hydrocodone addiction

[blueline]

hello all, I had my weekend but I'm back now.

[chloe06]

how are you doing? Been thinking about you alot and hope you are ok. I am about to go to bed soon.

[blueline]

hi chloe, when I'm at home I devote my time to my wife and kids. I usually don't get on the computer when I'm home, only at the office. This is day 10 for me I think. I actually got some sleep Saturday night, for the first time in I dion't know how long. I think I was just so tire that my body and mind all stopped at the same time. I woke up feeling better Sunday morning, but I think that's because I got some sleep. My doctor does know about my problem, but he would still give me pain meds if I asked for them. That's why I am forcing myself to deal with the pain in my own way. I'm going, at the very least, take a month or more off the meds. I think I can stay off them for good. The metal in my body does hurt a lot but not as bad as it did a few months ago. I just have to take it easy and not do too much. Sometimes that's easier said than done with my job, but I have been trying. It's my morning here so it is your night there in Australia. I hope you sleep well tonight Chloe. I'm glad you are sticking with it and not giving up. It's so easy to give up. It's really hard to stick to the plan, but you will make it and so will I. It's always good hearing from you. Good luck and have a wonderful night. Sleep well.

Blue

[chloe06]

tahnks blue....been a sad day here in Australia with the sudden death of Steve Irwin...we live in Brisbane so take the kids to Australia Zoo and they were very upset today, just makes you realise how short life can be and helps with the self pity to realise how much pain his family are going through....hope your day is good.

Chloe

[windysan]

Is Steve Irwin the crocodile hunter dude?

[chloe06]

yes he is. We live about an hour away from Australia zoo, saw him and his daughter when we visited.

[blueline]

thanks buzz, I appreciate, as always, your helpful input. I think I will always have the pain from my injuries but, hopefully, it will decrease with time. I have had to have screws, a metal plate, and a new collar bone placed in my left shoulder, and screws and other metal placed in my back. I think the pain will always be there. I'm affraid to get back on pain meds, because I know that if I started taking them again I would get back to the same way I was before...taking too many for too long. Then the last 10 days would have been for nothing. I can't go through another 10 days again. I think I might be over the hump on this one and I just can't go back to my old life on pain meds. I got to where I was actually watching the clock to see when I could take some more, regardless of if I needed them or not. I need my life back, if not for me then for my two boys and my wife. Also, my job is very important and I need to keep a clear head. I am a supervisor and people count on my to be there. I am going to persevere and I am going to overcome this. I appreciate you and all of the other wonderful people in here that are helping. And I appreciate Chloe more than anyone because she has had such a hard time and she is being strong and facing the problem head on. If Chloe can go through what she is going through then I know I can go through it too. Chloe, you give me strength just being here. Thanks to Buzz, Blake, Windysan, and everyone else for taking the time to help us through this. Your support means more than you know. You are all wonderful, caring people. You will have a place in heaven some day.

[woops]

I am so sorry to hear about Steve Irwin - what a character.
I have been in Oz and NZ a fair bit - my work involves mixing with scientists who work with population control amongst the marsupials.. in Oz and NZ............
Now Steve could hardly have been considered scientific but such a character and to creat such interest in wildlife.
Can you tell me what was the nature of his death - you say it was sudden?
woops

[blueline]

that's too bad about Steve, I didn't know he passed away. I love him.

[blueline]

how did he die?

[chloe06]

He was filming a new show and was attacked by a sting ray, very rare only 3 people have ever been killed by a sting ray, he died instantly.The kids have been upset all day and everyone is just shocked here, very sad.

Blue...you give me strength too!

[woops]

Good grief!
How very sad.

[blueline]

that is terrible...I can't imagine what his wife and child are going through.

[blueline]

think I'll get out for a while...be back later in the day.

Blue

[windysan]

Good job Blue and Chloe,

Once your done with this...never go back to the poison. Remember this hell you are going through. The memory of those days keeps me away from the junk.

That $hit knows my name and I can hear her calling every now and then. A faint whisper in the back of my head saying, "Hey man, it would be really nice if....". Then I remember what a pain in the @ss she was when we broke up.

Be wary of the mental aspects of addiction. She'll use all kinds of tricks to get you back....pain, depression, anxiety, boredom. Just know that it is only the dope talking.

take care

[gettingbetter32]

well said Windy!
neat way to look at it - as an ex
probably the most obnoxious and controlling one I ever had - and I've had my share.

[ventuhome]

Hey Blue, Chloe and all, there are other ways to treat pain than the addictive ways. There is acupuncture. There is TENS, a device that delivers electrostimulation to stop pain. There are herbal remedies, I take Devil's claw and cayenne for the arthritis in my knee and it works great. IF it gets so bad I can't sleep I take a Motrin (Ibuprofen) or Naproxen. Blue, do you have a jacuzzi? Your insurance may pay for, it did for my Sis-in-law's. And those are just the options I know about, there are probably more I dont know about.

[blueline]

that was a good way to look at it windysan. Never had an ex myself though but I do get the picture. You are right about it calling your name. I hear it everyday.

ventuhome, I have a TENS unit and it helps with the muscle cramps and pain, but it doesn't really do anything for the pain in my bones where the metal and screws are. I know my workman's comp won't pay for a jacuzzi. If I asked they would fall down laughing. I do have a bubble massager that I put in the bath tub and it helps quite a bit. I might try the herbal remedies that you mentioned. Devil's claw and cayenne. I'll stop by the herbal store and check it out. Thanks.

Blue

[StrongR2Day]

That jacuzzi sounds like a great idea, especially if insurance will cover it.

So sad about Steve Irwin, hard to believe he is gone. He was larger than life.

You are doing great Chloe and Blue, so good to see you both support one another in a positive way.

[gettingbetter32]

Blue,
While you're at the health food store, ask about what they have to "detoxify" your system. Unfortunately I don't remember any of the names, but I do know people who take them every few months just to cleanse their system. May help to get rid of some of the toxins that might still be trying to hang on for dear life inside you.

[blueline]

I will, thanks gettintbetter32...I've been drinking lots and lots of water, eating yogurt, taking multi-vitamins, and trying to get off my butt and do things, such as yard work or something like that. I just get exhausted so easy and I stay tired. Feels like someone is sitting on my chest and it's hard to breath. That will pass though, so I hear.

[gettingbetter32]

((Blue))
you're doing great. I'm only on my second week from narc myself, but the "veterans" of this site have told me the same thing - that all the hurt and lack of energy will pass. And since they are still hanging on - I believe them!
Glad you're making it through another day

[WA_NA_Survivor]

Originally Posted by blueline

I will, thanks gettintbetter32...I've been drinking lots and lots of water, eating yogurt, taking multi-vitamins, and trying to get off my butt and do things, such as yard work or something like that. I just get exhausted so easy and I stay tired. Feels like someone is sitting on my chest and it's hard to breath. That will pass though, so I hear.

It's quite common to get an increase in blood pressure and elevated heart rate when detoxing from opiates so take care with that, here's a copy of some medical advice given in a recovery forum by a medical practitioner.

"The effects of withdrawal are due to the body going into adrenaline overdrive once the opiates start to wash out of your system.
In the normal case scenario, adrenaline would get your body into the 'fight-or-flight' response - ready for action: the muscles become tensed in order to run or fight, the pupils dilate so that vision is clearer, the mind becomes sharp, etc.
However, in withdrawal, this whole adrenaline response goes into massive overdirve: muscle cramps, restless legs, watery eyes+nose, brain agitation, physical agitation, gut cramps....

Lofexidine is a medication that counteracts the adrenaline-driven symptoms. It comes in 0.2mg tablets. Try ONE to see what the effect is - it will slow your heart-rate and drop your blood-pressure within 20 minutes. If you feel OK with this, you can take up to eight of these tablets within 24hrs. Space them out; if you take them all at once, your blood-pressure will drop precipitously and you will faint. During the worst of the withdrawals, (days 3+4 for Heroin and short-acting opiates; days 4,5,6 for methadone), keep at this dose, afte this, slowly decrease the dose. Don't just stop, or you may get a rebound high blood-pressure; after a total of 10 days (max), you will not be needing the lofexidine any more.

For muscle cramps - Ibuprofen 400mg up to four times a day. Also try Voltarol gel rubbed on the sore muscles or joints. A hot water bottle is good, too.

For gut cramps - buscopan 10-20mg up to three times a day.

For nausea or vomitting - maxolon / metaclopromide 10mg three times a day.
You can also use stemetil. If swallowing is a problem and makes you more nauseated, dissolve the stemetil under your tongue or inside your cheek. It is absorbed rapidly.

For diarrhoea - loperamide 2mg. Take 2 tabs after the first episode of diarrhoea, then one tab after each subsequent loose motion; it will dry up pretty soon.

For sleep, try Zimovane / zopiclone 15mg at night for a week or two.
**Stay away from Benzo's/Valium/Temazepam as they are too habit-forming, and will simply cause you more problems.

**Keep well-hydrated - drink lots of clear fluids - water, juice; avoid tea+coffee. A lot of the discomfort is due to dehydration.

**Avoid all opiates - (Heroin, methadone, dihydrocodeine/DF's, MST, etc), although they may take the edge off a severe withdrawal, they are all opiates and will only prolong the agony as they,too, will have to wash out of your system in order for you to become clean.

(Most of these medications are available over the counter; Lofexidine and Zimovane may need to come on prescription from a friendly Dr, or you may be able to buy them on the street).

GOOD LUCK! HANG IN THERE - YOU ARE MOST OF THE WAY THERE ALREADY!"


I was also shocked by Steve Irwin's death, what makes it worse is that Sting-Ray fatalities are very rare - extremely bad lack on his part and for his family.

[blueline]

thanks survivor, for some reason I have developed muscle cramps in my back between my shoulder blades. This has happened ever since I stopped the pain meds. I guess that's part of the process but it really bothers me. My wife will massage my back every night before bed and it helps for a while but it isn't long before it starts cramping again in the same spot. Thought about Soma (muscle relaxants) but I don't know if I should.

Blue

[Buzz Kilowatt]

Originally Posted by WA_NA_Survivor

It's quite common to get an increase in blood pressure and elevated heart rate when detoxing from opiates so take care with that, here's a copy of some medical advice given in a recovery forum by a medical practitioner.

Reads like the pharmacological calabash cousin of the "Thomas Recipe."

I'm a bit suprised to see a medical practitioner recommend the street as a bona-fide source. I'd definitely get my doctor's imprimatur before I embarked on so chemical a journey.

These prescriptions all ignore the most important component, which is to identify the behavioral, psychological, and spiritual components of our addiction. Left unaddressed, the chances for relapse are high (80% of addicts relapse within 2 years, according to one source).

It would be great if someone could come up with a "prescription" for those essential abstract things . . .

Buzz