Withdraw from pain pills

[spike6095]

Hi you all, I'm 60 and have been on 6 pills daily of 10-325 Vicodin  for the last 7 years. I had three total knee replacements that went bad because of infection and then bone loss. My legs are a mess. I have never taken more than 1 extra pill in a day if I was in more pain  and than always back to the prescribes dosage. I want to get off these pills and see how my body feels. I'm starting to count them now and that's not a good sign. any help wold be great. I'm retired and can do this at home. I think

[Langer413]

Congrats on 7 days Spike! I'm 32 days off hydrocodone and that first week feels so far away even though it wasn't too long ago. Keep up the positive energy/mindset as it really helps! Just remember, you may still have some bad days, just don't let them bring you down. Like you, I suffer from real pain. My best advice is to learn what your body can do without pain pills. It will take some time (I'm still learning). You don't want to overdo it and hurt yourself. I have found, like many others before me, I have less pain off the pills than when I was on them. Keep posting each day - there are many of us here rooting for you!

[spike6095]

Good job Langer, I'm very happy for you

[spike6095]

14 days and going strong, very tired and have to make myself work in the yard . this is tough

[gnarly_1]

Hey  congrats on 14 days  your off to a great start.....the lack of energy can be tuff   but you got the right idea just force yourself to push threw it....are you sleeping yet???  the lack of sleep and the ''energy crash'' was the worst part of it for me...my wife made sure we walked every day  at first it was just a block or 2 but after doing it for a wile we built up to a couple of miles  I hated it at first but it does help the one thing you need to do is get involved in aftercare  this is not a optional thing it is a critical part of recovery  for me I tryed just about every thing the pastor of our church a substance abuse conslor even a shrink  all helped keep me clean but I never lost the desire to use....then I found N/A the progam is simple go to meetings get a sponcer work the steps and with time you will lose the very desire to use...something I thought was impossible check it out google Na meeting in your area........Gnarly

[refills]

Hey buddy, gnarly's right. Aftercare can be a big help. Think about it. I work with a psychiatrist and a therapist. It helps a lot and it's still very hard. I would be going to meetings right now if I could. ...ike

[spike6095]

Just started to sleep good, a full 7 hours last 4 night. But so tired throughout the day.