dependance on Vicodin

[jfsf3033]

Hi, I am looking to get as much info so that I can start to detox tomorrow. I am a SAHM and have a baby at home with me and also have other children to take care of.  I have been on Vicodin for 4 years and have worked my way up to 6 to 8 10/660 pills a day.  My tolerance is very high and they don't work like they used to.  I have fibro and constant migraines and the medication used to work but now it doesn't, its more I take it to take the "edge" off.  I don't snort, shoot up or anything to get high but I do take more than the doctor has ordered which I know is not good. I went as far to check myself into detox but after only 3 days checked out because I was so homesick for my family.  Dumb because I was almost done..... Anyhow I am depressed to be where I am and sad because I have let myself down and my family.  We all deserve better.  
So how do I get off of this stuff with the least amount of WD possible.  My biggest problem that always leads me back to taking them again is the anxiety.  HELP!

[LeaAnn807]

I would tell the doctor that you want to get off and either start tapering or have them give you some clonidine.  Since you have children to care for, it makes it hard to go cold turkey!  You may need help for a few days.  Go to the health pages and read the Thomas Recipe and Amino Acid Protocol.  They have helpful info for symptom control during WDs.

Keep us posted! : )  You can do it!

[Eebb26]

I'm in the same boat almost. I have a family to take care if and Ct is not an option. I'm attempting to wean slowly but haven't been strict like I said. I'm so sad over it. I also don't have tolerance like I uses to. I keep trying and then feel so sad when I screw up. How did this happen to me ( us)?

[deannalynne85]

I am in same boat also....I havent even made it thru my first 24 hours.....and I am so sick.  All I can do is cry, shake, sweat, bathroom, and wonder how i ever ended up in this situation.  These pills are horrid being on them and just as horrid coming off...just done know what to do.  

[wannabdone]

Hello there...

I also took them for 4 years and I also took 8 a day.. When I did it the first time it was very hard for the first 3 days...the 4th day it got better and by day 5 I was starting to see the light...You have to be mentally ready to tell yourself over and over that you will beat this!!! and that you will not go back to them for your family's sake!!! Its not going to be fun, you will feel like CRAP for a bit, but just let it out of your system, also go out foe walks, Hot baths, lots and lots of fluids always help as well!!!!  Ive gone thru many battles with it, and those always helped the most!!!  I would also go cold turkey!  Im not one for prolonging the process!!! You will feel ****** throughout the weaning anyways, so why not just take it on the chin and deal with it for 5 days instead of possibly 5 weeks ya know!  YOU CAN DO IT!!! just get tough and beat it!!!!  Keep us posted!!!

Mark

[Ashelen]

I'm with Mark on this...you can totally do it. I'm a SAHM of a 2 1/2 year old and a 9 month old, and I never had trouble abusing my meds (i've been taking them on and off for 5 years...sometimes very strong meds, sometimes just Tylenol #3) and I've stopped taking them before, but always with a doctor's help and always because either 1) there was no more pain or 2) because I was pregnant.....however, last week I woke up and realized that I was about to take a pill just because I felt sick ifI didn't instead of taking it because I was in pain, and I was done.

So I took my last one sunday, I'm 4 days clean and halfway to 5 and I feel AMAZING.

I'm home all day with the kids and my husband is only home for a short time at night so I take care of them al lnight (although my husband did help on my worst nights) and I was terrified...TERRIFIED....of withdrawing...but you know what it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be.

take a deep breath...try to find some faith in yourself. you're going to discover a strong person inside that has been hiding behind pills for a long time...you're going to be amazed at what you can do.

today, the turning point was when I was standing in the bathroom and noticed a dead bug next to the sink... now, on-pain-meds-me would've said "oh I'll get it next time" and that d*mned bug would've stayed there for a week or more. but off-pain-meds-me went and cleaned it up immediately.

life is very different without the pills..it's a little scary, but oh so worth discovering.

youc an do this...stick around here, you will get some awesome support.

-Ashe

[Ashelen]

Oh, I just want to say..my libido is also back. I thought 2 kids and 8 years of a relationship had killed it (even though we were still very 'active') but for the first time in years I feel like initiating...boy is my husband going to be happy!

it's worth it, I promise. imagine going on a family trip without worrying about if you have enough..imagine not having to worry about getting your next pill before it wears off or your pain starts...just imagine the possibilities, and hold onto that when things get tough

like gnarly says...you need to be OK with not being OK for a few days - and once you're OK with that...you're ready.

[deannalynne85]

I just read your post...and got to thinking....the relationship i am in now i have been in for 3 years and been on lortabs the whole time.  Yes we do our thing but I always just want to get it over with and I never get any satisfaction or even feel like I want to.  So that part of my body will also feel changes.  I am not even through day one yet but I am trying so hard.  I have been on here all day.  I will have to make a different plan for tomorrow because what everyone is saying i need to try to stay busy and get out of this bed.

[Ashelen]

yes sweetie it's crazy the difference in just a few days..and I'm thinking it's going to get better from here! the best thing you can do is move...get up, pace your house and sing (listen to music that speaks to your heart during this) and take hot baths with epsom salts I can't even tell you what a difference it makes....you can do this, I promise you can

[deannalynne85]

thank you for the kind words....I am just so scared.  Right now my mind is mush....basically I just want to feel  normal.....oh btw went to the bathroom and am freaking out on how dirty my tub and  floor is.  My house is picked up but not clean.  I am seeing that.  Right now today, I dont think I am going to do anything about it but I have to come up with a plan for tomorrow because my thinking is if I can get thru tomorrow and not run to the dr. then it will be the weekend and hopefully by Monday I will be feeling a little better.  Some people on here have told me it takes up to a week just to get thru the wd then another two to get thru post something or the other withdrawal......idk....i am just so thankful  for this sight and your input

[Nance777]

Hey girl...I had to post about ur last comment about the bathrm,,,,,I am starting Day 10 now of my detox off Lortabs and Percocets, but on about day 3 or 4, I noticed the same thing about my bathrm (cos I was in there so much recently) and actually did a total cleaning of it, washed the rugs, floor, sinks, tub, etc and I thought how did I not even notice this?  But I didnt while on the pills, or if I did, I would say I would get it later,,,I always thought I had so much energy on the pills, and so many good ideas and would do so much, but in reality, I dont think I did much of anything, except pop the pills every 2 hrs,,,I never started exercising or doing anything I wanted to do, but I didnt realize it while I was on them,,,,,,U can do this, I know its hard and totally *****, but if I can get thru the wd's anyone can, cos I really am a baby about being sick or uncomfortable