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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Today went quite well for me guys. No where near as bad as the last two days. The morning was bad, but things got progressively better throughout the day. The leg aches are subsiding. Hoping for even better day tomorrow. Maybe it was because I sat outside for most of the day and read. And then had a friend over. Kept my mind off things like many of you have told me to do. I AM GONNA MAKE IT!!!!!
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yawkaw3
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/22/03
Posts: 1004
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Congratulations, sam. And when you are off it, STAY off it- withdrawals get progressively worse each time you go through them. No one is built with a body chemistry that is just naturally good at handling opiate withdrawal.
-yawkaw
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brenda1231
Newbie
Reged: 11/22/03
Posts: 45
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Quote:
Congratulations, sam. And when you are off it, STAY off it- withdrawals get progressively worse each time you go through them. No one is built with a body chemistry that is just naturally good at handling opiate withdrawal.
-yawkaw
I had also read this somewhere, I believe it was an archived Doctor responded question/answer type info board, a read only board that I had stumbled across the archives for.
I wondered how this affected those that go on regular holidays. Is each one worse?
Also, didn;t know if I should post here or a new thread.
I am on day one of a chosen 'holiday'. I in fact have an almost full script hidden away.
I had started a holiday a few weeks ago that lasted about 3.5 days.
Last week I had some very concerning problems. My tolerance seemed to rapidly incline. Friday I was able to take 4# of 10/325 w/o any real relief/affect. Through all last week I noticed almost daily increase in tolerance and use. At first I thought 'bad lot?', then forced myself to have a sit down chat with myself.
All the reasons for a 'holiday' were oddly, the same reasons for using the hydro in the beginning. Except one which maybe explored later if an interest develops.
Reasons included my Kids/functioning as a mother,
Energy level and productivity. These were things that I felt hydro contributed to postivity at one point and have recently been affecting negatively. I, along with I see others, used to take a hydro in the morning that would produce energy, and lately, that morning dose not only increased, but was needed just to get out of bed.
I also wanted to reavaluate my pain levels without the hydro, and I found that the hydro makes me chain smoke (which REALLY concerns me).
My last pills were at 11 pm on Friday night...and took a high dose, to realy reinforce in my mind, the need for the holiday....with no real effect.
Day one went very well, considering that my usage the last few weeks has been considerably higher than Sam and others I see are currently taking 'holidays'.
I did a cold turkey holiday a few months ago and lasted (I think) about 7 or 8 days.
I started another holiday a few weeks ago and that lasted about 3.5 to 4 days, as I was just not really functioning at all. It's possible there was something else going on with me, as todays 'Non usage' first day was markedly different than that one. I was a lump in the couch or bed for a full 36 hours then, and pretty listless for the remainder, where today I was productive.
I have beautiful landscaped back yard. Over the winter (and progressively higher hydro dosages) I had REALLY let it go and reaized that all my beautiful bushes have some type of desease, are in desperate need on trimming, and the yard has become overrun with weeds.
With the help of hubby and my(almost) 3 YO, we spent most of the day outside cleaning up yard, patio and getting the pool uncovered. Tomorrow I am hoping to feel up to getting water samples and opening the pool to use for exercise for the rest of my 'detox', as well as fertizing the yard and getting the inside of the house cleaned. Wish me luck....I expect day 2 to be worse than today, but will be disappointed if I don't get some of these things done.
I also will have to make a trip out to the store...this terrifies me.
I suffered only minor and irritating leg cramps today, some fatigue that I am sure was helped by the exercise. The bathroom visits I feel are coming, as I have been noticing some cramps.
BUT my mental state is great! God I hope this continues!
I do have some questions.
Yes, the underlying pain that the hydro was for is there, along with some new ones, that I suspected the hydros were covering up. I know it is likely I will need the hydro for this pain on the worst days. My goal is to stay off the hydro completely for a month or so, to reduce my tolerance, and then try to take the hydro as needed, and not on a daily basis. Then I wondered if this is possible???
Not in a matter of will power possible, but w/d possible.
If I abstain for a month. Then take (what I know will be MUCH NEEDED) dose for pain, will my body automatically go through w/d again? Or is it possible after getting they hydro out of the system to take it on only the worst days?
Also want to add congrats to Sam and others that are in the same boat right now. I hope we all make it through, quckly and as painlessly as possible.
Also this is more or less background and FYI for anyone interested...in late 2002 to early 2003 I was on low dosages(lortab 5/500's...avg day 25 -30 mg. for about 4 months) and never increased the dose, despite building some tolerance. I stopped taking them without w/d. Interestingly, At that time I had no knowledge of w/d from this med, was not very educated about it. Possibly I headed off the w/d by switching to darvocette, before quitting completely. I did this because I felt my pain had subsided, and requested the darvocette as a weaker alternative. At first I alternated dosages. Using hydro on high pain days, and darvo on lower days. Eventually (within a few weeks) I was on only darvocette, and then nothing for several months as I was 'mysteriously' pain free! My pain returned a few months later and I have been on the hydro every since, about 8-9 months.
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Cheers,
B~
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brenda1231
Newbie
Reged: 11/22/03
Posts: 45
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Good Morning all.
I'm on day 2 of my 'holiday'.
Feeling worse than yesterday, but still functioning, or trying to.
I'm watering the lawn, preparing to fertilize. ( OFF topic...any know the symptoms/treatments for mole crickets..think we have them).
Leg cramps in calves and backs of thighs. Headache and a little nauseau, which may be due to eating about 3 X's more than I am used to yesterday.
This could definitely be a 'chick flick/couch day' if I didn't have things that HAD to be done.
Trying to stay busy and keep my mind off the 'crud' my body is going through. I do have 80-90# 10/325's at my disposal if things get 'REAL' bad. So far I have not really even let myself consider dipping into them. I know 1/2 to 1 would probably bring some relief, but I am thinking they will also prolong this process. Anybody know how accurate this 'thinking' is????
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Cheers,
B~
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mermaid72000
Member
Reged: 01/19/04
Posts: 108
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with my experience i was going on a holiday and decided i had to end my love affair with hyfro and that hurt alot. if i had those many pills lying around i would not even put myself thru any discomfort. i am not a chronic pain patient just someone who got into a accident and went a bit overboard on the hydro. yes i still i have pain but for me getting rid of all sources was the only way i could get away. for me and only me 1 pill is too many and a 1000 are not enough. my taper went way too fast and i felt like it wa cold turkey. pills around me would have prolonged the process. i dont know your personal situation but for me all those pills staring at me i just could not do it. there is no way i am going thru wd's if i had hydro that will stop all the suffering, but than again i guess i am just a wuss.
take care
carol
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doodlenoodle
Stranger
Reged: 06/25/02
Posts: 8
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Hey all,
I've been off the board a while and I thought I was done posting but after reading oldbuddy's post and others, I felt i needed to respond. Oldbuddy, I too am a professional (swimming pool contractor) I have employees, subcontractors office people etc. all of which would be floored to know the problem I have. I gave a detailed account of how I became dependent on hydro on another post so I'll just remind you all of my dosage. I was taking 20 to 30 10/500's per day over the last few years. I was on hydro for almost 10 years but not on that high dose. I finally decided I would rather live in pain than die from hydro so I quit cold turkey 8 weeks ago. The only thing that enabled me to do so was Ultram (tramadol).
A lot of people on the board say to stay away from tramadol because you can become addicted to it also. I say they are right but wrong. I started out taking 3 ultram at a time 3 times a day and sometimes a couple at night. I am now on 3 per day total. I think if I stopped the ultram cold turkey I would withdrawl but it is MUCH easier to cut down the ultram than the hydro. I think because after taking hydro you can start withdrawl in a little as an hour or two. (I'm not talking to you 4 pill a day people, oldbuddy will understand) While ultram lasts much longer. I did break down 3 weeks ago and fill a perscription of 90 7.5/500's and took them in 7 days. I thought that I could take them responsibily but that only lasted 1 day. I did not notice ANY withdrawl from the ultram at the time so that was a plus. After I ran out of hydro this time though, the withdrawl was much easier. I am on day 14 now, but I have taken hydro for only 1 week in the last 8 weeks. Sorry this is long but I don't know how to explain this any quicker.
Oldbuddy, you CAN beat this Best if kept off the board little pill. Trust me I had serious doubts about myself but found me to be stronger than I thought. PLEASE let me know if I can give you any information as you are as with myself, putting your liver and your life in danger. Thats what I tell myself everyday to keep motivated. Good luck to you all
Lee
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Hi all.... DAy four for me... Little to no w/d symptoms. Just lack of energy. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to combat that? Have been told L-tyrosine both negative and postive.... I am sure that will get better with time.
I agree with Carol about hollidays, quiting, whatever. I tried tapering and it just did not work for me. I had to put myself in a situation that I had no access to the hydro until I was strong. I was scared to death , as I had never been through this before. It did go better than I had invisioned, but it was not a cake-walk. Everytime I think, I could take one pill(even though I have none) --- I say to myself--- NO WAY... I would just have to go through the w/d again. I am like Carol (even though my use was very short term and low comparatively to some) I know that I would only continue to take more and more. And there is not enough pills in the world for me!!!!
I think it is about being honest with yourself completely and asking is hydro affecting your life negatively. Then go form there and you will find the answer. The key is to care enough about yourself to do something about.
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night_shade
Veteran
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 701
Loc: The State of Hockey
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B Complex vitamins are helpful for energy boosts...
If you have a juicer, look up recipes online for great natural ways to increase your energy (a great friend of mine swears by juicing for supplementing vitamins and maintaining health---I have tried the energy drink and it works!)
I don't know if this is available through an OP or IOP, but Provigil is a medication my pain doc has said he will prescribe if I have trouble with the sedating side-effects of my methadone therapy.
Just a few ideas and great job getting to 4 days! Keep it up!
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"To expostulate why day is day, night is night and time is time, were nothing but to waste night, day, and time..." HAMLET, Shakespeare
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537
Veteran
Reged: 12/08/01
Posts: 618
Loc: west coast CA
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I'm really glad for this thread. Though I am not quitting cold turkey, I am tapering because my usage was getting out of control. Not just mine, either, but my husbands, too. We sat down Friday night and set up a tapering schedule for ourselves. The meds are not even really working anymore. Anyway, we are doing OK with it. A slip up here or there, but I'd say so far we have cut our usage by at least 25%. But it is really comforting to come here and read about what everyone else is or has gone through. I can say that it has stopped me on a few occasions this past weekend from "just taking one more pill." It gives me strength, as corney as that sounds. Thanks everyone.
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brenda1231
Newbie
Reged: 11/22/03
Posts: 45
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I just wanted to add here:
Day 2 turned into horror for me.
The first 24-36 hours I coped amazingly well.
At about 36 hours I became suddenly and violently ill. I was literally vomiting violently, shivering, cold sweats, every muscle in my body aching.
I called in the troops (Mother in law) Sunday night (night 2) and was very close to going to hospital. Had my hubby not been busy with the kids, and seen me moaning on the bathroom floor, I am sure I would have been hospitalized. Then...that would have been a story...I guess I would have had to 'come clean' with the ER staff (nu pun intended).
However, despite feeling worse than I ever had in my life (and that includes the pain of childbirth), I never once even picked up one of the hydros???
How did that happen? I have almsot a full script and am amazed that I did not 'just take one'.
Yesterday, day 3 was spent in bed, with the exception of an hour here and there. I think now I am just drained from dehydration (from the vomiting) and fatigue from the last 36 hours in bed watching re runs of 'Sex in the City'...which I have never watched before....not too bad of a show. Too bad I waited for it to end to start watching!
I actually could spend the rest of the day 'getting over the flu' as Mother in law is still here.....but I am afraid what my house looks like now! The mom in law, is great for washing dishes and laundry, but oddly, not so great at keeping things picked up, counters wiped, and just generally lets everything else completely pile up, while she takes care of the dishes, laundry and kids.
Honestly...this is wierd and bugs me. She'll make a pot of coffee...leave the coffee grounds on the counter, make a sandwhich...leave crumbs on the coutners, feed the kids, not wipe down the tables. But yet she will make sure every darned pair of my undies are clean while she is here! My house just 'looks' like a tornado came through, with toys, newspapers, crumbs and junk piled around everywhere!
Hoping to get some life back today, and my house! 
Wish me luck!
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Cheers,
B~
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pysov
Stranger
Reged: 12/04/03
Posts: 13
Loc: colorado
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For me, a couple of tramadol a couple times a day works wonders when I take a break from hydro. I just try to keep them to a minimun so as to not become dependent on them instead. Then,I taper off the tramadol. But, like everybody says here, tram affects everybody diferently. its much easier to taper tram than hydro, for me anyway. I just hate the cold turkey route.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Just wanted to check back in with you guys. Maybe to help someone else who is considering withdrawal of hyrdo. In case you have'nt followed my story i will summarize:
I starting taking hyrdo last Sept at low doses. After the new year i began taking higher doses of #6-8 10mg daily for a good 3 months. Over the last month of usage I wanted to taper, but had refills, ended up not working for me. So I waited until all my pills/refills where gone and began the process on last Thursday cold turkey. Days 1-3 where the most symptomatic for me: legs aching worst symptom for me which peaked on day 2, also worst was fatique/malaise.
other(all mild): chills, flushing, back/neck tightness, nervouseness, stomach cramps. I alternated Motrin, Tylenol, Aspirin for aches. Took Clonapin for nervousness. Lomotil for cramps as needed. Layed on the heating pad alot and even wrapped it around my legs. Any heat helped. Day 2 was my peak day for everything. Day 3 was mildly uncomfortable. Day 4 lesser etc..... I am know on day 6 (Tuesday). I am having no physical symptoms except mild fatique. Which is improving daily.
So for anyone in similar situation as mine in relation to dose, longevity, you might experience what I did if you cold turkey. I know I wish I would have had info like this when I w/d (first-hand) because I was scared to death of all the horror stories. It was no cake-walk , but is was not how I had envisioned.
I was prescribed hyrdo for legit reason in September,I have an autoimmune disorder that involves my joints/intestines. But I also liked the high/energy that hyrdo gave me. When I started taking 6-8 daily I felt I was in a bad place and I wanted out. I could easily invision me heading toward a 10-20 a day usage and I care more about myself than to do that.
My long term goal is to deal with pain in non-narcotic ways because hydro took my peace and my soul away and I am in control of that. Not some stupid pill. I pray daily sometimes hourly that I will not have to take hydro again. THIS IS ONLY MY STORY
Sam
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zoecece
Board Addict
Reged: 05/03/02
Posts: 308
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Sam,
It sounds like you're doing well. Keep it up.
Oh, the heating pad can be the best for leg aches, I've done the same thing, wrap it around the legs. I've also found that proping your legs up with a pillow helps as well, or putting a pillow between them if you sleep on your side.
Good luck to you!
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oldbuddy
Stranger
Reged: 07/29/02
Posts: 16
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Doodle
Thanks for your post. Yes it is hard to let people know the difference between 8 and 30 per day. I started taking when I was 15. I had knee surgery and was given 5 Demorol when I went home. I took the pill and that is when it hit. I was hooked from that one pill. At 15 years old in the 70's it was real easy to go from doc to doc to get these. But It ruined my life. I am now 45 years old, divorced once (mainly because of the pills) and now have a happy family and a great Boy that I love more than anything in this world. I just had to pause now because I am crying to hard to type. My boy is the only thing in my life to keep me going. My wife is supportive but thaouht I kicked the habit 2 years ago. The internet made it to easy to get them. Best if kept off the board I just wish things would have been different. I am serious about it this time. I lost my job and now seeking work. I am in the 80.000 range and need this amount to keep us going. That is a lot of pressure to hold up to at this time. I have beenout of work for almost two years. Unemployment ran out and my wife went back to work. This is why I feel so Best if kept off the board useless. I am capable of working but the pills held me back. Now I am interviewing again and may have a great job. I coach my sons Little league team and I am glad we have at least a week before anymore games or practices come up. It just buys me time to get it together and think more clearly. I am taking the last of my darvocett-N100 and approx 4 to 5 pills aday of Ultram. It seems to work but I am still confused but feel I am on the right track. To me enough is enough. I feel I have to grow up and do what a man is suppose to do. I feel like I am half a man and and very dihonest to my family. Pause agin crying to hard! Things will work for me and I am glad this board is here to help. It is funny though. I never thought I would come here to get support from the place that I would come to get my drugs.
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mermaid72000
Member
Reged: 01/19/04
Posts: 108
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hi all,
after much soul searching i cancelled my final 120 hydro refill becuz i feel like doodle. when he stated he took all 90 7.5 in one week that really hit hard. the accident i had was 6 months ago and i can work and when i think of the wd's and so called taper i tried it was a joke. actually calling the pharmacy and cancelling was setting my soul free i want them but do i really need them to get on with my life? i have to admire brenda for going thru all the misery and having pills becuz i know if i had the pills i would never go thru that misery. in my mind i am thinking i have only 1 fill left and that will be it but i know that wont be it, it will just continue on and on until i run out of money or end up really sick. i am grateful to this board to allow me share a very personal pain and have people on here that understand exactly what i am saying. i think the monkey on my back understands he has to go now.
thanks for all your support
carol
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Way to go CAROL!!!!!!!! I am behind you 100%
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doodlenoodle
Stranger
Reged: 06/25/02
Posts: 8
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Hey All,
Wow, I can't believe how many people feel the same way about their little friends as I do. Funny how the thing that used to be so great is now the worst thing in our lives.
Goodbuddy, I feel your pain brother, I know how hard it is but you ARE on the right track. Half the battle is WANTING to do something about it. I am on day 17 of this go around. It's been much easier this time because I've really only taken hydro 1 week out of 7 but when I did, like I said I was abusive.
I too am amazed that I am here for support at the very place that I was here... well we all know why we are usually here.
Mermaid, Good job!! I honestly don't think I would have the guts to actually cancel a refill. I would love to say I would but I know better. You know, I used to be a gym rat, used to even compete a little in bench press tournaments. I can't tell you how much I felt like I was a shell of my former self after my failed surgery and problems since, but now I'm going to the gym almost every day, it fills my time and allows my to not think of what I'm going through right now. I guess my point is if you can find something, anything to help fill your time it will greatly help. And for me anyway, I am feeling a little better about myself. Trust me Oldbuddy, I understand the feeling of worthlessness you go through, it isn't your fault, it is part of the cycle, stay the course and it will get better.
There IS life on the other side
Lee
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Mark748
Stranger
Reged: 12/02/03
Posts: 15
Loc: Midwest
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Hi -without this board I would be in pain everyday and unable to live a "normal" life.
I feel like a real wimp, compared to most others on this thread, considering I'm only taking 2-5 Norco 10/325's per day, for the last 4-5 months, depending, plus the same amount of Valium.
Of course, I was involved in an auto accident (not my error, as if it matters) About a year ago, I got T-boned while driving my HUGE Chevy Suburban, lady right turned in front of me, ON THE HIGHWAY and I WAS wearing my seat belt at the time, which I'm sure was a good thing, along with the tank.
Not much immediate pain, but... about 2 weeks later I was lifting my 30 lb. 3 year old into his car seat and, wham. Next thing I knew I was writhing on the ground in pretty serve pain, I couldn't get up. That sucked. My kid says "daddy what are you doing?" I just said daddy hurt his back.
Soon after falling to the ground in pain, the same day in fact, WHEN I could move a little, my wife took me to the local ER and the P.A. gave me 30 Loratab 5/500's, after a through check up. I didn't go back to him until well after the meds had run out (2-3 weeks). The ER PA gave me three more scripts, during the next several weeks, (which I did not "ask" for, but he KNEW I was in pain and couldn't sleep well) each prescription was a lesser amount than the original 30. He didn't want to "get me hooked" on the medication. OK, I understand, but,... I couldn't function, THE WAY I ALWAYS HAVE without SOME relief. My work and life require certain amounts of lifting and movement, as most folks do, lol. We all know that the pain meds don't completely eliminate the pain, but do make it manageable.
I may as well tell the whole story at this point, if you've read this far...
After being told I could not receive any medication from the hospital Doctors and PA, I went to see a local "specialist" had X-rays and an MRI, total check up, etc... Dr.X said MOST of this type of injury heals within a year max (kinda sounded like, you ain't that hurt, suck it up) and this Doctor DOESN'T believe in ANY opiate pain meds, and gave me some "natural" medicine,which I took, and it frankly did NOTHING for my pain So here I am, just like most of us, caught between that rock.... yea I could (I will) go to another Doc, but "they" have programmed Doctors NOT to give REAL pain meds unless you are a cancer victim or have a VERY terrible injury. "They" can't tell me I don't have shooting pains from my lower back, down to my knee's.
Warning: More Whining ahead....I can't lift, set at my desk (I'm a computer tech) play active with my kids, ride my motorcycle, run, play tennis or MUCH, without some type of relief. With the meds I mostly "forget" about the pain. I'm have noticed a tolerance building. For me, I've MOSTLY been "stickin' with the plan" 3/day, but really need more.
I will continue and already have sought other methods to improve the pain, but none have worked yet. It's coming upon a year now, and I "lived" with the pain (if ya want to call it that) for months, without any meds and whined every day. My wife I'm sure, was sick of hearing it, and felt like a wimp, " I can't shovel the walk or snow blow or take out the trash or...bla bla bla. I also have mucho stress right now, business owner, business bad, wife stuff, anxious feelings... My point is, until I find an alternative THAT WORKS, OP's are it for me, I don't want to sound like I'm plugging but, thanks to the fine folks at NorcoWorldWide I can live and work.
I'm I a drug addict, NOPE. Right now they make my life 100% better than sitting (oh, that hurts too, after a while) while life passes me by. I have a business and two very young kids , it's hard enough to keep up with everything totally healthy, impossible, without help.
Thanks for the thread, as it gave me plenty of insight into the dangers of my meds, I'll be very careful. I wish all you folks that are going through w/d reach your goal, I'm quite sure you can.
Mark
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Just checking in for those that have followed my story and I am at day 14 hydro free. Mostly just dealing with the tiredness and lack of energy now. Trying to make it to the gym today wondering where I will get the strenth. Have'nt been in months. Funny too that I am still experiencing leg aches occasionally, but no where near what it was when I was in acute withdrawal.
I want to say thanks to all that supported me during this very difficult time for me. I did not go unnoticed. For anyone out there facing hydro withdrawal for whatever reasons the members on this board are great.
I don't know how often I will visit here now. I kinda have mixed feelings about coming to the board where you also learn to buy hyrdo. And all the advertising from OP's is not helpful for me either. But again, thanks all!!!!!
SAM
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lovepink
Goddess
Reged: 01/01/02
Posts: 1431
Loc: NYC Metro Area
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I'm very proud of you sam - thats not something Ive had the courage & willpower to do yet...I envy you. As far as visiting DB, its probably best not to if you want to stay off the hydro...as much as I like it here I know I could never come back after I successfully detoxed.
I wish you the very best.
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DAdrian
Newbie
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 33
Loc: California
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If you don't have a herniated disc, you may have torn ligaments in your low back when lifting your son, that were already injured from your car accident.
I did this two years ago building a pond in my back yard, and helping my husband with a deck. I've never had LBP in my life, despite carrying two 9-lb children. It settled mainly into my left SI joint. Not excruciating, it's there 24/7. Prevents good sleep (even with Ambien) and it was finally getting me depressed.
Tried chiropractic, acupuncture, Physical Therapy, meditation, we even bought a darn spa for me to sit in. Can't take NSAIDS - they chew my stomach to bits, even the Celebrex and Bextra-types (those just take a few days
longer).
I have a PCP who's pretty understanding about the meds, but he even finally referred me to a Pain Management MD. Had two diagnostic nerve blocks then a radio-frequency ablation on two of the nerves. I've heard that it might have to be done once more if the nerves regenerate, but my Dr. says he only has to re-do one or two a year. Not bad! I don't know what your insurance situation is, but if you can get to a doctor who is good at this, it might make a big difference for you.
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