hockeydad3

So here's my short version. I began taking hydrocodone (7.5mg) about 3 1/2 years ago after enduring my 7th ankle surgery due to yet another volleyball injury. I have been taking between 3 and 7 pills a day, every day, since then. I have chronic pain in the mid-foot area of both my feet from arthritis that has formed from the numerous surgeries. I am currently taking an average of 6 pills a day right now and don't really know that I want to quit, although I can see it affecting my personality with both my wife and my 2 awesome kids. I have been seeing a pain management specialist who has limited me to 3 pills per day and will not refill prescriptions early for me; however, obtaining "extra" has not bee a problem for me. I have been true to the contract I signed with my Dr. about hopping from medical professional to medical professional and attempting to gain more. This does not mean that I haven't stolen a few here and there from friends I knew had it on hand.

In addition, I know that I am using the drug to assist in my depression which I have suffered with for a while now. Dad passed away in April and that is when my usage really began to increase. On top of the hydro, I also take Zoloft and Welbutrin for my depression but find it causes such severe headaches that I always stop it on my own and go back to the hydro.

I've tried a couple of times to get off of it and began to get pain in my feet so bad that I just want to cry. I don't know if this pain is from the arthritis or the withdrawal, but I have yet to be able to go long enough to find out.

The only reason I find myself here today is that my Rx will run out well before I am able to refill it and I am out of options for obtaining more. Maybe it's time for me to get on a program.

OK--maybe not the short version, but I could really use some help.

madriley

You've made the right choice coming to this forum! You will plenty of advice and support here.
1) As far as the pain in your feet/ankles, have you tried any of the arthritis medications that are available? If not, you can suggest to your doc that you would like to see how one of those meds would be. You may still be somewhat uncomfortable but it may be manageable.

2) You really need to talk with your doc about the problems with the pills, if he can't point you in the right direction then you can check online or call for psychiatrists or even psychologists in your area. If you are aware of your depression then the next step is to do something about it. There are so many different meds out there for depression, if one does not work, you have to let your doc know so they can have you try a different one.

3) None of this will change over night. Getting on an anti-depressant may take a few weeks to find the right one for you. Getting off of the hydrocodone should really only take about 5-7 days. But if you are going to get off of it you may want to have tried the arthritis meds to make sure they help and you are not in unbearable pain.

4) If none of this helps my last thought would be to check into a pain management or detox facility where you can be monitored around the clock while detoxing from the drug and they can watch for the pain in your feet and ankles. There are other types of meds that are not as addictive as these darn opiates.

Remember: It can be done. You just have to want it bad enough. Please keep posting and let us know how you are doing!

ccgirl2

First off, welcome to the forum.

Hydros were my doc. I can tell you a couple things with certainty. Taken with anti depressants, the will make the anti depressants non-effective. As far as one of your prescribed meds giving you headaches, you should talk to your doctor about that. There may be a better psych med out there for you; also, taking hydros for that will eventually cause rebound headaches (trust me on this one) I have migraines and doctors never, ever treat them with narcotics.

As far as using them for pain management, have you spoken to your doctor about any alternative meds, or methods of pain relief?

LadyTennII

wanted to say Welcome, you came to the right place!! Have you considered suboxone?? BV can tell you loads about it, and he will surely come along soon. He is loaded with info on that, and a pretty smart feller too ;-) anyway WELCOME

krissypissy

as someone who is a patient of a PM doc, do you take the hydros for 'real, legit' pain or other pains?

vicodaniel

Your story sounds like mine and many other's here. We start out taking it for legit reasons, then we find we can get more work done.It helps with our mood.If 3 pills is good 6 is better. Maybe have a couple beers. Can't get them from the doc ,but they are all over,so whats a few bucks on pills. Then our bodies stop producing endorphins on their own ,no natural pain defense, we need more pills. We are quiet don't talk to our families as much,but we notice nothing bothers us, and we can just go,go,go ! If there is any way you can deal with the pain without narcotics you should !Your options are tapering and quitting cold turkey on your own.cold turkey in a detox. Or a suboxone program. Its not easy to quit on your own I have 27 days cold turkey( 3 days in a detox center) and I still don't feel 100%, but I have never felt better about achieving anything in my life more than this, and I've been very fortunate in my life. You already know what you need to do, or you wouldn't be here ! Good luck !!

Lily

Hockeydad,

Zoloft gives me headaches too. When I was on hydros I remember going to my doctor about depression and the zoloft not working anymore. (CC is right, they were totally non-effective, minus the major headaches they gave me)

I would really suggest some other kind of pain management. Have you been on the pain management forum down below yet?

Also, hydros caused me depression too. hang in there, there is hope! blessings, Sheila

hockeydad3

Well, my Rx ran out and I am about 30 days ahead of a refill. I decided not to attempt to get more pills anywhere and tough it out. I have been taking around 50mg of hydro per day and have now been without for about 14 hours. I slept well last night, but the withdrawals are just now setting in. My feet absolutely ache and are very restless so far. The bowels are getting ready to cut loose. Should make for an interesting day.

ccgirl2

As far as withdrawals, stay hydrated, immodium for the runs. You do need something for pain. Can you talk to your doctor? There's a lot of really good arthritis meds out there for long term use that aren't narcotics.

Withdrawals usually last (the worst) from 3 - 7 days - correct me if I'm wrong anyone. If at ANY time you don't feel safe, go to the ER. Please.

madriley

Hi Hockeydad, I feel for what you are about to go through. I was there myself just two weeks ago. Did you plan for the w/d? I mean, do you have some Immodium, Advil or Tylenol? Are you supposed to be at work the next few days? If at all possible, take it as easy as you can these next few days. When I detoxed, I probably spent about half of my day in the shower because that was the only thing that got rid of my shakes and sweats. If you are having trouble sleeping I found this tea that is amazing. When I started detoxing a little over 2 weeks ago, I ended up not getting any more than about 2 hours of sleep a night for about 13 days in a row. I really thought I was going to go off the deep end. Someone on here suggested Celestial Seasonings Tension Tamer Tea, but when I went to the store I found another Celestial Seasonings called Sleepy Time Tea. I have been having two cups every night about an hour before bed, and I am actually sleeping better now than I ever have before. I hope some of this may help you get yourself a little more comfortable while you go through this. Just remember the worst of it will be over in about 3-5 days and the rest is pretty much mental. Not that that is any easier but it is better to not have to feel achy, sweaty, shaky and all the other stuff on top of everything else. Best of luck to you!! Let us know how you are doing!!

vicodaniel

Good luck Hockey Dad, I miss those days! My son played for years including four years of college. We travelled all over. Unfortunately I was taking about 200 mg of hydro the last 3 years of his carreer, and although I was there physically, mentally I'm not sure. I won't lie to you this will be tough, but you will never be so glad you did somthing in your life.Sleeping will be tough just keep watching movies or reading if possible the hours will turn to days then the days to weeks.If you are very sick go to the ER tell them up front, there is medication that can help. I don't know what kind of shape you are in, but watch your Blood Pressure,it can spike a little. Get informed,by going online.A doctor's care is best, but many have done what you are attempting.

hockeydad3

Wow! Small world. I can't imagine our lives without hockey. My son is a 2nd year PeeWee and has played Travel Hockey now for 5 seasons. Just got back last night from a tournament where his team won the championship during a 4 on 4 overtime with the opposing team on the power play which made it 4 on 3. I'm sure you can appreciate the tension of such a game.

I know that is off topic, but it sure keeps my mind off of things right now.

hockeydad3

Just wanted to follow up and log what I am feeling in case someone else wants to know what you will go through.

I am now 18 hours without my hydro. I did restart the gabapentin for the nerve pain in my feet, but I understand that is not a narcotic. I actually feel OK so far. I am experiencing very restless legs and feet. Both my feet and my knees are achy and I am have difficulties with double vision right now.

18 hours down---rest of my life to go!!!

LadyTennII

Just wanted to say Welcome, and that I am glad you are here! :ghug3

There are so many wonderful people here, virtually NOTHING you have done or think its so terrible, someone here has done the same thing and been down your road too. Opiates are my DOC too. They are particularly hard to shake, but so so many people on here have done it.

There is lots of support here, you will start to feel how kind and non-judgmental everyone is, and it will soon become sort of like a "family" to you. I have so many wonderful people on here that I am so proud to call my friends. There are laughs and there are tears, but its so nice to be able to tell everything with TOTAL honesty, things you cannot say to your family, or friends, you can say here and get great opinions, and advice.

I rambled on there, didnt I. Just really wanted to say I am very glad you chose "us" and am happy you are here. Look forward to reading your posts and how you do with your choices.

vicodaniel

Hockey Dad,
Those times are awsome when the kids were little, my son played on a AAA pee-wee team a couple summers.We went to Canada and played all over.As midgets we won states and went to nationals.Just a great experience. My son is a Goaltender, so those close games are extra stressful, but I do miss it. What everybody is saying about the WD's is true 3-5 days is the worst then you'll still feel like crap, but at least the heebie-jeebies will settle down. Just remember no matter how crappy you feel time will pass, and it won't kill ya.PS is your son a forward D or goalie ?

hockeydad3

My son is a defenseman and we, too, have played numerous summers of AAA hockey throughout the midwest. If he were a goalie, I not only would be addicted to hydro, but probably an alcoholic too! Still holding on but feel really "weird." I don't know how to explain it, but it's almost like feeling buzzed from a couple of drinks.

vicodaniel

Your brain really wants that drug.Its gonna do some weird stuff to make you give it some.Time will pass.

sunflower1776

Hey Hockeydad--from what I've read you sound like you are an amazing father! I just wanted to check in and see how you are feeling today--did the strange feelings that you were having subside? How is the pain in your feet and ankles? How are the restless legs? All of your wd symptoms should hopefully be improving within the next day or two and you will be out of the woods! Have you tried Lyrica for your pain? You said you take gabapentin--a lot of people who havve tried that have switched to Lyrica--it is also a nerve pain medication, non addictive. All of the symptoms you described are typical WD symptoms. Unfortunately your pain is probably worse because of your prior pain problems. Definitely work with your doctor on getting on a good pain management regimen that does not involve narcotics--they should work with you on that if they know you have a problem with opiates. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids as you don't want to become dehydrated (from the diarrhea that I'm sure has hit by now!). Also, you may want to eat on the light side for the next few days. Since you have a child you may be aware of the BRAT diet--bananas, rice, applesauce, toast--these are all things that are easy on the stomach including plain broiled chicken. Just make yourself really cozy and ride it out. Just think of all you'll be able to do wtih your child when you're through with these crazy pills--you will be an even better father to him (if that's possible!) You're in my thoughts during this difficulty time

hairgirl

Just saying hello to see how it's going for you today! My hubby plays hockey, we love it!!

lostbutterfly

Not the rest of your life. Just till the end of today! Paracetomol for aches, altho I can't say I thought it ever helped.

The restless legs is what drives me the most mad - many a surprised cat has been kicked off my bed!!

I felt completely spaced after giving up pills - real brain fog. Same happened with drink. Took two weeks to lift, with a little help from caffeine!!

Good luck, hang in there. 5 days is usually the end of the worst and you can start working on your recovery.

LB x