Fell of the wagon

[Losingmylife]

I was wondering what to do about this...  I started back up about a week and a half ago and was taking alot for about a week and have enough to taper to 3 5/500's a day for 4 days and then quit.  Yesterday I took 4 in the morning and then took 3 today at 4pm.  My plan is to take 2 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon.  Then quit over the weekend.  How bad do you think the wd's are gonna be?

[Losingmylife]

I used the melatonin last night and slept on and off for 8 hours!  I was up about 3 times at about an half hour each time.  I'm at 42 hours and feel pretty decent!  I think I'm getting a pass and am gonna take advantage of it!  Thanks for all the help guys!!

[Katrina81]

Oh vicodin has a very short half life so hopefully you are getting lucky with the symptoms. Mine werent too bad either but man the mental detox is starting to kick my *** somedays!

[Katrina81]

Melatonin has worked wonders for me in the sleep department. They are all natural and in the vitamin isle. I used them alot the first week or so. Now i only use them once or twice a week. Just try all the safe options BEFORE going with a prescribed sleep aide. As addicts we have a tendancy to over medicate even if it isnt narcotics. Good luck and keep going. Your doing great!

[spankyone]

True, true, true, but....sometimes we have to weigh the good over the bad.  Sleeping pills if take right, can be done so for 2 weeks or so and you will not get hooked.  Sleep is a very powerful restorer for our bodies.  Getting a good night sleep can only be a good thing.  When we w/d we are "SICK"  when your sick sleep is a great healer.
Also, if you take the worry and stress of sleeping or not sleeping, it will be one less thing to worry about.

[ImDONENoMore]

That would be great - I hope it works out that way for you.  Stay strong and good luck! :)

[Losingmylife]

Vicodin is my doc and it usually hits me within 12 to 24 hours.  I'll go to bed just like I always do and see what happens.  Maybe the short time on the drugs is why I'm getting somewhat of a free pass.

[ImDONENoMore]

Again, just my opinion, but please think carefully before considering sleeping pills.  Those are addictive too and sometimes really hard to get off of.  I know that's not true for everyone but as addicts we have to be careful about ANY controlled substance. :)

[ImDONENoMore]

Just sharing my experience here - but I found that it took 2-3 days before the withdrawals hit me in a BIG way.  Not sure what the half-life is for your DOC (vicodin?) so just keep that in mind so you're prepared.  I wish you much luck and success! :)

[spankyone]

Hello, good job on the 35 hours under your belt.  You are on your way.  If your doctor will give you a pill script, then why don't you ask for a script for sleeping pills?  At least you will not have that to worry about.  I have insomnia and when I run out of pills sleep comes about every 72 hrs.  Then I fall out for about 4-5 hrs.  I have learned this month that the more I worry about sleeping or not sleeping the less sleep I get.  I sometimes do not go to bed until 4-5 am.  But then I sleep until 10am.  Not the ideal time, and thank God I do not work right now.  My husband has learned to just let me sleep if I fall out.  When I finally sleep, a bomb could go off and I would miss the whole thing.
I was afraid to fall asleep because a friend died this summer from Oxys.  He took a whole hand full, to get high I am sure.  Then he did not wake up.  At my age that fear seems a bit silly, but it is true.

[Losingmylife]

Ok I made it thru the workweek and I'm now at hour number 35 into wd's and feel fine...  A little anoying runny nose and overall lathargy, but not a big deal.  Does this mean anything or is the shoe getting ready to drop.  I have an abnormaly high metabolism so I've classically gone thru this quicker than most people.  Usually by a day or so.  The 48 hour mark is usually what most people say the 72 hour mark is...

[Losingmylife]

I'm basically using the remaining pills to get thru the workweek  and take the weekend to get that first couple days under my belt...  I have a very demanding job and also play drums in a band.  Two jobs that keep me going very long hours at times...  On gig days Im going from 6am to 3 am.  That's right a nice 21 hour day!  That may not be such a problem with the insomnia that will soon be here.  Ha!  Ha!  I've learned to be able to laugh at myself thru my humbling experience with this godforsaken drug!

[cecilia6]

I think that you will do great since you were off for about two months. I think that I have to agree with the others about the taper. I've been through this before and lie to myself when I only have a few pills left that they will get me through. I would either toss them or take them like you normally would until gone since you only have a few left. This may be bad advice, however. Remember that I have not recovered yet. I have not overcome my last withdraws.

[vicki595]

Hi!  I'm thinking that the taper you describe is not going to help much. Just stop. Toss what you have. It will feel good!

Get the Immodium. Take all the minerals and get some tonic water to drink. It helps the RLS.  Then just keep drinking to flush your system. You may be surprised. It may end up not being as awful as you think!

And don't blame the doctor here...

Keep posting and do everything you can to be comfortable.

[Losingmylife]

Thanks and yes I know the drill.  I went about 30 hours to test the waters and it wasn't too bad but I'm not looking forward to the leg shakes and insomnia...  That and the no energy is really all I had.  The diarea was not too bad and if I can manage with immdium.  Thanks again for the words of encouragement!  You guys here are soo understanding!!

[Losingmylife]

Thanks and I went thru fentynal wd's about two months ago and and was doing good but then I hurt my back and the doc gave me a script.  I really can't believe he gave them to me because he knows my situation!  Now I can't belive it can be worse than what I already went thru but with this addiction I've learned anything is possible...

[IBKleen]

Losing, that is not a taper that you are doing and if it's purpose is to lessen the withdrawal, I don't believe it will.

You have been down this road before so just buckle down and get it done. Make yourself comfortable and I think you know about the supplements, Imodium, pushing fluids, hot baths, etc.

And of course, stick around here. Any questions, ask. I'm pulling for you!

[cecilia6]

Hello. I am in almost the same boat as you. I have the same number of pills left and am wondering how to use them to my best advantage. I keep running out early and going through early withdraw symptoms over and over again. I think that your situation may not be too bad depending on one thing. If you were off of the drugs prior to this speedbump for a long time, then you may not be too bad off. If you were only off for one to three weeks, then had this happen, your withdraw may be as bad as the first time.