on just a bit longer than 3 days....get the supps mentioned in the health pages and hold on to ur motivation that u felt when u typed this post....and go for it...lots of support here...keep posting

[malenurse57]

Decisions is right< YOU are NOT a bad person. I am a healthcare professional along with a business owner and extremely well educated  I found myself addicted to tramadol and today I am 51 days clean. You are right the w/d's are horrible BUT, the fact that you can again feel and see things clearly is so amazingly well worth it.
Good luck and God Bless.
"T"

[Decisions]

You said you didn't know where to start...
Here is a great place...
First you are admitting you want to quit. The first step.
Now you need to take action.  If you can get 3-4 days off of work for a BAD FLU, you can get through the worst of it.  But try to do that on a tuesday, and string along 6 days.
For many folks here , 6 days will get you through the worst of it, and you might just be able to get back to work.
If you have no alternatives for supply, then you are done, and have to start now cold turkey.  If this is the case, you will be in full swing withdrawal soon enough.  If it is bad, you have to consider a bit of time off.  
You are NOT a bad person.  This happens to many folks who hold down good jobs, and have families, etc..  I outta know.  I don't see myself as a bad person.  I have met EVERY responsibilty ever thrown at me, whilst on or off my DOC.  It never interfered with my job or duties as a dad, husband, etc..  
So, don't beat yourself up.  Just accept you have allowed yourself to make a mistake for a while and are now ready to fix it.

Some swear by vitamins, and amino acids.  I couldn't take them but I have a bad gut.  If you are healthy, then the Thomas Recipe, etc, aminos, ammonium for the few days you might have the "urges", and hopefully you can muscle through it...

Best wishes..
~D

[insearchof4]

You and I are about the same age...I'm 53 and 'almost' addicted to hydro.  I am a grandmother and almost lost my family two years ago because I was addicted to coccaine.  I lost my white-collar career and I lost my home in foreclosure...I threw it all away (not on purpose!) because of a drug.  I started hydro 3 mos. ago due to injuries from an auto accident.  I truly needed the med thru the first 2 mos, but over the past 2 weeks I've noticed that I've had no desire to taper off, even though the pain was not nearly as bad.  My desire/craving was getting stronger.  In just 3 months, I was about to be addicted and that scared me bigtime.  I've already lost my life from another drug and still am unemployed.  I lived a pristine life with all the trappings of success until 2005 when I started using coke recreationally.  Boom...less than a year later, I was out of control.  So, I stopped the hydro CT three days ago.  I was sick with major flu-like symptoms...nausea, exhausted, foggy brain, no appetite, aches and pains from head-to-toe.  I was taking 8/day of the 7.5s.  I'm sooooooo lucky to have found this forum to help me get thru the wirthdrawals.  I feel much better today.  My meds have all been prescribed for pain, but it wouldn't have been long before I resorted to that.  I have no idea if you can go CT.  It's like having a bad case of the flu, but there are many others in this forum with more knowledge than me.  Good luck and I hope you go thru with getting of the drug.  It's a deadend street and potentially dangerous.  Best wishes.

[mimi1313]

Hi,

I would start by at least decreasing the amount of pills you take at a time. If you take 4 at a time, try to take 2 or 3, until you get down to just taking one at a time. Do you think that is doable?

I tapered and it made things easier. If I can be of any help please send me a message.

Melissa

[helpme101107]

I started taking them after a hysterectomy in Dec. 2002. After they were gone I asked friends if they had any and continued from there. I am healthy and do not have any good, legitimate reason to take them. This makes me feel horrible knowing there are people taking them for cancer. My brother just had a kidney removed due to cancer and he is taking 2 7.5's a day. I want to stop but I need help and dont know how to start, thank you.

[changingbestfriends]

Be careful comparing yourself to everyone else and wanting to be normal.  I hate that word.  What is normal to one is not necessarily normal to the other.  I understand about what you mean when you look at other people and think you don't match up.  I think that is a pretty common characteristic of people with addiction problems.  It is a vicious cycle though because that gives us an excuse to go back out there again.  You can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I made it through the withdrawls (physical, except the sleep pattern).  You can too.  Mentally we will need to work on this for the rest of our lives however.    

[helpme101107]

I am taking hydro 10/325 mixed with 7.5/500 about 4 of each, 730am, 100pm and 5pm. If I wake up in the middle of the night with restless legs and anxiety I usually take 4-5 more. I am a 50yr old female in a very good job position, however, due to this habit, my finances are in bad shape and getting worse. I have had to go CT when my suppliers were out, they all get them at the same time of the month and I try to buy as many as I can to last me thru the month. I have cried and prayed to the dear Lord to help me, I am so weak and want out of this situation badly, I keep remembering what a good "normal"person I used to be. I look around at people having lunch and doing normal things and i feel envy that they are normal and I'm not. I am usually trying to borrow money to get more pills during this time. The longest that I've gone CT is 3 days and then someone calls and I'm right back on them. I appreciate any advice you can give.

[plymouthgirl]

Good for you in taking the first step and wanting to stop. The withdraws are horrible but well worth it in a few day when you wake up with a clear head and feelings!! Thats the best feeling in the world in my opinoin!!

[changingbestfriends]

I too was terrified of the withdrawals.  I am today on day 21 and I am a much better grandmother now than I was before.  Have you been taking them for legitimate pain or are you taking them to make it through the day?  I remember thinking, How can I possibly go to work without pain pills every day?  Working just fine and getting alot more done there as well.  :)  I guess what I am trying to say is the addiction process is going to pop every reason (and they all seem legitimate) - in the world for you to keep on taking them.  The problem is, there is never enough.   Your usage will continue to increase and increase over the years and then what???????  It is a vicious cycle.  You can do this.  I promise you things will get better if you do.  Good luck!

[mimi1313]

You have some options, you can try to taper if you are on a high dose. Or you could just stop and try to deal with the withdrawals the best way you can. GoingToMakeIt is really good with amino acids. He would be able to guide you with some things that might ease it a bit.

[GoingToMakeIt]

It is always a good time to quit. Is this what you want to do? What strength and dose are you taking? Amount per dose and per day? You say withdrawals are horrible. Have you tried to quit before? Is this your first time on opiates?