trying to quit lortab 10/500

Question

I've been taking lortab 10/500 for fibromyalgia and degenerative disc disease for 3 yrs. I was taking probably 8 pills a day to manage the pain...I realize i have been over taking and am scared of the damage It's done to my body. I have weaned down for the last four days, last pill yesterday. I have had feelings of anxiety, my normal pains and have sneezed a few times. I have expected to feel a lot worse, because when I was taking the higher doses, I'd wake in the morning with pains, shakes, chills, sneezing, and like I wanted to crawl out of my skin and it wouldn't subside until I would take a pill. I haven't felt this way at all..does this mean that the withdrawals will not kick in? I have been taking 1 xanax daily..not sure if this has masked the withdraws? Anyone who can help me with this please I really need support and answers right now. Ty.

FourJays · Accepted Answer

Hi determined - welcome and congrats on 48 hours off the Lortabs!  Hopefully your detox wont be real intense; it is different for everyone.  There are some great suggestions above for help with your symptoms.  If you check out the Thomas Recipe (link on bottom of this page), you will find some more info. on remedies and things to help through your detox.  I found that hot/warm soaks in the tub w/some Epsom salts really helped a lot with the anxiety and restless, crawly skin feeling; especially at night before bed.  Magnesium tablets helped me with this too, as well as potassium (ate a few bananas each day).  I had a LOT of sneezing and runny nose stuff too; it got better but I still (6 months later) get it now and then.  Kind of annoying, but manageable for sure!  The most intense days for me were 2 and 3, started slowly feeling better about day 4.  And it was a gradual lessening of the symptoms each day after that.  If you can just do what you can to make yourself comfortable and know that this is a temporary thing.  You will feel better.  It will really help if you can try to concentrate on the positive (being free of these pills, getting healthy, etc.), and keep yourself busy and not thinking or fretting about how you feel.  If you can get any exercise you will feel better; start with a short walk and try to do a little more each day - this will make a HUGE difference!  Have you talked to your doctor about alternative ways to manage your pain issues?  A lot of people find that once off the opiates the pain is actually less; hopefully this will be the case.  I have been very lucky and able to manage most of mine with physical therapy and exercise; never would have believed it before :)  In any case, hang in there - and keep posting here for support and with any questions.  You can do this!

VICourageous · Answer

Hello..Do you have any magnesium..You can get this powder called "CALM" it is a relaxing magnesium supplement..There are many more teas too! Just hang tight..That one was pretty bad for me too..Like it shot to the Moon..I went c/t from three meds that pulled the nervous system in many different directions..It will go away.Heck I am walking in my 9 month and I can remember when I had this at least I put make up on and got going from Sun up to Sun down..Ha!!! But it is uncomfortable..Time is are greatest Healer! You are doing a very good job so far!!!
Bless

FourJays · Answer

You are doing great; the anxiety does get overwhelming at times.  Just take some deep breaths, and remind yourself that this will pass.  What you are doing for yourself now will pay off a thousand times over in the long run.  Emotions are so quick to escalate early on; especially when spouses/significant others (people we need the support from the most), casually dismiss our concerns.  My husband was and always has been my number one supporter, but even now on occasion will make these same kinds of comments, and it still stings.  In fact sometimes it down right ticks me off!  But I remind myself that he does not "get it" on every level and never will, as he has never experienced these feelings; never had any kind of addiction.  I think sometimes they just don't know what to say and thus out of frustration come the dismissive responses.  NOW, on to the positives....wow, 7 hours of sleep?  Awesome!  And very good to hear that the OTC meds are helping with pain; all good!  The sweating and sneezing and 'out of body' anxious feelings will get better; they are really common.  Very annoying, but common and best of all temporary.  You are doing incredibly well.  Keep it up and keep posting :)

determinedtobeatthis38 · Answer

This morning I am finding the anxiety to be overwhelming...trying breathing excersises, took a hot shower, going to try some hot chamomile tea. I keep telling my husband that I am very anxious and need support...and so he decides to mess with me in what he thinks are funny, that aren't funny to me, him thinking that he will cheer me up..idk. I tell him It's making me feel even more anxious and he just says "relax", "calm down"...I tell him It's not that easy. He doesn't get it. I absolutely hate this feeling. On a positive note, I am doing well otherwise. My pain is still manageable with OTC meds. I slept much better last night, about 7-7.5 hrs. Though I woke sweating, soaked through my clothes..again...been happening the last few nights. Had to shower right away, It's so gross! I do have the occasional sneeze here and there. But mainly its this awful anxious feeling. I'm hoping it subsides soon. Ty everyone for your support. It means the world to me.:)

Overwhelmed10 · Answer

Good luck, keep pushing through.  Don't let the wd's scare you, they may not be as bad for you as others.  It's different for every person.  Looks like you got some excellent advice already, but I just wanted to chime in and offer support.  I'm 8 days clean off of Percocet myself.  My husband goes back and forth between somewhat supportive, to not so supportive and jerky.  Lol.  So I can sympathize with that part too! Good luck and think about YOU.  :)

gnarly_1 · Answer

Keep pushing forward  you may find like many of us you will be in less pain once this is over  I manage 2 sliped disks and 3 detorating with ibuprofin  now that im narcotic free keep posting for support good luck and God bless...........................Gnarly................................

overopiates · Answer

u did the right thing as u tapered well enough to not b miserable(then u get ur period OF COURSE though).Also the xanax helps w/probably the biggest part of what u would b dealing w/as u did a good taper but anxiety can drive people nuts.U r blessed on this situation but remember that doesnt mean if u go back then quit again it will b the same.Take this as a blessing.Congratulations on quitting.U will feel so much better.I PROMISE

determinedtobeatthis38 · Answer

Thank you again.:) I will continue to post. The encouragement keeps me going and keeps me strong. :)

FourJays · Answer

It sounds like you are doing really well with it all; the fatigue and anxiety are very common as well as the achiness.  It will all get better in a few days; the OTC remedies you are using are the same I found helpful too (I alternated Motrin and Tylenol).  Going back to work will be good in that it will keep you occupied, but 8 - 10 hours on your feet is a long day!  A nice soak in the tub would be so nice after that kind of day; I always light a few candles and have a playlist I made with music that relaxes me.  The tea is great too.  I think it's smart to limit the Xanax as much as possible; as I'm sure you know that can cause dependence problems of its own.  I had some Klonipin that I used during my detox; only a few times - it helped but made me feel really groggy so I didn't use it much after those first few days.  You are doing really, really well; keep this up and in a few days this part of the process should be behind you.   Good luck with going back to work - you can do this!  Keep posting here too...you are not alone in this :)

determinedtobeatthis38 · Answer

Thanks so much for your help and support. And Ty to everyone else above as well. :) I still haven't experienced the withdrawals that I thought I would....I keep waiting and so far the worst is the fatigue and anxiety. I do have aches and pains but can't  tell if It's my normal pains or detox pains. I do feel more clear headed off of the pills already..:) I'm just so tired, hard to get the energy or motivation to do much..I want to go walk, but its been raining here.:) I did a few indoor excersises, but couldn't do a lot. The Lortab would give me the push to get up and go and manage my pain so I'm a little nervous about going back to work..I work standing all day, 8-10 hrs, I'm a nurse. So we'll see how that goes. I haven't talked to my Dr. As of  yet, but will soon. As of now, I do take gabapentin as well. And through the detox have been using Aleve, ibuprofen, Tylenol. Chamomile tea helps to relax me some from anxiety. And melatonin to sleep. I have xanax, but only taking it when extremely anxious. I'm hoping I won't have worse symptoms occur...been praying a lot for guidance and strength. Ty again for your comments. They are truly helping me through this difficult time.:) sry for typos..on my phone and can't see as easily. :p

determinedtobeatthis38 · Answer

Sry, stupid phone..lol. accidently hit enter..anyways, I just need support and I don't have family or friends. Just my hubby who I guess doesn't understand the emotional and physical discomforts I am going through. I just want to feel good again. I long to feel normal. And idk if I can even do it because I have true medical conditions that cause pain. I'm praying for strength. Ty for listening. :)

determinedtobeatthis38 · Answer

Ty for your post and congrats to you on 7 days clean.:) That's awesome.:) I'm coming up on 48 hrs sober and doing well, better than I thought I would be. Unfortunately my menstrual cycle decided to start a week early while I'm trying to quit Lortab..not sure if the quitting is screwing with my body and has caused this to happen. So I'm dealing with that miscomfort. Also feeling some fatigue, just weak and blah feeling. I've been sneezing a lot. Haven't really had nausea or vomiting..yet..hopefully won't. Have had a few chills here in there, but they are manageable. The worst is my kids don't understand what I am going through. I have a 5 yr. Old who I'm not about to explain this to. And I have a handicapped 19 yr. Old who wouldbt understand if I tried. My husband has times when he is very sweet and tells me he's proud of me and to stay strong. Then he has moments where he's a complete jerk, unsupportive. Takes off fishing with his dad for hrs. Or takes

brokenhearted0909 · Answer

welcome and YOU are doing the right thing.  Im on day 7of being off opiates.  But ive been tapering since Dec. 2012.  The wd's havent been too bad for me.  Just some slight back discomfort and the ups and downs of depression.  Diffently get outside and take a walk or something to keep moving. I took 3 days off plus the weekend to help deal with all of it. It will get better with time. Just remember to give yourself a break and dont overdo it. 
You can do this, just give it time!!!!

determinedtobeatthis38 · Answer

Thank you. I'm trying to hang in there, but really nervous of what's to come.

On2better · Answer

The tapering probably helped with the wd symptoms for today. However, most people feel the worst on day 2-4. Don't be afraid, just be easy on yourself. Post often, and try to get to a support group like NA or AA where you can talk to other people who have been there. Drink lots of water, eat small, simple snacks, try to get some light exercise. Imodium really helped me, not only with the obvious bowel issues but also the sweating and agitation. Sounds crazy but it worked.hang in there and take it one day, one minute at a time. Congratulations on taking control of your life! Best wishes

determinedtobeatthis38 · Answer

I haven't really felt much...does that mean it will get worse? I've only taken 1 pill in half doses for 2 days and today none. Last half was over 24 hrs. Ty for your reply.:)

Pjtwenty · Answer

Welcome!
Withdrawals definitely set in after 24hrs. Generally days 2-4 are the hardest physically. Then it's downhill so to speak. Give it a solid 1-2 wks beforeyou feel normal. Just stay hhydrated eat healthy foods take a multivitamin too. Hot baths for the restlessness. The xanex will help the anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Also try and excersise as much as tolerable. It helps a lot!