February 17, 2007 - 12:59am
so,, i've been taking some different forms of oTC narcs for like about a year now...recently got a horrible flu/cold and got doped up on a run of about 3 bottles of syrup in a short amount of time coupled with some HC tabs...dont wanna explain how i got myself into this predicament.
bottom line is i'm getting out.
i was also addicted to concerta for an extra buzz for about 8 months and i finally broke free of that, and am feeling SO much better.
i don't know what this site is about and if anyone even cares about people being addicted to stuff and wanting to help them get off of stuff if they are or what the purpose of this site is, but i'm looking for some support and encouragement if anyone feels led to give it.
i've read from other websites that the first 48 hours of w/d from hydrocone are the worst. then they say it gets gradually better.
does anyone know if this is true?
i've weened mself down to 30-40mg of HC a day now (was a lot more for a few months).
what am i in store for physically speaking? i know it'll be mentally tough too.
to make it worse i have panic anxiety disorder, so that's not gonna be fun.
but i know i can do this. i've been through a lot and i'm up for getting this straightened out.
i'd appreciate anyone's comments on what i can expect from a w/d like this. like what am i in for and for how long?
thanks...
February 17, 2007 - 9:27am
#2
I have never personally had
I have never personally had any addiction/withdrawal issues with hydrocodone or any drug, but have read a lot about it, sometimes ad naseum on this site. But, I will try to answer this as best as I can, though this is all information I have attained through reading, not experience.
First of all, I would recommend looking for something called a "Thomas Recipe". It's basically getting all of your vitamins and minerals in tablet form since you will probably not want to eat. The one sketchy area that I do not like about the Thomas Recipe is that it advocates using one drug to rid yourself of another. If at all possible, use any benzodiazepine you may have sparingly. some sites says to take it regardless, and personally, I feel that is a bad idea. Just my thought.
Secondly, warm baths, jacuzzi, and massages may help get rid of some of the aches and pains and cramps (not stomach cramps, though).
Exercising and doing anything you can to take your mind off of the drugs is a good idea. I understand you won't feel wonderful, but you may pass more time without knowing it if you are doing something you enjoy.
The first 3-5 days are supposed to be the rougest, usually the acute withdrawal starts to subside after 72 hours, sometimes more or less, depending on frequency of abuse.
There is a secondary withdrawal phase that may last many months.
Drink plenty of gatorade or nutrient water to replace what you will lose through diarrhea. Hydrocodone may make your withdrawal bad enough to the point of vomitting, if so, you can always go to the doctor and ask for something to control your nausea.
Lastly, and probably the best piece of advice, tell your doctor. He/She knows best how to handle these types of situations with it's due respect and will normally work with the patient, assuming the patient does not lie about the addiction.
Sources of reference, in no particular order:
Gtrplayer
February 19, 2007 - 9:21am
#3
h/c w/d's...
Here is a pretty long thread regarding this:
http://www.pharmer.org/node/4229
Unfortunatly, I got out but I'm now back in this mess. I'm in terrible pain and on this stuff again, even though I actually need it now, it kind of sucks. After I get the surgery I need, I'll be able to start over, so thats good! :)
February 20, 2007 - 1:48am
#4
thanks...im in the thick of it early this am...
just wanted to give a big THANKS to all those who responded to my concerns and questions. well, its been about 30 hours off all narcs now, and feeling rotten, lol. but i got myself into this mess, so i gotta ride it out now. the tempting thing is i have a best friend and dad with some acess (my dad trying to get me acess to heavy duty stuff like oc's), and to say no to them and stand my ground and let them know that i'm committed to going throug this ...that was a big deal today. i also have a flu with a fever so its a double whammy. sweatin and freezing all the time. i was discouraged to read that this feeling can last up to 5 days...yikes! i have a job and a 9 mo old son...i was hoping to start feeling better adn more functional after 48 hours. well, spose it's different for everyone. i'm tryin to get more xanax access to help with the panic. its about 2am and i can't sleep, but all i wanna do all day is lay in bed bc my muscles hurt so bad. thanks for the immodium tip..lhelped big time tonight. almost threw up too..think i'm gonna get some compazine for that. well, i better TRy and gert a litle sleep before i have to force myself through work feeling rotten tomorrow..don't know how i'm even gonna get out of bed tomorrow AM. i have to though. thanks again to all of you.. you're wonderful people to lean on and gain confidence and strength that i CAn get through this. i just wanna know..will i feel happy once this is out of my system or will i be depressed and fight mental battles to want to dabble in the narcs again? just wondering. thanks to all! ]God bless you all. you're in my prayers, adn i would appreciate prayer for me. goodnight! one second, one minute, one hour, one day at a time...
February 20, 2007 - 2:57am
#5
UNFORTUNATELY EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT...
UNFORTUNATELY EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, AND THEREFORE IT IS HARD TO SAY. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS SOMETIMES EVERYONE THINKS THEY ARE AN EXPERT, WHEN THE REALITY IS...WE ARE NOT DOCTORS HERE...I HAVE TOLD YOU WHO YOU CAN GENERALLY COUNT ON FOR STRAIGHT ADVICE, GTRPLAYER I ALWAYS MENTION B/C WE ARE FRIENDS AND HE KNOWS HIS STUFF, BUT AS I TOLD YOU, ALL THE TOP POSTERS TEND TO BE FAIRLY KNOWLEDGEABLE. I WILL TELL YOU, I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS AT GREAT LENGTH WITH THE TOP NEURO IN THE COUNTRY (IN MY OPINION) FOR MY THESIS, AND IT IS NOT AS IT SEEMS...THAT IS TO SAY, YOU CAN NOT BASE FULL RECOVERY ON WHEN PHYSICAL WITHDRAWAL ENDS! THIS TAKES MONTHS, USUALLY THREE OR SO, FOR YOUR BRAIN TO GET BACK TO SECRETING ITS NORMAL LEVELS OF ENDORPHINS THAT IT SLOWED OR STOPPED ALTOGETHER WHEN YOU REG REPLACED THEM WITH CHEMICALS...(EVER HEARD OF A "RUNNERS HIGH", ITS NO MYTH, IT IS WHEN THE BRAIN IS FLOODED WITH EXTRA ENDORPHINS FROM THIS GLAND, GIVING THE RUNNER THE SAME EUPHORIA AS AN ELICIT DRUG) WELL, IT DOESN'T JUST GO BACK TO NORMAL IN 5 DAYS...OR 5 WEEKS FOR THAT MATTER, ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU OTHERWISE IS ADVISING YOU CONTRARY TO FACTUAL MEDICAL DATA. POINT IS, YOU MAY FEEL DOWN OR DEPRESSED FOR A WHILE, SURE...YOU WILL BE OPERATING WITHOUT YOUR NORMAL DOSE OF ENDORPHINS FOR A COUPLE MONTHS...THUS WHY DOCS WEEN PEOPLE OFF, B/C SOMETIMES WHEN DONE VERY SLOWLY OVER A LONG PERIOD THOSE ENDORPHINS BEGIN TO RECOGNIZE THE DIF OF INTAKE, AND START KICKING IN...WELL THAT'S ALL I CAN TELL YOU, I AM NO DOC, BUT HAVE LOTS OF EXPERIENCE, AND HAVE DONE THE RESEARCH...BOTTOM LINE, WE ARE ALL DIF, AND YOU SHOULD FEEL BETTER WITH EVERY PASSING DAY, JUST DON'T BE MISLEAD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS ENDS AFTER THE FEW DAYS OR SO OF PHYSICAL WITHDRAWAL PAIN, IT DOESN'T!
ps- my doctor says he knows docs that specialize in addiction that tell their patients not to make any major (move, job, family) life decisions until they have been off the drug completely for 3 months...
February 20, 2007 - 11:22pm
#6
YEAH...YOU'RE WELCOME ON THAT...
YEAH...YOU'RE WELCOME ON THAT IMODIUM TIP. I GOT IT FROM SOMEONE ON HERE AND THOUGHT THEY WERE NUTS. I MEAN I KNEW IT WAS FOR DIARRHEA, BUT THE ALLEGATION THAT IT CONTAINED SOME KIND OF OPIATE OR NARCOTIC PROPERTIES...WELL, NEEDLESS TO SAY, I FOUND THAT LUDICROUS. THEN I LOOKED INTO IT, AND SURE ENOUGH, THE CHEMICAL STRUCTURE SUPPORTS SUCH AN ACCUSATION...AND WHILE STILL, BY NO MEANS, AN "OPIATE" OR A "PAINKILLER", WHEN TAKEN IN LARGE QUANTITIES IT ACTS AS A BLOCKER AND IS QUITE EFFECTIVE IN THAT ROLE...
WELL, HOPE ALL IS WELL AND YOU ARE DOIN GOOD - DON'T BE TOO %@$$*## YOURSELF IF YOU LAPSE, OR GIVE IN A TIME OR TWO...ONE CAN LOSE SOME BATTLES WHILE WINNING THE WAR...
February 21, 2007 - 2:46pm
#7
rephrase
ok, so i know that you're not a dr. and i know everyone is different so its impossible for you to tell.
but mainly what i am concerned the most with is the fact that i have struggled with general panic disorder since i was about 12 or 13. i started using xanax as my dad gave it to me late into my college years.
then got my own Rx for xanax once the anxiety became too much for me to handle with the pressures of job, marriage, and a baby on the way etc...along with panic disorder just being there everyday regardless of what circumstances i'm under.
my question or concern is, are you saying the INTENSE extra feeling of anxiety i'm experiencing in my cold turkey withdrawal of the hydrocodone is something i'll have to deal with for possibly 3 months?!?! i mean, if that's the case, i'm gonna start drinkin or something. ;) b/c i know what normal anxiety feels like, and being in this withdrawal i can tell the anxiety has been physically increased by like 20 times or more...
example: i was sweating and my heart/mind was racing just thinking of coming to work today w/out my pain meds to make me feel good and then kinda calm me as they wore off...is that just psychological or is this part of the "5 day" physical symptoms...this heightened anxiety that is to say? could be a combination, but i tend to FEEL that this extra sensation of anxiety is a withdrawal byproduct..physically speaking, and HOPE that it would taper off (the need for EXTRA anti-anxiety meds..b/c i don't have the supply i would need to keep this up!!!) after like a week or something....
again, i know you're not a dr. just looking for an opinion.
February 21, 2007 - 3:37pm
#8
NO, NO...FEAR NOT...
NO, NO...FEAR NOT...YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THE ANXIETY LEVEL DISSIPATING DAILY IN SYNCHRONICITY WITH THE WITHDRAWAL ITSELF. INFACT, YOU ARE ALSO RIGHT THAT YOUR ANXIETY LEVEL GOES WAY,WAY UP B/C OF WHAT YOU'RE GOIN THROUGH, PHYSICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY. NO, YOU'RE RIGHT, I AM NOT A DOCTOR, BUT THEN, HOW MANY DOCTORS HAVE GONE THRU HYDROCODONE WITHDRAWAL... WELL, LET'S CALL IT OVER 15-20 TIMES ATLEAST...SO, EVEN AS WE ALL ARE DIF, WE ALSO ARE ALL HUMAN, AND SIMILAR...I LOVED HAVING XANAX, VALIUM, AND KLONOPIN IN GREAT SUPPLY DURING THESE TIMES. YOU SEE, ALONG WITH MY BACK,KNEES,NECK, AND OTHER MUSCLE SKELETAL INJURIES, SOME OF WHICH REQUIRED NUMEROUS SURGERIES, I RECEIVED A BRAIN INJURY AND THAT CHANGED ME SOMEWHAT...ONE THING IT DEFINITELY DID WAS GIVE ME A NASTY TEMPER PROB,AND ANGER, ETC. (ALSO PART OF MY BRAIN AWAKES MY SLEEPING BRAIN AT NIGHT...FAR MORE DRAMATIC THAN SLEEPWALKING... I HAVE BEEN FOUND ASLEEP IN THE ATTIC, SPENT $400 AT WALMART IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT ON THE DUMBEST SH-T! ETC, SO MY WIFE HAS TO TAKE THE CAR KEYS TO BED W/HER, ETC...HENCE THE KLONOPIN PRODUCTS) WELL, HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUES...YES IT SUCKS AND ANXIETY GOES UP,UP AND AWAY, BUT NOPE, I DID NOT MEAN YOU WILL NECESSARILY FEEL THE ANXIETY LEVEL THAT HIGH FOR THE MANY MONTHS...
February 21, 2007 - 8:58pm
#9
I also have panic/anxiety
I also have panic/anxiety disorder and when I quit the oxy/hydro, it was 5000 times worse with regards to the anxiety. I thought I was going to burst out of my skin and almost like I just wanted to die. Fear not, however, this magnified anxiety will pass, about a week maximum I'd say. Xanax or Vallium should help with that, just use it only when absolutely necessary. Good luck and don't worry, you'll make it!
February 21, 2007 - 11:51pm
#10
obviously i agree...
I OBVIOUSLY AGREE WITH MICHELE213'S ADVICE, BUT REMEMBER THE TREMENDOUS HALF LIFE OF SOME OF THESE DRUGS (VALIUM - OVER 180 HRS) SO SOMETIMES YOU MIGHT TAKE THEM AT NIGHT AND THEY WILL HELP YOU THROUGH THE FOLLOWING DAY AND SO ON... SHE IS ALSO RIGHT ABOUT THAT FIRST WEEK OR SO, AS I SAID, YOU WILL BE CRAWLING OUT OF YOUR SKIN... BUT IT WILL PASS
February 22, 2007 - 2:06am
#11
Good job, Captterry. I
Good job, Captterry. I have to admit, I feel kind of dumb for not knowing the half-life of Valium. So, I figured why not post this link (if anyone ever actually clicks to the links) that lists a few differences between the benzo drugs.
Here is a link to Web4health.info concerning benzodiazepines.
Gtrplayer
February 22, 2007 - 9:30am
#12
U can do this!
Hey Hoosier,
Just remember to take it one day at a time, and if that seems like a long time, take it one hour, minute, or second at a time. If you can stay sober for 10 seconds, youll probably be able to for 1 min, and so on. Just dont give up, or in to anything, and ASK for help if you need it-because help is out there and there are a lot of nice people out there to help you.
Ive got 5 years in recovery, and am now pursuing getting my degree to be a licensed alcohol and drug counselor-as I wanted to take what I had and help someone else - so if you need anything, please feel free to write, or if you just need someone to vent to-Im here for you-just don give up the fight-its not worth all the probs it causes to you and your body! It sux to be under the control of a #%^*! substance, but the more you stand tall, and try, the closer you are to closing the door on it all together!! Remember Just for today.... Talk to you again soon, hang in there, Sara Withdrawals are diff for everyone though-some people feel effects for 3 days-3 months, it all depends, as sometimes its just physical w/d at first, and psychological later-and youll always have to take care of those triggers, and such. Just ask for support if youre having a hard time, it isnt easy! But you can do this!
February 22, 2007 - 5:23pm
#13
beautiful people
i don't have time right now to tell you all how much you've meant to me already, from your truth, to your encouragement and support, and guideance in this deal.
i'm heading home for the night...end of day 4 and i'm still clean!
i know...not much to be proud of..but the feeling of anxiety and longings for the oxy/hydros lately has left me feeling proud of myself to be where i'm at right now.
sure i don't feel great, but i'm holding on to a hope that someday soon i will feel normal again, like i remember feeling before i started this wicked cycle and letting these meds control me.
i just got some extra support from my father on the xanax, and he even dropped in a valium for me. he knows his stuff too b/c he's been on about EVERy kind of Rx there is and off of it..sometimes by force of being committed, rarely by choice.
he told me like you guys did to piece the valium into 2 doses b/c of its half life being so much stronger.
with the reinforcement of these extra xanax i feel more confident that i have that as a safety net now to power through this...i don't wanna start gettin out of control on the xanax either though b/c i've been there more than a few times in my life, and in my opinion..WITH PANIC DISORDER, there's nothing worse than a person with panic attacks coming off of benzos..not even the ???$* that i've gone through in the past 4 days with this narc w/d.
anyway, i'm rambling.
wish i had time to address all your comments. they were all VERY helpful, and VERY timely, and VERY encouraging, yet not patronizing at all.
i'm gonna keep coming to this board for moral support b/c i know in time i'm gonna forget what this ???$* felt like and be tempted to jump right back in the cycle again.
thanks for EVERYTHING EVERYONE!
God bless!
all for now....
February 22, 2007 - 5:40pm
#14
HOOSIER DON'T EVER...
HOOSIER DON'T EVER SAY THAT YOUR 4 DAYS IS "NOT MUCH TO BE PROUD OF" B/C ESPECIALLY FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS ACCESS TO GO BACK TO THESE DRUGS, YOU HAVE MADE A MONUMENTAL STRIDE IN STAYING CLEAN FOR 4 DAYS! DON'T BE SO %@$$*## YOURSELF, TRUST ME, 4 DAYS SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOU, AND SHOWS THAT YOU CAN DO THIS!
TAKE CARE, AND TAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF, EVERYDAY IS A VICTORY...
February 23, 2007 - 8:52pm
#15
OMG!!
That is a long half life for Valium!!! Is that bad? I mean, If I quit taking it will I have w/d's...(I take one 5mg a day now for the last week for muscle spasms) and I don't know how you "taper" from one a day, ya know. Maybe I should check w/my dr. I also found out it interacts with Prilosec. Look at what too much reading gets you - more worry! UGGH!! 
February 26, 2007 - 2:10am
#16
New W/D Concerns
Hey everyone. I'm still sober and it's been a FULL WEEK now.
thing is, i was SO used to taking something fo make myself FEEL GOOD..and then the great CALM that came after the oxy's or Hydro's...before i took those, i dealt with my anxiety via dabbling in alcohol for about 10 months, then quit that one summer day goin on a family vacation with my wife's family..NEVER thought i could do it, but apparently i wasn'[t as addicted to the alcohol as i though..or it could have been that i took some oxy's my dad supplied me with and without realizing it they helped ease of the liquor and started my REAL CRAVING for the narcs.
ANYWAY, now i feel so down in the dumps and i feel like its just habit to constantly want to take something either to calm my extra anxiety or just to take something. ya know?
basically i'm now afraid that i've become too addicted to the benzodiazapine xanax over the past 3-4 years. i am currently taking about anywhere from 3-4 to 5-7 or i've even had days of 8 or 9 mg's in one day!!!
now my dad (who enables me in ways, but tries to love me in his own way) says that all the books say the pdr for panic disorder suggests up to 6mgs a day.
most i have out of my current dr. is 2mg extended release per day (1 am 1pm..i just take em together at noon for extra punch since my anxiety comes more frequently in the afternoon anyway) and just 1 lousy mg per day in case "of a panic attack"...well, at the tolerance i've built up, that 1 mg wouldn't do me much good in a bad panic attack also considering i have pretty bad colds/allergies and now ASTHMA!!! UGHHH!!!
i always had allergies and dealt with those pretty well, but then i was exposed to mold for a year at this one place i was working..all the allergist said it WRECKED ME and gave me this awful sensitive asthma i never had before.
well, having panic attacks..then mix in asthma..real asthma symptoms..and you can see why i try to get an extra edge on my panic via alcohol and pain killers. cross-addict yea. but not anymore...i'm out there now.
just the xanax. problem is, it doesn't seem to be enough coverage,
does anyone have any suggestiions of how to approach my dr. about this issue..i really don't want to divulge the pain killer addiction and have her peg me as a cross addict and have her peg me as an addict in general from the xanax abuse etc...
but i'm REALLY doing hard work to wean the xanax down now too...i'm just at al loss..i want relief from panic with this asthma.
anyone have any drug suggestionns? maybe i should switch benzos to like klonopin or valium or something stronger???
how should i approach my dr? any thoughts.
i'm beginning to get worried as i have a bad cold right now that causes mucus in my throat which used to be fixed RIGHT UP with some good old hydrocodone syrup i frequently would get ordered by my stepfather (Dr).
which brings me to my last question (sorry for the long email..thanks for hangin in here for this one)....lets say i do get another bad cold and my allergist or my dr Rx me hydrocodone syrup and it's only been like 1-2 weeks or so since my cold turkey stoppage...will that cause relapse if i took the syrup?
or what if i had a moment of weakness and took a couple 10mg hydros on a given day when i'm feeling down like in the next couple weeks..will that start the WHOLE w/d process back to step one again and be as painful as it was? or is it just dangerous to dable with it again in general?
you all are smarter than i can imagine to be on these matters...and i think too much and write too much, so i;ll let you speak now.
thanks!
ps--does ambien have any narcotic agent in it? just wonderin b/c i can't sleep at night anymore and my dr is thiking of putting me on ambien which i have a few right now (samples)...just didn't wanna take em if they did since i just quit the hydrocodone tabs a week ago tonight!!!!
February 26, 2007 - 3:26am
#17
Hoosier, don't take this the
Hoosier, don't take this the wrong way, but we've given you as much advice as is humanly possible without picking up the phone and calling your doctor for you. You seem to be focusing more on being an addict than focusing on getting clean. You said you want relief from "this panic of asthma". Well, instead of focusing on how much xanax you need, why not find a pulmonologist and see what kind of asthma medicine they can put you on.
Again, I in no way am trying to be mean, but I feel like we are enabling you by telling you "It's all going to be fine, just do this and this and you'll be great." I feel like it's giving you a false sense that every time you get addicted to something, there is a magic bullet of pills or vitamins to take. In essence, you've taken the xanax to get through the hydrocodone withdrawals, and now you're on a high dosage of xanax, and looking to come off of it as well. That is why all who replied said, "Use the benzodiazepines sparingly"
I don't know what else to say, other than sorry for not having much better information for you.
Gtrplayer
February 26, 2007 - 3:28am
#18
FIRST OF ALL, YES IT IS DANGEROUS...
FIRST OF ALL, YES IT IS DANGEROUS TO "DABBLE" IN THE VARIOUS SUBSTANCES THAT YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF ADDICTED TO...NO BRAINER, BUT NO...YOU WILL NOT GO THRU THE WITHDRAWAL IF...LET'S SAY YOU'RE OFF PAIN MEDS FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AND YOUR DENTIST HAS YOU ON LORTAB FOR A FEW DAYS...IT REALLY ONLY BECOMES AN ISSUE WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN USING LONG TERM (WHERE YOUR BRAIN RECOGNIZES AND ADJUSTS TO THE INTAKE), NOT WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A COUPLE DAYS...ALSO THOUGH, WHILE PERHAPS ESCAPING PHYSICAL WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMOLOGY DUE TO TIME PASSING...IF ADDICTED, THEN YES...PROBABLY, MORE LIKELY THAN NOT, YOU WILL "TRIGGER" YOUR ADDICTION FULL ON AND HAVE A PROBLEM STOPPING, OR CONTROLLING THE SITUATION...BUT YOU'RE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT...WE BOTH KNOW THAT, YOU ARE JUST BEING HOPEFUL, WHICH IS NORMAL, AND MAY NEVER GO AWAY...REMEMBER, THAT DRUG WAS YOUR BEST FRIEND...AINT EASY TO LOSE YOUR BEST FRIEND WITHOUT THINKING, ASKING, TALKING ABOUT IT...BUT YOU KNOW THE TRUTH INSIDE YOURSELF... NOW, AS FAR AS THE XANAX GOES, IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT DRUG TO WEEN OFF OF AND YOUR BEST BET IS TO GO ON VALIUM...ALTHOUGH I GET RX'D VALIUM #120 10mg MONTHLY, XANAX #60 1mg MONTHLY, AND KLONOPIN #30 1mg MONTHLY...I REALLY UTILIZE THE VALIUM MAINLY AND ONLY USE THE OTHERS FOR MORE EMERGENT REASONS...YOU SEE IT IS ALL ABOUT THE "HALF LIFE" OF A DRUG WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING OFF IT. WHILE A DRUG LIKE XANAX OR KLONOPIN MAY HAVE AN AVERAGE "HALF LIFE" OF 30-80 HOURS... VALIUM HAS AN AVERAGE "HALF LIFE" OF AROUND 200 HOURS OR SO...THUS, VERY EASY FOR YOUR BODY TO ADJUST TO WEENING OFF IT! ALL THIS, WHILE STILL RECEIVING VERY GOOD TREATMENT FOR YOUR CONDITION...I MEAN A FEW 10mg TABLETS OF VALIUM IS NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT! IT WORKS, AND IS VERY CALMING! IF I WERE YOU I WOULD PRINT OUT A SHEET (EITHER FROM GOOGLE, OR FROM HERE) WITH THE HALF LIFE OF BENZO'S...BRING IT TO YOUR DR. APPOINTMENT AND DISCUSS SWITCHING TO VALIUM FOR THE PURPOSE OF WEENING...
HANG IN THERE, I WISH I COULD HELP YOU MORE, BUT I (BELIEVE I) HAVE BEEN IN YOUR SHOES AND AM JUST TELLING YOU MY EXPERIENCES, THAT'S IT. IN THE DOZENS UPON DOZENS OF TIMES I HAVE GONE OFF (TAKEN MEDICATION VACATIONS TO AVOID HIGH PAIN MED TOLERANCE AS PART OF NEUROLOGICAL STUDY) PAIN MEDICINE OVER THE PAST DECADE...ONCE OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS, SURE, I COULD TAKE SEVERAL LORCET OR NORCO TO DEAL WITH A BAD EPISODE, AND IF I DID NOT TAKE THEM AGAIN AFTER THAT "BAD,BAD DAY" I DID NOT EXPERIENCE WITHDRAWAL...BUT I CRAVED THEM PSYCHOLOGICALLY LIKE MAD! I MEAN ALL I HAD TO DO WAS TAKE THIS "MAGIC PILL" AND I WOULD FEEL A WHOLE LOT BETTER...AND PEOPLE WONDER WHY WE BECOME DEPENDENT? BECAUSE IT RELIEVES OUR SUFFERING!!!! (DAH!) [REMEMBER, THESE VACATIONS CAUSED ME TO BE BASICALLY BEDRIDDEN AND IN A DECENT AMOUNT OF PAIN...ALL I USED WAS NUERONTIN AND LODINE...SOME CELEBREX, BUT NO NARCOTICS. IT HAS ONLY BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH THREE (3) OF US OUT OF THE INITIAL ONE HUNDRED (100) THAT BEGAN THE STUDY...WISH I COULD BRAG ABOUT MY WILL POWER BEING SUPERNATURAL, BUT THE TRUTH IS, SOME HAVE PASSED AWAY, SOME HAVE BRAIN TUMORS AND I AM QUITE SURE MANY WERE IN MORE PAIN THAN ME, EVEN IF THEY HAD GOOD INTENTIONS STARTING OUT, IT PROBABLY WAS NOT REALISTIC FOR THEM TO BE OFF MEDICATION FOR ANY PROLONGED PERIOD]
so while not in exactly the same position, i feel i know where your at...what your going thru, and how bad it sucks! I am not the same person w/out my pain med...no playing with my son's or activities...completely different quality of life...in fact i have seriously curbed the practice after going on the Fentanyl patch (it is like 100 x strength of morphine or something!)...being supplied both the #180 hydrocodone 10/325 and 15 fentanyl patches a month (along with 60-90 lorcet too by my neurologist) i find that when i use the patch, i am not using pills (for the most part) , just as when i use the pills for a couple weeks...no patch. I think i have it all figured out, but truth is, i am still experimenting!
February 27, 2007 - 12:57am
#19
ok
captterry, thanks for the advice on the valium. i did find it to be a more long lasting/calming benzodiazapine. i'll bring that up to my Dr. next visit to see about adjusting from xanax to valium.
as for the post by gtrplayer..look, i know you don't wanna patronize me, but why even respond to me if you are gonna take that condescending tone?
i know you're a VERY RESPECTED poster, and i appreciate the help you've tried to offer me, but i just feel that last post was unwarranted in the manner you provided it.
you know NOTHING about my physical ???$* i've delt with as far as asthma and anxiety go...you have no idea that i HAVE been to pulmonologists, allergists, asthma specialists...all to find out that the best they can do for me is to tell me to stay away from the things i'm allergic to which trigger my asthma--which is pretty much EVERYTHING indoor and outdoor, so it's REDICULOUS and FRUSTRATING...they don't know ANYTHING. and the asthma meds they had me on only made me cough more and made my heartrate and anxiety worse.
again, thanks for the advice to all, especially captterry. i respect you gtrplayer, i just didn't need that post from you. if you're THAT fed up with trying to help me, then just don't reply on here ok?
talking down to me like i'm in middle school about picking up the phone and calling my doctor.
you're right though, i am too obsessed with being an addict than with being clean..very true. i need to change that outlook and figure out how i can not abuse any drug and take my anxiety meds the way my dr. Rx's them for me...i just got a little out of whack taking more than normal coming off the oxys and hydrocodone.
xanax IS hard to come off of, but i've weaned off it once, and i can do it again...with no assistance of you calling my dr. thank you very much.
sorry for the tone of this, just understand i felt your post was very unwarranted in it's nature. but again, what do i know...you are one of the most respected posters on here, and you did speak truth, and i don't want to be patronized...i just didn't need to be talked down to that's all...
goodnight and goodbye to all..this will probably be my last post on this site.
thanks for the guidance and help.
i will find my own way now.
best wishes to all.
March 4, 2007 - 12:01am
#20
withdrwal
hang in there hoosier as many have stated the physical withdrwal will get better with each passing day try to stay busy and keep your mind off of the pills it is very common to go through a period of depression when you quit taking the pills that you have for quite some time hydrocodone is one of the easier opiods to withdrawal from not saying that it is the easiest thing in the world but it is manageable and if you hold steady you should be able to break the habit there are many ways to withdrawal from hydrocodone that may be suitable for you my advice is to consult your doctor and work out a plan that best fits you if you do not want to tell your doctor because you are somewhat embarrased read these message boards as many posts can be helpful in what to take and what not to take during the withdrawal process and always remember the power of the mind it is your greatest asset in this battle
March 4, 2007 - 3:54am
#21
HOOSIER, IN DEFENSE OF MY PAL GTRPLAYER...
HOOSIER, IN DEFENSE OF MY PAL GTRPLAYER, GO TO THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER OF THE SIGHT WHERE THE "SEARCH BOX" IS LOCATED...IF YOU TYPE IN WITHDRAWAL YOU WILL BE INUNDATED WITH HELP (AND A #%^*! LOT OF IT FROM HIM! not personal exp. but links, second hand knowledge, etc) THE LAST THING GTRPLAYERWOULD EVER DO IS REFUSE SOMEONE IN NEED...THE POST HAD RUN ITS COURSE, AND I THINK HE WAS GENUINLY SAYING, "THERE AINT NO MORE WE CAN DO FOR YOU BUD...THE MORE YOU KEEP TALKIN ABOUT IT THE WORSE IT WILL BE FOR YOU PSYCHOLOGICALLY" BUT I KNOW GTRPLAYER, AND HIS INTENTIONS WERE NOT ILL FATED...IF ANYTHING, HE GOES TOO FAR HELPING PEOPLE, SO PLEASE DON'T FEEL HE WAS INTENTIONALLY HURTFUL OR MEAN TO YOU...LIKE I SAID THIS SUBJECT IS ON HERE WEEKLY IT SEEMS,(getting many lead posters sick of it) SO IF YOU WERE TO JUST TYPE IT IN THE SEARCH BOX YOU WOULD HAVE A WEEKS WORTH OF READING...JUST TAKE IT EASY, YOU'LL BE FINE, BUT I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT GTRPLAYER DIDN'T AIM TO HARM...TAKE CARE
March 4, 2007 - 2:40pm
#22
Hoosier
I do not know you so i cannot judge you but it seems like you rely on a magic pill or medicine to fix every problem that you have.Maybe you should attend NA meetings or seek a counsulor because if you think that way your probably more likely to relapse on some sort of drug in hopes that it will make you feel better. Forgive me if im wrong or if i am offending you at all but maybe with some strong will-power and the desire to be clean will get you through all of this. Good luck and again, sorry if i have offended you.
YOU WILL MAKE IT HOOSIER...I HAVE BEEN ON NEARLY EVERYTHING SINCE MY INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT AND SUBSEQUENT SURGERIES IN 1997 - EASIEST SERIOUS NARCOTIC PAIN MED TO GET OFF IS HYDRO BASED (YOU MAY FEEL THAT IS MY OPINION, BUT IT ISN'T, I WORK CLOSELY WITH A SPECIAL GROUP OF NEUROLOGISTS, AND ON A WHOLE THIS IS TRUE) OXYCODONE, ALL YOUR MORPHINES AND FENTANYLS, ETC. ARE HARDER - BELIEVE IT OR NOT (WHY I WORK WITH THEM) I WEAN OFF MY NORCO (HYDROCODONE) EVERY OTHER MONTH OR SO (#180 MONTHLY) SO THAT I DO NOT BUILD UP THESE HUGE TOLERANCES THAT OTHERS DO, WHEN YOU CONSIDER IT HAS BEEN A DECADE AND I NEVER EXCEEDED 6 PILLS A DAY! MOST PEOPLE PROGRESS RAPIDLY TO LARGER AND HARDER STUFF B/C THEY HAVE TO WHEN THE BODY BECOMES TOLERANT... NOW, IT TAKES EXTREME WILL POWER, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE CHRONIC PAIN SOOOO BAD, YOU ARE BASICALLY BEDRIDDEN WHEN OFF MEDS (I DO MAKE EXCEPTION AND BREAK PROTOCOL IF IT BECOMES SO SEVERE, OR MY KIDS HAVE A BIRTHDAY PARTY, ETC. SO THERE ARE SOME LENIENCY'S BUILT IN WHICH PROBABLY MAKES IT EASIER ON ME PSYCHOLOGICALLY THAN YOU , OR OTHERS...AND HARDER SOMETIMES, TO WALK PAST HUNDREDS OF PILLS WHEN A COUPLE WILL MAKE YOU FEEL SO MUCH BETTER!) "GTRPLAYER" IS A POSTER ON HERE THAT I AM FRIENDLY WITH, AND EVEN W/ALL MY EXPERIENCES, I WOULD LOOK FOR HIS ADVICE ON THE MATTER, AS WELL AS THE OTHER TOP POSTER'S YOU SEE TO THE RIGHT...THEY ARE WISE AND HELPFUL. IF YOU HAVE ANY LEGAL ACCESS TO VALIUM OR XANAX, ANY OF THESE SO CALLED ANTI- ANXIETY (ANTI-CONVULSION) DRUGS...THEY HELP AS YOU GET FURTHER OFF THE DRUG. I WOULD ALSO TRY TO SKIP A WHOLE DAY (MAYBE A WEEKEND DAY WHERE YOU CAN LAY AROUND THE HOUSE AND NOT HAVE TO BE W/ANYONE OR AROUND ANYONE) WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO THE 10mg AREA... DEFINITELY GET READY TO USE IMODIUM (THE ANTI-DIARRHEA MED) WHICH AS OTHER POSTER'S WILL TELL YOU, EITHER HAS SOME TYPE OF NARCOTIC PROPERTIES, OR IS FAIRLY EFFECTIVE AT RELIEVING THEM IN LARGE QUANTITIES...
WELL, GOOD LUCK, YOU SEEM TO BE DOING IT SMART, JUST TAKE HEART IN THAT THIS IS THE "EASIEST" "HARDCORE PAIN KILLER" TO KICK....WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT, BUT IN GENERAL, THIS IS A PHYSIOLOGICAL FACT. MAKE SURE YOU SAVE ENOUGH TO KEEP TAILING OFF...YOU WILL APPRECIATE IT IN THE LONG RUN!
YOU'LL GET A LOT OF GOOD ADVICE HERE...YOU CAN TYPE "HYDROCODONE WITHDRAWAL" IN THE SEARCH BOX AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE (ON THE RIGHT)