Finally admitting: READY TO CHANGE!

[Turnin_over_new_leaf]

Hello all...first of all I just want to say THANKS to all of you on here that are providing support for others. I've been hiding behind the curtains reading for some time and because of you have decided that I'm really gonna give them up! I've been on Norco 10's for a few years now and this is the 1st time admitting it to anyone! I am on Day 3 now and fighting the mental side of it more than anything! I've not slept much the past couple nights from not being able to get comfortable & the sweats and fighting the chills thru the day but I'm really trusting that I can deal with it and not go back to them. I can deal w/out the sleep cuz I don't sleep much anyways (stayin up late for one more mouthful of the pills). Anyways, just looking for a little support I guess as to what to expect the next few days/weeks and any advice on how to reduce the w/d's.

I should be able to answer these questions myself since I was previously addicted to lortab 10's, along with many more things for 4-5 yrs and quit back in '05. Didn't touch a thing for 4 yrs and for some reason just started them again. Now, 3 yrs down the road and I finally realize I'm only living lies....to myself and everyone close to me. But I honestly don't remember what the withdrawals were like and how long they lasted....guess I was lucky enuf to block all that out. I just recently married and am really close to all my family and I just want to be able to look them in the eyes and not feel the guilt of keeping such a huge lie from them!!

Thanks in advance for any support you have to give!

[Turnin_over_new_leaf]

That's motivating OpenMind24! If u can get excited bout hittin the lake at 20 below, I think I should be able to for 95 degrees...j/k. Thanks and congrats on the 35 days.

[OpenMind24hours]

For me it was the drugs and alcohol that caused me to isolate from friends, stop all the things I did for fun. I'm organizing my Ice fishing gear, renewing the hobby interest I lost. In just 35 days of being clean.

[Turnin_over_new_leaf]

I have another question for anyone that feels they can answer....I'm a very active person and always hung out with several different groups of friends but over the past couple years I've really lost any interest in a lot of those friends and the things that I KNOW I love to do,such as boating, golf, etc. will those interests begin to come back? Was it the drugs causing me to lose interest? I guess I'm just hoping that's the case and not that it's just me getting older!

[Turnin_over_new_leaf]

Good deal & thanks again for all the suggestions and support. I usually work on my own (outside sales) but am in the office this week. I was really regretting quitting this week on Mon but really think it has helped me since I was forced to be up on my feet all day and interacting with co-workers/customers. Otherwise I would have probly been laying around in hotels all week since I don't have the courage to go thru this in front of my wife...don't want her to think our entire relationship and wedding was a lie. Again, thanks! I'm taking some of our advice and heading down to the gym to hit the treadmill and weights! Hopefully I can wear myself down to sleep tonight!

[OpenMind24hours]

You're right, NyQuil or anything from that family (like Tylenol PM) will add to misery the next day. I used valerian root, Alterill, Hylands Calms Forte... the natural OTC sleep aids. Health store folks know whats good. Also, hot epsome baths BF bed will help RLS. (I had it in both legs and arms).  I read on here to get up and do something like TV when you wake up. Don't fight it. You will have insomnia. Goes with the territory. You WILL sleep soon. one day soon you'll experience "real" tired, right now the drug reigns in your system. I'm 35 days and feel good now. I sort of went with the flow when it came to sleep.

[AMom1st]

Welcome!  So glad that you decided to post.  I was a Norco user as well.  We know what you are going through.  Stay here with us...post often and you will be surprised how much it helps.  As for w/d...you are in the thick of them.  Good thing is that you will probably begin to improve as early as tomorrow or the next day.  Not sure how much you were taking each day and w/d varies from person to person but usually day 4 or 5 is much better.  As for the symptoms....try the Thomas Recipe.  It really helps.  If you are not already, start taking a multi-vitamin, and B complex for energy.  Magnesium and Potassium to help with leg cramps and RLS.  You can get valarian root and melatonin to help with sleep and anxiety.  You should be able to get all of it most anywhere...CVS, Wal-mart etc.  Be sure to get nutrition.  Make yourself get something down even if its just Ensure.  You need the protein.  Also, stay hydrated.  Drink lots of water, gatorade, sports drinks.  All of this helps flush the toxins out of your system.  Stay busy if you can and tomorrow get out and exercise.  Even if its just a walk around the block.  It will release endorphins and improve your mental status.  Good luck and pm me if you want or need but pls stay connected to this group...they will help you all the way.

[OpenMind24hours]

Welcome! Congratulations on making it to your 3rd day. Take it one day at a time, as you've experienced before, it gets better.

You wrote "Didn't touch a thing for 4 yrs and for some reason just started them again". Exact same happened to me after only 9 months of being clean. I always have pain in my back 24-7, but I was doing okay with it without Hydrocodone.  I guess once this stuff tickles our pleasure center, the center never forgets. But we forget. We go through hell getting clean and months or years later only our pleasure ctr. talks to us, not the memory of why we quit.

Personally I attend aftercare groups and also go on this site every day.  Being with people in recovery has become the most important thing I do in life. They're to me what insulin is to a diabetic. I'm hoping that If I forget what I've just been through, people sharing their stories of what they've been through will always remind me that Hydro doesn't work for me anymore.

Wish you well getting through this! Keep posting updates and keep on keeping on!!    

[Turnin_over_new_leaf]

I was around the 150-180 mg per day when I quit. I guess I was hoping to get some of the "aftercare" off this site...I'm a newbie here so not even sure if that goes on here. Thanks for your support tho! What are the things you referred to that will help ease the w/d's as I'm only taking stuff to keep me out of the bathroom right now....I tried NyQuil last night but didn't seem to help any, actually think it made it worse. Thanks again!

[overopiates]

I dnt know how many u r taking but u r actually n the thick of ur physical w/d right now.U know there r things u can buy to ease w/d if u dnt have them already.I would say w/n the next24hours u will start to feel better.This is ironically the easier part.as u said ur mental urge is getting to u.Have u found any aftercare?Thats a huge key to continued sobriety(u obviously know how to do this cause u stayed clean for yrs).A support system is so important right now.U sound like a trooper from the w/d though(most people r not lol).U did it before u can do it again.u know that.Keep posting.Let us know how ur doing,if u dnt have an aftercare plan then get one.Oh sry welcome to the forum

[Turnin_over_new_leaf]

Thank you and best of luck to you as well! Can I pick those things up at any local pharm or big box store?

[Comingclean2012]

I am also going down this road for the 2nd time in my life! I was clean for 11 + years and 2 years ago just started up again thinking I would never be addicted to something again. Boy was I wrong.......!  I am on day 8 off fentanyl and feel okay considering what I felt like 2 days ago! Lol good luck and I was told to use valerian root & melatonin for the insomnia. Trying it tonight and will let u know.