Purple
Enthusiast
Reged: 07/15/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Midwest
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Okay, newbie here knowing I need to do a holiday soon, My ? is what can I expect in terms of w/d? What happens to you? PLEASE tell me everything that may happen to my mind or body so I know what to expect. Please be bold and tell me me what to expect when going on a Holiday. Also, please tell me what I need to take/do during this time I will do this holiday soon but have a refill coming from NWW and then 1 more. I am currently taking Lortab 10/500 (a lot on a daily basis, I forget how much since I am downing them,I dont count how much but it's more than prescribed on the bottle) the headaches are killing me. I am looking to change jobs and and waiting on an answer to that. I refilled my PCP script of Vicodin 5/500 two days ago and almost out 45 pills (to get me thru until the the refill for Lortab 10/500's on the 6th come thru.) But the Vicodin 5/500 aint doing a thing for me. Patienly waiting for the refill from NWW. Am I REALLY addicted to this stuff? I am kinda getting to the point that I don't want to rely on this stuff to get me thru the day.
Please comment, good or bad, I NEED to know this info!! Thanks to all  
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Greycie
Old Hand
Reged: 07/08/03
Posts: 461
Loc: Pacific NorthWest
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Hey purple- you probably have a pretty high tolerance and the beginning of, if not a full fledged addiction. Sadly, what I've heard/read/experienced is that with withdrawal, comes the pain that you take the meds. to releive. Though, more often than not, that's psychological. While you REALLY will feel it, it's because your body has become dependent on the drugs. I've heard to taper off or to take immodium AD in large doses to help you through your holiday. I'm about to take one myself because I'm now up to 2 1/2 Lorcet 10/650 or sometimes 3 when I need relief and it scares me because I can't afford an addiction 
Best of luck- I'm sure you'll get LOTS of advice and try doing a search in the search engine for this same topic- hydro holiday- there have been a few threads in the recent past with LOTS of info to help you through
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"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
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redhill
Banned. Flames, offending others
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 278
Loc: Hell on Earth, for now
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I really think you should ask your pcp to give you percocet instead of hydro, which means you would be able to take less painkiller in general.
I personally experience bad back pain, painful knees, and a flu-like feeling. i get depressed and irritable, and don't even want to be cheered up. All kinds of aches and pains really, and a slight temperature. Oh, and I almost forgot, I get restless legs like mad.
It helps to just relax and take your mind off it, walking, just getting out of the house helps, as does some Ativan (or Valium, Xanax). And I substitute another substance by drinking lots of coffee.
Hope this helps
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yawkaw3
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/22/03
Posts: 1193
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Only you know if you are really addicted, and you can't recover unless you can admit there is a problem.
But the severity of withdrawal will also depend on how long your "habit" (or whatever it is in your case, I'm just using that as a generic term) is. Severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, back and leg pain (which I don't even have normally), increased sensitivity to physical pain, dramatic mood swings, depression, general flu-like symptom, etc...when that lets up after a little under a week, be prepared to deal with a hefty depression.
Just keep in mind that what's going through your head during w/d and after is not really you, it's the effect of your brain chemicals trying to readjust themselves. It gets worse before it gets better, but it will let up in time, that's a guarantee.
In my experience, I have had much better success while tapering; for some people, they need to do cold turkey. Good luck and if you need to vent, feel free. A lot of us can feel your pain.
Edit: I just read in another thread you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure will go up during withdrawal, so this is something you will have to watch.
-yawkaw
Edited by yawkaw3 (09/05/03 07:06 AM)
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midnight
Enthusiast
Reged: 12/09/01
Posts: 271
Loc: u s
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Purple, IMMODIUM does really help. I know it is hard to believe, but it does make you feel better!
midnight
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537
Threadhead
Reged: 12/08/01
Posts: 766
Loc: west coast CA
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Also, the thing that I dread the most, is the uncontrollable restless leg, restless body syndrome. It seems to be much worse at night. For me, my body just can't calm down and relax. Also, I have terrible body temperature fluctuations. Like my body can't decide whether to be hot or cold, and the sweating and hot flashes ensue. But, everybody is different, so you just have to wait and see how stopping will effect you. Good luck.
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gage
Member
Reged: 11/27/02
Posts: 138
Loc: south central U.S.A.
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MAKE SURE YOU CLOSE TO A BATHROOM AT ALL TIMES AND HAVE PLENTY OF T. P., THATS REAL COLD TURKEY BUT IF YOU DO THE IMODIUM A.D. DEAL LIKE EVERONE HAS SAID IT WORKS!!!!
JUST EXPECT VERY LITTLE ENERGY AND TROUBLE SLEEPING DUE TO RESTLESS LEGS AT NIGHT. HOT, HOT, BATHS HELP THAT WHILE YOUR IN THE TUB, BUT ONCE YOUR OUT THEY COME BACK AT LEAST FOR ME. PLAIN AND SIMPLE COLD TURKEY IS HELL!!!!
BUT IT CAN BE DONE AND IS DONE EVERYDAY, YOU WONT DIE!!!
GAGE
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Purple
Enthusiast
Reged: 07/15/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Midwest
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Thanks to all that posted, I did do a search on the holiday but did not find posts that actually list what symptoms I may have. I just don't want to freak out when something happens and I wouldn't know if it's from the w/d or something else. I will keep you posted when I start mine and let you know how I am. I am just getting tired of taking a pill for this and that. I am worried about the original reason I take the Lortab for the headaches but I will deal with that somehow and come back here for advise.
Thanks to all again - You guys/girls are really great!!
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junebug101
Journeyman
Reged: 03/27/03
Posts: 69
Loc: NY
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Hi Purple - I've had one hellish holiday and one not bad at all, and it's all in the planning. The first time I underestimated, didn't have Immodium or anti-anxiety and/or sleep aid. My symptoms were: aches in shoulders, back (although I have a hern. disc), dizziness, sadness (lots of crying jags), insomnia, loss of appetite, and sometimes felt panicky. I don't say this to scare you, because like all things, they ended and I was fine. But my second holiday I prepared: I would take 10mg Immodium (pill) in the morning. Since nights were the worst for me I took .25mg Ativan to help sleep. I still had some achiness and dizziness, but nothing compared to that first time. You can do it! And you'll feel all the better after it's done. THe people on this board are very supportive too; I don't think I could have brought myself to do a second holiday if it weren't for all the good advice given.
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Kid Free and Loving It!
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Purple
Enthusiast
Reged: 07/15/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Midwest
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Hi June,
My question to you is the Immodium that you can buy at Walgreen's? pill form? I only have heard of the liquid kind. I want to prepare and also I have 10mg Valium that I have only taken twice and it made me sleep like a baby, I haven't taken it on a nightly basis because I didn't want to get hooked on another medicine. I don't have the Antivan so will Valium work in it's place.
There was a time no too long ago that I did not have my meds and was up at night with night sweats (I started thinking I was starting menopause and my right leg was very restless) to say the least this drove me NUTS! So sounds like I was already going thru w/d but then got my refill and haven't that happen since then. That's why I wrote this post so I know EXACTLY what I will be going thru and will know that it is w/d and not something else.
Please let me know about the Immodium so I can go get some and the Valium. Thanks for your reply and info, it really makes me feel that I am not alone in this.
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wat853son
Member
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 150
Loc: USA
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The Imodium is available in both forms in most stores including local grocers - liquid & solid (caplets). Most use the caplets (2mg loperamide). Yes valium will help w/many wd symptoms.
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junebug101
Journeyman
Reged: 03/27/03
Posts: 69
Loc: NY
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Yup, plain old over the counter immodium.
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Kid Free and Loving It!
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moonbeam
Member
Reged: 05/23/03
Posts: 176
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The Loperamide (Immodium) really will help. You can do a Google search on it and find just about any information you want to know about it. It is OTC, and was once by prescription only because it is considered an opiate. Since it doesn't cross the blood brain barrier, you won't get any euphoric feeling, but it will absolutely help with the w/d symptoms of night sweats, restless leg syndrom, and other flu-like feelings. It will help calm those opiate receptors in your brain that are screaming "withdrawals!"
Try to only take what you need to keep the w/d's at bay. I started out with about 16mgs at night before I went to bed, and actually slept pretty well and had some vivid (and entertaining) dreams. When I got up the next morning, I took a few more and headed off to work. I could't believe how well I felt those first few days without the hydro and just taking the Loperamide.
If you are trying to get off of the high doses of hydro, try taking the Immodium in between doses and just alternate the first couple of days, but take less of each medicine. Like if you were taking 2-10mg hydros at a time, just take one, wait a few hours, and then take 2 Immodium and just continue to alternate and reduce. You may be surprised to know that it really works. Just don't expect to "feel" anything, so don't take the immodium thinking that you will get a buzz, and be careful of the amount of Immodium (Loperamide) that you take. Take only what you need to satisfy those receptors. I can't stress enough to stay well hydrated by drinking a lot of water and juices (I mean A LOT!!), and you may want to keep some Metamucil on hand for your daily regimen. As with anything, you don't want to overdo any type of medication or continue on anything too long.
I hope some of this information helps you, and I wish you the best on your holiday.
The treatment for overdose to Loperamide is the same as treatment for opiate overdose, Narcan, so this should tell you something.
Love and peace
MB
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Trampy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/02/02
Posts: 1230
Loc: Southwest U.S.
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Quote:
Edit: I just read in another thread you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure will go up during withdrawal, so this is something you will have to watch.
-yawkaw
Clonidine helps with opiate withdrawal symptoms in general and it's an antihypertensive. But if you're already taking blood pressure medication you probably should not add clonidine unless you really know what you're doing.
I think that the reason so many of us are quitting or tapering now has to do with the change in the season and end of summer. It's easier to make a lifestyle change when the climate changes.
Trampy
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Your mileage may vary ...
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