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6448242 tn?1381375639

thinking about going cold turkey off of hydro this weekend

I have been taking hydro or lortab for about a year now recreationally. I am up to 90-100mg per day. I sometimes will even snort some morphine if I am low on lortab supply. I went to a doctor the other day for help and he prescribed me colonodine. I was hoping this would help with the withdrawals and I could get started that day, but when i took the colonodine is started to hallucinate and hear voices in my head. I got really scared and decided I could not take this med. My doctor also prescribed me to zoloft, which I started today at 50 mg. I am seriously dreading the thought of quitting hydro cold turkey, but also am furious with myself that I ever got on them in the first place. I am in my last year of college and have a heavy load this semester. My excuse has been that I do not have time to be sick and get off of the pills...but I feel completely helpless on them now and know it is do or die, now or never. I have a fall break monday and tuesday so I wanted to start my detox on friday since I will have the two extra days. I know how I feel when I wake up in the morning without the hydros just for a few hours and I am in a panic, vomiting, diarrhea, cold sweats--until i finally get some, so I know this is going to be terrible. Has anyone out there been through this?  Is there any advice you can give me? I need to be strong and I need to do this but it is hard doing it on your own. PLease help me,
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1855076 tn?1337115303
It's great you have such a supportive boyfriend that can help you through this.  I think you should call the doctor about the clonidine.  Did you take more than you should have?  Your reaction to it is very unusual.  It's an old blood pressure med that is often used for withdrawal and I'm on it for nerve pain along with high blood pressure.

You can definitely do this!  You are young enough that you should bounce back pretty quickly.  But getting some aftercare is going to be really important.  Do you live in a dorm or an apartment?  If you're in a dorm, you probably only have a shower.  If you do have a tub, hot soaks with Epsom salts will help a lot of the achiness and restless leg symptoms (if you get them.)

The items in the Thomas recipe will help tremendously.  Getting things you need ahead of time will help.  Imodium is great for stomach issues but it also helps with withdrawal in general.  You can google Imodium and withdrawal and it will give you an idea of how much to take.  (Apparently it has some sort of opiate base that doesn't cross the blood brain barrier.  I was stunned at how much it )

Make sure you drink plenty of fluids.  Getting dehydrated will make everything worse.  Water, Gatorade, Ensure or some sort of protein drink.  If you're bothered by the restless legs tonic water with quinine will help or you can get a product called Restful Legs by Hylands at any pharmacy.  (It's in a very small bottle and can be easily overlooked so if you don't see it, ask the pharmacist.)  A magnesium supplement will help the muscle aches as well.  If you feel anxious, Valerian root helps a lot, as does 5HTP (I had been using Valerian root which helped but you have to take 5 pills and the smell is unpleasant but my angel on here (Vicki :) told me about 5HTP and it helps tremendously.  Alteril is a great all-natural sleep aid and I found it worked better than the prescription sleep aid I had.

Keep posting and try to distract yourself.  Don't overworry the symptoms.  Eat what you feel you can, usually something bland.  If you're having trouble keeping fluids down, ice chips or popsicles can help.

I'm glad you're addressing this now.  I have a daughter who's a senior in college and I would hate to see her go through this.  I don't know if you've shared this with your parents but I hope you do.  They may be surprised but I'm sure will be a big support to you.  I know I would want to know if one of my kids was dealing with this so I could help them as much as I could.
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Avatar universal
Going thru same here and I am in tears for you. Praying for you. Know that you can do it. Your BF is wonderful for helping you. Be strong!!!  :-)
Helpful - 0
4341997 tn?1514588688
don't give up girl...you can do this!!  the xanax can help but just be careful with it...you don't want another pill to have to come off of....you are doing a great thing...hang in there!  
Helpful - 0
6448242 tn?1381375639
Thanks guys for all the support. I have been sleeping a lot due to the xanax, but I am awake now...and I feel okay. I just still have that longing for my pills, knowing they will make me feel 100% but i know if i turn back now that I don't know when I will ever quit. I think I am kind of in a haze right now. I hope the xanax isnt just masking over emotional symptoms I will later have to deal with.  Reading you guys posts really helps me to know I cannot give up. Thank you for that.
Helpful - 0
5904477 tn?1390245415
You can do this girl!  Just remember to breathe!  Try thinking of other things even tho it is hard!  Get your boyfriend to baby you right now!  Just keep telling yourself that it's the flu!  Keep your head held high and believe in yourself!  We are all rooting for you so believe in yourself!
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5792946 tn?1382372153
I lived in the bath for weeks! Fairie is right about that... SUPER HOT BATH IT UP!
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5347058 tn?1381188426
Sounds like you are doing great. When that anxiety hits it helps to throw on some good music or watch some funny movies. Pretty much just anything that keeps your mind off of things. Going for walks helped me a lot too. It even helps to promote sleep and can ease some of the restless leg stuff. Hang in there and keep moving forward. You will get through this.
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Avatar universal
Hi there- I just wanted to offer some support, as well. I'm proud of you for getting rid of those ten pills...that's huge and should reassure you of your commitment...

The Xanax will help; just go easy with it but you should be as comfy as possible for the next few days.  And good for you that you have such a great boyfriend!
Helpful - 0
5429734 tn?1379741413
Yeah so proud of you!!! I know you can do this! Yes the emotional is hard and no fun especially if you are not used to crying lol. That is good that physically you are doing ok right now. Keep posting and let us know how you are doing and If you need any support we are here girlie!! ;)
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4341997 tn?1514588688
Just hang in there girl....day 1 and onto the next and the next....just get thru the next hour, next min.....take deep breaths when you get stressed.....and take LOTS of hot baths with epsom salts....they do wonders for calming your mind and your restlessness....i was taking 3-4 a day in the beginning....hang in there my MS friend!  you can do this!!  you can always message me if you have questions or just need some support ok?  ;))  
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6448242 tn?1381375639
Thanks for all the posts this morning. I woke up at about 8:00 and was feeling so much anxiety because I usually take my fist pill when I first wake up whether it be 4 am or if I can manage to sleep till 9 am ..but i took a 0.5 mg Xanax to calm me down and I went back to sleep until just a little while ago. I have now taken 2 ibuprofen and and immodium. I feel very emotional, but physically I am okay for now.
Helpful - 0
5792946 tn?1382372153
Hello and welcome to community! Thanks for the invite...
Now real quick, STOP and breathe the anticipation of doing what your GOING to do is one of worst parts, just dive in head first with your protein drinks and vitamins and tummy stuff and you WILL do it, us n ur boyfriend will be there every step of the way if you need any type of support or just to talk stick close to this site it is a GODSEND and the people here are angels.... Don't psych yourself out you wouldn't be here if you didn't want this and that's HUGE! You sound like you truly want this and that's a huge part, as Katy Perry says YOU ARE A CHAMPION AND WE CANT WAIT TO HEAR YOU ROAR! You got the eye of the tiger don't worry bout that I can tell from readin your posts so keep that WANT and NEED to get clean throughout this process its your life so take it back from the beast scratchin for more than you could ever supply at your back and CUT IT OFF!   I consider the detox process thee single worst/best experience of my life and it changes you, in a good way you will be stronger and believe in yourself like you never knew you will believe you van lift mountains AND U WILL! The strength to do this is huge and the pride you WILL have will show to all around you and you will be HIGH ON LIFE! Sounds great right? Well you got that in near future just stay strong like I can tell you are... As Eminem says "IM NOT AFRAID!" So don't be, and as Tom Petty says "I Won't Back Down" so DONT! Make music part of your religion get what you need to ease situation, eat, drink even if you don't want to and well JUST DO IT YOU GOT THIS MY FRIEND!.... WHAT DOESNT KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER!  YOU WILL STAND A LIL TALLER!
If you need anything msg me or post, we are all here and want this for you like you do yourself.... NEVER GIVE IN OR UP! NEVER!  :-)    gooood luck!
Helpful - 0
4522800 tn?1470325834
I am just going to say I agree with all of the above. As a long time user myself, You have to get SUPPORT. The detox is hard but the hard part is to stay clean. This is a brain disease and it can be more powerful then you can even imagine. We can not do this alone..The brain WILL Play so many tricks on you to make you use for every reason in the world. Learn all you can about the "Disease of Addiction" and also the Pleasure Part of the Brain (Mid-brain). This info will not cure you but it might help you stay more in-tune if you think you can just have one..I wish you the best..You can do it and try not to freak yourself out to much by thinking to much..Just do it!!!
Bless
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Unless a person has significant underlying health issues, going CT off opiates will not harm you.  It's uncomfortable, yes, but not harmful.  The seizure risk you read about was probably related to benzodiazepines, like Xanax, Ativan.  That doesn't apply to opiates.

You can do this..you've already started putting a plan in place, which is great, and your BF sounds wonderfully supportive, which will help you SO much.  

People here talk about the things necessary for a successful recovery.  The three S's....  

SOURCES:  Eliminate them.  You've already started doing that which is great, but you also need to eliminate any other sources.  Wherever your BF was getting them for you, that needs taken care of.  If through a doc, he needs to notify the doc and pharmacist that he no longer wants or needs the script, have him cancel the script with the pharmacy.  If it's from a dealer, he needs to block the number, etc.  You get the idea.

SECRETS:  Tell them.  You don't have to shout "I'm an addict" from the rooftops, but the more people you confide in, the more it will help you.  ONE, it gives you accountability.  When people are checking in on you and keeping an eye on you, it's a lot harder to keep using, because they will know.  Also, telling secrets allows you to lift some of the emotional burden that comes with addiction and also increases your support system, which is vital.

SUPPORT: Get it, a lot of it.  You can never do TOO much work in recovery, but you CAN not do enough.  You need to develop a strong multi-faceted support system, that will include loved ones, professionals, meetings (AA/NA), posting here, etc.  Putting a plan in place that involves addiction therapy/education and emotional support is called aftercare.  

Aftercare is crucial.  Without it, you will likely not STAY clean.  Relapse is unfortunately a reality for most addicts.  With aftercare, your chances of success are greatly improved.  Most addicts focus on and worry about the GETTING clean part, when really, the STAYING clean part is the aspect of recovery that is much more difficult.  

Stay close by here, keep posting, and start taking your life back!  I'm in your corner!
Helpful - 0
5347058 tn?1381188426
Seizures are not a concern when detoxing from opiates unless you have a medical condition. It is actually safe to go cold turkey. Most people experience a little high (or sometimes low) blood pressure and all the flu like symptoms. Nothing that is dangerous though. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, any heart condition, or any other chronic health issue it's best to discuss your plans with your doctor and make sure you are healthy enough for this. If not, go for it and stick to your plan come hell or high water. Don't let your addict brain trick you with excuses for why you can't quit right now. Believe me, it will try to do so. Remember that there are thousands of reasons to quit, but it only takes one excuse to continue using. Cut those sources for sure. I can guarantee if you don't, they will come back and bite you. We have all been there and there always comes a weak moment where we are desperate.Once you quit, let us know what symptoms you are having and we can help you with suggestions for things that might give you some relief.  Please stick around and keep posting. We are here for you and want to see you do this! Good luck to you and please take care of yourself.
Helpful - 0
5429734 tn?1379741413
Do you have any medical issues? I am not a doctor but I have not heard of anyone having seizures off c/t hydrocodone if they are healthy. There are other drugs that can cause you to have seizures c/t like tramadol and benzos.  Maybe someone will come on that has more knowledge of this?
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5904477 tn?1390245415
No it is not true unless you have an underlying health issue. I am 11 days cold turkey off 20 plus hydros a day!  Keep up the good attitude that you can do this!  Your belief in yourself will go a long way!  Keep posting for support!  You can do this!
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6448242 tn?1381375639
damn! i am so mad at myself.. i just started thinking and thinking...my brain was rolling.. and i started googling things. I started reading about how dangerous it is going off of hydrocodone cold turkey and having seizures. is this true?
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6448242 tn?1381375639
So I have everything prepared to be as comfortable as possible the next few days so I can get through this. I have given my boyfriend the pills to get rid of, so I no longer have access. I feel a positive attitude right now. My boyfriend, who i hardly ever see cry just came in crying telling me how proud he is of me for deciding to do this on my own because he never pushed me to do anything I wasn't ready to do. That just showed me that I do have someone who really cares for me and just knowing that I need to be the 100% best me I can be. I cannot be that with the pills. I hope I wake up in the morning with this same positive attitude. Now --I feel ready.
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6448242 tn?1381375639
I like what you said if, "no need for a backup plan if you are truly done." I don't think I will truly be done until I wake up in the morning and my brain is still telling me I can do it. I have my plan all ready... I want this really bad.. but I am still holding on to the pills mentally.
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6448242 tn?1381375639
Haha. I loved your post. I actually already have ice cream and frozen corn dogs. So i guess I am set!
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3197167 tn?1348968606
I just read what you said about your boyfriend doing it....good idea

I asked my hubby to get rid of my pills...we live in the country...so he took my bottle(s) (soma AND hydros) with him in his truck and threw them out along the dirt road, into the brush, one pill at a time.  We probably had a lot of skunks and rabbits high around here...but at least not me....LOL
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4341997 tn?1514588688
You could do that too!  as long as they are gone....and you are NOT a loser....it's a crutch that we have all had to let go of at some point....the addiction is telling you that you are weak....don't let it win.  Don't listen to it...if you don't flush them, you will want to take them when you feel bad.   I promise you, you can get thru this....
Helpful - 0
3197167 tn?1348968606
Your name says it all:  gottaBstrong......

I PROMISE you, if I had not gotten rid of my pills the day I determined to "be done"...I wouldn't be clean today...you can do this....no need for a backup plan if you are truly done...



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