Need help with opiate addiction...........

[forthebirds71]

I kind of fell across this board and felt compelled to post. I have been taking vicodin and percocets for the past 2 years and really feel like it is time to stop and get control of  my life.  I have never had  a prescription but do have legitimate knee pain after 2 major surgeries.  I have tapered down to 10mg/day but know I just need to stop altogether at this point but am very scared. I am the breadwinner for my family and cannot afford to miss any work. I am going to the health store later to see what I can find from others' recommendations.  While tapering I have felt very depressed and anxious about everything and have already had problems sleeping. I really need to know what I can get to help with the restless leg thing as that seems to really be kicking in right now, no pun intended. Any help or recommendations on other health supplements will be appreciated. I have no one I can talk to about this as I don't want anyone to know due to the shame and guilt I feel. Thanks so much.

[forthebirds71]

I am now about 15 hrs without taking anything. I feel completely horrible!!! I had a meeting I barely made it through and my stomach is killing me, along with feeling like I need to throw up! I'm not sure if its the withdrawals or the 8 pills I took this morning per amino acid protocol, my guess probably a little of both. Anyways, gonna try to stick this out but if I feel this bad now I can't imagine how bad it will be later. That taper thing doesn't seem to of helped at all!

[worried878]

Lots of support here..I stumbled upon it when I swa fed up with myself!  LOL
10 mgs and u have been there for a bit?  jumping off//stopping now would be do-able..i dont know how much u were on or if u have been on 10 mgs for a while now?
Tapering down is hard and having pills in ur reach is harder.  As long as they r there..the compulsion to take more can be a constant battle
The thomas recipe found in the health pages helped me alot..along with exercise everyday...i also did my mtgs which were important as far as staying clean..and the mtgs helped me see what i was facing if i continued to use,,,I never wanted my bottom to be as low as the stories i heard there
good luck to u..educating urself and making a plan helped me as well...if u decide to jump off at 10 mgs..then pick a day to do so and do it..u will live thru it..and then u will begin to really live again

[forthebirds71]

Yeah I have tapered for about a month from 80mg/day to this. I know 10mg is not much but it seems as long as I have just a little in my system it keeps the harsh wd's away. I am getting ready to take the leap tomorrow, just wanted to be as prepared as I can. I have not gone a day without something in over 2 years. I still have a lot of trouble sleeping with this little amount........that's the part I really hate. Thanks for all the advice! I CAN do this.

[udoschoices]

to be really honest, at 10mg/day (assuming its vicodin) you are already pretty close to being off them.. of course, everyone's tolerences are different - but seems you are THIS close to stopping, you just should go for it. You're not getting much difference trying to taper down from 10mg hydrocodone per day. That's a pretty low dose and it won't be more than 3-4 days of weak, semi-flu feelings... won't be painfully obvious to anyone but you, then it is the mental aspects of not taking them again that will be the hard part (for me at least). I'm only on day 3 AGAIN after stopping and starting like a gazillion times, but i can be done. You just have to be strong and find some way to deal with things and not take that one pill again..  exercise, eat well, etc... for energy. It will be TRUE energy once you rid your body of the chemicals...  you can do it. we all struggle here, even the ones off for a long time - but thats what everyone is here for..  hang in there

[forthebirds71]

Thanks for your post. I just feel really along in all of this as no one knows about my addiction. I live in a small midwest town that is VERY conservative and am a business owner so I cannot risk letting people know what I am doing. I know it sounds crazy but I would be booed out of town if this information came to light.....I really want to just feel "normal" again and not have to pop something first thing in the morning just to get out of bed. This really *****!!!!!!!!

[bmdad]

There is an over the counter product called Hyland's Restful Legs. I have never used it myself but have heard many people swear by it. I've also heard that tonic water will help. Check in to the amino acid protocol in the health pages which can be found in the upper right hand corner of the screen. There are supplements that can help with the anxiety and depression. I used the protocol and it made a world of difference. Also be sure to exercise. I got to where I was jogging at least 3 miles and it too helped with the rls. Be sure you are eating plenty of bananas because of the potassium. If not, just take a potassium supplement.
Just hang in there and know that all of this will pass. Keep a strong mindset and tell yourself that failing is not an option.
Best of luck!

Brian

[Blackfoot1]

I need a lot of those same answers. This really *****!