hydrocodone addiction

[blueline]

Ccgirl, you are doing great, keep up the good work.

Chloe, you are also doing great...I'm proud of you. As for you not sleeping, I also was not sleeping but I took someone's advise and went to the health food store and bought some melatonin. I was amazed at how much it helped me sleep. I now sleep for 6 or sometimes 7 hours of good restfull sleep. I take two melatonin capsules about an hour before bedtime and when I go to bed I fall right to sleep and sleep great. I feel rested and wonderful when I wake up. I haven't felt this good in years. I think alot of it is getting off the hydrocodone and getting it out of my system. But the sleep is what is helping the most. Just a thought.....

Blue

[blueline]

Hey buzz, haven't heard from you in a while....are you still around?

[michigan]

Hello. I'm pretty new here. Only a few days old. Actually I'm a 44 year old male...lol, but I've been writing in the newcomers forum, and was told I should come here and state my situation for advice and support.
I've been using vicodins for over a year. Started with a sprained ankle and I just continued to use. I've been up to 6 a day. I know it doesnt sound like alot, but your body gets used to it and craves it when it doesnt get it.
Anyways, I'm a single father of 2 young sons, and I work 6 days a week, and have no family to help me out with the kids.
I've decided to quit ( the vikes, not my job...lol).
Because of my job and my two sons, I cant go cold turkey, so i've decided to taper.
Friday night, I went down to 4 a day. (1 in the morning, 1 mid evening, and 2 at night when i got home from work).
Saturday, I started feeling kinda crappy. And stayed with the 4, in the same order as stated above.
Yesterday, Sunday, I had only 3 left. I decided to take one in the morning when i got up. Take one with me to work (with the plan to take it around 7:30pm or so) and then I would have the last one for before bedtime.
Well, I did pretty good and only took the one in the morning (because I seem to feel the worse when i first get up), and then I put the other in my pocket and headed off to work in the early evening. Well, I didnt take it at work. I fought it off, even though I was feeling like i had the flu. I saved it and took it when i got home last night around 12am, saving the 3rd one for this morning.
Well, my night was terrible. I had a real hard time sleeping. Almost like i was in between sleeping and awake all night. Legs moving and hurting abit. Tried to get my kids up at 7:30am for school, but I didnt have the strength to fight with them when they gave me a hard time about getting up, so I called them in( they had a half day today anyways thank god) and I laid back down.
I finally was able to actually fall into a sleep. Woke up at 12pm, feeling really bad. Strong flu like symptoms, so i took the last one I had just a while ago, at apx 12:30pm.
I'm not feeling too bad right now ( 1:50pm), but I have to go back to work this evening and know that i'm gonna feel terrible again later tonight. But I did make it through yesterday on only 2, so thats what my plan is for today as well. I have a friend dropping me off 3 before I go to work this evening. I'm going to plan on using 1 tonight, and then hopefully a half one when i get up tomorrow ( tuesday) and another half one tomorrow night, leaving me with one to split up on the last day ( wednesday) which is my day off, so i should be able to get some rest and get through this to the end (hopefully).
Just looking for a little advice, suport and prayer. I know I can do this, but its hard on the body, and mind.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Like i said, I started off in the newcomers, and if anyone wants to read those posts before replying here, its listed under "Hello" by michigan.
Thanks to all in advance!
Sorry for writing so much.
Peace and Love,
michigan

[blueline]

Michigan, I just went through what you are beginning. The main thing is to stay with it and not give in to the temptation of taking more pain pills. I went cold turkey and it was very hard. It took me about 16 days to beat it. If you can taper then do it, but if you are out of the pills don't rely on friends to give you more. First, it is illegal and your friends could face felony charges (not to scare you but just stating a fact). I suggest that you face this burden head on. It is going to be extremely hard and trying on you mentally and physically, but if you are serious about quitting and getting clean YOU CAN make it. Some of the withdrawals that you will face are restless leg syndrom (RLS), flu like symptoms, insomnia, lack of energy, diahria, not being able to eat, cold sweats and chills, depression...and probably others but these are the main ones I went through. At times I thought I could not make it but I was determined and I did make it. Now I feel wonderful. I was on hydrocodone for 16 months and now that I'm clean I have never felt better. I know it's only been about 3 weeks for me but I'm proud to say that I'm 3 weeks clean. Stick with it and keep posting in here if you are serious about quitting.....you will get plenty of help and support in here. I could not have made it without the people in this forum and in this thread.

Blue

[michigan]

Oh, I'm more than serious on quitting! My plan is half way through.
But i cannot go cold turkey, as much as i'd like to be able to!
I know about how bad it can be, and as i said, between my kids and my job ( neither can I take ANY time off from), theres just no way for me to physically do it.
So, I'll stick to my plan.
As far as people getting into trouble with the selling or giving away of the drug, yes, i know its illegal, but its been this way for over a year (as with many users, i havent had a script), and getting a few from a friend is the only way that i'm going to be able to taper this down to nothing on my last 2 days without getting so sick that I cant physically go to work or take care of my kids. Although its getting hard on me with the symptoms, I'm strong enough, mentally and physically to carry out my plan and follow it through, but it has to be this way, sorry to say.
Thanks for the input. I appreciate your advice and support!
I'll make this happen!
I expect to be back here with good, or at least better news on wednesday evening. Until then, please keep the advice and support coming, I know i'm gonna need it.
Thanks much!!
Michigan

[blueline]

good luck michigan...........keep the faith and check in here when you can..you'll find alot of strength in here.

[ccgirl]

I can only tell you that I did the tapering thing. I did 1/2 pill per day for 10 days then down to none. I must admit, my physical recovery does not seem as bad as many here. I am on day four, and I managed to do a couple things with my kids over the weekend.

However, I am doing a home detox with a registered clinician and I am getting non-addictive meds to deal with some of the physical symptoms. Having said that, I still feel pretty crappy, but functioning (barely) A piece of advice. Rent lots of movies for the kids and sit on the couch with a heating pad. Conserve your energy for where you really need it, and take it easy as much as possible.

My clinician says a week is when you turn a corner and start feeling better. In the scheme of things, that's not so bad. Keep posting. It really helps to know you're not alone. These folks have been wonderful.

[michigan]

Yes, they have been wonderful!
I'm getting ready to go to work in about a half hour. I feel like I have the flu. Its really hard to actually pull myself off the couch and get dressed to head off to work. Good thing all i have to do is sit in my car for 7 hours, but at the same time, that can be a bad thing too.
I take my kids with me, as the ex hasnt taken them on her days (sun, mon, and tues evenings), since they got out of school. I work at a large park, and they can get out and run around at least.
I'll be taking one with me to work, and will only take it if absolutely necessary.
Tomorrow as i said, I hope and plan on dropping to half a pill in the daytime and half at night.
Anyways, gotta run. Pray that I have an ok night. I will check in when i get home and before bedtime tonight. (yikes...bedtime, not looking forward to that after last night).

Peace and love to you all,
Michigan

[chloe06]

day 30!! I reached my first goal...didnt sleep well but have woken up feeling half ok!! Michigan...the restless legs/electricity running through your body feeling doesnt last too long, you are already doing well...hang in there...blue glad you are sleeping!

Chloe

[chloe06]

Looked up melatonin and it isnt available in Australia!

[ventuhome]

Melatonin not available in Australia..WTF??? I work at Supplements company and I will have to look that up, I have never heard of that one.

[ventuhome]

Hi Michigan, glad you came over here, where "QUITTERS ALWAYS WIN"!!!! Yeah get the kids some movies and easy to fix food like frozen dinners. Have lots of liquids (water, juice, soup) hand for yourself. If you cant sleep, come on here and read the posts starting on page 1. If you have a question, post it here and someone with direct experience can probably help you. Sounds like you are able to last a little longer between each pill.

[michigan]

Hello. Well, I just got in from work. Had to actually leave a lil bit early. Are stomache pains a natural withdrawl symptom? I started having sever stomache pains around 9pm this evening.
I took half of one pill at apx 8pm because i was really feeling crappy.
And to be honest I took the other half just now ( 11;15pm), hoping that it will give me a a 'lil relief from the stomach pains and maybe help me to sleep. This makes 2 all together today, so i've still stuck to my plan anyways.
Tomorrow, i'm hoping to cut back to 1/2 pill in the early part of the day, and then 1/2 pill at night, but thats gonna count on how i feel. Since mornings are usually my worst, and i have to do alot tomorrow during the early day, I may end up taking 1 early on, and then try for 1/2 at night, along with a tylenol pm or something to help me sleep. That will bring me down to 1 and a 1/2 for the day.
Wednesday, is my day off. I will try to get away without taking anything on that day. But if i have to I will only take one, and let it all go from there, and just take the blows, since I dont have to be back at work until 8pm on thursday evening.
Wish me luck. Send me prayers and advice. I'm in alot of pain right now, and not looking forward to another sleepless night like last night, but i know i'll get thru this and it'll all be better one day soon.
Peace and Love to you all,
Michigan

[AlonebutHopeful]

Michigan, I'm having stomach pains too. I took Immodium today and that seemed to relieve it completely. Also, I've noticed that if I'm not drinking a ton of water (with my electrolyte capsule thingies), then I start to get a little wacko. Or more wacko than usual. I think the lethargy lifted a little today. I actually took my daughter to the park and had fun with her. It's the little things I'm noticing now. I hope things start to improve for you soon.
I'm looking forward to the insomnia going away. I used to love sleep so.

[michigan]

I would try to immodium, but I'm not experiencing diarreah as of yet. Weird huh? I suppose its coming. Before i began to taper and even as we speak, i've been a bit constipated if anything.
The pain hasnt subsided even though i took my last pill for the night an hr or so ago. I hope it lets up. Its very painfull. Comes and goes, but never truely goes away, from the left to center, and then all over the stomach.
Thanks again for being here everybody.
michigan

[chloe06]

stomache pains are def a withdrawal symptom along with a bunch of other stuff...anxiety, restless legs/feeling like you have electricity running thru you...shaking, palpitations, hot and cold and insomnia also although I have pre-existing depression it has definately worsened and I do feel very tired. I am on day 30 and it does get easier...we are all different though and I was on alot of other meds that were also addictive and gave me more withdrawal symptoms so bare that in mind when reading. The good news is the worse the withdrawal the more likely you are to be motivated to not go back, well thats how I feel anyway...and one other thing that has just dawned on me is that I feel safe...I was always worried about what the meds were doing to me and the daily risks I was taking by taking such high doses.
good luck today!

[ccgirl]

Michigan, you sound a lot like I did a week or so ago. If you feel so crappy (no pun intended) while tapering, maybe now you should just stop and feel crappy and just get it over with. I got down to 2 and said the hell with it; I sucked it up, told my husband, did it; and yes I do feel like crap, but now I'm counting days sober and the symptoms, at least some of them, are easing up to an almost bearable point. I'm a wimp when it comes to being sick, so if I can do it, so can you.


Which brings me to symptoms. From those with experience; While I don't ache as much (still some) and the dreaded diarrhea never really hit full force, although stomach cramping did, now, at day 5, the sleep thing has hit. Is that unusual? And Chole aside (sorry, Chloe, but your sleep issues seem SO severe) how long do sleep patterns get disrupted? Or is Chloe's issue normal? I feel like I'm walking through molasses I'm so weary and tired.

P.S. Chloe, you know I'm with you. I had to use you as an example because you are suffering so much.

[blueline]

michigan, the diahria started at the end of day 3 for me and lasted a good week or longer. The stomach cramps a common withdrawal symptom. You just have to take one day at a time. You will go one day without any pills, then you will go two days, then three, then four...it will be very very hard but if you are determined and strong you will make it. Keep the faith.

Blue

[blueline]

Originally Posted by chloe06

Looked up melatonin and it isnt available in Australia!

I didn't know you couldn't get melatonin in Australia....I'm sorry, it really is helping me. I got mine at the local health food store.

[michigan]

Good morning everybody.
Well, its morning here. Not sure what time it is where everyone else is but its 9:35am as I type. Last night before bed as I mentioned, I had very bad stomach pains. I took 1 tylenol pm and went to bed around 2am. Woke up when the alarm went off at 7:30am to get the kids off to school. I couldnt believe how good I actually felt. Dont get me wrong, i still feel like i have a slight case of the flu, but much better than last night. I got up, woke the kids up, got their clothes together, made them breakfast ( well, got them some cereal anyway..lol, ok i'm not good enough yet for eggs and bacon), took them to school, drove to the water dept to pay a bill, went to farmer jack ( local grocery store) and bought over 100 dollars worth of groceries...lol, came home, put all the groceries away, took out the garbage, and then..................started feeling shaky in the legs, and had to come sit down and write to you....lol. Ok, thats enough for today!. But its a start.
I'm on 1/2 pill, and will continue this until tomorrow morning at which time I will be saying goodbye to them in a very happy way, and no matter what, I will stick it out from there ( I'm off work tomorrow until thursday evening). Thats my plan and i'm stickin to it.
Well, gotta go kick back on the couch for a bit, maybe try to grab a small bite to eat. Still no diarreah...(geez, you'd think by the way I talk that i'm looking forward to it...lol), and maybe i am looking forward to it because i havent actually gone in 2 days.
Either way, have a great day everybody, and i will be back later today to check in.
Peace and love to you all,
Michigan

[ventuhome]

Way to go, Michigan!

[blueline]

Day 25 without hydrocodone...I have been doing pretty good the past 10 days but for some reason my RLS came back last night and I didn't get any sleep. It almost drove me batty. I hope it's just a one night thing. I almost took some hydro just to ease my RLS so I could get some sleep but I forced myself not to. I am scared to death to take anymore. Maybe tonight will be better, we'll see........

Blue

[blueline]

By His Blood, yes I do have some hydrocodone but I haven't taken any in 25 days. I guess my doctor automatically called in a new prescription for hydro's and my workman's comp pharmacy sent me a new bottle the other day. With our workman's comp the pharmacy sends our prescriptions automatically by Fed Ex from Alabama. I can't believe they sent me a new prescription. I can't stand the thought of taking anymore hydros and having to go through the WD's again. The first time almost killed me, or at least it felt like it was killing me. Guess the doctor thought I needed a refill or something. You're probably right about not keeping them in my house. I came really close to taking one last night but I didn't. One probably would not hurt but I'm afraid that if I take one then that would lead to me taking two, then three...I can't stand the thought of having to go through the WD's again. I think how bad the WD's were for me, and that is what is giving me strength to keep from taking them again. I probably will get them out of my house though, even though the pain in my back is still bad at times. I have made a commitment to myself that I will never put myself through the horrible pain of the withdrawals again. And I'm going to stick with it. Thanks for your concern. I think tonight will be better.

Blue

[Smyle]

I do not think I could handle having any hydro's in my house either...too much temptation...My mind would be saying ...yep just take one then next thing you know I am back on that crap wagon....Addiction is a tricky b*tch, she gets me sometimes...be careful....

[michigan]

Hello everybody.
Well, I went from years of taking 5 or so a day down to 1/2 a pill a day, all in 6 days time. I tapered and it worked for me. I took my last 1/2 pill today, have no more in the house, and no plans whatsoever of buying anymore. I still feel a little shaky and a little ill, but its not so bad that I cant handle it. Thanks to everyone here, as well as the advils and tylenol pm's, I was able to get through this whole ordeal while working 2 jobs, and taking fulltime care of my two young sons alone. I know its not over with yet. I can still feel the wd's, but as I said, I know i can get through it, and am looking forward to each day as they get better and for a better outcome and better outlook on life for myself and my children.
Thank you soooo much to everyone here that has responded to me, and sent advice and prayers. I sincerely dont think that i could have done it without you. Its kinda strange and sounds a little mean, but it kinda helps to know that someone else is going through hell too....lol.
I will keep everyone in my prayers. Please do the same for me. I will also return here to keep you updated, and will try my best to show my support to others as they have done for me.
Tonight may be rough on me, as I'm completely through with them now, but I will get through it, and will be at work tomorrow night sticking it out for myself, and my children.
Thanks once again to you all.
May God bless you and keep you strong.
Peace and Love,
Kevin-(you deserve to at least know my first name. Thanks again!