hydrocodone addiction

[blueline]

Buzz,

Thanks Buzz,

My doctor told me that many times people have RLS after having the type of surgery that I had on my back. Actually, I had three surgeries on my back, but the last one was extremely hard on me. The first two they went in through my back but the last surgery they went in through my stomach and implanted metal and screws. My doctor said sometimes that surgery will cause RLS. I guess she's right because I still have it.

Hydrocodone makes the RLS go away as long as I am taking it, but hydrocodone is not an option for me anymore. I am hoping that this Cymbalta might do some good. I'll give it a few days and see.

I appreciate you Buzz....

Blue

[splithead]

i just found this site, i too am now coming off of dros and oxys and the rest, my last dose was yesterday @ 9:00 am. i just flooshed at least 500 of the things. swearing that i'll never take another, but i feel real bad. i usually take at least 30 10mil pills a day, and i know i cant taper off. if i was in a room filled top to bottom with bottles full of the things my first thought would be how to get more. but im concerned about physical withdrawls causing serious problems like seizure or worse. does anyone know if thats possible?

[Buzz Kilowatt]

Originally Posted by blueline

Buzz,
My doctor told me that many times people have RLS after having the type of surgery that I had on my back. . . . .

I am hoping that this Cymbalta might do some good. I'll give it a few days and see . . . .

Blue,

Sorry to chop up your post.

Interesting about the surgery and RLS. I learned something today!

Also, I think you have to give Cymbalta and those kinds of drugs at least a month to gauge the effects. From what I recall, these meds don't work right away, and it's apparently still a mystery exactly how they work and why it takes so long for them to kick in.

OTOH, sometimes it takes a month to determine that a particular drug is NOT working, i.e. it can take awhile to find the best meds and the optimal dosage. Don't get frustrated early.

Peace out.

Buzz

[Asylum101]

Originally Posted by blueline

My doctor told me that many times people have RLS after having the type of surgery that I had on my back. Actually, I had three surgeries on my back, but the last one was extremely hard on me. The first two they went in through my back but the last surgery they went in through my stomach and implanted metal and screws. My doctor said sometimes that surgery will cause RLS. I guess she's right because I still have it.

Hydrocodone makes the RLS go away as long as I am taking it, but hydrocodone is not an option for me anymore. I am hoping that this Cymbalta might do some good. I'll give it a few days and see.

Blue

Four years out from having my third lumbar surgery and I still have RLS. Back when I was able to take pain meds they would alleviate it. I would try to sleep without taking anything first as I was wanting off the drugs by the time it started, but would lay there vibrating like magic fingers was installed in my bed and ended up getting up to take a pain pill and a valium then sleeping like a rock.

No longer can I take anything, nor would I even if I could tolerate it. It is only in one leg for the most part anymore and it only flares up when I retire for the night. I just deal with it and eventually it eases up most of the time. The nights it won't I get up and surf the net or watch a movie till I am tired enough to fall asleep. Creepy, crawly, creepy, crawly

[blueline]

Buzz,

I have been taking the Cymbalta for 4 days now and I think I feel a little better today. Last night wasn't quite as bad, but my legs still bothered me some. You're right about giving it some time to work, I asked my doctor and she said to give it a while and I should be ok. The other prescription she gave me was Ativan, which I think is a benzo. I don't think I am going to fill that one if I can do without it. Thanks for your helpful info for the past few weeks. You are a good friend and I appreciate it.

Blue

[blueline]

Asylum, I had three back surgeries in May through July of 2005 from getting hurt at work. Like you, I have had RLS since the last surgery and it is mostly in my left leg. It usually eases up at about 3:00am and I am able to drift off to sleep for a couple of hours. Sometimes my wife has to get up and go to the other room because of my constant kicking and moving. I am hoping that this Cymbalta will do some good. My doctor said it will if I give it a little time. If it does, you might want to give it a try. I'll let you know if it works. Thanks

Blue

[caligirl770]

Blue
Be CAREFUL with the Ativan it is a benzo and is highly addictive. My doctor gave it to me when I was detoxing from hydro, but only gave me 30 and with 0 refills, and he didn't even want to give me that but i begged him for something to help my detox because I was going crazy. I know you said you wern't going to have it filled and I think that is a wise decision.

[blueline]

Cali,

Thanks, I don't plan on filling the Ativan. I don't want to get started on benzos. I hear from people in here that it is harder to get off benzos than the hydros. Thanks for your input...

Blue

[windysan]

Just Say No, Blue !!!

LOL

I remember when people thought that slogan would actually work.

[blueline]

that's what my wife says all the time, lol....if you know what I mean.


Blue

[windysan]

I've been lucky lately.

[Asylum101]

Cymbalta? No Thanks, been there, done that, just about commited suicide because of A/D's. Never again. I think I'll shake the bed instead, its a lot safer.

Good to hear you are not going to fill the Ativan script Blue line, what you heard is correct, kicking benzos is by far harder to than hydros, by a long shot.

[Alan]

Hydrocodone calls my name...Hydrocodone I'm insane. Hydrocodone I cant p*ss, hydrocodone I just itch. Hydrocodone take my s**t, hydrocodone I cant switch. Hydrocodone I'm in pain, hydrocodone feels like rain. Hydrocodone makes you lie. Hydrocodone you could die. Hydrocodone, bad withdrawl, hydrocodone quit this fall.


Anyone willing to to leave their miserable life of opiate addiction behind need only take a positive step foward and enter some type of recovery.

Quitting is easy. Remaining sober is not. Life gets better but by no means easier! Addicts always walk the line, sober or not. One drink, one pill, one shot, one hit away from the downward spiral we know so well. We feed addiction before we feed ourself.

Im well trained by my disease. Its a part of me. The drive by the liquor store, the Fed Ex trucks, the drug ads on tv, having money in my pocket,
feeling pain, feeling sad, feeling happy, feeling hungry, feeling tired all very
good reasons for this addict to pick up something, anything to not feel at all.

So far, the pain of my last withdrawl has served as a daily reminder that I can no longer use. Will I forget this some day? I think I will cause I always have. Its what I know. One drink, one pill, one shot, one hit away from something I always thought was home. One more dance in the dark night with my lady and Im a gonner. I walk the line. Something big is on its way for me cause I feel it coming. Its larger than life. Its my soberiety and its scaring the crap out of me. This could be good.

Im 40 days clean. Im trying to take this one day at a time and sometimes even less. Im really fighting this time to stay clean. When I want to use I am weak so I just stop and breath. The daily problems of life will always be there to come back to some sunny day.

Thanks to all (AGAIN) on this forum for your support. Although I dont know
most of you, we do share one thing in common that brings you and I here. I
feel much stronger knowing that and trust it will keep me safe from harm. Keep me from picking up again. Im done. Im tired. The life has soured but
the spirit has not. I hope everyone is staying the course in their recovery.
Many small challenges equal a great stride. Keep your chins up and your hearts and minds will follow. Make the choice to do the right things for the right reasons and life will be handed to you.








Alan

[windysan]

Originally Posted by Asylum101

Cymbalta? No Thanks, been there, done that, just about commited suicide because of A/D's. Never again. I think I'll shake the bed instead, its a lot safer.

Good to hear you are not going to fill the Ativan script Blue line, what you heard is correct, kicking benzos is by far harder to than hydros, by a long shot.

I don't know. The intensity of a smack kick is pretty rough. I've done both and I've done both at the same time. I'd say they are equally as horrible.

[blueline]

Day 46 for me....still hangin' in. I think the Cymbalta is helping me some. I feel noticeably better this morning and my legs were better last night.

Asylum, thanks for your input on Cymbalta. Is it addictive?...well I guess any drug would be addictive to some degree, but is it dangerous and do you have withdrawals from it if you stop taking it? Any advise is greatly appreciated....


Blue

[ccgirl]

Hey all; I've been tied up for a few days. Things are OK. I went to my first NA meeting last week. I was the only female there, so I felt a little out of place, but it won't deter me from going back.

I'm on day 27 and while most symptoms are pretty much gone, my stomach is still giving me some trouble, but the worst for me is sleep. I feel like a zombie during the day because of it.


Blue, as far as the Cymbalta goes, if you are clinically depressed and trust your prescribing doctor, then by all means take them. If you were to stop after a period of time, I'm sure your doctor would recommend tapering, but that's just because stopping most meds kind of shocks your body so you give it time to adjust.

[Asylum101]

Hey Blue,

My experiences with a/d's were all negative. I personally cannot claim to have any experience with Cymbalta, but I do with nearly a dozen others and the w/d's ranged from mild side effects to life debilitating ones. Upon trying to stop them I experienced w/d's ranging from head/brain zaps and muscle twitches that still haunt me today (though diminishing), insomnia, anxiety, weight gain, lethargy, and that is just to name a few. They did just about everything accept improve my outlook.

I'd say they are all addictive and I am not alone on this one. I've read many medical books and papers that state the same, and much more, but then again what isn't addictive?

To each his/her own I guess. I am not here to criticize or dictate what one should or should not take or do, just to share my own experiences and knowledge. How one person is effected by a drug doesn't mean the next person will have the same experiences.

I will say though that just like any other psychotropic drug a/d's should not be taken for long periods of time for fear of irreparable damage and when one does decide to stop them they should be tapered.

[Buzz Kilowatt]

Asylum,

I've known many people who have used A/Ds to their benefit, and sometimes just for intervals of time. I haven't heard too many bad W/D stories.

I think you can be addicted to anything that makes you feel better, whether it's chocolate ice cream or cocaine or exercise . . . .

How can you tell if your experience with A/Ds is going to be good or bad until you actually try them? I don't have experience with them, but sometimes I wonder if they might be helpful.

Buzz

[ccgirl]

I know this is getting off topic, but Buzz, you're right about everything you said. I'm bipolar and have taken antidepressants (and mania meds) for 18 years. If not, my mood swings would be tortuous. I am not advocating A/Ds for everyone, but before saying they're all bad, please just remember that just like diabetes, there are some psychiatric conditions that require medications. I've been very resentful of taking them in the past, and stopped them for long periods of time; twice I ended up in the psych ward and once I tried to commit suicidie. So don't anyone try to dissuade me of the notion that A/Ds are all bad.

Thank you.

Dorothy

[windysan]

I have a schizophrenic cousin. Every time he stops taking his meds the martians start invading again.....and the CIA guys are behind every tree and he is the "king of acid rock-n-roll" and his dog starts saying crazy things and he baptises strangers in ditches full of muddy water and Jesus comes around yammerin something or another.

Yes, meds have their place in this world.

[chloe06]

I agree with ccgirl...I have had depression on and off for the past 7 years and I have had periods of time when I have been able to be off of them but I usually relapse so I dont see a problem with taking them long term if they keep me functioning as a "normal" human being.
As for withdrawals I havent had a huge problem with that, I have changed A/D 3 times in the last 8 weeks and the only one that gave me problems was the ssri group...that left me feeling very suicidal...I would never go on one of those again...but had no physical withdrawal symptoms...now if we were talking sleeping meds that would be another thing...I have never abused AD because they do not give you an immediate effect and I dont worry that I will have to take them long term...some people do have to take them for life....only time will tell for me.

Chloe

[blueline]

Thanks everyone........I didn't mean to stir things up with this Cymbalta issue. I think you are all right to some point. Actually, my doctor gave me the Cymbalta more for my back pain and RLS than for depression. I'm not really depressed I don't think, just getting off the hydros caused my body to go through some major issues, physically at first but now more mentally than anything else. I really think the Cymbalta is helping my pain and RLS so that's a good thing.

Taking everyone's point of view into account, I think I will continue to take Cymbalta, at least for a little while longer, until my life gets back to relatively normal. Thanks everyone.

Blue

[Asylum101]

Originally Posted by blueline

Actually, my doctor gave me the Cymbalta more for my back pain and RLS than for depression. I'm not really depressed I don't think

Blue

That’s the problem. These drugs are way over prescribed for just about everything under the sun that does not even come close to depression, ranging from having the blues after breaking up with a mate to simple acne. It blows my mind how quickly these docs are willing to write a script for an a/d. My own father of 84 yrs had gall bladder surgery a couple years back and his gastroenterologist tried to get him to take Paxil afterward, three different times no less. My father said "For what, I am not depressed" to which the doc said "Everyone your age should be taking an a/d". WHAT KIND OF CRAP EXCUSE IS THAT!?!?! This is just one of millions of physicians who think this way. Can you imagine how many individuals are walking around out there needlessly taking an a/d potentially risking brain damage because they believe that they need it?

As I said in my last post, to each his/her own. I am not trying to tell anyone what they should or should not take. How one person is affected by a drug doesn't mean the next person will have the same experience, but that doesn't mean they won't either. All I wish to do is put the other side of the coin out there so that others can make a more informed decision and know the signs if they do experience them. In my case I came very close to taking my own life while ON the a/d's and I am doing much better off of them. While on them I could not feel emotions, I made countless irrational decisions that cost me thousands of dollars. I lost good friends. I stared into space much of the time with drool running down my chin. I couldn't read or carry on a normal conversation. I was basically incapacitated on my feet while on most of them. Not my idea of a better life.

We all react differently to substances. As an example, though at one time dependant on them, today I can take hydocodone without any fear of urges to take it continually and sometimes I do take one when the back pain is unbearable, but I pay a large price physically and mentally for about a week afterward flaring up p/w from the benzos so most of the time I just grin and bear it (alcohol I can do the same with but I suffer for a month, not a week). Yet I am reading here that others would relapse were they to take just one pain med or the likes, but can walk away from haven taken benzos for long periods without repercussion. Having lived through both dependancies I'm wishing I were one of the latter. Will power I have. Normal daily functionality I do not, not yet anyway.

I am glad there are those of you who seem to benefit from a/d's and this is exactly why I am not out here stating they are spawn from everything evil, but that does not mean they are right for everyone. Prior to my being prescribed that first a/d (originally for lethargy no less) I was willing to give them a chance not having experienced what they could do to oneself, but now having tried more compounds than I can count on both hands I know they are not for me and I would just as soon be shot in the head than take another one. That would be much less painful in my book.

[blueline]

ok asylum, you have made your point...............thank you

[Asylum101]

Blue,

I am happy you have put 47 days between you and that last hydro dose and I am sure you will put many many more in place as well. I know all too well that it is a daily struggle, but it does get easier as time goes by.

I also can relate with the RLS, as you know. That too has gotten better the further I put between me and the pills. I have no doubt that some of it is due to the surgeries/nerve damage, but I also believe that a lot was drug induced as well for it was far worse back when I was taking and shortly after than it has been over time since I gave the pain meds up.

You have the tools and the will so it seems. Stay the course and use the knowledge you have at hand. I am sure you will make the choices that best suit you.

With that I will take a seat in the back.