Jane63

Hello, this is my first post here and I have lots of questions! Any replies with advice, info and support would be greatly appreciated!

I am a chronic pain sufferer who has become addicted to hydrocodone (Norco and Vicoprofen) over the past year and a half of use. I am tired of the "run around".... begging my doctors for medication, ordering from online pharmacies...not to mention what it is doing to my health, my family and my bank account!!

Even though I do have legitimate pain (TMJ), I want to try to learn to live with it and I know I am in for the battle of my life...and I am scared!! Before I go into anymore about myself, I have some questions that I was hoping to get some replies to so I would have somethings to consider....

What is the best way to wean myself off the pain medication?...A slow taper plan or going "cold turkey"??? Should I try this at home or enter into a Rehab clinic at our local hospital??....What are some ideas to make the withdrawal symptoms abit easier to get through? I also suffer from extreme anxiety and stress and have taken a low dose of Xanax daily for over 13 years .....never had ANY problems with it or abused it, so that does help some! What is the "Clonadine patch" (sp?) and would it be a good thing to help with WDs? I have also heard to have a supply of Imodium (sp?) handy...anything else helpful??

I will have a chance in early July (Is it best to "set a date"??) when my daughter will be out of town with friends to start detoxing with the help of my husband, so that is why I am trying to set all this up now. Any replies would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Jane63

dotcom

welcome jane! i dont have any info for you, but stick around and post away!

ashley80

Jane, since you are on more than one med, I think it would be a good idea to be under a doctor's care. Cold turkey is really rough, and if you are ordering from the internet (like I was) and taking more than 50-60 mgs of hydro per day (I was taking LOTS more than that), it is going to be a week of pain and sickness.

There are doctors who can prescribe meds to help. Can you tell your family doctor and ask him what the thinks is best for you? Inpatient or at-home detox?

There's no pain-free way to do it - you just have to be prepared to suffer a little, but it's WORTH IT. I also sent you a private message with some info about suboxone, a detox drug.

Finally, once the actual detox is over, there are some lingering symptoms, like insomnia and depression. How long they last often depends on how much and how long you were using/abusing. AND, the detox is only the very first step. Relapse is common, so you will need to find a way to stay clean. NA has been helping me, and there are other programs as well. Whatever works for you, but do consider checking it out. Cravings and urges can be overwhelming.

I wish you the best. I have been where you are, more than once, and I am doing my very best to NEVER go back.
Ashley

namommy

Jane,

Welcome to SR. I agree that you should probably go in-patient or at least under a doctors care. WD is not easy. I went cold-turkey off heroine, and it wasn't easy. And I was also at one time on a low dose of xanax that I didn't abuse, but you still go through withdrawl from it. That was hard too.

After you are done detoxing, try to find some type of face to face support, like NA. 12 step programs have proven themselves by helping countless numbers of addicts over the years.

Hang in there, I'll keep you in my prayers.

Laurie D

Oh, by the way,I don't know about the clonadine patch, but some of the detoxes around here use the catapress patch for heroine withdrawl.

wishIsedNO

I agree with everyone else..Im a heroin addict..I never used pills but ive heard that hydrocodone has the same effect when you detox as heroin...And because ive experienced that i would say do it unders a doctors care..Because i have a bf who was abusing benzo's and i dont know if that would have the same effect like hydro..But he would suffer from seizures.,..And his blood pressure would get all messed up...And the detox lasted much longer then a heroin detox because pills stay longer in one system...Plus from the pain of detox you can be so miserable you end up going back to using.. Because you wont be able to take it anymore..
We all need help..And i have found that this forum has wonderful,and supportive people...They make you feel welcomed and finally make you feel like you aint the worst thing on this planet..Your a sick person that needs some help....Take it one day at a time..And im sure you'll be alright..JAckie

Jane63

Thank you dotcom, Ashley, namommy, and Jackie for the warm welcomes! :laugh2:

I feel like I should discuss this with my doctors, but at the same, I am afraid to let them know because 1) I am still in legitimate pain and not sure if I can handle not having anything to take for it and ..2) What if something painful happens to me in the future and because of "this" I am refused pain treatment!! :06: I am just sooo confused!!

Take today for instance...we had a family get together and after talking, smiling and laughing with them for an hour or so, my jaw began to ache terribly like it always does (I have severe TMJ) and all I could think of was coming home, taking a couple pain meds and curling up with the heating pad! This upset me and made me start thinking and wondering if I am planning to do the right thing for myself!

But then again...I'll be totally honest and say that I often will take them when I'm not in any pain at all...just for the happy, peppy feeling they give me and that is where I have run into the problem! I am prescribed 8-Vicoprofen a day and I actually take anywhere from 20-25 a day...mixing in the Norco which is from an online pharmacy...there have been times when my feet were swollen in the past couple months and I know I am doing damage, but even that hasn't stopped me! Pretty stupid, huh?!!

I have an apt with a pain management clinic next week (refered there by my family doctor who is prescribing the pain meds, but no longer comfortable with the amount!)...it is my second visit and the first visit about a month ago, they pretty much told me that what I was being being prescribed was way too much, which leads me to think that they will either want to give me something else to try or nothing at all...not sure!! I actually have a better relationship with my family doctor and wonder if I shouldn't cancel the PM apt and go there instead! Only problem is that I mentioned weaning me off the pain meds awhile back and he acted like it would be a "piece of cake" or something...saying they would just give me 1 or 2 less each time I got a refill and wean me off that way and when I mentioned the "Catapress patch" he kind of laughed and said that was for "heavy narcotic users" or people that had "really bad problems"! Well, DUHHHH!!! I think I fit into that catagory!!

Up until today when I had all the jaw pain, here was my plan...I was going to go to the PM apt and ask if I could go on a "Drug Holiday" (anyone here familiar with that??) so that maybe I could still take the opiate-type pain meds, but would go through the detox (drug holiday) so that I would need less eventually and to get my body back where it could handle pain abit better on its own! I think the average time for a "Holiday" is anywhere from 3-6 months depending on the doctor and I would just decide when it was all said and done (when I would be clean!) if I even wanted to try taking a less amount of pain med or not....I might not want to even do that if I can learn other ways to handle my pain!

At any rate, I have got to convince them to let me wait until the first week of July when my daughter won't be home for 2-weeks! She is 17 and able to take care of herself, but I just don't want her to see me like that and my hubby will be here to take care of me. I know I will have the Xanax to help me, but what are some other things I might ask my doctor for?...Also, how long before I start to feel somewhat "normal"?? I've tried once before and know that about the second day things got really bad...excessive sweating, cold chills, leg cramps, dizzy, shakey, and just a general feeling of "weirdness"...LOL...that's the best way to describe it!!

Also, what forums are best on this site for me to log on daily while I'm going through this to "vent", whine, complain, cry, or anything else I probably will be experiencing??? Will there be others there to chat with?? I will throw around the idea of "NA" but not until I am through the worst part!!

Well, I've written a darned NOVEL here tonight...got alot on my mind though and I'm glad to have found this place!! Hope someone can answer my questions and give me some input!!
Thanks!
Jane*

godsonmyside

I too suffer from sevier pain, my back has been worked on twice and will be going in for a fussion surgery soon. I was on oxycontin and percocet for the pain for 3 1/2 years, also muscle relaxers and sleep meds., I did it at home 2 years ago 2 1/2 weeks of pure hell, and only to go back on the meds. again, in March I went through a detox and got off everything. It is hell to go through withdraw, even if your husband will help you, it is still a good idea to try detox. I deal with pain every waking moment, but the drugs told me I was in more pain than I was actually in.We can go through the pain, it does pass. We can do it. I have faith that You can do this. Sounds like your sick and tired of being sick and tired. Hng in there. we can do this.

Claudia

Don't have any info for you but GOOOOOOOOOOOOD Luuuuuuuuuuuuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Claudia

ashley80

Your feet swelling is not a good sign..... I had that. You are putting a strain on your circulation system and heart with all the fluid you are retaining. (I'm not a doctor, but had this happen to me!)

I know about "drug holidays" but I believe those are for people who do not abuse their pain meds. IMHO, once you are taking them for the "feeling" and not pain relief, you cannot go back to them without risking getting seriously and more intensively hooked. I tried to tell myself I would be OK if I reduced my tolerance. Ha ha. But maybe it will work for you, I don't know.

At any rate, I wish you much luck with whatever you decide to do. I would strongly consider help with your detox. Cold turkey is not fun.
Ashley

Jane63

Thanks to all who replied! I am still here, just haven't felt much like posting and have been really busy lately! I though people were supposed to RELAX during the summer!!?? Yeah right, LOL!!

I saw my family doctor last week and mentioned the Drug Holiday to him...he thought it would be a good idea for me, but is leaving it totally up to me at this point since I am still in quite abit of pain. I convienantly (sp?) left out the fact that I am having addiction problems, but I am sure that I will find the courage to fess up when the time comes!

I am seeing another specialist in July and also have been given some alternative ideas to cope with the pain! (non-drug) I feel I need to take the time to let some of these options work for me before I can even put thought to going off the pain meds! I have tried before and once the pain hits, I give in too easily because that is what my body has become accustomed to...that is another reason why the Drug Holiday is so appealing to me because I have read that it "teaches" your body to begin to learn how to handle pain more on its own again...I honestly feel like I have absolutely NO endorphins left in my whole body!

Soo....I just wanted to check in and say HI and that I'm still around, but probably won't be posting much for awhile yet!
Hang in there everyone and God Bless!
Jane*

Madeline

Hey Jane,

Hope I can give you an idea. I went in Detox for doing 25 10mg Norco
(hydrocodone). After having two surgeries, I know I couldnt stay on them
any longer. Yes, the detox is surely not pleasant. The very first night was
the hardest, and it is two weeks now, and I still have aches, abdominal
cramps and the runs. But girl, it is worth doing it. You will finally not
feel all the pressure of getting the meds, and knowing you cant stop.

I guess I am in for the big haul. I have many questions too though,
I am trying to find out how long the aches and stomach problems last.
Let me know if ya hear anything too. In the meantime I will try to get
up out of bed and try to post back and forth with you.



God Bless you, I know its scairy, and maybe you could get a non-narcotic
pain med for you TMJ.

Best wihes to ya.
Madeline

Jane63

Hi Madeline and thank you for your reply!

That is about the amount I am currently up to {25-a day} and it is hard to believe that it has escalated this far! I remember reading about "other peoples" problems a year or so ago and thinking that was just awful...and now, it is me!

I have pretty much decided that a detox clinic would be the best way for me to go and still setting my sights for the second week of July. I have not found anything in my area except for our local hospital, but I really wish I could farther away from home! {I am in SE Ohio} I wonder if you have to make an apointment for these places or if they take you in short notice??

I read somewhere that they really make you quite "comfortable" in the detox clinics...given meds to help you sleep and for the "crazy legs" ETC...Is this true? I had thought I might be able to do this at home and have my husband help me {he says he would if that is what I want}, but I don't think my doctor would prescribe all the needed meds to help me through and I worry that I would be left to suffer through! {I have tried a detox before and know that I would need to sleep for about 3-days} I also have concerns that I would be denied my "Xanax" which I take for severe anxiety/stress and that I do not want to go off of! I am sure that while I was going through detox I would need to up my dosage abit anyways as even just the thought of it makes me so anxious and dizzy!

Can you tell me alittle bit more about your experience and how you feel now? Every little bit helps and any info is so appreciated! I hope you are doing better today and you should be so proud of yourself that you have come this far! ((((HUGS))))) to you! Take care!
Jane63

Dawn10

Jane,
Hi, I am an addict with almost 6 years recovery from opiates.
Even if you are not posting I hope you are reading. I encourage you to go to detox. It is so much safer to WD under medical supervision. You are not the first to go through this nor will you be the last. There are perscribed regimens that can be followed to help you have the minimum of symptoms during WD. It is a blessing you have a husband who is willing to help, but to put on him the burden of worrying about "what if.." as you WD is not fair.
Some of your physical symptoms also indicate a causae for concern and in a detox center you will be monitored very closely.
Please find an NA group and go. You will be so grateful you did. There you will find support and compassion to help you through.

ashley80

Jane, there is an addiction treatment center west of Pittsburgh called Gateway Rehab Center, it is a wonderful place. I am thinking if you are in SE Ohio, it may not be too far from you. It's in a town called Aliquippa (PA). They specialize in detoxes and they also do inpatient rehab, as well as outpatient. I am thinking that you would get the best treatment at a place that specializes in drug rehab. I hope you go for it! I have several buddies who have been there, and they say that the detox there is pretty comfortable.

Madeline (love your name!) the stomach grumbles and achiness can last for more than a month, but they DO slowly get better!! Congratulations on what you have accomplished - it's so hard, and you have come really far!

Ashley
PS, I'm a hydro addict, too.

Jane63

Thank you so much Ashley! Can you tell me anymore about "Gateway"? Is it a wooded setting or in the city? Is it all drug and alcohol rehab or is it also for mental patients, DUI or sex offenders? Any and all info is much appreciated! BBL!
Jane*

ashley80

Hmm, I don't know if it is out in the country or in the little town that is Aliquippa. Maybe there are pictures online, I'll check on that.

It is just drug and and alcohol rehab, as far as I know. The guy who started, Abraham Twerski, MD, is pretty famous in addiction circles.

I go to one of the outpatient satellites and it is great. But I've never been to the main facility. I have met numerous others who have been, and they have all said it is the best thing they have ever done for themselves. I'm thinking of checking in, myself.

I don't think it's one of those posh, spa-like rehab places, like the ones the rich and famous go to. But I have heard that they do one thing, and do it really well.

Also, it is 12-step based, like many rehab facilities. I'll do more research and get back to you.

Here's the web site; http://www.gatewayrehab.org/

It looks like they have a facility in Youngstown OH. Check it out, and see what you think.

lilafran

Hi,

I'm Lila...today I celebrate 5 years 1 month and 2 weeks :laugh2: I ,too ,began to abuse hyrocodone while injured. I used them medicinally for about a year then made the connection that they not only relieved physical pain, but lonliness, anger, bordom and most of all, fatique. When I got clean I was using about 20 a day. I tried to detox alone the first time and ended up in the hospital, so if you are abusing seek medically help. These are the other thing I did: really get in touch with you HP and develop a personal relationship with Him...Go to many 12 step meetings to share and find friends who understand....take baby steps and please remember that you are a wonderful person who for whatever reason was led astray. Take care of your physical body...drink a lot of water (divide your weight by 2 ie140 divided by two =70
then drink 70 oz of water or more per day (water alleviates pain and rids your body of toxins), eat healthier and exercise (walking helps)...journal about your feelings...The following was very DIFFICULT..there is a lot of fear......tell all of the doctors you manipulated that you are an addict and ask them to please not ever prescribe hydrocodone or any mood altering drug to you. Get a sponsor and begin working the steps.............don't wallow in your guilt and shame...it's over...make amends...DON'T LOSE ANOTHER DAY OF YOUR NEW LIFE. I hope that ya'll don't think me presumptious with these suggestion ...they really helped me...please don't ever hesitate to write me.....

:laugh2: Lila

Madeline

Hey Jane Ashley Lilfran,

Somtimes I dont write back right away because I have a hard time finding the posts
I wrote. Not to good on computer.

Anyway girls, and guys, I was up to 25 per day. I went to detox three weeks ago, and stayed four days, and came home. You definitely want
to go into a detox. I would not suggest doing it at home.

While I was there they gave me Ativan, and Trozodone. I really
didnt feel any help from them, but I guess there was. But I was
monitored every four hours.

I wont lie, cause it is the pits. The money, the lack of freedom because
your life is circled around the drugs. But it does get better. My aches
are almost gone, I still feel tired, and the stomach aches are there.
But it passes as you can well see by reading this board. I am looking
forward to that. And like its been said before, I NEVER want to go thru
this again. Enough to keep me away from those devil pills.

I was wondering if anyone out there had been given trozodone.
As I stopped taking it two days ago because I dont want to have
to withdraw from that. Or is there no withdrawals if anyone knows.

You guys are in my prayers,
Madeline :heart:

Dawn10

Madeline,
Congratulations on 25 days!
Your honestly on this board will be of such encouragement to others contemplating how to do their withdrawal. I am proud of you!
Don't worry about addiciton to the trazadone. If I remember my pharmacology correctly, ( former nurse) it is a combination antidpressant/anxiety agent. Your doctor will not allow you to stay on anything that is risky to you of further addiction. Work with your doctor closely. Are you attending meetings? That is going to be so helpful to you as you continue your journey into a clear mind and clean body.
Keep on working the steps!

lilafran

Hi,

The days of withdrawal are terrible, but keep as busy as you can. Great Progress :bunny1: I relapsed several times before getting clean and each withdrawal was worst. My greatest regret was that when I began my sobriety, my daughter was 12, and my son 15....but nothing happenes in God's world by mistake and our lives are suppose to unforld just as they do for a reason :rose ( if your HP is Not God, I do not want to offend with my opinion.)I have become a much better person as a result of my addiction! I try to approach the "big-time guilt" by saying, "OK...you cannot change the past, but you can be the best you can right now...the greatest joy for me was the forgiveness of my children. My daughter who is almost 19 now, brings friends home...even their moms sometimes, who are addicts ...so that I can share my experience and hope....I never thought I'd hear my child say, "mama's a recovering addict and I am so proud of what she has done with her life!
Fortunately she never went the "drug route" because she saw what it did to me....My 21 YO son is fighting for our country, and did do the "Party all the time" stuff as a young teen but at ,he began dating the girl who grew up next door, two years later he married her and now I have a two year old grandson who will not have to see me messed up! My son's life has taken a new direction as he says I his hero. I even plan to teach again in the Fall ( thank God I didn't lose my liscense).

Please write ya'll.........Lila