Lortab Addiction

[HelpinUtah]

Hi Everyone,

I’m new here.  I’ve been reading all your situations and I want you to know that you are each brave individuals.  It’s not easy to admit that we have an addiction to pain medication or any other type of addiction.  So, I admire each of you for trying to stop the insanity!

For me, I started taking Lortab for Fibromyalgia and then I found that St. John’s Wort and Magnesium taken together eased the pain better than anything else and so I went off the Lortab (as well as Lyrica).  But, I have had right shoulder pain for a couple years now and kept putting off having anything done with it – it was never convenient.  Finally, my family doctor had to put me on Lortab for the pain.  She also attempted cortisone injections which did not work.  Over about two months the pain got worse and worse.  I increased my dosage from 7.5 mgs. every 4 to 6 hours to 15 mgs. every 4 to 6 hours.  Eventually, I went to an ortho who gave me 10 mgs. every 4 to 6 hours and of course I took two at a time.  He started me on a deeper cortisone and PT which eventually took away my pain.  He told me I had a severe calcium deposit on that shoulder and it was larger than anything one he’d ever seen.  The pain is gone now and I hope it stays that way – otherwise, it’s surgery.  But, then my sciatica started up and I had to go my spine doctor – who then proceeded to give me an epidural injection.  It helped but not until after about a week in a half of extreme nerve pain.  So, I increased my doses of Lortab.  To make a long story a little shorter, I was on Lortab consistently since about April.

The weekend of 9/1/08, I started weaning myself off and ended up taking my last half tablet last Monday.  I ended up home from work Tuesday and Wednesday and then started feeling better until this past Friday when I thought I’d come out of my skin. I cried myself to sleep Friday night and just rocked back and forth trying to get comfortable.  By Saturday, it was worse and I was able to reach my doctor and I told her I did not want more Lortab but could she give me something to help ease the symptoms.  She said, “Absolutely!”  She gave me Traxene, which is a heavy duty anxiety, nerve, seizure medication and it is also used to help alcohol withdrawals.  It’s been a lifesaver!!!  She has me taking Phenegren every 6 hours (for nausea), Xanax 1 mgs. every 6 hours and then a Tranxene every 6 hours.  I’m somewhat sleepy, but the withdrawal symptoms are silenced until it’s time for my next dose of Tranxene.  I am sharing this with the hopes that maybe Tranxene is something that might help each of you.  I haven’t really had to take the Xanax with this but I have had to take the Phenegren.  

My doctor also told me it’s possible that by next weekend I’ll go through something similar.  She said she doesn’t understand why some people get addicted and some don’t.  It’s all a guessing game because not all people get addicted when we use it for pain.  

I am lucky that I do not have a mental addiction.  I understand that’s much more difficult.  

Good luck everyone!!!!

[worried878]

Actually the xanax u r taking is quite a bit stronger benzo than chlorazepate/also a benzo/ which is used to wean people off of the stronger benzos like xanax and ativan...benzos are extremely habit forming and 4 mg of xanax is a hefty dose in itself..be safe with those and get off of them as soon as u can,,the phenergan is not habit forming but also has a sedating and anti-anxiety effect

Good luck to u and soo u will be feeling so much better...clean and free...keep posting and keep moving forward

[scaredmommie]

thats great. i have been clean for 2 weeks now, but im doing the suboxone treatment, i was taking a whole s*** load of 10/325 perc everyday, for pain, for the longest time i didnt know how to get off them i wanted off so bad, but the pain kept bring me right back, im a weak person, so the sub is really helping me, now i have a very happy and clean, clear look on life. but please, be careful on what your taking, im gonna tell you like some people on here have told me there is no magic pill when it comes to addiction, so be careful you dont get addicted to these ones your on now. but im very happy to see your doing very well, and thank you for the advice on a diffrent med. good luck to you in the future.

<3chrissy

[HelpinUtah]

I didn't realize that.  The pharmacy made it sound like the Tranxene was stronger.  Thanks for letting me know.  The Tranxene seems to help me with the Phenegren.  I've only had to take the Xanax twice now since Saturday.  So, the Tranxene/Phenegren mix works quite well for me.  But, I can tell about an hour before the next Tranxene dose that it's time.  The shakes start and I feel just plain sick like I have the flu or something only stronger.  This is only day 7 and from what I've been reading it can still get more difficult.

On Saturday, I had a family member freak out with my symptoms and out of worry for me offered me some Lortab that he had for his pains.  I told him "NO!"  I told him to please never offer them to me again.  My mother lives with me and she has Lortab for her R.A. and I asked her to hide them from me just in case I get weak and she agreed.  I'm glad she understands.  

[HelpinUtah]

Thank you for your support.  You sound like you're doing well and I'm glad to hear that!  You keep up the great work!!!  And, I will be very careful with the meds I'm taking to help me stay off Lortab.  I am hopeful that I'll only need them for a short time.  

I'm so thankful I found this site!  What an awesome group of people helping each other!  Thank you, thank you!!!

[scaredmommie]

i love this site. i owe my life to it. thanks to this site i was able to addmit i was a addict, then i found sapport to be able to tell my family, then i found sapport on the right way for me to get clean, now i have sapport for staying clean, no matter what type of day im having everyone here is very helpful and kind. so like i said i owe my life to this forum. i come on everyday and night. no matter how im feeling that day. i feel like i made some great friends here, and also thanks to here i stoped feeling so lonely cause i now know im not the only one who this happen to.

<3 chrissy

[HelpinUtah]

Well, today is exactly one week since my last 1/2 of a 7.5 Lortab.  I'm feeling shaking and sweating and have a headache today, but otherwise not too bad right now.  I feel worse in the evenings normally.  As you know, my doctor gave me the drugs in my original post above, but I've only taken 2 Xanax today and 2 Phenegren to help and no Tranxene.  I have decided to take Tranxene before I go to sleep since it seems to help at night and only the Xanax and Phenegren when I feel like I need to use it while at work.  I do not want another addiction on top of the Lortab!  Hopefully, I can stop everything altogether in the next day or two!  

Thank you for all your support.  This is a great place!!!!