Hydrocodone Withdrawals

[Josh 8000]

Hello everyone.  Today by accident (random search engine) I came across this forum.  Wow, I had no idea there'd be THIS MUCH support for individuals beginning early, middle or late stages of pain medication withdrawals.  In particular, I'm experienceing the early stages of hydrocodone withdrawals.  

Just to give everyone a background of my situation - I've been on this medication for more than a year now.  Only twice have I had a break, and that was only because my supply could not be replenished.  During those short intervals, I did experience some level of discomfort, and I knew it was due to my body's absence of hydrocodone.  Today, I'm going to really follow through with an aggressive plan to once and for all kick the habit!

I've never been an avid drug user.  In my younger days, I was a regular everyday drinker.  In fact, I've had two DUIs.  At one time, alcohol was the center of gravity for a once young lost soul.  Today, the thought of alcohol is incredibly drawfed by the high or "euphoria" that of which a substance such as hydrocodone brings to the table.  The drug (even in small doses) is very powerful, and creates dependence upon its user in little to no time at all.

Currently (before the past few days) I have been taking the 1,000mg tablets like candy.  At my pinnacle, I was at heights of 20+ a day (which I'm sure is low compared to some individuals).  My space is running thin, so I'll get my question out there.  How long will this withdrawal last?  I had some hydrocodone last night, but today I'm clean and already feel like sh*t!!!!

[bmc1976]

Go to the top of this page and start a new post. You replied to a very old post. It might get overlooked by many people. If you start a new one it will be dedicated to you. Girlybuff gave you a bunch of great advice. Best of luck to you.

[girlybuff]

Try telling yourself that it IS the flu and treat it as such.  Prepare to feel like dying but don't worry you won't actually die.  Drink TONS of fluids, water especially, gatoraide if you can hold it down.  Hot baths, hot showers, as hot as you can stand it.  Get something for anxiety, sleep.  Chek out FLaddicts journal entries on an amino acid replacement therapy.
If all else fails and you really cannot stand it, try looking up a dr in your area who can prescribe you Suboxone and do a VERY short (10-21 day) detox and taper.
You will be over the worst of the physical withdrawlas within 7 days or so, the harderst days are usually 2 and 3.  Then depression and lethargy set it.  That takes a lot longer to overcome BUT it CAN be done.
Exercise and the right diet help as does just getting outside, reading a good book, posting here to help others and to get out of your own **** along with AA or NA or counseling of some sort.
The physical hurdle is the easiest one believe it or not.  Staying clean is not possible through willpower alone.  The relapse rate for opiate users is tremendously high.
God bless and good luck.  Keep posting.
It works if you work it so work it, you're worth it!

[equineapha]

i have been on hydros ,oxys, and fentanyl patches 100 mg
help~i thought i was strong but this is aliving hell
ok ~i have been taking these for my back but i am sick of feeling this way i want to feel normal again and not worry about the pain
i have 800 mg ibs for pain
i have been clean for two days
i am so sick hot and cold flashes dont feel well almost like the flu
how long will this process take? what can i do to make it easier?
thanks so much
val

[Ash_620]

acupunture! I have heard a lot about that. I was going to try it but the thought of needles uffff! but since it has worked for you maybe I should try it. I am no longer any meds in pain on a daily bases but willing to try anything to help with it!

Good idea... thanks....

Josh 8000

Hang in there you will make it and beleive me you will feel alot better. its worth me beleive me! good luck and I am pulling for you.

Ash

[Ash_620]

I understand what you are going through. I went through the samething myself. well not the dui's but being on the hydros... it will take a while for it to flush from your bodie so you can feel the way you should. I went through hell trying to get off my meds. I gave up and went to see the doctor three times in the course of trying to get off. I was taking at least 20 to 30 a day of 7.5 and was givin scripts of 240 a month which lasted me maybe 2 weeks if i was lucky. on top of 200 of soma 350 which i would take together. I have a lot of problems with me so i wont go there that would be a long list. so the doctor would give them to me like they were candy. I come from a long line of drug users. and i noticed that thier habbits i was starting to take on. Thats when i said enough was enough. I am not going to become a drugie like they were.

I got off by taking other meds. I went to the doctor and got motrin 800 and started replacing the vics with those. my body and mind started to be tricked that the motrin was doing more good then the vics and then 8 days later i was on mortrin 800 and hot baths to stop the pain and moved on from there. beleive me it is a tough road but you can do it and you will feel hell of a lot better once your body is flushed from it.

Hot baths for pain even sleep with a heating pad.. on low of course. drink lots of fluids and. you will get hot and cold flashes not much to do for that but live through those. you will end up with lose bowls get emodium ad for that it worked great for me. and the motrin 800 for pain. that works great because it has an antienflamatorie in it. or you can buy some at the store. of course they are only 200mg but they will still work. This worked for me I hope it can help you. You can get through it just keep your mind to it!

If i can get off I beleive anyone can. And I toke those pills for over 5 years.

Ash

[monkeyfeet]

I'm on day 4 and I'm feeling physically much better. I drank a TON of water. Hot tubs and saunas for my aches. I even went to an acupunturist. It gave me a lot of energy and brought my spirits up. You will get through this, its hard but its worth it. If you don't you could lose everything. I cam close to it

[gipsee]

This is my 8th day... clean... my story is the same as yours, however, I was doing @ 8 a day...plus Xanax....prescribed to me like candy....

8 days clean and counting... I spare you the incedentals but it's living hell ... today is the first day I actually felt somewhat human.

Drink lotsa water....start a vitaman Regime... look at that Thomas Detox thing... take what you think you can from that and leave the rest... just make sure to drink.  

I was using this stuff legit as well... never thought to abuse overdue or party with them...but i went from 2 a day to 8 a day and that 8 was becoming not enough.   I can't paint a pretty picture of what the last week has been for me...but I think it just may have been the best Xmas gift I've ever given to myself.

If I can do it ANYONE can.

Type and let us all know how you are

Gip