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5082295 tn?1371250911

how long does it take to get off vicodone & how to?

I've been on & off hydrocodone for 2yrs (on more than off..starting bc of two knee surgerys in the past 2ys now can't stop completely) . I've never taken (regularly) more than 3 tens a day. I've been thru withdraws b4 but only made it a couple days bc the leg cramps were unbearable. (That's the worst besides anxiety) & being so fatigued. Plse if any1s been thru this I need help. I also take valium at night so that helps..but other than that idk what to do to get off these & really need to. Ive tapered off as much as I could but I'm gonna be out probably tomorrow. so any advice? More the withdraws & how to keep myself from taking them again..ever. thanks
Best Answer
4810126 tn?1503942735
Hey there psychdegree! Thanks for reaching out.

I couldn't agree more with both ariley13 & kyle505 -- They are covering two different angles of this. You must be prepared to do absolutely everything it takes to get & stay clean. That's simple fact. Nothing else will work. You have to really want it.

What ariley13 is referencing is opiate-induced Hyperalgesia: This might really help you to understand -- a Wiki link explaining it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opioid-induced_hyperalgesia

You can do this if you want to, my friend! We're pulling for you.

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5082295 tn?1371250911
Well hi again. Feel asleep at 630..its now 9. But feel so much better except I gotta go back to bed soon. Feeling somewhat uneasy & depressed. My legs r cramping some. I also wondered if this can make you light headed (I haven't been eating right too) bc every time bent over and pulled up or had to talk loud felt like I was dizzy, esp when I bend over? It still feels so strange not haven't that pill to numb the pain (pain in everyway) but guess its just another habit you have to learn to relive w out. Really wish I felt like my old self. b4 today I haven't wanted to cry or anything but since I woke up I feel teary eyed. But the sun will come out tomorrow & hope it will shine brighter than today
Helpful - 0
5082295 tn?1371250911
Hi & thanks for writing. Yeah the Adderall was left over...I never take that on the regular..& the med for nausea & flexaril isn't taken often, well usually but the most of any of it has been cut in half unless (like last night) I was sooo sick on my stomach so I took the fenegren. But the valium I didn't even get to my dose im suppose to take. But the kicker is I have bipolar so extreme stress (mental & physical) can trigger an episode & im realllly not trying to have one. But when I get that scared I keep thinking ok another day down (which this has been THE WORST! which of course is my 72 hour mark. Ive heard its all down hill from here & im not saying I will be better by any means, just that (hopefully) they wont be as extreme or worse. Plus one good thing about me & telling ppl is that I normally tell people in my life everything! I always obsess & try to find out whats right or not or when this or when that. So this is the 1st "secret" ive only kept (never from my mom tho) I have a great friend who lives an 1 1/2 away shes like a sister, but ive been so weak & its so much to explain. She knows about me becoming dependent on them but not that im coming off of them..which she would be thrilled! She doesn't even like taking asprin unless she is dying in pain. If she were here I think she would be very encouraging, yet nervous bc I know she never wants to hurt my feelings even when I need to hear it (we've been friends since high school..she was 15 I was 17..Im 27 now) & still were both very sensitive when it comes to stuff like this to where the slightest remark or comment would offend me (& that's just her very gental & never wants to be anything different. Yet I have my mom who is slightly holding me accountable bc for me, I want to make her proud & show her I no longer need anything of those pain meds. even tho she would never be mean..yet she doesn't know how sick I am like yall do. Not sure how the nights gonna go. thru this I haven't slept thru the night till my alarm has gone off for work like usual tho..bc of waking up 2 hours b4! Well every 2 hours last night I believe. Anyway..gonna go hope to hear back soon
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Also, I know you're really struggling with the idea of telling your secret, a lot of people feel the same way, but even if you can find one or two people you can confide in and turn to for support, that will make a huge difference.  Not only will you get the support you need, but you will be held accountable, which you don't have right now.  Those things can make or break a person, especially early in recovery.

Have you been to an NA/AA meeting?  Maybe you could get a sponsor?  That would help so much in those really rough times!!

If you don't make the necessary changes, it will be so much harder hon.  
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Lending my support as well.  You're doing well, really giving this a valiant effort, just remember you won't always feel this bad.

Something that popped out at me a few times that is a concern is your seeming access to a lot of various meds.  You must be careful trying to self medicate away the symptoms of w/d, especially mixing so many different meds.  Some of the meds you mentioned also (as I'm sure you know) have abuse potential also...the Adderall, Valium, even Flexeril.  I know you're just desperately trying to feel better, but that kind of approach can put you on a slippery slope.  PLEASE be cautious.  Also, if you have addictive meds at your disposal, you may want to think about getting rid of them...anything you can do to keep yourself from giving into temptation in a weak moment is good.  Having a stockpile of various meds (a lot which are habit forming) is not conducive to recovery.

Best of luck to you...keep posting.  You'll be through the worst of it very soon.  You've got lots of people here cheering you on!!!
Helpful - 0
5082295 tn?1371250911
Well Im back..its getting a little harder now..very sick on my stomach & weak. Everything I have to help makes me sleepy so cant take it and work (valium, fenegren for nausea, & flexaril) I had some old Adderall from a while back took it this morning and really just gave me a boost so now back down again. Its weird..like the mornings aren't so bad but once 1130 or so gets here its like My body cannot function and my assitants leaving AGAIN when I get back so I have to do it all feeling like this. :( im hoping tomorrow ill have some strength. I finally ate a little bit but felt sick after now. Butk new my body needed a little something I guess. b4 bed last night was so crazy feeling like I was doped up from being so weak. Oh I pray for this to be over..how can I overcome! (Im a Christian & He will help thru the storm) but this is hard. I kno ppl come off herion and lots of reallll bad stuff so I guess if they can I can..but bet they didn't work thru it lol. Yesterday was a pretty good day..today I cant quite say the same. Yet the cramps are not too bad..just being weak & feeling sick ahhh. Lord help me..I wish I had some1 here (at home) to give me comfort. my ex-boyfriend is trying..I just moved him about a month or so ago..but I cant let him bc that will lead him on to think I want him back (he says I play mind games which im not..he called & I told him..yet he wanted to come visit me but I said no yet wanting him to so bad just to have comfort for a little while) My dad has no clue...playing it off as im sick..i work a lot so my mom knows but just ask how im feeling. No one else besides a good friend who lives in my condo complex (yet she can get pills so I prob shouldn't rely on her comfort) so going thru this solo (except my God) & YALL! that's all I really have. Bc I don't want anyone to know ive been dependent & taking them now going thru wds. So there I stand! Gotta go back to freakin work in a few..was hoping someone would be on here. Thanks again sooo very much for the support!
Helpful - 0
5082295 tn?1371250911
Hey Yall..thanks again for the advice! & my mind is talking to me about everything now your sooo right! I feel ok this morning..little uneasy but ok..im getting ready for work so just wanted to say if not for this site I wouldn't have even made it this far! & this has been the longest 3 days of my life!!
Helpful - 0
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