hydrocodone addiction

[caligirl770]

Blueline.............Imodium is your friend, at least it was mine for about 3 weeks. Trust me take it ASAP. Day 4 Awesome. Your story sounds like mine my Doctor was giving me 180 with refills, when I told him I wanted off of them he really didn't know what to do with me. But you are right you cannot blame the doctor because it was us that made the choice to take them.
Hang in there you are doing great and trust me life is sooo much better sober!!!

Christie

[caligirl770]

I forgot to tell you and Chloe that UNISOM also works great for an over the counter sleep aid. I slept like sh*t for the first month and UNISOM really worked.

Christie

[windysan]

Hey Blue,

You said you were a cop. Lots of cops in my family. That's a tough job. Anyways, when all this dopesickness is over for you and you are back on the job.......remember the real dope dealers out there....the ones with licenses.

Tomorrow will be better.

[chloe06]

Thanks for the suggestion but I am just too scared to start with anything else...also being in Australia most drugs arent actually available which is maybe a good thing for me. I doubt it is just me but I become mentally dependant on any drug I take and find it a struggle to stop. I maybe got 4-5 hrs restless sleep but will try to go back to bed...its ironic really I spent all the time in bed but now as soon as I go near the bedroom the anxiety is really bad so I force myself to go back during the day even if I just lay there....thanks again for the suggestion.

Chloe

[windysan]

Lack of sleep will not kill you. Insomnia is the last symptom to go. Just lay there even if you can't sleep your body will get some rest.

[Asylum101]

Lots of good advice here. Stay away from the benzos and sleeping aids, drink lots of gatorade like Windy says, and water. Eat very bland food if you can, if not than drink protien drinks and the likes.

I personally would not recommend taking anything to help aid your sleep, this will only give you something else to rely on and the whole idea is to let your system return to normal (using this word loosly).

The worst will be over in about 10 days to two weeks, but the RLS will probably still be present for a while, as well as some insomnia, but both will fade in time. The big one, which Windy also mentions, is the rebound depression. This one too will fade in time but you have to remain strong willed and trust that it will. The depressed feeling is the main culprit as to why people re-instate pain meds, they just want to feel good again.

Don't give in to the temptation and you'll beat it

[Buzz Kilowatt]

I agree with Asylum. The worst is over after a brief while and soon you'll be back to normal.

Think of withdrawal as an exponential decay curve. The question is whether or not the curve will eventually meet the x-axis . . . .

Aerobic exercise helped me tremendously with WD from opiates. I recommend silymarin (milk thistle) for liver detox from the Tylenol that goes with the HC. Also moderate vitamin intake. Meditate if you can.

Good luck.

- Buzz Kilowatt, "Typical" addict . . . .

[RUNVS]

Originally Posted by chloe06

Thanks for the suggestion but I am just too scared to start with anything else...also being in Australia most drugs arent actually available which is maybe a good thing for me. I doubt it is just me but I become mentally dependant on any drug I take and find it a struggle to stop. I maybe got 4-5 hrs restless sleep but will try to go back to bed...its ironic really I spent all the time in bed but now as soon as I go near the bedroom the anxiety is really bad so I force myself to go back during the day even if I just lay there....thanks again for the suggestion.

Chloe

I'm just curious how much valium were you on and for how long were you on it?

[chloe06]

I was prescribed 15mgs a day a week ago friday, that was increased the next day. By the monday I was no longer taking it during the day so 10mgs at night, so I took it for about a week then took none 1 night then 10 mgs the next and then none since then. So last time I took it was sunday night.

[RUNVS]

This is great news. I would strongly suggest not to take anymore. If it gets real bad maybe one dose of 5mg and one last dose of 2.5mg the following day. But always consult your doctor first. This is just my suggestion. Valium can make you very sick in the long run.

You should not be physical addicted to it in a weeks time but there has been reports of people becoming physically addicted to it as early as 2 to 4 weeks of use.

In detox centers and/or hospital they usually only give 1 week pescription to benzos to help you withdrawal from the opiate and or alcohol.


Sorry you are going through a rough time now. But it will get alot better.
The reason you can stop valium alot faster then many others is because you only been expose to it for a week. Also valium has a half life up to 200 hours so the drug is still in your system now as we speak.

Take good care
RUNVS

[blueline]

ending day 4, going into day 5. I tried Requip for the RLS and it actually helped me get some rest. It doesnt work for everyone but it seems to help me. I hope it isn't addictive. does anyone know anything about Requip? I think I feel a little better today. My body still aches and I feel sluggish and tired, but not as bad as yesterday. I am determined not to give in to the overwhelming temptation to take some more hydrocodone to make me feel better. I know all it would take is one phone call to my doctor and I could get all the hydros I wanted. I have been tempted, almost to the breaking point. But I will not give in, no matter what. All of you have been a great help to me. Thank you all very much.

[blueline]

I don't know if any of you know this poem but it has helped me through some really hard times in my life. I keep have kept it in my wallet for many, many years. When times are hard, I read it. It seems to give me strength. Here it is if anyone is interested;

DON'T QUIT
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
When you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with it's twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out,
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow,
You might succeed with another blow,
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to the faint and faltering man,
Often the Stuggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown,
Success is failure turned inside out-
The silver taint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near, when it seems afar,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things are worse, that you mustn't quit.

[Crashnburn]

I went through that. Went through everything you've described. I was up to the same dosage you described..At about 135 lbs..
It will get better down the line. I've been off vicodin for a few months now, but still think about them.
It seems you're really doing well. Stay with it. It gets easier.

Umm, here's a whole page of info on Requip.
I've never taken it, so don't have any commentary. Someone else might.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...di/203364.html

[windysan]

Blueline,

Every day gets a little better. Always remember this crap you are going through. Remembering the horrors of dopesickness helps keep you off the crap. Later, call the doc and tell him you never, ever want any kind of opiate prescribed to you....no matter what.

hang in there

[blueline]

chloe06, haven't heard from you today...hope you are ok

[chloe06]

I just woke up, well thats a lie...was awake about an hour ago but just kept my eyes tightly shut. Its just after 6.30 and I did another night without the diazepam so thats 3 nights now. Maybe yesterday was a little better but still feeling so tired and very low but onto day 10. I am sure that this is lasting longer than it should because of the sleeping tablets. I have gotten into a routine of going back to bed in the morning. Think I dose. I am going to bed really late...way past midnight because I am so scared of having to go to sleep, I toss and turn. On top of the withdrawal I have been eaten alive by mossies and have terrible heartburn which isnt helping with the sleeping but I will continue to struggle on have no other choice.
Blue well done for getting thru another day!
Chloe

[Crashnburn]

Keep going Chloe!

There are all kinds of things you can take for heartburn safely. Don't suffer that needlessly...

I'm so glad you're both sticking with it!

You can do this. Keep coming back.

[blueline]

chloe, just remember that you have many friends here...I'm one of them. Let's get through this together. This is all new to me because I've never had to go through anything like this before, and I don't ever want to go through it again. But, I know that things will be better. I, also, do not sleep at night, although the Requip did help with my restless leg syndrome. I have heartburn like you do. I take over the counter Tagament for that and it seems to help. Stay strong and keep the faith....

[upanddownjj]

I just need to post that I am appalled at how freely the doctors in the US hand out these highly addictive drugs....Here in Canada they are very seldom prescribed unless a person is in the end stages of Cancer or other Palliative Care....I know kids get them somehow, but I think they steal them from elderly people or have elderly people fill prescriptions for them...
I'm glad Blueline that you have seen that addiction is not discriminate
I too am a "normal" Professional..was a Police Dispatcher for 10 yrs and NEVER into Drugs.....Hang in there and keep in Touch..There are many Professionals at NA Meetings, and it is an ANONYMOUS PROGRAM..If you are uncomfortable with that maybe go to a meeting a good distance from where you work....Our addiction - once triggered does not go away - It is cunning and baffling and powerful and will try to sneak itself back into our lives..You will hear more about that here if you keep posting....

[chloe06]

hi blue,

I logged on as soon as I woke up, it helps to know I am not alone, still waiting for drug counselling to call me and also the standard counselling. Each day is so long but nighttime seems to come too quick...sounds bizarre and a bit mad. Have decided that I am going to try to sort out the pile of washing there is today and even try to do some ironing. My poor husband is having to do everything because I am so weak, I have to force myself to eat. I am taking something for the heartburn but too scared to take anything else apart from nurofen and paracetamol. Hopefully the day wont be too long and I can make some progress....what time is it where you are?

[chloe06]

up and down...I have always maintained that codeine should never be availaible over the counter, it is in the UK and in Australia myabe I should have gone to Canada! Gps just dont seem to be bothered about prescribing it in either country and they will give it to you in big doses for long periods of time, they seem oblivious to the fact that it stops working as early as 4 weeks and is highly addictive....I was actually given it during my second pregnancy for migraines. You have to be sneaky if you are taking large doses but you would think there should be some monitering system that drs use and not allow large doses and repeat scripts...I think it is an easy option for them and then when you are in crisis they usually dont know what to do...that has been my experience anyway.

I just wanted to add that I can not just blame the drs but I wish I have never been given it in the first place and maybe I wouldnt be in the mess I am in today...I know many many peoplp in the UK are addicted to over the counter medications with codeine because there you can buy it up to 13mgs that just is plain wrong.

[Sugah]

Reading this thread took me back. My last and only voluntary detox was from both opiates and benzos. It was miserable (you've both reminded me -- thank you. I need reminders some days!), but it did have an end. My prayers are with you both, blueline & cloe.

What I think is wonderful is that there are two folks on this thread, both going through very similar things, supporting each other. That's how it works.

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

Peace & Love,
Sugah

[Done_With_It]

Originally Posted by blueline

thanks Blake, I didn't want to tell anyone but I'm a 20 year veteran police officer. I have been injured twice very badly in the line of duty and that is why I had to take the hydro's. I had to take them for about a year and 4 months after a total of five surgeries and a ton of metal put in my shoulder and back. I realized that my body became "dependant" on the hydro and I didn't like taking so many of them. I got up to about 10 a day before I said "that's enough" and I quit. I'm too weak to taper off because if I had them I know I would take them. So I went cold turkey. This is the end of day 3 and going into day 4. I really feel terrible, but after talking to you I think I can make it. Just wanted to say thanks.

No appology necesary. I am sorry you were hurt in the line of duty.
I admire the police and what they go through dailey.

Congrats to you for realizng and doing something about it.

(P.S. I know this probably is a dumb question, lol,
but do you by chance watch the soap General Hospital?)

They are doing a huge story line on one of the long time main
characters who became addicted to hydro's after he was shot
in the line of duty.
Just thought that was ironic.

Welcome to SR!

[ventuhome]

Blueline and Chloe, congrats on making it this far! If you cant sleep, may I suggest Melatonin, it is in the natural products section of stores. It is a hormone most of us have to help us sleep. I must not have enough of it, because I'm here at 4:30 am!! It is not very strong, but you may get a few hrs of sleep with it. I wonder if some of the withdrawal insomnia is because your body has been drugged to sleep so long it stopped making melatonin. When my sis-in-law tried detoxing at home, I got her some aromatherapy bath salts and she said they did help some (she was a 240mg/day Hydro user). Plain Epsom salts in the bath are great too, 1 cup in the tub and the water as warm as you can take, for at least 30 minutes, is the recipe we use on autistic children to soothe their nerves. Natural products for depression include Magnesium,Chocolate and Ginger. If you can get some multivitamins in you, you will improve your nutritional status and have more resilience. Keep hanging in there, I am rooting for you both.

[blueline]

Done-With-It, thanks for your support. No I don't watch General Hospital, however, it does come on here. I work the day shift and don't get to watch day time tv. But my situation does sound similar to what you are refering to. Yesterday was a little better but I had a really bad night last night and I feel like I took two steps backward today. I don't know why, I guess it happens. This is ending day 5 and going into day 6 for me. Anyway, thank you for your support, all of you.