Froggiefreak23:
What a great post!
Today is day number 9 of cold turkey for me. Fortunately I have a great Doctor that perscribed
Catapres Patch for me which has been an enormous help. The only side effect that I can determine from the Catapres is severe cotton mouth so I drink tons of water (which I'm sure helps to cleanse my system).
I had taken
Norco (about 12 / day) for more than three years. While the medication was originally perscribed for low back pain do to a herniated disc, it quickly became much more. Everything in my life very quickly began to center around those little yellow pills. I rationalized in my heart of hearts that I was in real pain, (which I was) and that the only way to deal with that pain, short of surgery, was to medicate myself.
This past summer, my wife and I went to Europe to celebrate our 30th anniversary. The airlines lost our luggage so the only meds I had were the ones I ALWAYS carried in my pocket. I went through withdrawals in the hotel for a day until our luggage arrived but God used that experience to really speak to me about what had happened to me. I knew then that I had to do something.
Upon returning from Europe I tried to go cold turkey a few times but would always cave-in to the instant relief afforded by just taking a few more pills. Realizing that c/t would never work, I tried to and even had some success at drastically reducing the amount I was taking. Immediately I reduced my daily intake to 5 / day (from the 12 / day which was my norm). Withdrawals were bad, but not horrible. Eventually I reduced it to 1-1/2 per day (1/2 tablet X 3 X per day). Again the withdrawals were uncomfortable, but not horrible.
Finally I realized that I was just delaying the inevitable so I just stopped, thinking that at only 1-1/2 pills per day the w/d wouldn't be very severe. WRONG!!! It was, to my amazement, as bad as it had been in Europe. Cold sweats, diarrhea, sleeplesness and horrible, horrible restless legs, sneezing. It was aweful. The next day I had a regularly scheduled Dr. appointment and I told my doctor that I had ceased taking the meds and told him about the withdrawals. He perscribed the Catapress Patch #2 which has been wonderful.
The most awesome thing thru all of this has been my wife's support and encouragement and how clearly I've heard the voice of the Lord. I am committed to never, ever again take another of these pills. To any out there who fear speaking with their Doctor, please, please don't hesitate to speak with them. If they are jerks about it, find a doctor who isn't. It can be done without any help but it is a ugly, ugly time that very few can endure without caving in.
Start recovery today. I am so amazed at how clearly my mind works without the Norcos. I am amazed at how supportive my wife ahs been, never ever ridiculeing me but always encouraging. She is one in a million.
Long post I know so I won't proof it. Sorry for any typos.
Hunterdog
hydrocodine withdrawl ? 
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